Travel Guide: DianDian Hostel (缽割貓點點青旅), Nantou County

Introduction

Tucked in the charming mountain town of Puli in central Taiwan’s Nantou County, DianDian Hostel is a cozy, pet-friendly budget accommodation that blends laid-back local vibes with thoughtful practical amenities. Perfect for backpackers, solo travelers, and pet owners exploring Taiwan’s scenic central highlands, this welcoming hostel puts you within easy reach of Puli’s top attractions and makes a great base for day trips to Sun Moon Lake and surrounding mountains.

Hotel Overview

DianDian Hostel is located at No.33, Shuitou Road, Puli Town, a quiet residential neighborhood just a 10-minute walk from Puli’s bustling downtown food and shopping scene. The hostel speaks to international travelers, with staff fluent in English, Japanese, and Chinese, so you’ll never struggle to get local tips or sorted with check-in.

All guest rooms are non-smoking, fitted with air conditioning, heating, bedside outlets, clothing racks, and tea and coffee making facilities to help you start your day right. Shared bathrooms come with toilets, hairdryers, toilet paper, and slippers, though you can pay a small extra fee for fresh towels if you don’t want to pack your own. For common spaces, the hostel offers a shared lounge with a dining area and desk, a shaded outdoor seating area, and a lush garden perfect for relaxing after a long day of hiking. The shared guest kitchen has a fridge, microwave, washing machine, and dryer for self-catering and longer stays. Other free perks include full-property WiFi and nearby private parking, while paid services include luggage storage and laundry. Pet owners are welcome to bring their furry friends, just notify the hostel in advance as a small extra fee may apply. Active guests can rent bicycles on-site to explore the surrounding flat town roads and riverside bike paths. For safety, the hostel has 24-hour security, security cameras in all public areas, smoke detectors, and fire extinguishers.

Nearby Attractions

Three unmissable spots are a short drive or bike ride from the hostel:

• Paper Dome: Just 2 kilometers from DianDian Hostel, this iconic architectural landmark is a stunning church constructed entirely from folded paper, designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban to honor survivors of the 1999 921 earthquake. It’s surrounded by landscaped gardens and hosts regular art exhibitions, making it a perfect stop for culture and photography lovers.
• Puli Brewery Cultural Park: A 5-minute drive from the hostel, this historic brewery turned cultural park is famous for Taiwan’s iconic Taiwan Beer. Visitors can tour the brewery, learn about the island’s beer-making history, sample fresh brews, and pick up locally made artisanal snacks.
• Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area: Taiwan’s most famous alpine lake is just a 30-minute drive from Puli, making DianDian Hostel an affordable alternative to pricier lakeside accommodation. The lake offers hiking trails, bike paths around its shore, and ferry rides to the iconic Sun Moon Lake Wenwu Temple.

Travel Tips

If you’re driving to the hostel, free parking is available nearby but cannot be reserved, so try to arrive before 3PM to secure a spot. For hikers heading to nearby Hehuan Mountain or Alishan, the hostel offers affordable luggage storage if you want to travel light for a multi-day hike. Since Nantou’s weather can shift quickly in the mountains, pack layers and rain gear even if the forecast calls for sun. Finally, don’t miss the Puli night market, a 10-minute walk from the hostel, where you can try local specialties like Puli papaya milk and handmade mo