Accessible travel is no longer just a dream. You’d love to take the family out on a day off, but when an elderly relative has trouble getting around, or a family member has a disability, the hassle of getting in and out of the car and moving around often makes you and your family give up on the idea of a trip, doesn’t it?
In fact, there are now plenty of accessible travel spots with gentle ramps, so you can enjoy the scenery from a wheelchair. And if you’d rather not hire a car with a driver, you can rent a wheelchair-accessible vehicle yourself for an accessible trip, instead of staying cooped up at home, and embrace nature.
Accessible travel: recommended attractions
1. Neidong National Forest Recreation Area
Neidong Forest Recreation Area is hands-down the best accessible travel destination in Wulai. Its Xinxian Waterfall was voted the most beautiful waterfall in Taiwan, and beyond the views, the park has the highest concentration of negative ions (also known as “air vitamins”) in Taiwan. Negative ions can help the body’s cells flush out waste, purify the blood, settle the autonomic nervous system and calm the mood.
Even better, there are gentle accessible ramps. It takes about thirty minutes (one kilometer) from the park entrance to the waterfall viewing trail, so you can easily reach the best vantage point for the falls. Along the way you can take in the Nanshi River valley and its rich plant and animal life. People used to call this place “Doll Valley,” because at the turn of spring and summer the area fills with frogs and their calls.
For friends who are usually busy with work, using a little free time to bring along a family member with limited mobility, breathe fresh air together, bathe in the green forest, take a stroll and snap some photos is its own small happiness!
Location: Xinxian Village, Wulai District, New Taipei City
Admission: Weekdays NT$65 / full fare, NT$40 / concession; weekends NT$80 / full fare, NT$40 / concession
Opening hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
▌A friendly reminder from gogoout ▌
There are no food vendors in the park, so we suggest bringing some light snacks; a picnic in the forest has a charm of its own. Just remember to check the weather first!
Accessible restaurants in Wulai
璞食軒 (Pu Shi Xuan)
About the restaurant:
Located inside the Pause Landis Resort Wulai hot spring hotel, this restaurant focuses on plated main courses and afternoon tea, with a refined style. You can drive straight to the accessible parking spaces in the hotel basement, and the sliding wooden door lets wheelchair users enter and exit on their own. The whole building has only standard restrooms, which is less convenient for wheelchair users. It’s a great place to enjoy good food and a hot spring soak, and a fine stop for accessible travel.
Address: No. 88, Sec. 5, Xinwu Rd., Wulai District, New Taipei City
Hours: Monday–Sunday 12:00–20:30 (break 14:00–18:00)
Price range: NT$680–NT$1200 (10% service charge added)
Accessible travel: recommended attractions
2. Erziping Trail, Yangmingshan
The entire route is barrier-free, making it perfect for a day out with kids or family members with limited mobility. It’s about 1.8 kilometers from the visitor center to the Erziping Recreation Area, roughly an hour and a half round trip, with shade from greenery the whole way. There’s a constructed wetland nearby, and as you get closer you can hear the frogs calling.
Thanks to the many butterfly host plants and nectar plants growing here, the Erziping Trail has earned the nickname “Butterfly Flower Corridor.”
Sometimes wrapped in mist, sometimes under clear blue skies, ringed by mountains and as pretty as a painting—arriving here instantly leaves you feeling refreshed.
Location: No. 53-3, Checheng, Xinghua Village, Sanzhi District, New Taipei City
Admission: Free
Opening hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
▌A friendly reminder from gogoout ▌
Feel free to bring your own food and picnic or rest on the lawn at the Erziping Recreation Area. If you’d like a sit-down meal afterward, you can drive over to Zhuzihu, where there are more choices!
Accessible restaurants in Shilin
Watami Japanese Casual Restaurant
About the restaurant:
A Japanese restaurant serving mainly set meals, close to the MRT Shilin Station. The open layout makes it easy for wheelchair users to get in and out; the restaurant has only standard restrooms, but you can use the accessible restroom at the MRT station. The space is tidy, tasteful and fairly roomy, with movable tables and chairs. There’s plenty of room under the tables so wheelchairs and strollers can pull right up, and each table has a service bell.
Address: 1F, No. 115, Zhongzheng Rd., Shilin District, Taipei City
Hours: Monday–Friday 11:00–23:00; weekends and holidays 11:00–24:00 (including the day before a public holiday)
Price range: NT$40–NT$280 (10% service charge added)
愛趣饗樂咖啡 (I Chill Cafe)
About the restaurant:
A cafe serving mainly plated main courses, pasta and drinks. The entrance is a sliding glass door, so wheelchair users will need someone to help. The cafe has only standard restrooms, but there’s an accessible restroom at the nearby MRT station (Jiantan Station). Wi-Fi and standard charging are available, so wheelchair users can charge up. The food is fresh and tasty, they’ll cut dishes into pieces on request, and they’ll adjust the seasoning to suit customers.
Address: 1F, No. 17, Qiangang St., Shilin District, Taipei City
Hours: Monday–Thursday: 11:00–22:00; Friday and Saturday: 11:00–23:00; Sunday: 11:00–21:00
Price range: NT$90–NT$580
Accessible accommodations
The ten best accessible hotels in Taipei, as voted on booking.com
Your accessible travel partner – renting a wheelchair-accessible vehicle
What is a wheelchair-accessible vehicle?
A complete guide to wheelchair-accessible vehicles
Hiring a car with a driver is convenient, but if you’d like to save on the driver’s fee and plan your own itinerary, renting a wheelchair-accessible vehicle is worth considering.
Recommended shop – 優遊租車 (Youyou Car Rental)
[Chauffeured tours] [Airport transfers] [Business transfers] [Wheelchair-accessible transfers] A car rental company loved by travelers from Taiwan and overseas alike!
Shop location: No. 700-16, Zhongzheng Rd., Xinzhuang Dist., New Taipei City
Business hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
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This article was translated by AI from the original Chinese version.
