Taiwan’s Only “Mobile Post Office” Bus – A Must-Visit Attraction in Yuli, Hualien!

▲ Taiwan’s only “mobile post office” bus is located in Yuli, Hualien, and is the last remaining cultural asset. (Photo / Huang Quntang, courtesy ofSouthern Hualien - Characteristic Industries of the Longitudinal Valley)

Reporter Lin Yuling / Comprehensive Report

Most people have experience sending mail at a post office, but few have heard of or seen a “mobile post office” traveling the streets.This green post office bus is the only one in Taiwan and the last remaining cultural asset in Yuli Town, Hualien. It stops at 11 locations from Monday to Friday to serve the public, making it a “must-visit” characteristic attraction when in Yuli.Moreover, the mobile post office doesn’t travel too fast, so visitors can easily follow along and send postcards here as souvenirs.

▲ The bus-shaped “mobile post office” provides services such

Due to Hualien’s Yuli Township’s long and narrow terrain—split in half by the Shoufeng River—and poor transportation in the early days, it was difficult to establish fixed post offices. As a result, the entire post office was moved onto a bus that traveled around town to serve residents. It’s reported that at one point there were over 10 mobile post offices across Taiwan, but as permanent post offices became more widespread, these bus-based services were gradually phased out. Today, only Yuli still retains one, making it the only remaining unique cultural asset of its kind in the country.

The mobile post office is a converted medium-sized bus. Since its establishment in 1988, it has gone through three generations of vehicles. It tours six neighborhoods—Dewu, Chunya, Songpu, Guanyin, Dongfeng, and Lehe—making a total of 11 stops daily, offering services such as savings, remittances, and postal services. In the past, it even featured a special “Yuli Yiqi” postmark that attracted many philatelists to collect, but unfortunately, it was discontinued in 2003 due to postal service reforms.

However, the existence of the mobile post office remains a trusted companion for the residents of Yuli Township. From Monday to Friday, it moves through neighborhoods, interacting frequently with locals and exuding a strong sense of community. Whenever an old post office bus is “retired,” residents often lament, “We can’t bear to let it go!”

▲ The first-generation mobile post office bus served for over 20 years until it was honorably retired due to aging, much to the regret of the public. (Photo credit: Chen Tzu-yin)

The third-generation mobile post office not only continues its traditional services but also offers a book-lending service, becoming a “mobile book station.” Today, it remains a beloved neighbor to locals, providing thoughtful service, and is also one of the must-visit unique attractions for tourists coming to Yuli, Hualien.

▲ The mobile post office travels through neighborhoods every day, serving as a trusted companion to Yuli residents and a must-see attraction for visitors. (Photo credit: Southern Hualien - Longitudinal Valley Specialty Industries)

▲ Sending a postcard from the mobile post office holds especially memorable significance. (Photo credit: Southern Hualien - Longitudinal Valley Specialty Industries)

＊Reference schedule for the “Yuli Mobile Post Office” stop locations from Monday to Friday:
09:00 Departs from Yuli Post Office, takes Provincial Highway 9 into Ruisui, then follows Route 193 into Yuli
10:00 Dewu Neighborhood, Nengya Catholic Church
10:20 Chunya Neighborhood, Chunya Five Grains Temple
10:40 Chunya Neighborhood, Tailin
10:50 Songpu Neighborhood, Mara
11:15 Songpu Neighborhood, Wanli
11:25 Songpu Neighborhood, Songpu Elementary School
11:45 Songpu Neighborhood, Yudong Junior High School (final stop of the morning route; after this, the bus returns to Yuli Post Office via Gaoliao Bridge)
14:00 Departs from Yuli Post Office, takes Gaoliao Bridge into Hedong area
14:25 Guanyin Neighborhood, Guanyin Police Station
15:00 Guanyin Neighborhood, Gaoliao
15:50 Dongfeng Neighborhood, Difen
16:10 Lehe Li Antong (final stop of the afternoon itinerary, return to Yuli Post Office along Provincial Highway 9 afterwards)

＊Travel Tip (from South Hualien - Valley Specialty Industries):
1. The Yuli Mobile Post Office does not stay long at each stop, and arrival times may vary slightly depending on the previous schedule. It is recommended to arrive early at the designated spot to avoid missing it.
2. The Yuli Mobile Post Office does not travel at high speed, so it can be easily followed.
3. You may prepare postcards in advance for mailing.
4. Both the Yuli Shrine Volunteer Team (0933-998165) and Dongfeng Leisure Agriculture Area (03-8880181) have designed special mobile post office postcards. You may contact them for purchase inquiries.