Ermei Township

Most residents of Ermei are Hakka farmers, preserving a rustic rural charm. The Ermei Creek valley’s abundant mist and humidity nurture the world-renowned Oolong tea (Oriental Beauty). The century-old Fuxing Tea Factory still operates here. Historically limited by the Dapu Reservoir protection zone, Ermei retained its pristine environment, deep Hakka traditions, and high-potential agricultural and recreational resources. Through sustainable, participatory planning and the expansion effects of Hsinchu Science Park, Ermei is evolving into a suburban leisure hub that blends tea tourism, religious festivals, and Hakka cultural experiences—creating new local development opportunities aligned with the modern Hsinchu metropolitan area.

Ermei Township Office

Oriental Beauty Tea

Known as “Pang-Feng Tea” or White-Tip Oolong, this tea grows in Ermei and nearby Beipu. A special cultivar eaten by the tea green leafhopper (zhaoyuan) produces its unique flavor and aroma. Hand-picked one bud with two leaves and artisan-processed, it was once Taiwan’s top export tea and earned its English name after Queen Elizabeth praised its exquisite taste.

White Jade Bitter Melon

Bitter melon is prized for its cooling, detoxifying, and beauty-enhancing properties. The Compendium of Materia Medica calls it “Brocade Lychee.” Raw it’s cooling, cooked it’s warming. It lowers blood sugar, relieves heatstroke, fatigue, heat rash, and diarrhea, and nourishes the blood when ripe. Ermei grows two main varieties: the milder White Jade (lowland) and the intensely bitter Green Jade (upland). Processed into a refreshing juice, White Jade Bitter Melon is celebrated for its delicate flavor and health benefits.

Tankan Orange

Developed from a seedless Yilan variety, the ‘Dashun Tankan’ thrives in well-drained, sandy soils. An evergreen small tree with fragrant white flowers (February–April), it bears sweet, juicy fruits January–April. Highly prized for its rich flavor and juice-filled flesh, Tankan oranges are a seasonal highlight in Ermei.