Wulai

Wulai (烏來) is a small town in Taipei County, Taiwan, famous for its hot springs and is the home of Atayal tribe. It's about a 40 minute bus ride from where I lived and it made a great day trip. Once we arrived to Wulai it's a straight walk up towards the mountains. The peaceful walk will lead you pass through the open air market on Wulai Old Street Aboriginal Shops on the main street, and continues to the falls via the "Lover's Path", which affords some nice views of the river gorge below the falls. Wulai is the place in the Taipei area to soak away the winter cold and damp. In fact, the name Wulai is the aboriginal tribe Atayal's term for hot springs. The mineral spring water here comes in two types, carbonate and sodium bicarbonate at Wulai are clear and odorless.


There are three main attractions of Wulai after you pass the main street. First stop is the Wulai Scenic Train, the little train brings you to the terminus of the cable car that brings you to the top of a nearby mountain. From the main tourist street in the town, cross the bridge, and take the wooden staircase across the road. It goes up to the left. Follow the pedestrian street to the station. It costs NT$50 and takes you about two kilometers. Wulai Scenic Train, is a converted mine train built during the Japanese era that takes visitors from downtown Wulai to the attractions at the base of Wulai Falls.




Several waterfalls exist in the Wulai gorge, but the largest is Wulai Falls (烏來瀑布) and the most famous. Across the view of the falls is a row of shops selling authentic Aboriginal shops.




The Gondola is a spectacular way to see Wulai Falls as it takes visitors from the base of the gorge to the top of the mountain where Yunxian playground (雲仙樂園) is located. Yunxian playground (雲仙樂園) a nature park with gardens, paddle boats, natural trails, and natural obstacle courses. A hotel, conference center, and a beautiful garden park with paddle boats, nature trails is within the park.