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Qigong, Meditation and Cha Dao (Way of Tea) Retreat in Taiwan

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Qigong, Meditation and Cha Dao (Way of Tea) Retreat in Taiwan

May 19 - 27, 2025

Taipei City, Taiwan

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Hosted By

Solala Towler

7.7k followers

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8 nights, 9 days

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25 person retreat

Highlights

  • Enter the world of Qigong, Daoist Energy Meditation, and Cha Dao (The Way of Tea) in beautiful Taiwan with master teacher Solala Towler!

Details

-Do daily qigong with Solala -Do evening group meditations -Visit magical teahouses in the mountains outside of Taipei -Eat amazing food. -Go “forest bathing,” hiking up a beautiful trail to a special temple, and enjoy a tea ceremony in nature with a local tea master -Visit Daoist and Buddhist temples. -Visit the Global Tea Hut center and have a powerful tea ceremony with Tea Teacher Wu De! -Meet a Daoist master who lives in the mountains! -Ride the longest cable car ride in the world up to Mao Gong, a mountainous area outside of Taipei! -Visit a teahouse where the floor is a pond (with fish), and step across a stone path to reach the tearoom, overlooking the mountains! -Eat tea-infused ice cream! -Visit Sun Moon Lake and watch traditional dancing by the Indigenous people of Taiwan! -Visit the Yonglian Temple, dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion, Guan Yin! -Visit the National Museum, one of the largest museums in Asia! -Regular circle sharing all throughout the trip

Location

Taipei City, Taiwan

Da’an District is a vibrant and central area of Taipei City, Taiwan, known for its blend of modern urban life and lush green spaces. This district is home to prestigious universities, bustling shopping streets, and extensive cultural venues, making it a hub of activity and innovation. Da’an is famous for its luxurious shopping experiences at places like the Taipei Eastern District, which is filled with high-end boutiques and international brands. The area also boasts the tranquil Da’an Forest Park, often referred to as the "lungs of Taipei," which provides a peaceful escape with its large pond, walking paths, and shaded areas. Additionally, Da’an hosts a variety of trendy cafes and international cuisine, reflecting the cosmopolitan nature of the district. With its convenient transportation links and a mix of residential and commercial developments, Da’an District offers a dynamic and stylish environment that attracts both locals and tourists alike.

Venue

Dandy Hotel Daan Park Branch

4.5 1656 Reviews

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Stepping into the Dandy Da’an Forest Park Hotel feels like entering a realm where art and nature converge seamlessly. The lobby design exudes a minimalist, rustic, and understated wabi-sabi aesthetic, blending simple elements of wood and stone with natural textures. From the sleek minimalist lobby to the tranquil and unpretentious guest room furnishings, every detail reflects Dandy’s distinct taste and natural ambiance, offering travelers a tranquil and inviting retreat. The hotel comprises 73 rooms spread across 9 floors, each designed to provide guests with a comfortable and relaxing experience. Facing Da’an Forest Park feels like being in New York’s Central Park, offering breathtaking views and a chance to experience the serene pace of nature. The room design is minimalist yet cozy, exuding a natural and homely lifestyle vibe, ensuring you feel the warmth and comfort of home throughout your stay.

Free Wifi

Free Wifi

Laundry

Laundry

Cafe

Cafe

Shower

Shower

Iron

Iron

Bathtub

Bathtub

Bathroom

Bathroom

Accommodation

Private Room

4 Rooms Left

Private room for 1

$4,900 USD total

Shared Double Room

2-person shared room

$4,300 USD / person

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Stepping into the Dandy Da’an Forest Park Hotel feels like entering a realm where art and nature converge seamlessly. The lobby design exudes a minimalist, rustic, and understated wabi-sabi aesthetic, blending simple elements of wood and stone with natural textures. From the sleek minimalist lobby to the tranquil and unpretentious guest room furnishings, every detail reflects Dandy’s distinct taste and natural ambiance, offering travelers a tranquil and inviting retreat. The hotel comprises 73 rooms spread across 9 floors, each designed to provide guests with a comfortable and relaxing experience. Facing Da’an Forest Park feels like being in New York’s Central Park, offering breathtaking views and a chance to experience the serene pace of nature. The room design is minimalist yet cozy, exuding a natural and homely lifestyle vibe, ensuring you feel the warmth and comfort of home throughout your stay.

Meals

meal image

Meals provided

Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

Diets catered

Vegetarian · Gluten-free · Dairy-free · Paleo Friendly · Keto Friendly

We will eat breakfast at a buffet at our hotel and have our other meals at various places around Taipei and when we spend a few nights at Sun Moon Lake.

Schedule

We will be primarily in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, with some travel to other parts of Taiwan. Taiwan is a democratically run country where people are very friendly and warm. Our translator/guide will be Dana Xu, who I have worked with for many years in China. Hopefully, we will be able to get her to play her wonderful flute music for us! She also sings! • Visit magical teahouses in the mountains outside of Taipei • Eat amazing food, including the best baozi (dumplings) in Taiwan • Go “forest bathing,” hiking up a beautiful trail that leads to a special temple, and enjoy a tea ceremony in nature with local tea master and artist El Kalinado • Visit Daoist and Buddhist temples, including one that is both Daoist and Buddhist • Visit the Global Tea Hut center and have a powerful tea ceremony with tea teacher Wu De • Meet a Daoist master who lives in the mountains • Ride the longest cable car ride in the world up to Mao Gong, a mountainous area outside of Taipei • Do daily qigong with Solala • Learn the ancient Daoist Wuji Qigong form • Do evening group meditations • Visit a teahouse where the floor is a pond (with fish), walk over a small bridge, and step across a stone path to reach the tearoom, overlooking the mountains • Eat tea-infused ice cream • Visit Sun Moon Lake and watch traditional dancing by the Indigenous people of Taiwan • Visit the Yonglian Temple, dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion, Guan Yin • Visit the National Museum, one of the largest museums in Asia • Regular circle sharing all throughout the trip • and much, much more.

Testimonials

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Towler’s approach to the Tao Te Ching reveals the quintessence of the study. Taoism relies upon practice, the cultivating of innate nature, and the preservation of life force. Under his guidance, anyone can depend their practice as well as digest the core meaning of this classic. Hu Xuzhou, author of Revealing the Tao Te Ching

Hu Xuzhou, China

Ingenious. Tower turns this classic of mystical Tao philosophy into a boots-on-the-ground manual for spiritual practice. Michael Winn, founder of healingdao.com.

Michael Winn, US

"I have not read such an inspiring, fascinating nor powerfully spiritual publication as Practicing Tao Te Ching by Solala Towler for such a long time...[It] is a truly great and impressive work—one that I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone looking for an authentic form of effective spiritual guidance in their lives. Our rating: 5/5." —Spirituality Today

Spirituality Today, US

Solala has also successfully guided us down some of these paths with real, practical ways to cultivate and experience some of the teachings in this classic. As many of these pathways are covered in the brambles of a few thousand years of overgrowth, pushing aside some of the modern weeds to see the paths leading into the old forest is invaluable. Most commentaries stop there. Solala Towler has taken his role as a guide more seriously, and helped lead us down some of these old ways. We need more discussions that offer practical guidance with the potential for actual transformation and experiential growth like this book offers! —Wu De, author of Zen & TeaOne Flavor and The Way of Tea; publisher of Global Tea Hut magazine

Wu De, Taiwan

A well-written and eminently useful guide to putting the teach-ins of Taoism’s greatest sage into one’s daily life and practice. Red Pine, author of Lao-tzu’s Taoteching

Red Pine, US

Just being in the same room with Solala Towler changed my way of seeing the world. He embodies the Daoist attitude of slow down and be yourself - and then he teaches a simple, slow-movement Qigong that is a ticket to an altered state. It hones memory, creativity, inspiration and intuition. I would love for all my friends to be there with me!

Kathy Wren, USA

Just wanted to say thank you for bringing Solala here. It was an amazing weekend. I felt like I experienced an altered state several times. My qi field feels expanded and clear today. Actually, it's a little challenging slipping back into the "after the ecstasy, the laundry." :)

Don Lax, USA

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Host

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Solala Towler

Eugene, OR, USA

Solala has been studying and teaching the Taoist (Daoist) arts for over 30 years, and has published his words of wisdom into 14 books, in six languages. Solala is available for private classes in Qigo...

Certified Yoga Instructor

Accreditation has been verified

1 language

English

Teaching for 8 years

Joined Insight Timer in Sep 2017

What's Included

All hotels, meals, transportation in Taiwan, classes, translations, special tea activities.

Not Included

Flight to Taiwan and back from your home country.

FAQs

Guest requirements

  • An open mind and open heart. No experience with Cha Dao, meditation or qigong required. We are all beginners on the path of Dao!

Cancellation policy

The remaining balance for the retreat is due 60 days prior to the start date. If this balance is paid earlier than these 60 days, you are eligible to cancel and receive a full refund of this remaining balance, provided you do so at least 60 days before the retreat begins.