Wujie Township is located in eastern Yilan County, Taiwan, on the alluvial plain of the southern bank of the Lanyang River and the lower reaches of the Dongshan River. The terrain is flat and crisscrossed with waterways, forming a typical coastal lowland landscape. Due to its unique hydrological environment, Wujie has developed not only distinctive wetland ecosystems but also a rich cultural and historical context.
Geographically, Wujie borders Zhuangwei Township to the north, faces the Pacific Ocean to the east, adjoins Su’ao Township to the south, and connects with Dongshan Township and Luodong Township to the southwest. To the west, it borders Sanxing Township, Yuanshan Township, and Yilan City. Predominantly flat, it lies on the right bank of the Lanyang River and includes the estuary where the Dongshan River flows into the Pacific. In the past, its low-lying terrain often caused widespread flooding during typhoon and heavy rain seasons. However, after multiple water management projects, Wujie has gradually transformed into a region balancing waterside landscapes and wetland conservation.
Wujie’s natural environment is diverse. The Wushih Wetland, located about 50 centimeters below sea level, has become a precious wetland ecosystem. The Lanyang River Estuary Waterbird Refuge has also been established here, providing an important habitat for migratory and aquatic birds. The flower tree corridors, fishpond landscapes, and the sandy coastline of Lize further enhance the township’s ecological tourism value. Aquaculture industries, such as prawn and freshwater fish farming, are still maintained.
Culturally and industrially, Wujie presents a diverse landscape. In the northwest, the Erjie area once thrived as an industrial settlement due to the establishment of the Chung Hsing Paper Mill. It has since been transformed into the Chung Hsing Cultural and Creative Park, integrating history and art into a new landmark for tourism. Meanwhile, the Lize Industrial Zone in the southeast has attracted several technology companies and is considered a key area for Yilan County’s future technological development.
Wujie also retains a strong indigenous cultural heritage. The estuary of the Dongshan River was once the birthplace of the Kavalan tribe’s “Liuliu Settlement.” Although the tribe later migrated to Hualien and Taitung, they still return here annually to hold ceremonies. The large-leafed Barringtonia trees they planted have become an important symbol of the tribe’s cultural spirit.
