Wulai Scenic Area

In late December 2025, we decided to visit Wulai. We planned to take Bus 849 from Xindian Station on Beixin Road, but there was a long line of people waiting, and we felt the bus would already be jam-packed when it arrived. Bus 849 is the only public transportation to Wulai, and it’s a very popular tourist destination, so crowding is common. Taxis were offering rides near the bus station, so we decided to take one to make the trip faster and easier.

The scenery along the road was refreshing. The route wound through high mountains and followed the long, winding Nanshi River. Upon arriving in Wulai, we stopped at the small riverside park to enjoy the view of the red Wulai Suspension Bridge, the mountains on the opposite bank, and the fresh air. We walked a few minutes to Wulai Old Street and happily joined the crowds making their way through it. The old street was filled with shops selling colorful fresh fruit, Taiwanese sausages, hot dog sandwiches, native Atayal delicacies, souvenirs, colorful tribal shawls, and much more—it was a feast for the eyes. The old street ends with a right turn toward Lansheng Bridge, the rhombus‑shaped green bridge that connects Wulai Old Street to the hot spring district.

We climbed the uphill stairs to the Wulai Log Train, lined up to buy tickets, and enjoyed the clickety‑clack of the train wheels on the old tracks. The Wulai Log Train has a long history. Established in 1928, it was originally used to transport timber and local resources during the Japanese era. Sections of the line were dismantled decades ago, leaving only the current 1.5‑kilometer stretch. Over time, the train evolved from hauling logs to carrying tourists between Wulai and Wulai Falls. The train stopped at the turn‑around tunnel just a few meters from the Wulai Waterfall viewing deck. We walked along Pubu Road, which runs beside the deck, and found shops selling food, snacks, and souvenirs.

Wulai Waterfall is a sight to behold. It’s said to be the highest waterfall in northern Taiwan, so of course we had to take photos in front of it! After admiring the waterfall, we climbed another set of uphill stairs to the Wulai Scenic Cable Car station. Tickets for the gondola are a bit pricey at NT$300 per person, but we thought it was worth it—it’s a rare experience to cross the Nanshi River and reach the upper part of Wulai Waterfall.

There was a snack bar by the gondola station on the waterfall side. Some of us chose to stay at the viewing deck near the station, while others ventured uphill and braved the stairs leading to Yun Hsien Resort, where Yun Shien Lake is located. The view was amazing! Paddleboats can be rented for a relaxing ride on the lake. The green misty mountains around, the emerald waters, the Chinese gazebo, and the red footbridge all combine to create a truly captivating scene—something that feels like it was lifted from an old Chinese painting.

On the way back, we decided to walk the 1.5‑mile Lover’s Trail to return to Lansheng Bridge. It was already drizzling, and since it was winter, the afternoon temperature was getting very cold. Along the way, we were surprised to see some people sitting topless in small dammed‑up pools beside the river. Those pools must have hot spring channels feeding them, making the water warm enough for a relaxing outdoor bath even in winter—so brave of them!

Our trip to Wulai was an experience where nature, human ingenuity, and modern convenience all came together. Overall, it was amazing!