Yuli

Yuli (玉里) is a township in central Huatung Valley in Hualien County. It is home to the Yushan National Park, one of Taiwan's nine national parks.

Understand
Yuli is in the valley that runs from north to south between Hualien and Taitung, and as such is flanked by mountains on two sides. It is mostly a farming area.

Get around
The best thing to do is to rent a bicycle or scooter around the train station, because many sights are out of town and in the surrounding area.

Do

 * The main attraction here is the Walami trail, a historic hiking trail once used by the Japanese to keep on eye on aboriginal villages in the mountains. Many sections have been wiped out, you can do the first part as a daytrip, or go to the highest accessible point in one day where there is a cabin to spend the night. In the latter case you will need to apply in time for a permit and register with the police station.
 * Rent a bicycle or scooter and explore the surrounding area, because many sights are out of town. There are at least two waterfalls, one hot spring and several short hikes nearby. Best consult the tourist map in front of the railway station. The hot spring is 6 km out of town from the large bridge southeast, where you will also find a sign for it.

Eat

 * Yuli noodles (Yuli mian) are the local specialty, although you might be left wondering how different they are from noodles elsewhere in Taiwan.
 * Straight out of the railway station, some shops are selling delicious and mostly not sour/bitter grapefruits and pomelos, which are a great treat during the hot weather.

Go next

 * Hualien – Touristic centre of the Hualien County and base for exploring the nearby Taroko Gorge.
 * Taitung(台東 or 臺東) – The youngest city in Taiwan and was developed by Japan as a base for Pacific expansion. Taitung's population is strongly Aboriginal, Hoklo and Hakka. It is by far one of the most laid back, relaxing, and beautiful of Taiwan's cities.
 * Also see the nearby Hualien County and Taitung County attractions.