Wufengqi Holy Mother Pilgrimage Site Introduction
The Sanctuary of Our Lady is located in Jiaoxi, Yilan, above the famous Wufengqi Scenic Area. To enter the Sanctuary, visitors must pass by the Wufengqi Waterfall. Following the path along the third and second tier waterfalls, one can see the sign for the "Sanctuary of Our Lady." Following the indications, it takes about 15 minutes to reach the site. The Sanctuary is regarded by Catholic believers as a sacred mountain, where it is said that the Virgin Mary appeared at the Our Lady Pavilion to guide five climbers safely down the mountain. In gratitude, a statue of the Virgin Mary was erected next to the pavilion. The Sanctuary covers an area of several hundred square meters and features a circular church designed like a heavenly altar, with elements of Chinese style. It is not easy to identify it as a Catholic church from the outside, except for the cross at the top. From the Sanctuary, visitors can slowly walk up the mountain along the trail, which has pavilions for resting along the way. Upon reaching the "Tongtian Bridge," one can start the Our Lady Mountain Trail. The trailhead is shaded by trees, preventing a view of the sky, and small waterfalls and shallow pools are everywhere, making it a great spot for water play and cooling off. The forest along the trail is lush, with diverse plant life. After completing about 1.7 kilometers of the trail, visitors will arrive at the picturesque "Our Lady Villa," where one can overlook the Lanyang Plain and gaze at Guishan Island. In the morning, looking down from here feels like being on a cloud. Although Our Lady Villa is Catholic, many non-Catholic travelers also come to make their pilgrimage with gratitude! Our Lady Mountain Trail: Following the trail uphill, the lush forest is a rare low-altitude primitive forest! The trail reaches an elevation of 1,028 meters and offers an excellent vantage point for viewing the Lanyang Plain and Guishan Island. The trail is lined with dense trees and rich vegetation, and the ridge line serves as the boundary between Yilan and Taipei, as well as a meteorological divide, showcasing remarkable weather phenomena that leave visitors in awe.
