The Lift Ride to Paradise

One of the major tourist attractions in Taipei is the four-station-four-kilometer-lift "Maokong Gondola". Situated within  Wenshan district, the Maokong Gondola gives a float ride to savor the picturesque view of the entire city, including the skypescraper 101.

Last May 4, 2016, my son and I took the less-than-30-minute ride to the Maokong garden. Though it wasn't the first time for both of us, the experience was marvelous. My son enjoyed it more, since he was only two when he last had the ride.  The floating feeling while seeing the top view of the city gave the extraordinary ride that lifted up my senses.

The line passes through four stations: Taipei Zoo (動物園站), outside the Taipei Zoo, Taipei Zoo South (動物園內站), inside the Taipei Zoo, Zhinan Temple (指南宮站), Maokong (Sanxuan Temple) (貓空站). There is no direct ride to Maokong Station. One just has to alight from the Taipei Zoo station and stride left heading to the Maokong service station.

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There are two lines before getting on the cabin. Since many would like to experience the crystal cabin, also known as "Eyes of Maokong Gondola", it has the longer queue which is assisted by the crew. It is suggested for passengers to bring the easy card to save some time lining up for the tickets.