Wufengqi Holy Mother Pilgrimage Site Introduction
The Holy Mother Pilgrimage Site is located in Jiaoxi, Yilan, right above the famous Wufengqi Scenic Area. To enter the Holy Mother Pilgrimage Site, one must pass through the Wufengqi Waterfall; following the third and second tier waterfalls, you will see the sign for the "Holy Mother Pilgrimage Site." Visitors can follow the directions and reach it in about 15 minutes. The Holy Mother Pilgrimage Site is regarded as a sacred mountain by Catholic devotees, as it is said that the Virgin Mary manifested at the Holy Mother Pavilion and guided five climbers safely down. In gratitude, a statue of the Virgin Mary was erected next to the Holy Mother Pavilion. The Holy Mother Pilgrimage Site spans approximately hundreds of square meters and features a circular church designed like a heavenly altar with a hint of Chinese style. If it weren't for the cross above, it might not be easy to recognize it as a Catholic church from the outside. From the Holy Mother Pilgrimage Site, you can slowly walk up the mountain along the trail, where pavilions are set up for visitors to rest. Upon reaching the "Sky Bridge," you are at the starting point of the Holy Mother Hiking Trail. The area near the starting point is shaded by trees, with small waterfalls and shallow pools everywhere, making it a great place to play in the water and cool off. The trail is rich in lush forests and diverse flora. After completing the approximately 1.7-kilometer trail, you will arrive at the scenic "Holy Mother Mountain Lodge," from which you can overlook the Lanyan Plain and gaze at Guishan Island. In the morning, looking down from here, it feels like being in the clouds. Although the Holy Mother Mountain Lodge is Catholic, many non-Catholic tourists also come to pilgrimage with a grateful heart! The Holy Mother Hiking Trail: Following the trail uphill, the surrounding lush woods constitute a rare low-altitude primitive forest! The Holy Mother Hiking Trail is at an elevation of 1,028 meters, offering a superb vantage point to overlook the Lanyan Plain and Guishan Island. The trail is rich in lush forests and diverse vegetation, and the mountain ridge serves as a boundary between Yilan and Taipei as well as a meteorological divide, displaying a variety of weather that is truly breathtaking.
