12+ Best Things to Do in Wulai on a Day Trip from Taipei (2026)!

Wulai isn’t typically on the radar for most tourists visiting Taiwan, but it certainly should be.

It’s a stunning mountain valley in New Taipei City famous for its natural hot springs and cascading waterfall. 

This panoramic escape from the crowds offers lots of lovely attractions for every type of visitor. 

I left feeling utterly enchanted after my Wulai day trip as the breathtaking scenery was out of this world. 

Here are all the best things to do in Wulai on a day trip from Taipei. 

Why visit Wulai in Taiwan?

Wulai is a stunning mountain valley in Taiwan home to the indigenous Atayal people with a rich cultural heritage. 

Most people visit to see the enchanting Wulai Falls, an 80-metre cascade in the heart of the village.

But there is plenty to see here otherwise. You can ride scenic trains, take a gondola to a cloud resort, discover museums or hike in nature. 

It’s also famous for its geothermal activity, and there are plenty of hot springs to soak in.

Altogether, Wulai makes a fabulous day trip away from the bustling streets of Taipei.

It’s a peaceful escape into a natural wonderland that I would return to in a heartbeat.

How to visit Wulai from Taipei

Wulai is a very easy day trip from Taipei, and the journey is roughly an hour by public transport. 

You can take the Taipei metro to either MRT Xindian (green) or NTU Hospital Station (red) and then switch to the 849 bus service.

Alternatively, you can take bus 849 the entire way from Taipei Main Station.

The last stop is Wulai Terminal Station. So, you won’t miss the stop as everyone has to hop off. 

Note that these bus services are very popular with locals and tourists alike. You may have to stand up or queue for a return bus back to Taipei.

Things to do in Wulai

There are plenty of incredible things to do in Wulai on a day trip that make it worth visiting.

You’ll find attractions for all kinds of interests, whether you love mountains, hiking, history, photography, or indulging in local cuisine. 

Here are all the best things to do in Wulai, Taiwan. 

1. Admire Wulai Falls

The reason why I wanted to visit Wulai was to visit the enchanting Wulai Falls.

This magical cascade is one of the most significant in Taiwan at 260 feet tall (or 80 metres)! It’s often called the ‘Waterfall in the Clouds’. 

There is a free observation deck on Pubu Road after a walk through the scenic Lover’s Trail.

Here, you can see the torrent crashing into the turquoise Nanshih River below. 

It’s also a very popular place to get photos or videos with Wulai Waterfall, so make sure to have your camera ready. 

2. Visit Warriors Plaza & Waterfall Cafés

Just beyond Wulai Falls, you’ll find the Warriors Plaza, which has a statue of a local Atayal hunter with his hound. 

You can also spot lots of colourful artwork on the floor and creative installations all over the observation deck. 

Just behind Wulai Waterfall, you’ll find a selection of vibrant shops and cafés that provide panoramic views.

I managed to snag an outdoor table at Annabelle’s Café, where I enjoyed a prime view of the falls with an iced coffee. It was bliss. 

There’s also the viral Wulai Three Café. This is supposedly a secret ‘hidden gem ’, but queues are out the door most of the day.

It has stunning interiors, a delectable menu and indoor and outdoor tables with dramatic views of the waterfall. 

3. Wulai Forestry Living Museum 

Don’t leave this area without stepping inside the Wulai Forestry Living Museum. It’s completely free to visit. 

It’s a captivating exhibition that presents the development of the forest industry in Wulai, the good and the bad.

There are logging panels, places to practice wood-working and insightful galleries. 

Even if history isn’t your bag, you should still visit for the panoramic observatory platform with an incredible view of Wulai Waterfall.

I loved their library area where you could sit and relax with a book while enjoying views of these magical falls through the window. 

4. Yun-Hsien Resort Gondola

One of the things I feel you cannot miss in Wulai is a ride on the Yun-Hsien Resort Gondola.

It will take you high above the village to the elevated Yun-Hsien Resort, also known as the Cloud Forest.

However, it’s the dramatic aerial views you get above Wulai Waterfall that really make it worth the ride. This panorama will take your breath away.

A round-trip ticket costs $300 NTD and includes your admission fee for the resort. 

Just note that the walk up to the gondola from the waterfall area has lots of steep stairs, or you can take the winding road up to the station. 

5. Explore Yun-Hsien Resort

One of my favourite things to do in Wulai was exploring the incredible Yun-Hsien Resort.

It’s a mountain complex above Wulai Waterfall and an enchanting place only accessible by gondola. 

It’s closed off from the rest of the world, so you can enjoy a walk through nature in peace. 

The only sounds you will hear are bird song, the buzz of insects, trickling cascades and other visitors. 

This ‘cloud forest’ is filled with a delightful range of flora and fauna. Plus, you can see natural and man-made cascades.

On the resort trail, you’ll encounter many pagodas and suspension bridges. There’s even a large artificial lake where you can hire rowboats. 

If you walk further up the mountain, you can find black swans and koi carp. As well as the abandoned part of the resort engulfed by emerald moss.

There’s a play park with swings, cosy restaurants serving lunch and drink stalls too. It’s a great place to visit for all ages. 

I could have spent hours up here as it was so peaceful. I thought the gondola fee was well worth it. 

Just be prepared for lots of stairs and steep trails; I recommend wearing comfortable shoes.

6. Ride the Wulai Scenic Train

After my long walk around the resort, I didn’t feel up to walking back to Wulai Old Street in the heat. So I decided to take the Wulai Scenic Train. 

It’s a heritage railway that used to be a log cart but was re-launched as a tourist train in 1963 to connect Wulai Falls with the main village. 

The light-rail track is only 1.5 kilometres long, but the journey is fun and provides scenic views of the Lover’s Trail. 

The colourful trolley carriages are also adorable and feature kawaii characters. Some are a gorgeous shade of pink! 

A one-way ticket costs $50 NTD per person (approx. £1.15 / $1.35), and you can buy tickets from the station on the day in cash. 

7. Indulge at Wulai Old Street

On your travels in Taiwan, you’ll soon learn that an ‘Old Street’ doesn’t necessarily mean historic but simply a name for a market area.

Wulai Old Street is no different and is a vibrant hub filled with street food vendors serving Atayal cuisine, tea shops and souvenir stalls. 

I treated myself to a fried egg scallion pancake here, which was easily my favourite snack in Taiwan, as well as the moreish tea-stained eggs.

Just remember to bring cash with you as many vendors don’t accept card payments. 

8. Visit Wulai Bridge & Atayal Museum

After the Old Street, you’ll cross the original Wulai Bridge over the Nanshih River.

This bridge offers spectacular views of the houses stacked on the riverbank as well as the lush mountain peaks looming over them. 

This is also where you can pop inside the Atayal Museum to learn more about the cultural heritage of this area. 

You can learn about their Atayal dialect, face tattoos (Ptasan), geometric weaving patterns, moral code (Gaga) and ancestral spirits (Utux). 

9. Cross Lansheng Bridge

Another one of the best things to do in Wulai is cross the incredible Lansheng Bridge.

It’s another landmark on the river, but this one is far larger with a mesmerising latticed design. 

The turquoise metalwork makes an incredible photo opportunity as well as the scenic views beyond of Wulai Old Street and the emerald valley. 

Just be careful not to veer into the middle of the road as this bridge is shared by pedestrians and (fast-moving) vehicles. 

10. Climb Wulai Suspension Bridge

Before you take the bus back to Taipei, I recommend crossing the Wulai Suspension Bridge. 

It’s next to the Hsintien Bus Passenger Terminal, and it’s hard to miss, painted bright red with Atayal totems.

This thrilling aerial walkway is 105 metres long and spans the mighty Nanshih River. 

It’s definitely not for those afraid of heights, as you’re suspended 30 feet in the air. It also wobbles a lot, but don’t worry, it’s safely secured.

From here, you get spectacular views of the mountain valley, the Red Arch Bridge and the convergence of the Tonghou River. 

11. Wulai Fude Temple

After you’ve crossed the Wulai Suspension Bridge, you can visit the stunning Wulai Fude Temple.  

It’s a cultural landmark and Taoist temple that is dedicated to the Earth God, Fudezhengshen.

Locals pray here for blessings and to seek protection of the land. But anyone is welcome to step inside this sacred place. 

I particularly loved the intricate carving work, fearsome dragons and vibrant colours. The views over the Nanshih River are also beautiful.

12. Enjoy Wulai Hot Springs 

Did you know that, as well as the waterfall, Wulai is famous for its hot springs? It’s a thermal district in New Taipei City.

Now, I know people visit Beitou for geothermal activity, but Wulai is a far less crowded area to enjoy a soak in natural warm pools. 

There are private luxury resorts where you can enjoy them, but there are also free public hot springs on the Nanshih River. 

Is Wulai worth visiting in Taiwan? 

Yes, most definitely. Wulai was one of my favourite places I visited in Taiwan. It’s a breathtaking escape in nature away from the city crowds.

The mountains always call to me and bring me a sense of peace. So, I relished my adventure here.

The panoramic peaks of this lush valley and the snaking river were like scenes plucked from the pages of a fairytale.

I loved the enchanting cascades, exploring the cloud forest resort, riding the adorable scenic train, and dipping my feet in the hot springs. 

Wulai is truly a sublime paradise in Taiwan that I wish I could run back to. Make sure to add it to your Taipei itinerary. 

How long do you need to visit Wulai?

I visited Wulai as a day trip from Taipei, and I would say one day was enough to see the highlights.

It’s quite a small settlement, and the attractions are close together, making it an easy and relaxing day out. 

Despite having to queue for a few bus services on the way back, I was still back in the city by early evening.

Where to stay in Wulai

If you prefer slow travel, you could choose to spend the night in Wulai.

There are plenty of resorts that have private spas using the healing hot springs found in this thermal district. 

I recommend the Pause Landis Resort or the luxurious Rolando Urai Spring Spa & Resort. 

Important visitor tips

• There can be long queues for buses to and from Wulai; you may need to wait for a few services back to Taipei.

• Wear a pair of comfortable shoes as you’ll be doing a lot of walking, especially inside the Yun-Hsien Resort.

• Wulai Falls is a natural waterfall, and the cascade entirely depends on rainfall. It may only be a trickle in drier seasons. 

• Make sure to have some spare cash to pay for street food and attractions. Cash is still king in remote Wulai.

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