Wufengqi Holy Mother Pilgrimage Site Introduction
The Shrine of Our Lady is located in Yilan Jiaoxi, specifically above the famous Wufengqi Scenic Area. To enter the Shrine of Our Lady, visitors must pass through the Wufengqi Waterfall. After following the third and second levels of the waterfall, you will see the sign for the "Shrine of Our Lady." Following the signs, it takes about 15 minutes to reach the site. The Shrine of Our Lady is regarded as a sacred mountain by Catholics, with the legend that the Virgin Mary appeared at the shrine, guiding five climbers safely down the mountain. In gratitude to the Virgin Mary, a statue was erected next to the shrine. The Shrine of Our Lady spans several hundred square meters and features a circular church resembling a heavenly altar, infused with elements of Chinese architecture. However, apart from the cross on top, it may be difficult to identify it as a Catholic church from the outside. From the Shrine of Our Lady, visitors can take a leisurely walk along the mountain path, which is equipped with pavilions for rest. Upon reaching the "Tungtian Bridge," you arrive at the starting point of the Our Lady Mountain Trail. Due to the dense tree cover, it is hard to see the sky, with small waterfalls and shallow pools frequented by refreshing creek water, making it a good place to play and cool off. The trail is surrounded by lush greenery with diverse flora. After walking approximately 1.7 kilometers along the path, you'll reach the beautiful "Our Lady Villa," where you can overlook the Lanyang Plain and gaze at Turtle Island. In the morning, the view from here seems to place you amidst the clouds. Although the Our Lady Villa is a Catholic site, many non-Catholic travelers also come to pay their respects with a grateful heart! The Our Lady Mountain Trail: Following the trail upwards, the lush forest is a rare low-altitude primitive forest! The trail reaches an altitude of 1,028 meters, providing an excellent vantage point to overlook the Lanyang Plain and Turtle Island. The lush tree canopy along the way hosts a rich variety of plant life, and the ridge serves as the boundary between Yilan and Taipei, presenting a diverse array of weather that is truly breathtaking.
