Cherry Blossom Secret Spot by Scenic Train – A Light One-Day Trip to Wulai Hot Springs

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team, compiled and reported

The Wulai area boasts abundant hot spring resources and beautiful cherry blossom scenery. February to March is the best time for both hot spring bathing and cherry blossom viewing, attracting many visitors. In addition, the Wulai Scenic Train, which connects the Wulai Old Street commercial area with the waterfall, has resumed operation after the repair and reconstruction project, and has been given a brand-new exterior color. Passengers can take 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 line began to be laid in the Wulai area. In 1951, with the opening of a road to Wulai, domestic and international tourists started to visit. At that time, only the scenic train track connected the Wulai district to the waterfall, so the train originally used for transporting timber began to also carry passengers. To meet tourism demands, the Forestry Bureau expanded the single-track section, about 1.5 km in length, into a double-track in 1964, increasing transport capacity and reducing the inconvenience of passengers having to get off while trains passed each other. From then on, the “Wulai Sightseeing Scenic Train” was officially born. It is an important cultural asset of forestry and a tourism resource in the Wulai area, 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

Fare: 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 recommended time to view it is in the afternoon when sunlight hits the waterfall, creating a sparkling golden spectacle. The sound and power of the waterfall are also very relaxing, helping to relieve the daily stress accumulated by travelers.

 

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 a neat appearance, and most stores highlight indigenous characteristics. Visitors can enjoy indigenous-style mountain delicacies such as charcoal-grilled wild boar, hot spring eggs, gingershell rice, bamboo tube rice, Makau dishes, ferns, and spring onions—indigenous-flavored dishes rarely found elsewhere.

 

Address: Wulai Street, Wulai District, New Taipei City