One-Day Light Tour to Wulai Hot Springs & Secret Sakura Spot by Scenic Train

By MOOK Travel Editor Team, compiled and reported

The Wulai area boasts abundant hot spring resources and stunning cherry blossom scenery. February to March is the perfect time for both hot spring soaking and cherry blossom viewing, attracting many visitors. Additionally, the Wulai Scenic Train, which connects the Wulai Old Street shopping district with the waterfall, has reopened after restoration and reconstruction work, now featuring a brand-new exterior color scheme. Passengers can ride the train to enjoy the waterfall, cherry blossoms, and hot springs.

Wulai Sightseeing Scenic Train

The Wulai Scenic Train was built during the Japanese colonial period to transport logging equipment and timber. In 1928, a light rail track began being laid in the Wulai area. In 1951, with the opening of a highway to Wulai, domestic and international tourists began visiting. At that time, the section between the Wulai district and the waterfall was only connected by the scenic train track, so the train, originally used for timber transport, also started carrying passengers. To meet tourism demand, the Forestry Bureau expanded the single-track section, about 1.5 km long, into a double track in 1964. This increased capacity and reduced the inconvenience of passengers having to disembark during oncoming train crossings. Thus, the “Wulai Sightseeing Scenic Train” was officially born. It is an important cultural asset of Wulai’s forestry history and a key tourist attraction, as well as the only remaining scenic train in Taiwan, bearing witness to Taiwan’s transportation history before the highway era.

Address: Intersection of Lansheng Bridge and Hot Spring Road, Wulai District, New Taipei City

Opening Hours: Weekdays 08:00 - 17:00, (July–August) 09:00 - 18:00

Fees: One-way full fare NT$50/person, concession fare NT$30/person

Wulai Waterfall

Formed by the convergence of the Wulai River and the Nanshi River, Wulai Waterfall is the most famous attraction in Wulai, with a drop of 80 meters. The best time to view it is in the afternoon when sunlight hits the falls, creating a dazzling golden spectacle. The sound and power of the waterfall are also incredibly relaxing, helping to relieve the daily stresses of life.

Location: No. 16, Waterfall Road, Wulai District, New Taipei City

Wulai Old Street

Wulai Old Street refers to the area around Wulai Street, Waterfall Road, and the mountain-looping roads. The shop signs are uniformly styled, giving the area a neat appearance. Most shops highlight indigenous characteristics, allowing visitors to sample indigenous mountain cuisine such as charcoal-grilled wild boar, hot spring eggs, ginger lily rice, bamboo tube rice, Makau dishes, ferns, and spring onions—indigenous flavors rarely found elsewhere.

Address: Wulai Street, Wulai District, New Taipei City