Nantou Puli Butterfly Valley: A Cycling Eco-Tour in Taiwan's Butterfly Kingdom

Puli Butterfly Valley: A Cycling Journey Among Butterflies

Puli Township in Nantou County is surrounded by mountains, with a warm and humid climate, making it one of the regions with the richest butterfly resources in Taiwan, earning the reputation of the “Kingdom of Butterflies.” Every autumn and winter, millions of butterflies gather from various places to the valleys around Puli to overwinter, creating a butterfly spectacle rarely seen globally. Exploring this butterfly paradise by bicycle is a unique experience combining ecological observation with the joy of cycling.

Route Basic Information

Main Butterfly Ecological Areas

Around Huisun Forest Area

Huisun Forest Area (National Chung Hsing University Experimental Forest) is one of the most important butterfly habitats in Puli, reachable by cycling approximately 15 km from downtown Puli. The forest area plants a variety of nectar plants, attracting large numbers of butterflies. During autumn and winter, large flocks of purple milkweed butterflies often gather in the valleys near the forest entrance, forming a spectacular “butterfly waterfall” scene.

Mei River Valley

The Mei River is the main river beside Puli Township, with rich vegetation on both sides of the valley, serving as an important habitat for various butterflies. Cycling along the Mei River bike path, you can observe multiple Taiwan endemic butterfly species such as yellows, whites, and swallowtails. Early morning is the best time for butterfly watching, as butterflies are most active then and can be observed at close range.

Butterfly Ecological Park

Puli Township has a butterfly ecological park, where various nectar plants are artificially cultivated, allowing butterfly viewing year-round. The park also features interpretive signs introducing the ecological habits of Taiwan’s various butterflies, making it a great starting point for understanding Taiwan’s butterfly culture.

Puli’s Cultural Highlights

Beyond butterfly ecology, Puli also offers rich cultural resources worth exploring:

• Paper Dome (New Homeland Museum Campus): A paper-tube structure designed by a Japanese architect and relocated to Puli after the 921 earthquake, surrounded by beautiful gardens
• Puli Brewery: A renowned Shaoxing wine producer in Taiwan, where you can tour the brewing process and taste local specialties
• Dimu Temple: A famous religious landmark in Puli, with grand temple architecture and thriving incense offerings
• Puli Cuisine: Puli tofu and Puli rice noodles are famous local specialties, a must-try after cycling

Provincial Highway 14 Extension to Cingjing Farm

For riders with ample energy, you can continue from Puli along Provincial Highway 14, climbing to Cingjing Farm (approximately 30 km from Puli, with a climb of about 1,200 m). This section has steeper gradients, but the high-mountain agricultural landscapes and distant mountain views along the way are breathtaking. Cingjing Farm’s alpine meadows and sheep make you feel as if you are in the European Alps.

Best Butterfly-Watching Seasons

• Autumn/Winter (October–March of the following year): Purple milkweed butterfly overwintering season, with the highest numbers and the most spectacular scenery
• Spring (March–May): Butterflies migrate northward, allowing observation of large-scale butterfly migration behavior
• Year-round: Puli’s warm climate means butterflies can be observed all year, though species and numbers vary with the seasons

Ecological Observation Notes

1. Keep your distance when observing butterflies; do not disturb or catch them
2. Do not use flash photography, to avoid affecting butterflies’ normal behavior
3. Keep the environment clean; do not discard trash in ecological areas
4. It is recommended to bring binoculars and field guides to enhance the observation experience

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• The Travel Philosophy of Cyclists: 36 Ways to Explore Taiwan by Riding