Puli
Puli Township, Nantou County
Located in Taiwan’s geographic heart and ringed by mountains, the small town of Puli is often seen as a gateway to top-tier nearby attractions like Sun Moon Lake, Taroko National Park, and Hehuanshan mountain. But it’s worth staying to discover everything from historic wineries and butterfly centers to a strikingly modern temple.
Though it was heavily damaged in Taiwan’s 1999 earthquake, the charming town of Puli has since rebuilt, and in addition to its commemorative Paper Dome—a moving chapel built to honor the victims—it offers a wealth of sightseeing options and activities for visitors. Some of the highlights include the Puli Wine Museum & Factory (where Shaoxing wine is produced); the Chung Tai Chan temple (a modern, 43-story temple with its own companion museum); and the Muh Sheng Museum of Entomology, showcasing thousands of butterflies and other insect species.
While Puli has enough attractions to make it a worthy day-trip destination from nearby hubs like Taichung City, its proximity to blockbuster sights like Sun Moon Lake and Taroko National Park make it a popular stopping-off point for visiting hikers and nature lovers.
The region around Puli is renowned for its tea production; be sure to savor locally grown assam tea while you’re there.
Head to Puli’s Bade Road Night Market to discover all manner of street food.
For a quick dose of nature without leaving town, go for a stroll on the walking trails around Carp Lake.
Puli, in Nantou County, is right in the heart of Taiwan. If traveling by car, the town is just at the terminus of National Highway No. 6. Puli does not have its own train station, and the nearest major hub is Taichung City, some 33 miles (53 kilometers) west; from Taichung, you can take the 6670 bus.
Taiwan has a humid, subtropical climate, and it can experience heavy rain, especially during the summer. To make the most of Puli (and nearby outdoorsy attractions like Sun Moon Lake and Hehuanshan mountain), consider visiting in the spring or fall shoulder seasons instead.
About 19 miles (31 kilometers) south of Puli, Sun Moon Lake is one of the most popular nearby attractions—and one of Taiwan’s most popular natural getaways, full-stop. The lake is the largest freshwater body in Taiwan, and is renowned for its scenic resorts and lakeside temples, as well as the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway, where gondola rides offer spectacular views of the scenery.
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