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Wulai

Wulai (meaning hot springs) is a mountainous area 11 miles south of Taipei known for its spectacular scenery, cool fresh air, stunning waterfalls and the beautiful gorges of the Nanshih River. The river is an amazing colour of blue-green

 

The hot springs, effective in healing dermatitis, are carbonic acid with a minor base. They are clear, transparent, colorless, and odorless. The famous Wulai Waterfall is about 80 meters high. There is a cable car to the top of the Wulai falls which provides breath-taking views of both the falls and the surrounding area. The old lumber trail trains are now used to take tourists up the trail to the base of the cable car.

 

At the top of the cable car you find yourself in the Yun Hsien Resort – a hotel, rainforest of trails, streams, spas and adventure park, which was rather a surprise. The cable car ticket includes access to the park. The exit to return to the cable car is through a museum.


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Wander down the main street and you cannot fail to wonder at the incredibly neat displays of food - probably the best selection and displays that we saw in Taiwan. As an Atayal aboriginal town, Wulai has all kinds of interesting Aboriginal food, like wild boar meat, millet wine, Bamboo Tube Rice and a lot of food are seasoned with the Aboriginal spice maqaw.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

In the area there are several small Aboriginal villages and a series of hot springs, all of which have been developed into fully fledged health resorts. Fushan, reached by a twisting mountainous road, is a typical rural aboriginal village. The Taiwanese aborigines (Tai Ya Tribes) in Wulai are the original people of Taiwan who are related to the people from the South Pacific (which confuses the whole issue as to whether Taiwan is a part of China).

 

The Wulai Atayal Museum shows the history and culture, including the harvest and religious festivities, of the Atayal indigenous people who live in the Wulai area and the mountains of Northern Taiwan. Everything is clearly labelled in Chinese and English. There are models of the traditional bamboo buildings that the Atayal lived in, although sadly, there are no longer any of these buildings in existence. Atayal includes the Atayal and Sejiq, whose population is second to Amis and the second largest in Taiwan. Their face tattoos are well known and the people believe they are a symbol of beauty.


The Neidong Forest Recreation Area is about 5km beyond Wulai. You can get there by taxi. There is an entry fee payable at the gate where you enter. Shortly after entering you pass by the Luohao Dam which diverts water via a tunnel to the hydro-electric power station in Wulai. It’s about a 1km walk along a flat path to reach the Neidong Waterfall where you can appreciate the beauty of the waterfall and the fantastic view. You can hike up the Green Shower Trail to the top of the waterfall. 



Take the MRT to Xindian station and then take a bus to Wulai for NT$40.Then take a taxi to Neidong Forest Recreation Area (entry NT$80)