Puli
Puli is a town at the geographic center of Taiwan.
Understand
Puli was severely damaged in the 1998 earthquake, and although the town has since been rebuilt, there is little in the way of actual tourist attractions. However, the town is located in a very lush and beautiful valley with many hiking trails, and its central position makes it a logical base for visiting the mountains and lakes in the area.
Among Taiwanese, Puli is famous for its four 'W's - water, wine, women and weather. Being located in a pristine mountain area, the local spring water is pure and sweet and sold in bottles at supermarkets around the island. The abundance of fresh, clean water lent itself to the production of wine - the second 'W' - while the exceptionally fine complextions of the town's women folk, which some theorize is the result of the local water, constitutes the third 'W'. Finally, the fourth 'W' refers to Puli's ideal climate, which is characterized by short and relatively dry winters and cool summers.
Possibly as a result of the mild climate, the town has developed into a center for Buddhism. There are large monasteries scattered throughout the valley, while the mountain-sides provide havens for retreat centers and hermitages.
Get in
- By bus, the journey from Taipei takes about three and a half hours, and from Taichung about one hour.
Get around
- The town is not big enough for a bus service, though buses that connect with local towns do make stops in the suburbs. However, taxis are probably the most convenient way to reach your destination, but as few use meters, check the cost to your destination before setting out and negotiate the best deal.
See
- Arboreal Insect Museum, 6-2 Nantsun Road. Tel:913311 (open daily from 8AM to 5:20PM) - wonderful variety of butterflies.
- Carp Lake - a great place to relax and watch clouds melt into green mountains and egrets dance in the cool summer breeze.
- Chung-tai Shan's thirty-three stories make it possibly the tallest Buddhist monastery in the world, and it is quite a landmark in the area.
- Kuanghsing Paper Factory - following ancient methods of production, this factory turns out a variety of hand made paper favored by calligraphers.
- Lungnan Natural Lacquerware Museum, 211 Peiping Street - a memorial to Puli's historical connection with lacquerware. Demonstrations can be arranged. Tel:982076
Do
Learn
- Buddhism - many of the monasteries in the area are happy to offer meditation instruction and give teachings on the Dharma.
- National Chi Nan University has a large campus in Puli.
Buy
Eat
- As a center of Buddhism, Puli has an abundance of great vegetarian restaurants (see listing for Taiwan for information on the various kinds of vegetarian restaurants available).
- Sugar cane is a local speciality and sold at road side stalls.
Drink
Sleep
Get out
- Sun Moon Lake is a beautiful lake nestled among tall mountains. It is one of Taiwan's most popular resorts.
Contact
The dialling code for Puli is 049. From overseas, dial +886 49 XXXXXX