Fog Plateau

Just back from the Pingtung County township of Wutai (the name means something like 'fog plateau'), the first time I've been there for at least 12 years. It's a gorgeous aboriginal district; in the mist and drizzle it reminded me of Darjeeling, India. We stayed less than 24 hours but that was enough to see the main village, Ali (the settlement at the end of the road), and a good slice of the northern part of the township.

Few villages in Taiwan are as attractive as Wutai, and I mean the buildings themselves, not just the superb backdrop. Almost every house is slate-walled or slate-covered, and motifs of the Rukai tribe - snakes being the most common one - appear everywhere.

To see Wutai you'll need your own vehicle, or someone to show you around.