Wulai Hot Springs - Taipei perfect natural escape

Wulai is a small aboriginal village situate about 2.5 hours south of Taipei.  A great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, Wulai along with Beitou is one of the Taipei thermal destination.
There are plenty of spas, hot springs and hotel in Wulai, there is also a possibly to rent a private bath room by hours , chill in the hot water while enjoying the river view. 

In  the city used to offer a public free bath along the river side. In the 2015 a typhoon has irreparably damaged the facility and  successively it  got demolished.
Can you still enjoy free hot springs in Wulai? 

I've visit Wulai on May 2019 and the answer is yes!

Locals have build they own legal-illegal public baths.
nothing more than a couple of ditches covered by plastics cloths, using the drained extra hot water from the a spa complex above the hill. 

Taiwan has the most hottest high temperature water that I've experience, bring your swimsuit and get raid to boil in the "Tubs" aside with some Taiwanese grandparents. 

How to access the pools? 

This public bath is situated on the west side of the river in between the Wulai Suspension bridge and the Lansheng  Bridge. Passed thru the Wulai old street once crossed the river go and turn right onto Wenquan Street.  At one point you will notice an area that has been closed by with panels with a clear sign of no trespassing , since the old bath as been demolished the site is theoretically closed. 

once you get in between the panels and the street guardrail, you will see some DIY stairs.  

The locals their are marvelous, they have build some sort of stair with sacks and wooden logs to guarantee an access to the river edge. The descend is not always easy but they have assure some ropes rails on the sides. 

Tip! The pools are in the same location of the previous Wulai Hot Spings indicated on Google Maps still.   

One of the main attraction to visit are the Wulai Water Falls. Situated only 20 minutes walk from the bus station. 

There are different trails to follow in the area, suspension bridges. Locals they have suggested me the  XiaXian Trail.  To find the trail pass the falls and keep going on Xinfu Road until the walking  bridge.   

You can also take a cable car ride to cross the river and reach the Yun Hsien Resort, located on the top of the mountain is offer a small amusement park, trails and cafes.
Fare  220 NT round trip. 

   

How to Wulai from Taipei 

- > From Xindian Station ( Green Line ) exit the station and look for the Bus Stop B .There is only one route that does go to Wulai # 849. 
Wulai is the terminal station you won't miss it.
Cost: Metro from Taipei Station $35NT,   bus $15 NT you can pay your bus on board by cash or Transit IC Card.

-> You can also directly board on the bus #849 from Taipei city.
End and Starting of the line on Quingdao Road only few street from the M8 exit of the TPE Main station. 

Cost: $45 NT multiple zone fare, pay or tap your public transit card on boarding and descending time.