If you're craving an authentic cultural experience just a short trip from Taipei, Wulai Old Street (烏來老街) is your gateway to Taiwan’s indigenous heritage, mountain cuisine, and riverside charm.

Nestled in the heart of Wulai District, this vibrant street offers more than just snacks—it tells the story of the Atayal people, the native tribe that has called these hills home for centuries.

Wulai Old Street

In this guide, we’ll take you on a flavorful and cultural stroll through Wulai Old Street, showcasing the best eats, shops, and unique attractions you’ll find along the way.

Visit my Wulai Travel Guide to know how to get to Wulai from Taipei.

Where Is Wulai Old Street?

📍 Location: Wenquan Street (溫泉街), Wulai District, New Taipei City

🕒 Best Time to Visit: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

🚗 How to Get There: From Xindian MRT Station (Green Line), take Bus 849 to Wulai Terminal Station (around 40–50 minutes). The Old Street begins just a few minutes’ walk from the bus stop.

A Short Yet Flavorful Street Packed with Character

Unlike the sprawling old streets of Jiufen or Tamsui, Wulai Old Street is compact, stretching only a few hundred meters. But don’t let its size fool you—every corner is packed with rustic mountain charm and mouthwatering indigenous delicacies.

You’ll walk on narrow paths lined with wooden storefronts, colorful murals, and the occasional open fire roasting wild boar.

The vibe is laid-back, the air smells smoky-sweet, and the surrounding mountains make you feel far from the city, even though you’re only an hour away from Taipei.

What to Eat at Wulai Old Street

🍢 Wild Boar Sausage (山豬香腸)

Perhaps the most iconic snack in Wulai. The sausages are made from wild boar meat—smokier, gamier, and more flavorful than regular pork. Served hot off the grill and often drizzled with garlic soy sauce.

Wild Boar Sausage

🍖 Grilled Mountain Boar Skewers

Tender chunks of boar meat grilled on bamboo sticks. Some stalls marinate it with herbs and spices used by the Atayal people.

🌽 Millet Mochi (小米麻糬)

Sticky rice cakes made from millet, a grain traditionally cultivated by Taiwan’s indigenous groups. These can be grilled and brushed with peanut powder, sesame, or sweet sauce.

Millet Mochi

🍵 Bamboo Rice (竹筒飯)

Rice steamed inside a bamboo stalk, absorbing a subtle earthy aroma. Sometimes stuffed with mushrooms, meat, or even sweet red beans.

🥟 Atayal-style Dumplings

Wrapped in leaves or bamboo, these dumplings contain sticky rice, pork, and beans. A mountain take on the zongzi, with a native twist.

☕ Herbal Tea and Wild Ginger Drink

Don’t miss trying local herbal drinks, especially wild ginger tea, believed to have health benefits and a warming effect—perfect for Wulai’s cool, damp climate.

During our Wulai trip, we stumbled upon a humble restaurant with no English signage. The friendly owner, though she only spoke Mandarin, recommended their house specialties:

Scallion egg omelet
Beef sautéed in black pepper and onions
Bamboo tube rice
Pork rib pops (like Taiwanese-style chicken)

All of this paired perfectly with a cold bottled Coca-Cola—the ideal meal after a long walk.

The restaurant also boasts the overlooking view of the Nanshi River, a perfect way to enjoy your stay while making your tummy full.

Shops and Souvenirs

Wulai Old Street isn’t just about food. You’ll also find:

🧶 Handwoven Textiles and Beaded Jewelry – Made by Atayal artisans, these crafts often use traditional geometric patterns passed down for generations.

🎨 Aboriginal-Inspired Artwork – Murals, carvings, and paintings often depicting the Atayal lifestyle, hunting scenes, or facial tattoo designs.

🍯 Honey, Mushrooms, and Mountain Herbs – Local products harvested from the forests around Wulai, sold in jars or dried packs—great gifts for friends back home.

Dried Strawberries on yogurt

Cultural Highlights Along the Street

🎭 Atayal Cultural Museum (烏來泰雅民族博物館)

Located just a few steps from the Old Street, this free-entry museum offers exhibits on Atayal traditions, clothing, tools, and even a short film about indigenous life in the area. A must-visit if you want context behind what you’re seeing and eating.

Wulai Atayal Museum

🛤️ Wulai Log Cart Station

At the far end of the street, you’ll find the starting point for the famous Wulai Log Cart—a narrow-gauge mini-train that brings passengers through the forest to Wulai Waterfall. The cart ride is short but magical.

Wulai Log Cart Old Street Terminal in the morning

🌸 Riverside Walks and Hot Springs

Right beside the Old Street is the beautiful Nanshi River (南勢溪). You can stroll along its banks, enjoy the sounds of nature, and even dip your feet in a riverside hot spring if you're feeling adventurous.

Scooter in Taiwan is so common

When to Visit and What to Expect

Wulai Old Street is open year-round, but weekdays are quieter. If you prefer a peaceful stroll and shorter lines, visit in the morning or on non-holiday weekdays.

Spring and autumn offer the most pleasant weather, while winter makes the hot springs more inviting. Expect a lot of tourists on weekends, especially during cherry blossom season (February to March), when the nearby riverbanks bloom in pink.

Final Thoughts: Why Wulai Old Street Is Worth the Trip

While it might not be as famous as Jiufen or Shifen, Wulai Old Street stands out for its blend of indigenous culture, mountain cuisine, and natural beauty. It’s a place where history is still alive, where food tells a story, and where the forest feels just a few steps away.

Whether you’re here to feast on boar skewers, ride a vintage log cart, or learn about the Atayal people, Wulai Old Street is more than just a stop—it’s a highlight of any trip to northern Taiwan.

Quick Travel Tips

🚆 From Taipei: Take MRT to Xindian Station, then Bus 849 to Wulai

🍴 Must-Try: Wild boar sausage, millet mochi, bamboo rice

🎨 Don’t Miss: Atayal Cultural Museum for free insight into local heritage

🚶 Best Experience: Walk the street, ride the log cart, enjoy riverside views

Planning to spend a day in Wulai? Check out my day tour Wulai itinerary that includes Old Street, Log Cart, Waterfall, and the cable car to Yun Hsien Resort!

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WULAI OLD STREET: A Taste of Taiwan’s Indigenous Culture and Mountain Flavors