Tarcking back the refreshing Daluolan River in the Ataya tribe of Wulai

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Category :
Hiking Trails & Family tour & Outdoor excursion & Secret attractions
Travel days :
1 day
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Public & Family & Couples

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      Introduction

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      Wulai stands as the most expansive and highest-altitude region within New Taipei City. It represents the sole mountain indigenous district in New Taipei City, primarily inhabited by the Atayal ethnic group. The name "Wulai" originates from the Atayal word "Ulay", signifying the presence of hot springs. Upon entering the North 107 Rural Highway from Wulai Scenic Bridge, you will encounter the idyllic Tranan Tribe, akin to a hidden paradise. Visitors can leisurely walk along the lifeline of the tribe, the Daluolan (Tranan) River, roll up their pants, and immerse themselves in the refreshing river waters to escape the summer heat.

      烏來福山

      Located about a half-hour drive from Wulai Old Street, Tranan Tribe is the first settlement of the Atayal people migrating from Balong in Taoyuan to Wulai in New Taipei City. Situated within the Nanshi River Watershed Protection Area, this small yet beautiful tribe has deliberately avoided excessive development, allowing inhabitants of this region to preserve the most traditional Atayal lifestyle in Wulai. Within the tribe, one can observe characteristic wall paintings and sculptures portraying themes centered around Atayal culture and beliefs.
      德拉楠部落
      獵人生活體驗

      The Daluolan River, known as the mother river of the Tranan Tribe, derives its name from the Atayal word “Tranan” and serves as one of the tributaries of the Nanshi River. A century ago, Atayal people from Balong crossed over the mountain range in search of hunting grounds. They discovered this area, abundant in water sources and fertile soil, and gradually relocated here. During the Japanese domination period, the authorities at the time constructed irrigation canals to channel the waters of the Daluolan River to the tribe for farming purposes. The valley of the Daluolan River is lush and verdant, with the river channel varying between narrow passages and wide expanses. With groups of Taiwan shovel-jaw carps (Onychostoma barbatulum) swimming in crystal-clear waters, it has an astonishingly picturesque scenery.
      大羅蘭溪

      Both banks of the Daluolan River are equipped with scenic trails. The northern bank features an ancient canal trail, while the southern bank hosts the recently established Xilong Trail. The ancient canal trail, also known as the "Fushan Maan Ancient Canal Trail", no longer serves its original irrigation function but continues to flow endlessly. Surrounded by the shade of lush trees, the trail is adorned with towering old trees on both sides and various ferns thriving along the way. The trail is also furnished with rest areas and the Butterfly Garden, offering visitors a beautiful view of butterflies fluttering during the summer.
      福巴吊橋

      The Tranan Scenic Bridge stands out as the newest attraction in the tribe, connecting the Ancient Canal Trail and Xilong Trail to form a circular route. This steel-structured arched bridge gracefully spans over the Daluolan River. As visitors traverse its path, they're greeted by breathtaking views of the valley and distant mountain peaks. The harmonious fusion of the river and lush forests crafts an invigorating visual spectacle. Returning to the tribe via the Xilong Trail, travelers encounter two intersecting paths that lead to the Daluolan River. Here, guests have the chance to kick off their shoes, roll up their pants, and immerse themselves in the refreshing waters, offering sweet respite from the summer's warmth.
      溪瀧橋

      While returning to Wulai Old Street via the North 107 Rural Highway, take a moment to gaze toward the right bank where the cable car station of Yun Hsien Resort lies. Here, you can relish the captivating view of the majestic Flying Fountain gracefully descending from the mountaintop. Also known as Yunxian Waterfall, the impressive 80-meter-high cascade stands as the largest waterfall in Northern Taiwan. Since the Japanese colonial period, it has been revered as 'the waterfall from the clouds,' remaining one of the most renowned landscapes in Wulai.
      烏來瀑布
      烏來瀑布

      After crossing the Wulai Tourist Bridge, turn right to enter the most bustling area of Wulai – Wulai Old Street. Indulging in aromatic indigenous cuisine is a delightful reward after hiking. All the shops along Wulai Old Street have similar signboards. Here, you can discover various indigenous cuisines and local specialties. For instance, rice dumplings, bamboo tube rice, makauy (Litsea cubeba) dishes, bird's-nest fern, shallot, BBQ wild boar meat, hot spring eggs, millet mochi, and more. Let’s relish these local delicacies and satisfy your taste buds!
      烏來老街
      烏來老街
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      Exploring New Taipei by Taipei MRT – Zhonghe-Xinlu Line (Nanshijiao)
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The street signs are written in both Chinese and Burmese, and the restaurant owners and employees would speak Burmese between them. It is the largest Southeast Asian community in New Taipei City. Taiwan's first Southeast Asia themed bookstore, Brilliant Time, is located here. The annual Songkran Festival is also held here!The delicacies on Huaxin Street are mainly Burmese, Indian, Chinese Yunnan, and Thai, including fish soup noodles, naans, rice noodles, pea gravy, and various milk teas! The restaurants here are homey and down-to-earth. They are typically open from morning to afternoon, offering authentic and affordable food. Huaxin Street is a treasure trove of flavors in New Taipei City.Yongan Market (O03): 823 Memorial Park (Zhonghe Park), National Taiwan LibraryNext to Yongan Market Station, you will find 823 Memorial Park, known as the "lungs of Shuanghe." Initially, six large parks were planned for the Shuanghe area. 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As it is only a bridge away from Taipei City, lots of people who work in Boai Special Zone and around Taipei Station live here. Yonghe is best known for soymilk. The world-renowned Yonghe Soymilk shop originated from Zhongzheng Bridge. With its fragrant soymilk and hearty Chinese breakfast, it is a must for foodies who like northern Chinese food.Yang Sanlang Art Museum, hidden in the alley behind the soymilk shop, is the former residence of Yonghe-born oil painting master, Yang Sanlang. At the museum, Yang's representative works from each period are on display. Yang has studied in Japan and France and has been dedicated to the development of local art in Taiwan. Jointly with artists of the same era, Chen Chengbo, Liao Jichun, Yan Shuilong, and Li Meishu, Yang founded Taiyang Art Association. The wooden house on the premise is Wangxi Villa, the residence and art studio of Yang Sanlang. It is quiet and elegant. Painting tools and various items used by the master have been preserved such that we could peek into the master's dedication to art."어서오세요!" Zhongxing Street that is next to Exit 1 of Dingxi Station is also known as Korea Street. It was where many Chinese Korean coming from Shandong stayed in Taiwan. As Korean pop culture became popular all over the world, Korean goods are in high demand. Yonghe Korea Street therefore becomes a great shopping place for fans of Korean culture. There are many exclusive Korean goods, including clothing, instant noodles, kimchi, sauces, snacks, and soju. The wide variety of products is waiting for you to explore.It's dinner time! Shuanghe's kitchen, Lehua Night Market, is one of New Taipei's largest night markets. There are many well-known delicacies, offering diverse options. You can find the Taiwanese street must-haves, "fried chicken cutlet in the right hand and bubble tea in the left hand;" classic dishes such as beef soup, sesame oil chicken soup, pig blood soup, chicken rice, spicy duck blood, green onion pancake, sweet potato balls; exotic dishes such as ramen, green papaya salad, Italian coffee, and curry rice. There are so many options to satisfy all types of foodies!Some say that there is a second stomach for desserts. After a full meal, you must have some iced desserts to satisfy all senses! There are several famous ice shops in Lehua Night Market. You can choose from shaved sugar cane ice with taro, snowflake ice, and iced bean paste to draw a "cool" ending to your Shuanghe MRT tour!
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      Smile Trails to Hometown Mountain-Sky Lantern Tour in Pingxi Xiaozi Mountain
      The Smile Trails of New Taipei City connects the shallow mountainous areas of Shulin, Yingge, Sanxia, Tucheng, Zhonghe, Xindian, Shiding, Shenkeng to Pingxi, promoting residents in the metropolitan area to walk into the mountains near their homes. Pingxi District is at the far right of this smiling curve. Pingxi, internationally famous for its sky lanterns, has a deep mining culture and many excellent hiking trails. Take the Taiwan Railway Pingxi Line or Taiwan Travel 795 Mucha Pingxi Line to Pingxi Station, challenge the 90-degree vertical hiking trail of Xiaozishan, and go deep into Pingxi and Jingtong. Learn to make sky lanterns and visit the "Yijian.Jingtong Ancient Art Life" museum to explore the cultural landscape of Pingxi.The main settlement of Pingxi is in the valley of the upper reaches of the Keelung River. On the river's south bank stand more than 20 independent peaks, commonly known as the 24 Xiaozi Mountains, among which Xiaozi Mountain, Cimu Peak, and Putuo Mountain are the most famous. The height of each peak is between 300 and 500 meters above sea level. The mountain is low but very steep. Under the guidance of the tour guide, people arrive at the most spectacular section of Xiaozi Mountain.Look at the nearly vertical hiking trail before them. People couldn't help but be shocked by the towering stone peaks. Overcome the inner fear and climb the suspended steel ladder residents and veterans built. Take one step at a time and move steadily towards the sky.❗️We do not recommend those who fear heights climb this hiking trail section. Climbing to the top of the 360-meter-high Xiaozi Mountain, you can overlook the railway towns of Pingxi and Jingtong and the endless mountain ridges. People can see that Mount Cimu and Mount Putuo, also independent mountain peaks with majestic momentum, are located behind.👉The space at the top of Xiaozi Peak can only accommodate 5-6 people simultaneously. In case of a large crowd of climbers, please give others way politely.After the magnificent Xiaozi Mountain hike, return to Pingxi Station and walk into the blue and white Little Greece Restaurant. Here, enjoy the restaurant's signature dishes, such as rice noodles with oversized neritic squid and osmanthus coffee, to replenish your fatigue after hiking.Come to the Smile Trails foothold on Pingxi Old Street—TakeYourTime Cafe to learn the techniques of making sky lanterns. Coming to Pingxi is no longer just about releasing sky lanterns. Under the guidance of the sky lantern master, everyone with skillful hands gradually forms sky lanterns.With environmental protection as the starting point, the Pingxi sky lanterns are made of recyclable and degradable materials, from paper and frames to adhesives. Let the sky lanterns, a cultural image representing Pingxi and Taiwan, continue to fly into the sky with everyone's wishes under the global consensus of zero carbon emissions.Going down the ramp in front of Jingtong Station, an elegant Japanese-style building is on the Keelung River bank. The predecessor of this building, built in 1939, was the Pingxi Guesthouse of TaiYang Mining, the largest enterprise in Pingxi's black gold era. The guesthouse and outdoor courtyard have more than 600 pings, a rare large-scale academy-style building in Taiwan. There are VIP rooms, a conference hall, a cafeteria, a bathhouse, a recreation room, a billiard room, a library, and other facilities here. It was the leading entertainment venue in Pingxi at that time.As mining stopped in Pingxi, the guesthouse was also closed. 2003, it was designated a historic site, and the exhibition company is currently taking over the guesthouse. After restoration, it has become the "Yijian.Jingtong Ancient Art Life " private art museum. Inside, they display various ingenious artworks and promote the glorious mining history of Pingxi. Through the explanation of professional tour guides, appreciate the building's three corridors, three entryways, and six ceilings and wander in Japanese-style aesthetics.👉The "Yijian.Jingtong Ancient Art Life" private art museum is now adopting a reservation system that allows visitors to reserve a visit time online in advance.
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