By MOOK Travel’s Christopher | Compiled & Reported
Nestled within the Puli Basin, the town of Puli is located at the heart of Central Taiwan’s inland scenic attractions. Though somewhat geographically secluded, it boasts stunning mountain landscapes and rich cultural heritage, and has now developed into one of Taiwan’s premier tourist destinations. Below are five top attractions in Puli that visitors can explore by bike, wandering through country lanes and rural communities to experience the town’s serene charm.
Rapeseed Flower Fields (Image Source / Puli Township Office)
Puli Black Forest – Natural Scenery
Located in Puli, the Black Forest is a hidden gem even many locals don’t know about. This secret spot features dense, towering stands of cypress trees that stretch toward the sky. Locals call it the Black Forest, and its breathtaking scenery rivals that of Taiwan’s Jiutian Black Forest. It has also become one of the favorite photo spots for cycling tourists.
Puli Black Forest (Image Source / Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration)
Iron Street – Traditional Craftsmanship
Faint clanging sounds can still be heard along Nansing Street in Puli. Many years ago, this street played a key role in the town’s development through hard work and sweat. In Puli’s early days, numerous iron shops were clustered here, eventually consolidated to the area near the Mazu Temple. At its peak, the street was home to as many as thirty iron workshops. With changing times, demand for handmade iron goods declined, and Iron Street gradually faded from prominence. Today, these treasured iron shops are like small museums of metalwork, and the master craftsmen inside are the most qualified ambassadors of this traditional industry.
Puli Iron Street (Image Source / Puli Township Office)
Knock Knock Wood Workshop – Music Box DIY
The origins of Knock Knock Wood Workshop date back to 1969. Puli’s logging industry at the time gave rise to 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 make their own music boxes, preserving the legacy of traditional woodworking craftsmanship.
Knock Knock Wood Workshop (Image Source / Knock Knock Wood Workshop)
Making a Music Box at Knock Knock Wood Workshop (Image Source / Knock Knock Wood Workshop)
- 1
- 2