Known for its breathtaking waterfalls, aboriginal culture, and therapeutic hot springs, Wulai is a place where nature meets heritage. Whether you're a nature lover, a culture seeker, or just someone looking for a relaxing day out, Wulai has something magical waiting for you.
It’s easily accessible, incredibly photogenic, and deeply rooted in the indigenous traditions of Taiwan—making it a must-visit destination.
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What is Wulai? A Nature and Culture-Packed District Just an Hour from Taipei
Wulai (烏來) is a district located in the southernmost part of New Taipei City, around 25 km from Taipei. It’s most famous for its namesake waterfall—Wulai Waterfall—as well as its aboriginal Atayal roots.
The name “Wulai” comes from the Atayal word “Ulay,” which means "hot and poisonous" and refers to the area's hot springs.
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| At Wulai Bus Station |
The district is nestled along the Nanshi River and surrounded by forested mountains, creating a serene backdrop that feels worlds away from the urban sprawl of the capital.
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Wulai has a long history as the home of the Atayal people, one of Taiwan’s many indigenous tribes. Their culture remains vibrant today, showcased through the local food, handicrafts, museums, and performances found throughout the area—particularly along Wulai Old Street.
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| Wulai Old Street |
Expect to see waterfalls, suspension bridges, traditional log carts, hot spring resorts, museums, scenic train rides, and a quaint mountain town ambiance.
Best Time to Visit Wulai and What to Wear
Wulai is an all-year-round destination, but the best months to visit are March to May and October to November, when the weather is mild and the foliage is especially beautiful. Spring also brings cherry blossoms around the Wulai Falls, while autumn gives you golden mountain landscapes.
Summer (June to September) can be humid, and winter (December to February) can be chilly—but the hot springs make the latter more inviting. If you plan to hike or explore Yun Hsien Resort, wear comfortable walking shoes, light layers, and bring water. If you’re going during colder months, don’t forget a jacket, especially for the windy mountain areas.
How to Get to Wulai from Taipei via Public Transportation
We started our journey early from Ximending, hopping on the Taipei Metro Green Line (Songshan–Xindian Line) straight to Xindian Station. The MRT ride was fast and efficient, taking only about 20 minutes.
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| Ximen Station |
From Xindian Station, head to the bus terminal beside it and look for Bus 849, bound for Wulai.
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| Xindian Bus Station |
🚌 Bus 849 fare (as of our visit): NT$15 (with EasyCard)
🚇 MRT fare from Ximending to Xindian: NT$28 (with EasyCard)
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| My EasyCard I ordered from Klook app |
Both the MRT and bus rides were paid using our EasyCard, which we purchased in advance via Klook. The EasyCard makes travel in Taipei seamless, and it's reloadable at any MRT station or convenience store.
The bus ride to Wulai takes around 25 minutes, but do note: the road is zigzagging and slightly steep—think Kennon Road to Baguio in the Philippines.
The bus we boarded resembled a BGC Bus in Metro Manila with ample standing space. If you’re prone to motion sickness or prefer a seated ride, wait for a bus with more seats.
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| Wulai Bus Schedule |
⏰ Total travel time: Just under an hour from Ximending to Wulai Old Street
🚍 Note: Try to leave before 8:00 AM to beat the crowd and enjoy cooler morning air.
Arriving in Wulai: First Impressions and the Old Street
We alighted at the Wulai Terminal Bus Station, right by the picturesque Wulai Suspension Bridge, which spans over the emerald waters of the Nanshi River. Although the bridge was closed during our visit, it still made for a stunning photo backdrop.
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| Wulai Suspension Bridge over Nanshi River |
A short walk across a smaller bridge on North 107 Town Road led us past a Family Mart and 7-Eleven.
After which we spotted the Wulai Atayal Museum—the gateway to the famous Wulai Old Street.
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| Wulai Atayal Museum |
Wulai Old Street stretches for 300 meters along Huanshan Road and Pubu Road, paved in stone slate and flanked by aboriginal-themed shop signs.
The shops were still mostly closed when we arrived, but one food stall caught our attention—already grilling Taiwanese Sausages and Millet Mochis—a warm and savory welcome snack!
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| Wild Boar Sausage |
Here you can find unique Atayal delicacies like:
- Roasted boar meat
- Hot spring eggs
- Sticky rice wrapped in bamboo
- Magao-flavored dishes
- Aboriginal-style rice dumplings
- Millet wine & sticky rice balls
You may even catch traditional song and dance performances, offering a glimpse into the Atayal way of life.
Crossing Langshen Bridge to Wulai’s Log Cart and Waterfall
After enjoying the Old Street, we crossed the Langshen Bridge, a gorgeous photo spot where the views of Nanshi River and surrounding forested cliffs were simply stunning.
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| Langshen Bridge |
From there, we ascended several flights of stairs to reach the Wulai Log Cart station—a traditional mini-train originally used for logging, now repurposed for tourism.
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| Wulai Log Cart Welcome Signage |
🎫 Log Cart fare: NT$50 per person (We booked ours via Klook. PWDs ride for free!)
🚋 Ride time: ~5 minutes
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| Scenic view from the log cart |
The train offered a fun, short scenic ride parallel to Pubu Road, leading to the majestic Wulai Waterfall.
Wulai Waterfall, Yun Hsien Cable Car, and the Resort in the Clouds
The Log Cart drops you off at Waterfall Station, where you can already see the iconic Wulai Waterfall—a 80-meter high cascade crashing into the lush valley below. We took photos at the Wulai Forestry Living Museum's viewpoint (with a public restroom available).
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| Wulai Falls |
From here, we ascended again—more stairs—to reach the cable car station to Yun Hsien Resort.
🎫 Cable car round-trip fare: NT$220
(Discounted fare for PWDs available. We booked again via Klook.)
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| Yun Hsien Cable Car |
The Yun Hsien Cable Car glided smoothly above the falls, giving us aerial views of Wulai's natural beauty.
At the summit, we were greeted by a peaceful viewing area with a drink stand selling Ice Genie’s pellet ice cream, cold drinks, and snacks.
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| Genie Ice Cream at Yun Hsien Resort |
Further up, more stairs lead into Yun Hsien Resort, known for:
- A fern trail
- Butterfly gardens
- Family attractions like mini zoos
- Nature walks and picnic spots
We opted not to continue exploring the resort and instead descended back down via the same cable car and returned via Log Cart to Wulai Old Street for lunch.
Local Lunch at Wulai Old Street
We supposed to have lunch at one of the restaurants near the Yun Hsien Cable Car station. However, the restaurant was closed even at 11am. So we headed straight back to the Old Street.
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.
We noticed many stores sold fresh produce, dried fruits, and vegetables. One souvenir shop even gave us free samples of dried strawberries—a sweet parting gift.
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| Dried Strawberries on yogurt |
Heading Back to Taipei
We caught the 849 Bus back to Xindian at around 1:40 PM, arriving in Ximending by 3:00 PM.
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| Bus back to Taipei |
To wrap up our day, we discovered a cozy café named inn Cafe along Lane 27, Chengdu Road, where we indulged in waffles and coffee before calling it a day.
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| At inn Cafe |
After a long trip to Wulai, we all opted to visit Taipei 101 next.
Check out my Taipei Travel Guide for more!
Attractions Visited in Wulai
Here are the attractions we visited in Wulai:
- Wulai Old Street
- Wulai Suspension Bridge
- Langshen Bridge
- Wulai Log Cart
- Wulai Waterfall
- Yun Hsien Cable Car
- Viewpoint at Wulai Forestry Living Museum
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| Wulai Falls |
Sample Itinerary
Here's a sample itinerary you can follow for your visit to Wulai:
7:30 AM – Depart Ximending
8:50 AM – Arrive in Wulai Old Street
9:30 AM – Explore Old Street and Langshen Bridge
10:00 AM – Ride Log Cart to Wulai Waterfall
10:30 AM – Take Cable Car to Yun Hsien
11:30 AM – Return to Old Street
12:00 PM – Lunch at Wulai Old Street
1:30 PM – Head back to Taipei
3:00 PM – Back in Taipei
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| We're back in Taipei |
Estimated Budget (Per Person)
EasyCard load: NT$100–150
MRT (Ximending to Xindian): NT$28
Bus 849 (Round-trip): NT$30
Log Cart: NT$50
Cable Car: NT$220
Lunch: NT$200–300
Snacks/Souvenirs: NT$100–200
Total: ~NT$600–800 (~₱1,100–₱1,500)
Final Thoughts
Wulai is a stunning mix of culture, cuisine, and raw natural beauty. Just under an hour from Taipei, it’s a perfect day trip that combines local flavors with scenic trails and waterfalls. With its easy access, budget-friendly travel, and rewarding views, Wulai is one of the best off-the-beaten-path destinations in northern Taiwan. Whether you go for a dip in the hot springs, a bite of bamboo rice, or a ride above the clouds—Wulai will welcome you with warmth and wonder.
Also in Taiwan
- TAIWAN TRAVEL GUIDE: How to Travel from Manila to Taipei (For First Timers)
- TAIPEI TRAVEL GUIDE: Explore Taiwan's Capital City
- Understanding Taipei Districts: A Complete Guide to the Taiwan's Soul
- Understanding Taipei Metro: Guide to Taiwan's MRT (Stations and Map)
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