Xiao Wulai Scenic Area is a scenic area along the Northern Cross-Island Highway in Fuxing District, Taoyuan, designated and managed by the Tourism Administration. Its main attractions include the three-tiered Xiao Wulai Waterfall, whose middle tier drops about 50 meters, and a wind-rocking stone that could once be gently swayed by hand but slid from a standing to a lying position after heavy rain from Typhoon Soulik in 2013. The area also features a cliffside sky walkway cantilevered against the mountain face, at an elevation of around 400 meters, with vegetation dominated by lower-to-middle-elevation mixed broadleaf forest.
Xiao Wulai Waterfall is a fault-scarp waterfall divided into three tiers; the middle tier, the most dramatic, drops about 50 meters. The wind-rocking stone is a welded tuff-breccia boulder roughly 5 meters tall and over 50 tonnes, with a base contact area of only about 0.5 square meters—historically it could be gently swayed by hand, but heavy rainfall from Typhoon Soulik on July 13, 2013 fractured the underlying rock and the boulder slid from a standing to a lying position into Yunei Creek, after which it no longer rocks in the wind, though it still stands near the original waterfall shelf. The adjacent sky rope bridge spans roughly 70 meters across a gorge around 100 meters deep.
What to See at Xiao Wulai Scenic Area
Xiao Wulai Waterfall has a total drop of approximately 50 meters, divided into upper, middle, and lower sections that offer different viewing angles. The trail system extends from the Northern Cross-Island Highway entrance to the major attractions, with interpretive panels along the way explaining the geology and plant distribution. The wind-rocking stone is a large boulder wedged into a rocky slope; because its contact area at the base is small, applying force at a specific point produces a perceptible gentle sway — a natural phenomenon of geomorphology.
The sky walkway is a cantilevered steel platform constructed against the cliff face. The end of the walkway overlooks a deep gorge and the waterfall, with a pronounced drop to the valley floor. Some sections use grating as the walking surface, giving a strong visual sense of looking straight down. The walkway is not long overall, but the undulating gradient requires attention to energy levels and shoe grip; slippers or high heels are not suitable.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
Practical Information
Getting There & Time
- Drive along Provincial Highway 7 (Northern Cross-Island Highway) to the Yisheng Village section; the scenic area entrance and parking are signposted roadside.
- Public transport options include Taoyuan Bus toward Fuxing or Luofu, but services are limited — check the timetable before departing.
- Opening hours and admission information follow announcements from the Tourism Administration or the scenic area management.
Nearby Connections
- Continue along the Northern Cross-Island Highway to Jiaobanshan Presidential Villa and Lalashan, making a full Northern Cross-Island day route.
- Atayal tribal communities are distributed throughout Fuxing District nearby; pairing with a local guided tour is a way to learn about indigenous cultural background.
Sources: Tourism Administration, Ministry of Transportation, Xiao Wulai Scenic Area related materials. Photos pending replacement with Dio's own shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high is the drop at Xiao Wulai Waterfall?
The waterfall has three tiers; the most dramatic middle tier drops about 50 meters, with the upper tier around 3 meters and the lower tier about 2 meters.
Can the wind-rocking stone still be swayed today?
No—heavy rain from Typhoon Soulik in 2013 fractured the rock beneath it, causing the boulder to slide from standing to lying, and it no longer rocks in the wind.
Are the sky walkway and the sky rope bridge the same structure?
No, they are different. The sky walkway is a cantilevered steel platform against the cliff, while the sky rope bridge is a separate roughly 70-meter suspension bridge across the gorge.
Sources
- 【新聞】桃園小烏來50噸重風動石動了 不敵蘇力遭吹落溪谷 - 健行筆記 — 風動石2013年位移經過
- 桃園小烏來50噸重風動石動了 不敵蘇力遭吹落溪谷 - ETtoday — 風動石位移新聞報導
- 小烏來風景特定區 - 桃園觀光導覽網 — 景區基本資訊