Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
You'll also find landscaped gardens, eco-farms, outdoor galleries and cafes around the
chapel. Paper Dome is 6km south of Puli off Hwy 21. A taxi from Puli is about NT$250.
Puli Wine Museum & Factory
MUSEUM
(Pǔlǐ Jiǔchǎng; 219 Zhongshan Rd; 8am-4pm Mon-Fri, 8.30-5pm Sat & Sun)
The his-
tory of the Puli winery is tied with the monopoly system established by the Japanese (and
continued by the KMT) on core industries such as alcohol, tobacco and logging. In 1917
the factory began producing sake, and some five decades later switched to Shaohsing
wine, traditional Chinese firewater made from glutinous rice and wheat. The amber-col-
oured liquid has a kick and a bite, and while rarely appreciated by the Western palate, the
jugs and jars it comes in are attractive and make for nice gifts.
On the 1st floor of the factory a sample area now lets you try the beverages and a num-
ber of Shaohsing-flavoured items, such as popsicles, cakes and sausages. Upstairs the en-
tire history (in English) of the factory and other monopoly industries - and even Chinese
spirits in general - is laid out in mesmerising detail.
A taxi from the bus station to the factory will cost less than NT$100.
Hot Springs
Carp Lake
(Lǐyú Tán) is a pretty, willow-lined pond with a lush mountain backdrop on
the outskirts of Puli. Here, you'll find hot springs (
wēnquán
) at
Solas Resort
(Tiānquán
Wēnquán Huìguǎn;
www.solasresort.com
; unlimited time NT$250; 5-10pm Mon-Fri, 2-10pm Sat &
Sun)
, which is a nice, modern set-up spilling over from a covered area to the edge of the
lake. Bring your own towels.
Sleeping & Eating
Hotels in Puli are overpriced. For a cheap and cheerful place to stay, head to the
Japanese-run
Guest House Puli
(Pǔlǐ Bèibāokè Zhījiā; 0931-347 432;
www.guesthousepuli.com
; 6 Lane 303, Dongrong Rd, 303 6; dm/r NT$560/1300)
. The guesthouse
is 800m north of the bus station. From the bus station, turn right on to Zhongshan Rd;
from there take another right immediately and walk four blocks to Beihuan Rd. Cross the
road and turn right into the first alley. The guesthouse is to your left.
Sumama Rice Ball
(Sūmāmā Tāngyuán; 118 Zhongshan Rd, Sec 3; dishes from NT$45;
11am-9pm Thu-Tue)
is highly recommended by locals. The salty rice balls stuffed with
juicy pork (
xiānròu tāngyuán
) are al dente; the sweet ones (
tián tāngyuán
) are equally
delicious.
