Wulai is located within the mountainous district south of Taipei City, which is famous for its hot springs and aboriginal culture. After the long coach ride, we reached the first destination at Wulai, the Neidong National Forest Recreation Area (內洞國家森林遊樂區). This is a large park popular for its waterfalls and the turquoise blue river. We only walked along the Waterfall View Trail, which follows the river upstream.
Along the way, we would pass by the dam, then the lower, middle and higher level waterfalls.
For those more adventurous, one could walk further and try out the hiking trail that winds through the forest. After lots of photo taking at the waterfalls, we turned back via the same trail and back to the entrance. We got onto the coach and made a short trip to the town area.
We alighted near the tourist centre, crossed the bridge and reached the Wulai Old Street (烏來老街), which is considered as the heart of the Wulai town. Along the way, we could see the Nanshih River, which itself is a hot spring river, and many people were soaking in the free bath!
 |
| Nanshih River |
 |
| River cutting across the town |
The main street itself is not very long and 2 sides of the street are mainly lined up with small hotels with hot spring services, restaurants and shops selling local delights and snacks. Along the way, we can also find the Wulai Atayal Aboriginal Museum.
 |
| Roasted Suckling Pig |
 |
| Wulai Old Street (Source: Photo from gotaiwantrip.com) |
As it was already lunch time, we bought different kinds of food snacks and ate as we stroll along. Some of the popular food includes the grilled wild boar sausages, steamed bamboo rice and mochi.
Sun Moon Light Hot Spring (日月光温泉)
After some shopping at the Wulai Old Street, we returned to the tourist centre and boarded the coach to the next destination, which was also the highlight of the trip, the hot spring! We arrived at Sun Moon Light Hot Spring (日月光温泉) soon after a short drive from the town area.
 |
| Sun Moon Light Hot Spring (Source: Photo from blog.xuite.net) |
As we were a large group, we opted for the outdoor public pool so that everyone can enjoy the hot spring together. Being outdoor, everyone need to put on the swimsuit in order to enter the pool. There are 5 hot spring pools with water temperature ranging from 32-42 deg C and a cold spring pool. While enjoying the hot spring, we could also look at the nice mountainous scenery outside.
 |
| Hot Spring (Source: Photo from sunmoonlighthotspring.net) |
Everyone had great fun soaking in different pools. After the revitalising hot spring bath, it was time to make our way back to Taipei City.
It had been a tiring day so far, and most of us had a nap on the coach while we make our way to the Din Tai Fung at Taipei 101. It was already dark when we arrived at Taipei 101. The restaurant is located at the basement of the mall and the queue was very long. We waited for around half an hour before we go seated.
 |
| Taipei 101 |
 |
| Din Tai Fung (Source: Photo from plaza.rakuten) |
The food offering is almost similar to those we could find in Singapore. We ordered our usual favourites, such as the famous Xiao Long Bao, egg fried rice, the soup noodle wanton and many other dishes. We did not explore Taipei 101 after the meal, as we would come back here again on
Day 7.
Chia Te Bakery (佳德糕餅)
Our last activity of the day was to visit the popular Chia Te Bakery (佳德糕餅) to buy their famous pineapple pastries (鳳梨酥).
 |
| Chia Te Bakery |
It was near their business closing time, but the shop was still packed with visitors. Other than the traditional pineapple pastries, they also have the pastries in different flavours such as cranberry and strawberry, and other products like sun cake, milk cake, egg tarts etc.
 |
| Rows of pastries and cakes (Source: Photo from Tripadvisor.com) |
Everyone was equipped with numerous boxes of pastries and cakes to be brought back home for family and friends. After the frenzy shopping, we headed back to the hotel to end the day.
Follow the links below to the other days of my Taiwan tour:
Day 1: Taipei (Tamsui, Ximending Hot Pot)
Day 2: Keelung (Tianhou Temple @ Peace Island, Zhong Zheng Park, Ershawan Fortification, Bisha Fishing Port, Nanya Rock Formation, Bitou Cape, Miaokou Night Market, Cashbox Party World)
Day 3: Hualien (Jinan Temple, Nan Fang Ao Fishing Harbour, Qingshui Cliff, Qixintan Beach, Hang Rou, Mochi, Fanlin House Minsu)
Day 4: Hualien (Taroko National Park Visitor Centre, Shakadang Trail, Leader Village Taroko, Buluowan Visitor Centre, Tianxiang, Eternal Spring Shrine, Dajili Restaurant, Rainbow Night Market)
Day 5: Taipei (Yilan Cake Factory, Fu Ge Shi Yao Chicken, Shifen & Sky Lantern, Mei Guan Yuan @ Ximending)
Day 6: Wulai (Neidong National Forest Recreation Area, Wulai Old Street, Sun Moon Light Hot Spring, Ding Tai Fung @ Taipei 101, Chia Te Bakery)
Day 7: Taipei (Hsing Tian Gong, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, Taipei 101, Wufenpu, Shi Da Night Market)
Day 8 & 9: Taipei (Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, Shin Yeh Restaurant, National Palace Museum, Shilin Night Market)
No comments:
Post a Comment