I visited the China Airlines VIP Lounge within Taoyuan International Airport’s Terminal 1 in July 2025. The atmosphere feels very earthy and zen with its interior design. The food is nice, but it’s not competing with Singapore Airlines or Cathay Pacific.

Location and access

China Airlines runs multiple lounges across Terminals 1 and 2, each with A and B sections. Only the A section in Terminal 1 Level 4 was open at the time, tucked right beside the escalator. I overshot it on my first pass, so keep an eye out.

You can access this lounge (and likewise the other open China Airlines VIP Lounge in Terminal 2) either as a SkyTeam Elite Plus member, or by flying as a SkyTeam Business or First Class passenger.

Layout

Upon checking in at reception, turn left and walk down a long hallway to reach the business lounge. Granite stone walls line the passage with warm timber details, creating an earthy atmosphere. I found it genuinely zen, with interior design that feels considered and refined.

I’ve read that China Airlines designed this space around Oriental aesthetics, by blending contemporary design with Song Dynasty aesthetics and the Classical Gardens of Suzhou. It’s noticeably different from EVA Air’s sleek, futuristic lounges.

Deeper inside, you’ll find washrooms, a sleeping room with lockers and a nursing room along the hallway. The lockers are a nice touch for storing bags whilst you freshen up or rest before your flight, though you’d have to request the keys from the reception. I personally didn’t use the sleeping room or the lockers on this visit.

Next, you’ll pass the exclusive Dynasty Paragon Lounge, reserved for China Airlines’ top-tier frequent flyers. I didn’t have access to it, but caught a glimpse when the doors opened.

Finally, the main business class lounge sits at the end of the hallway, marked by a sign over the granite walls.

The entrance opens into a large hallway for the main business lounge. It’s fairly symmetrical, with similar furnishings on both sides. Seating is mostly soft sofas scattered throughout.

The lounge has no natural lighting except for a small section at the end. Honestly, it works nicely. I loved how the interior design embraces the lack of natural lighting. The materials and lighting blend well to suit the lack of natural light.

If you prefer some natural light, you can head to the main dining area by the Chinese Noodle Bar, though the views aren’t that great since it doesn’t look out to the tarmac and it’s also partially blocked by some plants.

Food and drinks

Food and drinks anchor the centre of the lounge. On the north side, there is a buffet spread alongside a live Chinese Noodle Bar serving six different noodle and udon options, plus a Thai green curry with rice.

The options were pretty good. You could choose between noodles and udon. I personally chose the Taiwanese beef noodle soup, which was delicious.

If you’re not interested in noodles, you could always go for other options. I believe they do rotate the Thai green curry. If that’s not to your liking, there’s always the buffet spread.

There were also two drinks fridge, one on each side of the lounge. The options were pretty similar on both sides, with some slight variations in drinks.

On the quieter south side, you’ll find pastries, breads, wine, Evian water and a DIY boba station. It’s an interesting experience for an airline lounge where you actually get to make something yourself, and a nod to Taiwan’s milk tea popularity.

Being able to customise your own milk tea is a fun touch that sets the lounge apart and appeals to those who enjoy a hands-on experience with their drinks.

The station typically includes ingredients like tapioca pearls, premixed milk tea and plain milk, allowing travellers to personalise sweetness and flavour intensity to their tastes.

Amenities

Showers require a request at reception, meaning you have to walk back there from the lounge area. Only two are available, which could be tight during busy periods. The lounge was quiet during my visit, so I faced no queue and got in right away.

​Toiletries were unbranded shampoo and body wash. Local Taiwanese brands could have added a distinctive touch and better aligned with the lounge’s cultural design theme.​

Final thoughts

This lounge offers thoughtful design and good food options, creating a genuinely calming space. Highlights like the live noodle bar and DIY boba milk tea station provide enjoyable local touches. Compared to EVA Air’s lounges, which often feel overcrowded, this lounge delivers better peace and intimacy despite its dim lighting. For SkyTeam travellers at TPE, it’s a solid choice that balances comfort and cultural character well.