'''Puli''' (____; ''Pul?'') is a town at the geographic center of Taiwan.
Understand
Puli was severely damaged in the 1999 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.
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 complexions 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 and a half hour. (NB: Puli is not connected to the railway). There are buses available between Taichung and Puli about every 5 to 10 minutes.
Starting September 2007 the Nantou Bus (_____q_^) now has one bus per hour departing from Kan Cheng Station at Shuang 10th Road (______, ___\_H) and the Taichung High Speed Railway station to Puli. This same bus will also take you to Sun Moon Lake and the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village resort near Puli.
Tickets to Taichung are sold for around NT$150. Buses from Puli to Sun Moon Lake take half an hour and NT$50.
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:''+886 49'' 913-311 (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''', 310 Tiehshan Road. Tel:''+886 49'' 913-037. - 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. Tel:''+886 49'' 982-076 - a memorial to Puli's historical connection with lacquerware. Demonstrations can be arranged.
The '''New Era Sculpture Park''', Chungshan Road, Sec 4. Tel:''+886 49'' 912-248 - this beautiful park acts as stage for the statues created by a famous local sculpture - open daily from 8AM ~ 5:30PM.
Do
Learn
'''Buddhism''' - many of the monasteries in the area are happy to offer meditation instruction and give teachings on the Dharma.
[http://www.ncnu.edu.tw/web2/default.aspx/ 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
Budget
Mid range
''' Cheng Pao Hotel''', 299 Zhongxiao Road, [http://cheng-en.network.com.tw]. The largest hotel in Nantou County.
Splurge
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