WULAI

Located an hour south of Taipei is the tranquil town of Wulai, home of the Atayal indigenous people and where the Nanshi and Tonghou Creeks meet. Rising out from the banks of the creeks are the colorful buildings of this small historic town with lush green jungle in its’ backdrop. Strolling down its’ main streets in the morning rain, as business owners are opening up shop and street vendors are rolling out their carts radiating with lavish smells of fresh food, is a worthwhile experience.

Following down the train tracks leading out of the city is a peaceful one kilometer hike to the impressive Wulai waterfall. Seeming to be spew from the middle of the cliffs comes out a magnificent long white veil of water gracefully falling until breaking onto the rocks below in a thunderous roar. With butterflies whirling around, flowers in bloom and the absence of any other tourists, it makes for a sight of pure tranquility.

Back in town, where the two creeks meet are natural hot springs where the locals come to bath. With its fresh steaming water it is instance relaxation dipping in. This free place of bliss is surrounded by hotels offering pricey spas. Ignoring all the elderly men lounging around in their Speedos for their daily dip, you enter a state of soothing calmness and the only thing to disrupt this mood is a rolling storm from Mother Nature cracking thunder and lightning in the afternoon sky.

To get back to the bus station one needs to continue up a hill to a small yet impressive temple. Providing shelter from the torrential down pouring rain the temple released waves of intense burning incense and the melodious chant of monks. Braving the storm across the long red foot bridge to the other side of the gorge is an invigorating experience and offers one final view of the entire town before the trip back to Taipei.