Population 6,182 (Jan 2016) | Boroughs List5 villages | |
 | ||
Wulai District (Chinese: 烏來區; pinyin: Wūlái Qū; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: U-lai-khu) is a mountain indigenous district in southern New Taipei City in northern Taiwan. It sits near the border with Taipei and is famous for its hot springs. It is the largest district in New Taipei, as well as the most mountainous, and is home to the Atayal people of the Taiwanese aborigines.
Contents
- Map of Wulai District New Taipei City Taiwan 233
- Name
- History
- Geography
- Administrative divisions
- Tourist attractions
- Road
- Rail
- Notable people
- References
Map of Wulai District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 233
Name
The name of the town derives from the Atayal phrase kilux ulay meaning "hot and poisonous" when an Atayal aborigine was hunting by a stream and saw mist coming from the stream.
History
Formerly classified as "Savage Land" under Taihoku Prefecture during Japanese rule.
In August 2015, Wulai was devastated by Typhoon Soudelor, wiping out several hotels and destroying hot springs in the region. Course of the Nanshi River that passes through the district has changed and the riverbank was eroded heavily by surging water. Heavy landslides were attributed to the overdevelopment of the mountain areas around the river which damaged the soil and watershed along the slope lands.
Geography
Administrative divisions
Zhongzhi, Wulai, Xiaoyi, Xinxian and Fushan Village.
Tourist attractions
Wulai is a tourist town most renowned for its hot springs, sightseeing, and aboriginal culture. Other activities include hiking, camping, swimming, fishing, and birdwatching. During the spring, visitors come see the cherry trees bloom. According to locals, bathing in the odorless hot springs can cure skin diseases (such as ringworm, eczema, and herpes).
Road
Wulai District is accessible by Xindian Bus from Xindian Station of Taipei Metro to Wulai Bus Terminus.
The 9A branch line of the Provincial Highway 9 passes through the district.
Rail
The district also has the Wulai Scenic Train, a converted mine train built during the Japanese era that takes visitors from downtown Wulai to the attractions at the base of Wulai Waterfall.