Facing Datong Mountain (大筒山), Dai-Lei Resort and Spa (泰雅達利) is another favored spot for embracing nature and enjoying hot springs with Atayal trappings, while Sky Life Resort and Spa (飛天溫泉) is decked out Bali island-style with eight semi-outdoor spring pools and two-person rooms equipped with marble, Chinese cypress and Jacuzzi tubs. Melody Villa 151 (水韻食尚浴花園), on the other hand, is a novel establishment that spreads across 6,600m2 of land and combines hot spring action, live music, an outdoor cafe, garden and forest trails.
Apart from all the manmade trappings and facilities, the sodium bicarbonate spring water is what makes Wulai a holiday retreat. The colorless and odorless water at a temperature of about 80oC is said to beautify the skin and soften cuticles and has earned it the nickname beauty bath (美人湯). The waters are also said to relieve gastrointestinal disorders and inflammation and increase blood circulation, metabolism and alleviate muscle aches.
Yet, the over-exploitation of the area's natural resources is believed to have caused irreversible damage to the environment. Pipe after pipe can be seen connecting the spring sources. Waste water from hot spring houses, restaurants and shops is said to be discharged directly into Nanshi River, seriously contaminating Taipei's water source. The Atayal people's urai now belongs to capitalists.
Next time you take a dip in a hot spring bath in Wulai, it is advisable to appreciate the natural beauty, as it may well disappear soon.
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