Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Wuling Farm and Ilan. Public transport is not good along the highway. Only Puli has
anything like regular bus service from Taichung. By driving and not stopping much, you
can cover the route in four to five hours, but we recommend giving yourself at least two
days to explore here.
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Aowanda National Forest Recreation Area
As you drive along the scenic Hwy 14 east of Puli, you reach the mountain community
of Wushe (elevation 1150m) in less than an hour.
Half an hour south, down a long and winding road, is the national forest recreation
area (Àowàndà; http://trail.forest.gov.tw/index.aspx ; admission NT$200) of Aowanda. It's well
worth an overnight stay in the quaint wooden cabins (NT$1800) surrounded by plum and
maple trees. Aowanda has a visitor centre (
049-297 4511;
8.30am-5pm) offering
maps and brochures in English.
The park ranges in altitude from 1100m to 2600m, making it a cool retreat from the
heat in summer. On the developed trails you can walk from one end of the reserve to the
other in about two hours. All signs are bilingual and trails are simple to follow.
Aowanda is famous for its maple trees ( fēngshù ). November to late January, when the
leaves change colours, is a busy time for the park. Birdwatching is also popular here: in
all, 120 species of bird live in the park, and 10 of the 30 bird species endemic to Taiwan
can be found here, including Swinhoe's pheasant and the Taiwan partridge. The park has
set up a birdwatching platform ( shǎngniǎotái ) and benches.
From Taichung, the Nantou Bus Company MAP GOOGLE MAP ( 04-2225 6418;
35-8 Shuangshi Rd) usually runs buses on the weekends from autumn to spring. Call for the
schedule.
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Nenggao (Neng-Gao/Nengkao) Cross-Island Trail
This 200-year-old high-mountain trail (Nénggāo Yuèlǐng Guójiā Bùdào) was first used
by the Taiya to help them ply their trade between Puli and Hualien. During the Japanese
occupation it was expanded and used, ironically, to police aboriginal tribes. During the
later half of the 20th century, the path was expanded further by Taipower, which used it
when laying high-voltage power lines.
 
 
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