For residents in northern Taiwan who don’t want to venture too far, Wulai is the top pick for summer retreat. This season not only features stunning waterfalls, forests, and streams, but you can also dive into the cool mountain streams to cool off before unwinding in a hot spring for a blissful nature spa experience.
With an average annual temperature of 21°C, Wulai’s forested hills offer refreshing natural relief. You can make Yunxian Amusement Park your base or accommodation and explore the surrounding wild streams and waterfalls. Yunxian Amusement Park, a classic leisure park with over 40 years of history, is only reachable by cable car. Due to its isolated valley setting and abundant rainfall, the area preserves a rich diversity of rare ferns and amphibians, and has recently shifted toward ecotourism. It's praised by many hiking enthusiasts as a “wet paradise even more exciting than Lost Paradise,” ideal for families who enjoy ecology and water activities.
Ferns are one of Wulai’s treasures. Just within Yunxian Amusement Park in Wulai, there are over 150 species of ferns, with a density that is nearly the highest in all of Taiwan. The park also includes rare species such as the Ito’s primitive maiden hair fern. Located within the Greater Taipei water source protection area, Wulai boasts rich forest cover and a healthy environment, attracting numerous bird species—especially the Taiwan blue magpie, which is famously bold and often seen strutting across roads. Other highlights include wild orchids, fireflies, emerald tree frogs, and rhinoceros beetles, along with a variety of butterflies.
When visiting Wulai, don’t miss the “Neidong Waterfall,” once voted the most beautiful waterfall in Taiwan during a Forestry Bureau event. Formerly known as Wawagou or Xinxian Waterfall, Neidong Waterfall consists of three cascading tiers connected closely together. With crystal-clear waters and a picturesque setting bathed in dappled sunlight, it looks like a scene from a movie. The trail here is fairly easy, taking just 25 minutes one way. Along the path, you’ll enjoy beautiful forest scenery, and the waterfall is enclosed by woodland, creating a sheltered environment with high negative ion levels. It’s recognized by the Forestry Bureau as the best forest recreation area in Taiwan.
Trekking up mountain streams and soaking in hot springs are among the most fun activities in Wulai. Unfortunately, due to road repairs, the Tonshuei Stream is temporarily closed until August 31. However, visitors can still go stream trekking in areas like Jiajiuliao or opt to soak in hot springs at local hotels or wild streams.
During the summer vacation period, Yunxian Amusement Park also offers a cooling one-day tour package, which includes a cable car ride, a special meal at the Chlorophyll Café, and access to the Forest Swimming Pool for a total of NT$450. There’s also a two-day cooling tour package: on weekdays, a twin room is NT$3,480 and a quad room is NT$4,980, including cable car rides, accommodation, lunch, breakfast, an eco-guided tour, and use of the Forest Swimming Pool.