Top 5 Must-Do Activities in Puli: Cycling to Explore Hidden Sceneries

By MOOK Travel’s Christopher | Compiled & Reported

Located within the Puli Basin, the town of Puli sits at the center of Central Taiwan’s inland scenic areas. Though somewhat geographically secluded, it is graced with beautiful mountain vistas and cultural charm, and has grown into one of Taiwan’s premier travel hubs. Below are five top attractions in Puli. Visitors are encouraged to explore them by bike, wandering through country lanes and rural communities to experience the town’s serene comfort.

Puli Black Forest – Natural Scenery

Located in Puli, the Black Forest is a hidden gem even many locals may not know about. A dense, towering expanse of Taiwan cypress trees, referred to locally as the Black Forest, offers breathtaking scenery reminiscent of the Nine-Day Black Forest in Taichung. It has also become one of the favorite photo spots for cycling tourists.

Ironsmith Street – Traditional Craft
 
On Nansing Street in Puli, the occasional clang of hammer on anvil can still be heard. Many years ago, this street played a pivotal role in the town’s development through sweat and toil. In Puli’s early days, iron shops were abundant and eventually consolidated at the current location near the Mazu Temple. At its peak, the street was home to as many as 30 blacksmiths. With changing times, the demand for handmade ironware declined, and Ironsmith Street gradually faded. Today, these treasured shops are like small museums of ironwork artifacts, and the artisans within are the most qualified ambassadors of this traditional craft.

Knock Knock Wood Workshop – Music Box DIY
 
The Knock Knock Wood Workshop originated in 1969. Back then, Puli’s logging industry supported over 450 woodworking factories of various sizes. Haishan Handicrafts was one of the few that produced nutcrackers and music boxes. In 2012, it transformed into a hands-on workshop where visitors can experience the legacy of traditional woodworking through making music boxes.