Beat the Heat at Little Wulai & Admire a Rare High-Altitude Waterfall in Northern Taiwan

Reporter Hong Lingju / Special Report

Taoyuan boasts picturesque scenery, especially at the Little Wulai Scenic Area in midsummer. With lush greenery, streams, and waterfalls, the mountain landscape offers the perfect escape from the summer heat. Visitors can also enjoy the famous Little Wulai Waterfall from three different viewpoints. Nearby, the Kehpanshan Guesthouse provides a panoramic view of the Xikou Plateau, showcasing the breathtaking beauty that even Chiang Kai-shek once praised.

▲ The Little Wulai Waterfall is divided into three sections, with the middle section being the most spectacular. From the waterfall viewing platform, visitors can watch the water plunge 50 meters into the deep pool below. (Photo / Courtesy of Taoyuan County Government Scenic Area Administration)

Locatedin Fuxing Township, the Little Wulai Scenic Areais a great summer retreat. Visiting this place naturally slows your pace, allowing you to enjoy forest bathing, breathe in the phytoncides, and listen to the pleasant chirping of birds, all while taking in the views of the waterfall pools and canyons, refreshing your body and mind in the tranquility of nature.

Among them, the famous Little Wulai Waterfall is part of the YuNei Creek Waterfall Group. The waterfall consists of three sections from top to bottom, with the middle section having a drop of about 50 meters, making it a rare high-altitude waterfall in northern Taiwan. Its abundant water cascades down, creating a spectacular scene in the mountains. Even from the viewing platform near the entrance, visitors can still feel the powerful rush of the water. Due to ample rainfall, the waterfall’s flow remains largely unaffected by winter droughts.

Aside from admiring it from a distance, the more adventurous can stand on the 11-meter-high glass skywalk, just 70 meters above the base of the waterfall, to capture the rushing water and splashing droplets up close, challenging their sensory limits. Alternatively, they can walk along the forest trail to view the waterfall from below.

Interestingly, there’s a Wulai in New Taipei City and a Little Wulai in Taoyuan. The one-character difference often confuses people. It turns out that in the Atayal language, “Wulai” means hot springs. Since Little Wulai also has hot springs, the county government added “Little” to the name to distinguish the two places.

▲ From the Sinqin Pavilion, the Xikou Plateau offers a stunning view that once stirred the homesickness of former President Chiang Kai-shek. (Photo / Courtesy of Taoyuan County Government Scenic Area Administration)

About 20 minutes fromthe Little Wulai Scenic Area, the Kehpanshan Guesthouse is part of the Two Chiangs Cultural Parkand was a favorite spot of former President Chiang Kai-shek. The guesthouse is planted with many plum trees, and in winter, the blooming plum blossoms attract many visitors. However, what he found most captivating was the view of the Xikou Plateau from Sinqin Pavilion, as its scenery resembled his hometown in Fenghua, Zhejiang. He even named it “Xikou.”

%The site where he often reminisced about his homeland is now open to the public for tours. (Photo / Courtesy of Taoyuan County Government Scenic Area Administration)