yilan travel map

• Taiwan FAQ 常見問題
• Blog Index 部落格指南
• Contact Us 聯絡我們
• Global Expat Travel Blog

Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in  our Taiwan hotels guide  or search for the  best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Follow us on social media:

• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

Destinations

• Plan Your Trip

Yilan Starts Here

Until very recently, I was mostly oblivious to why so many people loved Yilan. I dismissed the county as a lackluster destination, a place where Taipei residents (Taiwanese ones) went on the weekend, but where foreigners were neither welcome nor had anything to gain by visiting.

How wrong I was! In addition to the fact that many Yilan attractions are absolutely incredible, this is a place where foreigners are not only welcome, but can really cover a lot of ground (particularly those with just a week in Taiwan or less!). You might say Yilan is a microcosm of Taiwan more broadly.

I hope you’ll continue reading my Yilan travel guide, whether you need motivation to head to Taiwan’s underrated northeast, or if you’ve already decided, and simply seek information about where to go in Yilan . The forests of Taipingshan, the food stalls of Luodong Night Market and the milky waters of Turtle Island await!

Where to Stay in Yilan

Before I dig more deeply into things to do in Yilan, let’s talk about where you should stay. In general, I’d recommend sleeping in the central part of the county, in Yilan city itself, or in Jiaoxi. However, if you do decide to stay in Jiaoxi, I’d recommend setting your expectations low. Although it’s reputed to be one of Taiwan’s premier hot springs getaways, it doesn’t hold a candle to even mediocre onsen towns in Japan (for example).

In particular, if you can’t splurge on high-end hot spring hotels in Jiaoxi such as Evergreen Resort Hotel or Yamagata Kaku Hotel & Spa , you’re better off choosing a more urban property. In particular I’m thinking of Yilan hotels like Hangkhau Hotel , or potentially even Kavalan Hotel in Luodong, which puts you within walking distance of the night market’s culinary delights—more on those in a moment!

What to Do in Yilan

Visit taiwan’s most famous instagram spots.

When it comes to interesting museums in Taiwan, the Lanyang Museum at Wushi Harbor near Waiao Beach must be near the top of the list, at least when it comes to its architecture. Another Insta-worthy spot in Yilan Count y is Wufengci in Jiaoxi . In addition to being home to a three-tiered waterfall, Wufengci hosts a Catholic church with a decidedly Chinese design.

Cool off at Taipingshan

One of my favorite things to do in Yilan, broadly speaking, is hiking. While there are plenty of places to do this, I especially like Taipingshan National Forest . Located hundreds of meters up in the sky, the forest features enchanting evergreens and mesmerizing moss, in stark contrast to the bamboo, betel palm and banana trees that define the landscape at sea level. I especially love hiking through the Chinese Hemlock Forest !

Eat your way through Luodong Night Market

What is there to eat in Yilan? A lot, but the focus on many local dishes are the green onions that are famously grown here. One of my favorites are the 無骨雞腿串 ( Wúgǔ jītuǐ chuàn ) chicken thigh skewers served in Luodong Night Market , which is about 15 minutes by foot from Ludong Station. Another Yilan specialty served here is 吳記花生捲冰淇淋 ( Wú jì huāshēng juǎn bīngqílín ), an ice cream wrap served with fresh-ground peanuts and cilantro.

Don’t miss magnificent Nanfangao

Many people include the cold springs of Su’ao on their list of things to do in Yilan, but few continue southward to Nanfangao —this is a pity. Whether you enjoy views of the harbor through the dragons and phoenixes of Nantian Temple , or ascend to Nanfangao Lookout and admire its so-called Tofu Rocks from far above, Nanfangao is probably the most picturesque place in Yilan.

Take a boat to Turtle Island

The bad news? A Turtle Island day trip is not really something you can do on a whim, as you need a guided tour booked in advance to visit the island . The good news? It’s easy to sneak out ahead of the group as you hike to the lookout point of Guishan Dao , especially if you don’t speak Chinese or can pretend you don’t understand. Trust me: It’s worth being the first one to the top!

How Many Days Should You Spend in Yilan?

As far as how many days in Yilan you should spend, that depends in part on how you plan to get around—more on that in a second. As a general rule, travelers who use public transportation (i.e. trains and buses) will need longer, while those who rent a car aren’t as dependent on transport schedules, and can consolidate their sightseeing into fewer days.

When it comes to specific things to do in Yilan, I’d say you need at least a full day for Taipingshan, due to its far distance, and may a day each in the north (Waiao and Toucheng) and south (Su’ao and Nanfangao); you can mix central destinations like Jiaoxi and Yilan (where you are likely to base yourself) into these days. Overall, most travelers will need 3-5 days in Yilan, with drivers needing fewer than train and bus riders.

Other FAQ About Yilan

How far is yilan from taipei.

Traveling from Taipei to Yilan takes 1-2 hours, depending on how you go. Most eastbound trains from Taipei travel to Yilan county, but faster express trains only stop at major stations—Yilan and Luodong, but maybe not Jiaoxi or Wai’ao. Buses from Taipei to Yilan can be faster, but only go to specific locations, such as Wushi Harbor.

How do you get around Yilan?

Local trains are an easy way to get around Yilan, but not very efficient. For example, while it takes around 20 minutes to travel from Jiaoxi to Luodong, trains (and Yilan buses) only run 1-2 times per hour. If you only have a day or two in Yilan and want to cover a lot of ground, I’d recommend renting a car .

Is Yilan worth visiting?

Yilan is absolutely worth visiting, once you realize it’s something of a microcosm of Taiwan. As I mentioned in the intro this piece, it was never really a priority for me to visit Yilan until I dug in and learned what a diverse destination it is.

The Bottom Line

Whether you came here explicitly search for an Yilan travel guide, or just motivation to visit in the first place, I hope you’ve found what you need. Yilan is a misunderstood, underrated destination in Taiwan , certainly among foreigners in the country. Some travelers will stay a long week, exploring the country from Lanyang Museum and Turtle Island in the north, to the picturesque Nanfangao Harbor in the south. Others will simply venture from Taipei to Yilan for a day, for example in order to cool off with a hike in Taipingshan during the scorching summer months. No matter which camp you fall into, I hope you’ll consider hiring me to plan your trip to Taiwan .

Plan Your Taiwan Trip

Subscribe to email updates!

Words, images and design ©2020-2024 Robert Schrader, All rights reserved. Read Privacy Policy or view sitemap .

• Travel tips

Yilan Travel Guide: 43 Things to Do in Yilan Taiwan

Yilan is a small county located in northeastern Taiwan. The area is known for its historical towns, hot and cold springs, black sand beaches, and ancient trails around the mountainous region .

While there are many townships in Yilan County, all the best things to do in Yilan are concentrated around few cities like Toucheng, Jiaoxi, Yilan City, Luodong and Su’ao .

If you want to get out of the busy capital city of Taipei and want to explore something off the beaten path, then keep reading. I’ll show you all the best Yilan attractions and how to see these tourist spots on your own.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through them, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost. Thank you for supporting this website. For more information, please read the disclosure for more info.

Before you travel to Yilan Taiwan

Before visiting all the Yilan attractions, take a look at my post on everything you need to know before going to Taiwan . I included information like getting a Taiwan SIM card and other travel tips and getting around Taiwan.

Here are some additional travel tips for visiting Yilan Taiwan:

• Buy a rechargeable smartcard called EasyCard or iPass . You can use either card for taking the train and buses in Yilan and most public transportation throughout Taiwan. You can get a rechargeable card at any major train station or convenience store in Taiwan.
• Yilan Hot Air Balloon Carnival (June) – see an aerial view of northeastern Taiwan from a hot air balloon near Dongshan Station.
• Toucheng Ghost Grappling Competition (last day of the 7th lunar month) – the biggest ghost grappling competition in Taiwan
• Nanfangao Mackerel Festival (October) – parade and festivities at the height of mackerel season.
• Jiaoxi Hot Spring and Lantern Festival (December) – enjoy a hot spring experience around colourful lanterns.

How to get to Yilan Taiwan

The closest airport to Yilan County is Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) near Taipei.

Ubus 1661 starts from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and goes to Jiaoxi, Yilan City, and Luodong . There are 4 buses per day (7:30am, 11am, 4:30pm and 6:30pm).

Bus from Taipei to Yilan

There are several highway buses that can take travellers from Taipei to Yilan. Each bus company starts from a different part of the capital city.

Capital Bus has multiple buses that travel from Taipei City Hall Bus Station to Toucheng, Jiaoxi, Yilan City, and Luodong .

Kuo-Kuang Motor Transport buses start from Yuanshan Bus Station and travel to Toucheng, Yilan City, Luodong and Su’ao .

Kamalan Bus has several buses that goes from Taipei Bus Station to Jiaoxi, Yilan City and Luodong .

Train from Taipei to Yilan

Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA)  is the other option if you travel from other parts of Taiwan to Yilan County.

To get to Yilan, take a local or express local train (with your EasyCard or iPass) to Toucheng, Jiaoxi, Yilan City, Luodong or Su’ao . Check the TRA train schedule and cost here .

Where to stay in Yilan Taiwan

Yilan County is quite big and all the attractions are spread out; I would suggest staying in one or two cities like Toucheng and Jiaoxi , and using either one or both cities as a base for sightseeing around Yilan.

• Kailan Hotel (開蘭行旅) ($$) – the basic hotel is great for a few nights. However, it is a bit of a walk from Toucheng Station. Check prices and reviews: Agoda
• Hotel Lounge (朗居文旅) ($$) – new hotel in Toucheng with stylish rooms. Check prices and reviews: Agoda .
• East Hostel (東旅背包客) ($) – the budget hostel has clean dormitory rooms and bathrooms. Check prices and reviews: Agoda
• Yunoyado Onsen Hotspring Hotel Deyang (東旅湯宿) ($$) – enjoy a private hot spring experience in your modern guestroom. Check prices and reviews: Agoda .

Yilan Attractions: 43 Things to Do in Yilan County

As mentioned, Yilan County is located on the east side of Taiwan and covers the majority of the northeast part of the country. While there are many townships in Yilan County, the majority of attractions are in Toucheng Township, Jiaoxi Township, Yilan City, Luodong Township and Su’ao Township.

In this post, I listed all the best attractions in Yilan County in the following sections:

• What to do in Toucheng Township
• Best attractions in Jiaoxi Township
• Things to Do in Yilan City
• Tourist attractions in Luodong Township
• Things to see in Su’ao Township

What to do in Yilan: Toucheng Township

Toucheng (頭城) is the first of several cities you must visit while exploring the east coast of Taiwan. The city is in Toucheng Township , the northernmost township in Yilan County.

While in Toucheng, you can learn about the history of Yilan County and experience nature in the mountains and by the sea.

1. See historic buildings on Toucheng Old Street

Toucheng Old Street (頭城老街) is the oldest street in Toucheng Township. The short street runs north to south and has many different types of architectural styles. There are also important buildings along Toucheng Old Street, like Fude Temple (South Gate and North Gate) and Qingyuan Temple , the first temple in Yilan.

While it was an important trading hub, the old street is now a popular Yilan tourist spot where you will find retro coffee shops, colourful murals and many Instagram photo spots .

2. Enjoy a relaxing stroll along Toucheng Seaside Forest Park

Toucheng Seaside Forest Park (頭城濱海森林公園) has a nice beach, a few campsites and an octagonal viewing tower right by the water. If you continue north, a long boardwalk/ bike path will eventually lead you to Wushi Harbour .

The park may not be something you see in travel guidebooks, but I like it as it is one of the few beaches in Yilan. It is quite serene and relaxing.

3. Eat ice cream at the popular shop in Toucheng

阿宗芋冰城 is a popular ice cream shop that has been around for 50 years. Locals love this place!

They sell unique ice cream flavours, including purple rice, red bean, pineapple, peanut and taro . One serving has 3 scoops of homemade ice cream, which only costs NT$55.

4. Learn about the history of Yilan at Lanyang Museum

If you don’t know anything about Yilan County, you must start your Taiwan east coast itinerary by visiting the Lanyang Museum (蘭陽博物館) . Learn about the history of Yilan, the topographical landscape, the indigenous Kavalan people, and many interesting facts about the region at this large museum is in a modern building with an asymmetrical profile.

5. Surf at Waiao Beach

This black sand is popular amongst local Taiwanese surfers as it is the country’s best-kept secret. Waiao Beach (外澳沙灘) has consistent waves all year round and the monsoon season brings taller waves. Whether you are a first-time surfer or a pro, try surfing at one of the best surf beaches in Yilan.

Parallel to the beach are cafes, restaurants and several surf shops . Plus, you can try out paragliding at Waiao Beach too!

6. Take a boat trip to Guishan Island (Turtle Island)

Guishan Island (龜山島) , or known as Turtle Island , is an active volcano island off the coast of Toucheng. During a day tour, you will see the sulphur cliffs, caves around the perimeter of the island and primitive wildlife , including many types of whales, dolphins, and many more. And it is possible to hike some of the nature trails on the island.

You can only see the island with an unusual profile with a boat tour. A half-day Guishan Island tour includes a boat trip around the island and whale watching. Bring gravol – it is a rocky boat ride!

7. Hike the ancient Caoling Historic Trail

Caoling Historic Trail (草嶺古道 ) might be one of the best hiking trails along the northeast coast of Taiwan. You can see a lush forest, historic relics, and panoramic east coast views .

The best way to hike the 8.5km trail is to hike south to north from Dali Station to Fulong Station.

If you visit in November, check out the annual Silver Grass Festival . This is when the northeast wind is the strongest, and you will see a mountain full of swaying white silver grass.

8. Enjoy some fun in the sun at Fulong Beach

Another beach option near Toucheng is Fulong Beach (福隆海水浴場) in New Taipei City. The 3km golden sand beach is perfect for swimming, windsurfing, kayaking and canoeing. And it is the site for the Fulong Sand Sculpture Festival and Hohaiyan Rock Festival every year.

If you hop on the fast local train at Toucheng Station, Fulong Beach is one stop away and takes only 18 minutes.

Best Yilan attractions: Jiaoxi Township

Some of the best things to do in Yilan are in Jiaoxi (礁溪) , a hot spring town located within Taiwan’s largest hot spring area .

The township is located in a fault zone with underground sources of heat. The geothermal heat rises and heats up the groundwater, the source for all the hot springs in Jiaoxi.

The hot springs in Jiaoxi have sodium bicarbonate and no sulphur smell . The minerals in the water are good for your skin. Even the Jiaoxi farmers use spring water for crops like spinach, water bamboo, and tomato.

While the hot spring in Jiaoxi is the main attraction, there are plenty of other things to do, including hiking trails and waterfalls.

9. Have little fishes nibble on your feet at Tangweigou Hot Spring Park

Tangweigou Hot Spring Park (湯圍溝溫泉公園) is a popular hot spring park with free foot baths and fish foot baths (NT$50). Sit on one of the benches and soak your feet in the warm pools.

And the fish foot bath is something else! Little fishes nibble on your feet and eat all the dead skin. It sounds gross and pretty ticklish, but it is a unique experience, that’s for sure!

10. Soak your feet at one of the free foot bathing pools in Jiaoxi

One of the best things to do in Yilan is to enjoy Jiaoxi hot springs ! And there are free foot bathing pools (免費泡腳池) around Jiaoxi. These are the perfect places when you are tired of walking and want to relax and soak your feet.

One is in Jiaoxi Hot Springs Park , and another one in Jiaoxi Landscape Square . And there are other ones scattered around Jiaoxi as well.

It is absolutely free to use the footbath. Just remember to rinse your feet before putting them in the water. And also, don’t soak for too long – the water is boiling hot!

11. Indulge in a traditional hot spring experience at Jiaoxi Hot Spring Park Forest Bath

For a bit more of a full hot spring experience, try soaking in Jiaoxi Hot Spring Park Forest Bath (礁溪溫泉公園-森林風呂) . The hot spring has typical Japanese-style bathing facilities and an outdoor hot spring open all year round.

As per tradition, the men’s spa and women’s spa are separated. They both have indoor and outdoor spa facilities. It costs NT$200.

There are plenty of hot springs facilities around Jiaoxi, but this one has an outdoor amphitheatre to host cultural events and an elaborate garden at the entrance.

12. Soak and swim at Jiaoxi Public Hot Spring and Swimming Pool

Jiaoxi public hot spring and swimming pool (礁溪鄉公所溫泉游泳池) are very popular with locals as they can use the facilities for free. For visitors, it costs NT$100 to swim in the giant outdoor swimming pool and soak in the spacious outdoor hot spring.

13. Eat ramen while soaking your feet

I can’t think of anything else better than eating a bowl of ramen while soaking my feet. At Rakuzan Ramen ( 樂山溫泉拉麵) , you can do exactly that!

I had a seafood ramen, one of the best I ever had! And besides ramen, you can order sushi, Japanese rice bowls or other Japanese dishes. The new location has a bigger foot bath. Give it a try, and let me know what you think.

14. Hike Paoma Historic Trail

When you are not relaxing in hot springs around Jiaoxi, walk north and find some of the best hiking trails in Jiaoxi.

Paoma Historic Trail (跑馬古道) was built during the Qing Dynasty. The trail was used to transport lumber with a “wood horse”, hence the name of the trail “Mu Ma Road” (meaning Horse Road).

The ancient trail is quite long – it crosses into New Taipei City! Even if you only trek the first half of the trail, you can see a great view of Jiaoxi, Guishan Island and the ocean.

15. See Wufongci Waterfall

Another amazing hike in Jiaoxi is the hike to Wufongci Waterfall (五峰旗瀑布) . When you follow the path to Wufongci Waterfall, you can see a series of three waterfalls . The guided path includes several stairs to the pavilion at the top, where you will see the 100-meter waterfall.

Buses GR11 and 112A both go to Wufongci Waterfall, but it is possible to walk from Jiaoxi. The trek starts with walking up Wufeng Road until you reach the pavilion. Then follow the signs and guided path.

16. Hike Shengmu Hiking Trail

After hiking to Wufengqi Waterfall, follow the signs for Shengmu Hiking Trail (聖母登山步道) .

The uphill trail leads you to the Catholic Sanctuary of Our Lady of Wufengqi Church (五峰旗聖母朝聖地) and a gorgeous view of Jiaoxi.

And if you hike further, you will come across beautiful mountainous terrain and reach Sanjiaolun Peak   (三角崙山) , where there is a scenic platform looking to Lanyang Plains.

The trail is over 10km long . And with the different terrains, be prepared to spend most of the day hiking Shengmu Hiking Trail. But the views are worth it!

Best Things to Do in Yilan City

Yilan City is one of the bigger cities in Yilan County. With many things to do in Yilan City, good food and affordable accommodations, Yilan City is one of the best cities in Eastern Taiwan for budget travellers.

While many activities are within Yilan City, a few attractions outside the core are worth visiting. And the public bus is the perfect option for solo travellers.

However, the frequency of buses is few and far in between. Even though all the buses have specific schedules for weekdays and weekends, Google Maps doesn’t capture the schedule properly. So you must rely on the actual timetable at the bus stop. You may have to wait half an hour or more if you miss a bus.

17. Find whimsical sculptures at Jimmy Square

Jimmy Square (幾米公園) is a long and narrow park just south of Yilan Station . What is interesting about the park is the whimsical characters and settings.

A Taiwanese illustrator, Jimmy Liao, produced several illustrated books, including Starry Starry Night and Turn Left, Turn Right. The characters in both books are turned into 3d models in the park. Look for these colourful characters and the playful settings for your Instagram photos.

18. Visit the weekend market at Diu Diu Dang Forest Park

Diu Diu Dang Forest Park (丟丟噹森林) is a small park across from Yilan Station and it has a steel-frame iron tree forest. There are nine metal frame trees with different colours of green leaves made with glass. Like Jimmy Park, Diu Diu Dang Forest Park has a train with playful characters suspended in the trees .

The park is a popular gathering place for locals and tourists. Moreover, many vendors sell handicrafts and other knick-knacks during the weekend . Check out the coffee shop inside the Baiguo Tree Red Brick House while you are there.

19. Eat skewers at Dongmen Night Market

There are way too many choices when it comes to eating at Dongmen Night Market (東門夜市) . Food vendors under the Donggang Bridge and surrounding streets sell the best Taiwanese food. Or find one of the local restaurants in the market for a sit-down meal.

When you are in Yilan, try a local favourite: meat skewers . They have many options for different types of meat, vegetables, and other unknown skewers. But trying food is all part of the adventure in Taiwan!

20. Try traditional Yilan food: thick pork soup

In Yilan City, many local restaurants serve traditional Yilan food called thick pork soup . I’m not sure if that is the actual name, but it’s somewhat the translation or how it describes the dish.

One of the best places to try the traditional soup is at Mother’s Love Garlic Meat Soup (阿娘給的蒜味肉羹) . Their thick pork soup is tasty but has a lot of garlic. Bring mints if you are going to try this specialty.

21. See art exhibits at Yilan Museum of Art

Yilan Museum of Art (宜蘭美術館) showcases local Yilan’s arts and crafts in an old building that used to be one of the branches of the Bank of Taiwan. Parts of the building were destroyed in the war, but many of the architectural details were restored.

22. Learn about aboriginal culture at Yilan Cultural and Creative Park 

Yilan Cultural and Creative Park (蘭陽原創館-宜蘭市文創園區) is a new cultural and creative spot in Yilan. Nine buildings are grouped together and formed a centre that focuses on aboriginal culture .

There is a souvenir shop selling locally made products and several cafes that feature aboriginal cuisine. Whimsical sculptures can be found throughout the premise. See how many you can find.

23. See Japanese architecture at Memorial Hall of Founding of Yilan Administration

Built with the cypress trees in the Taipingshan forest in Yilan, the Memorial Hall of Founding of Yilan Administration (宜蘭設治紀念館) building incorporated Japanese and Western architectural aesthetics.

Today, you can tour the inside of the building, the spacious courtyard and the Japanese-style rock garden.

24. See exhibits related to beer and wine at Yilan Distillery

Yilan Distillery (宜蘭酒廠) has a museum, gallery, shop and leisure facilities . You can walk around the grounds on your own and see many exhibits.

Check out the Chia Chi Lan Wine Museum , which focuses on red rice wine . Yilan’s red rice wine won numerous awards, and it is used to make red rice sausages, red yeast rice vinegar and many more products that are good for your health.

And look for Taiwan Anka Museum and roam around the rest of the distillery while you are there.

25. See the preserved Yilan Brick Kiln

Yilan Brick Kiln (宜蘭磚窯) is a century-old kiln along the riverbank near Yilan Bridge. There are 13 kilns in a row and a tall chimney. The kilns have been making bricks since the Qing dynasty.

And with the surge of new materials like concrete and other building material, they replaced brick, and the local brick-making industry dwindled. Today, you can still see the historical place with preserved kilns and it is only a 10-minute walk from the city centre.

26. Try whiskey at Kavalan Distillery

Kavalan Distillery (金車噶瑪蘭威士忌酒廠) is the only whiskey distillery in Taiwan and it produces many award-winning single malt whiskeys. It is open to the public where you can see the whiskey-making process and tour several buildings on the distillery ground. You can email to reserve a spot for an English tour or do a self-tour of the distillery like I did.

At the end of the tour, try some of the best whiskeys in the tasting room before you buy a bottle or two. And if you join the DIY blending tour (in Chinese only), you can blend a unique bottle of whiskey to bring home!

Bus GR12, 1743, 1744 and 1751 goes to Kavalan Distillery from Yilan Station.

27. Spend an afternoon hiking around Wanglongpi

Wanglongpi (望龍埤) is a gorgeous lake located west of Yilan City . From the main road, it is only a few minutes walk into the lake area, where an emerald green lake will greet you. Follow the guided path around the lake, and you will see a red-arched bridge, a bridge of nine turns and several cafes southwest of the lake.

On the east end of the lake, a hiking trail called Feilong Trail will lead you up the mountain for great views of the lake at the platform.

Take bus 755 from Yilan Station (but take note of the bus schedule as buses are not frequent) if you want to spend a leisurely afternoon at Wanglongpi.

Yilan Tourist attractions: Luodong Township

Luodong (羅東) is another urban area in central Yilan County. There are a handful of attractions around Luodong that are worth seeing but there aren’t a lot of budget accommodations within the city.

And most travellers think they need to stay-overnight in Luodong in order to visit Taipingshan. But you can also stay in Yilan City. The public bus goes to Taipingshan from Yilan City while many tour companies have Taipingshan tours that start from either Yilan City or Luodong.

28. Enjoy Taiwanese food at Luodong Night Market

Luodong Night Market (羅東夜市) spans several streets and blocks, covering all three sides of Jungshan Park . Food vendors sell local street food, including the famous Yilan green onion pancakes (more on that in the next section). Other food vendors have tables and chairs at their stalls where you can enjoy a delicious bowl of thick pork soup with garlic.

Besides food, other vendors sell clothing, shoes, umbrellas, and many more affordable trinkets.

Rain or shine, the night market will open regardless of the weather. And the market is super busy during weekends. Go early to avoid the crowd.

29. Try Yilan’s famous green onion pancake

Luodong Night Market has many good eats, but the one you don’t want to miss is Sansing Green Onion Pancake (玉本舖三星蔥餅) .

Many people queue for this Yilan specialty and try their version of the scallion pancake . It is made with handmade dough stuffed with heaps of green onion and then deep-fried. Lots of people love this. There is a queue every night.

30. Spend the afternoon at Meihua Lake

Meihua Lake (梅花湖) , also known as Plum Blossom Lake , is a large natural lake with a 4km shaded path around it. You can rent a bicycle or walk around the guided path. Or walk up a hiking trail to Sanching Temple . Plus, there are local restaurants and shops to buy snacks for a leisurely afternoon at Meihua Lake.

Bus GR25 from Luodong Station takes 30 minutes. Or join an afternoon tour to Meihua Lake .

31. Soak your feet and cook food at Qingshui Geothermal Area

One of the most unusual things to do in Yilan is to visit Qingshui Geothermal Area (清水地熱公園) . Located south of Qingshui Village, the area has natural hot springs where you can soak your feet and cook food.

The area covers about 2.5 hectares of land with two-foot baths and three cooking pools . Visitors can cook eggs, corn, taro, and sweet potato by cooking the food in a bamboo basket (which you can rent). The clear alkaline hot spring water is safe for cooking.

Bus GR17 starts at Luodong Transfer Station (east exit of Luodong Station) goes to the hot springs and the bus ride takes over an hour.

32. Hike Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area

Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area (太平山國家森林遊樂區) is located on the northeast side of Yilan County. The area has many giant cypress trees, and you can hike along several hiking trails, including Cueifong Lake Circular Trail and Jianqing Huaigu Trail .

You will encounter many hot springs, lakes and waterfalls in the recreation area. Also, get a ticket for the Bong-Bong Train that will take you around the forest.

Travellers should stay in either Yilan City or Luodong for either a solo hike or an organized group hike in Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area .

For independent travellers, take the Kuo-Kuang bus 1750/1750A from Yilan bus station (7:40am) or Luodong (8am). It takes 2.5 hours to get there. Make sure you plan ahead and leave enough time so you can catch the bus back to Yilan or Luodong. The bus leaves Taipinshan at 2:30pm . A round-trip ticket costs NT$243.

Yilan: Things to do in Su’ao Township

Located in Su’ao township in southern Yilan County, Su’ao (蘇澳) is known for its natural cold springs. While the neighbouring town, Nanfangao (南方澳) , is a thriving port for fishing mackerel.

In this part of Yilan County, you will find scenic spots, including several cold springs , beautiful black beaches, lookout points, local temples and delicious seafood ! All major attractions in Su’ao and Nanfangao can be done on the same day.

33. Experience the natural cold springs at Su’ao Cold Spring Park

One of the highlights of Su’ao is the Su’ao Cold Spring (蘇澳冷泉公園) , the only calcium bicarbonate spring in Taiwan (the other one is in Italy). The cold spring has large outdoor public baths with water temperatures around 22 degrees Celsius all year around.

Unlike some of the other hot springs, the cold spring water has no smell at all . And it is safe to drink as well. In fact, cold spring water is used for making several local food products in Su’ao.

It might initially feel cold because your body temperature is higher than the water temperature. But your body will warm up in a few minutes. It is said that cold spring water can also cure some skin diseases and intestinal illnesses. But regardless, it is a delightful experience. And it only costs NT$120.

34. Soak your feet for free at Alishi Cold Spring

Alisli Cold Spring (阿里史冷泉公共浴室) is another cold spring in Su’ao but smaller and more local . It has the same water source as Su’ao Cold Spring but this cold spring is free.

You can soak your feet in the open-air outdoor cold spring (it looks like a long creek underneath the ground) or can immerse fully in the smaller indoor pool .

35. See panoramic views from Qixingling Trail

Next to Su’ao Cold Spring, hike up Qixingling Trail (七星嶺步道) and see a gorgeous view of Su’ao and Nanfangao port to the south and Yilan plains to the north .

The 4.7km trail has several viewing platforms . “Qixingling Trail” means “seven star ridge” and the platforms are numbered and named with the word “star”. There are viewing platforms at the first star, the third star, the sixth star and the seventh star. All the views are spectacular!

The entrance is right next to Su’ao Cold Spring. Look for a sign near the cold spring.

36. Relax on Neipi Beach

At the southeast end of Nanfango, there is a gorgeous black pebble beach with crystal clear water called Neipi Beach (內埤海灘) . It is a popular beach for sunbathing and watching the sunrise. It is known as Lovers’ Bay, as many couples walk along the beach during sunset.

Bring a snack to the beach or dine at one of the restaurants at the north end of Neipi Beach.

37. Standup paddleboard at Tofu Cape

At the north end of Neipi Beach, there is a land-tied island with rows of hills called the Pen Holder Mountain . A bit further into the island is where you will find Tofu Cape (豆腐岬) .

Tofu Cape is a small bay with a seawall and a coastal trail . It is the perfect spot for snorkelling, standup paddleboarding and watching the sunrise. Or you can enjoy the view of the Pacific Ocean from the coastal window by the cape.

38. See an aerial view from Nanfangao Lookout

At the 108km marker of the Suao-to-Hualien highway, there is a viewing spot called Nanfangao Lookout (南方澳觀景臺) , where you can see Langyang Plains, Nanfangao Harbour, Neipi Beach and Tofu Cape.

It is the first sightseeing spot from Hualien to the Northeast and Yilan Coastal Scenic Area. The easiest way to get there is by car. However, I read online that there is a hiking trail from Xue Fu Road to the viewing deck, but I can’t confirm it.

39. Try fresh seafood at Nanfangao Fish Market

Local fishermen sell their catch of the day at the Nanfangao Fish Market (南寧魚市場) . You can buy fresh fish, shrimp, crab, and shellfish directly from the vendors.

I visited the old location several years ago. The building is still there, but all the vendors have moved to the new building.

If you are travelling alone, you can still try fresh seafood. Buy a fresh tuna and salmon sashimi tray and enjoy the freshest seafood for very little money.

40. Roam around Nanfangao Fishing Harbour

Nanfangao Fishing Harbour (南方澳漁港) is one of the three biggest fishery harbours in Taiwan. And the fishing port is known for its mackerel harvest all year round.

Besides trying seafood at the Fish Market, there are a number of seafood restaurants and shops selling food souvenirs.

41. Visit the unique Sangang Ironworks Museum 

Three friends and technicians opened an iron factory back in 1962 when the fishing industry in Nanfangao was booming. They produced parts for making and maintaining fishing boats.

After the factory closed in 2004, Sangang Ironworks Museum (三剛鐵工廠文物館) became a cultural centre. You can see old fishing materials from the 1950s, old iron parts and instruments, and quirky artwork created with fishing materials.

Go peek inside and see what you can find. It is free!

42. See Mazu goddess at Nanfangao Nantian Temple 

Built in 1956, Nanfangao Nantian Temple (南天宮金媽祖) is the religious center of Nanfangao. It has a 200kg gold Mazu goddess in the center of the temple. Many locals believe that praying to Mazu will bring the fisherman home safely and with a big catch.

There is always some type of ceremony or large groups of visitors at the temple. But go in and check out the inside of the temple as well.

43. Try the unique fried shrimp cake in Nanfangao

Several shops in Nanfangao sell fried shrimp cake which starts with small shrimp and sweet potato sticks. The ingredients are added to the flour batter and deep-fried to perfection. The end result is a large crispy cracker that tastes super yummy!

Other varieties include oysters and meat, but the shrimp is the original version. And it only costs NT$35.

Looking for tours around Northern Taiwan? Check out these experiences:

Is yilan worth visiting.

I absolutely think so! As much as I liked all the things Taipei has to offer, I often like to go off the beaten path and explore places that are not as well known to most travellers. And I found a lot of gems in Yilan County.

As much as I want to keep all of these a secret, I want people to know that there is a ton of things to do in Yilan. All you have to do is follow this list, go out there and see for yourself. I had so many amazing memories travelling solo to Yilan and I hope you will too.

Let me know in the comments below which Yilan attractions you are most excited to see. Or if you discover something that is not part of this list – let me know!

Thank you for reading my post on Yilan Taiwan

You might also like these other posts on solo travel in Taiwan:

Introduction to Taiwan

• Things to know before visiting Taiwan  
• How and where to buy a Taiwan prepaid SIM card
• How to spend 3 weeks in Taiwan  
• 22 must-eat food in Taiwan  
• Top 10 must-try Taiwan 7-11 Food

Eastern Taiwan posts

• Yilan Food Guide: Where and What to eat in Yilan County
• Caoling Historic Trail: day trip from Yilan County or Taipei
• Neipi Beach: how to get there and what to do
• Everything you need to know about Jiaoxi Hot Spring
• Hualien Travel Guide: 1-4 Day Itinerary
• Hualien Food Guide: What and Where to eat in Hualien, Taiwan

Like this post? Pin it on your Pinterest board!

queenie mak

Hi, my name is Queenie, and I've been a solo traveller for 20+ years and currently based in Hong Kong. Follow me on my adventures through Instagram and my blog!

Further Reading...

Taiwan Itinerary: How to Spend 3 Weeks in Taiwan as a Solo Traveller

Tainan Travel Guide: Things to do in Tainan as a Solo Traveller

Kenting Travel Guide: 19 Things to Do in Kenting Taiwan

14 comments.

Hi Queenie, its a long list of items to do in Yilan. Thanks for sharing. Would like to know if you have come across any recommended drivers to use for sightseeing in Yilan? Bringing my grandparents along with minimum walking… would really help if we have a driver. Thanks!

Hi Terry, yes its a long list – even when I was putting this together I thought it was really long. As for drivers, I’m really not sure as I tend to focus my travel on independent solo travelling so I haven’t had to look into that. I would start looking at Get Your Guide or other group tour websites. Sometimes private drivers are advertised there (but mostly for airport transfer) but you could ask. Hope this helps!

You can try to contact any of these drivers: – based in Taipei – Mr Yang @ +886 932-213-514 / Jay @ +886 983-248-613 – based in Taichung – Jerry 徐怡鵬 @ +886 933-499-313

Hi Esther, are these reliable contacts?

Hi Queenie,

Thanks for sharing this insightful article. I am planning to travel to Jiaoxi once i landed in taoyuan airport in Jan 24. May i ask how can i buy tickets for Ubus 1661A from Taoyuan Airport to Jiaoxi? Can i buy the tix in advance? I cant find any site or platforms which allows me to buy in advance anf i am afraid the ticket might run out, u think so?

Hi Ashlee, I checked Ubus website – it doesn’t look like you can book ticket in advanced. However, I just travelled from Jiaoxi to Taipei and I saw many people buying their tickets right before the bus ride. So I think it’s quite easy to get a bus ticket on the spot (but there are more buses from Taipei to Jiaoxi). Although I don’t think it’ll be a huge issue to get a bus ticket when you arrive, please note that there are only 5 buses per day. Depending on when you arrive, you could get on a bus quickly or wait awhile for next bus. The alternative is to take airport express to Taipei Train Station and get the next bus to Jiaoxi from Taipei Bus Station (2 minute walk from train station). Hope this helps!

Thanks for your kind reply, Queenie. ☺️

Hi Queenie, Ashlee,

Will visit Yilan in Jan 24, first time in the cold weather month. Any recommendations (advise) of places to visit or the list still stands? Thank you.

Hi Tham, it looks like the temperature in Yilan in January is about 13-19 degrees. It’s a great time for all the hiking trips and exploring cities. Might be too cold for surfing and water activities though. But there will still be lots of things to do in Yilan even if the weather is cooler. Enjoy your trip!

Hi Queenie, How do you travel around within Yilan, like from township to another?

Hi Charmaine, I took the train around Yilan as it is the easiest form of transportation. If the train doesn’t reach where I’m going, sometimes I take the local bus too. Google Maps can help with some of the bus routes but just make sure to double check the bus route especially when it comes to the schedule. And top up your EasyCard or iPass to take either train or bus. It makes travelling around Yilan so much easier! Hope that helps. Enjoy your trip to Yilan!

Hi Esther, what kind of vehicles do they provide? Thanks

Is it practical to stay in one place e.g Jiaoxi and then travel to the other parts like Su’ao, Luodong as day tours? How many days will you recommend to stay in Yilan as a whole to experience it generally?

Hi Joan, Yes absolutely! I stayed in Toucheng during my last trip and use it as a homebase for visiting other parts in Yilan. I think Jiaoxi is another good homebase (was my second choice). I would see Toucheng (1-2 days), Jiaoxi (1-2 days), Yilan City (1 day), Suao and Nanfangao (1 day) at a minimum. And if you stay longer, you can take a train to Caoling Historic Trail and do some hiking, hike Bitoujiao trail, or join a tour for Taipingshan. Hope this helps! Happy travels! 🙂

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

How to get to Jiufen from Taipei: 3 ways to Jiufen Taiwan

Yilan food guide: where and what to eat in yilan taiwan, ms travel solo.

A Travel Guide to Yilan, Taiwan’s Family-Friendly County

Yilan (宜蘭, formerly spelled Ilan) is a favorite weekend getaway for Taipei people, especially families. It is close enough for day trips but has enough things to do to justify spending multiple days there. Consider stopping in Yilan on your way to Hualien !

But don’t only come to Yilan if you’ve got kids. The county has a surfing beach, excellent hot and cold springs , tasty food (especially green onion cakes!), waterfalls, leisure farms, museums, DIY activities, Kavalan distillery , and one of Taiwan’s best mountain resorts, Taipingshan .

I’ve been to Yilan 20+ times, for hot spring, beach, and hiking day trips with my friends, weekend getaways with my family, field trips with my students, and as a starting point for road trips down the east coast .

In this article, I’ll cover everything you need to know for planning an Yilan trip: how to get there, best hotels and minsus (local guesthouses), top and less famous attractions, best tours, how to plan your itinerary, what to eat, and events.

Table of Contents

Yilan Introduction

The name Yilan comes from the Ketagalan Taiwanese aboriginal tribe , who originally inhabited the area. You can learn about them at the free Ketagalan Culture Center in Beitou.

Although it is quite close to Taipei, the Yilan plain (also called Lanyang Plain or 蘭陽平原), where the vast majority of the Yilan population lives, is separated from Taipei by mountains. In the distant past, people would hike to Yilan on what is now the Caoling Historic Trail.

The Yilan plain is filled with rice paddies, green onions, and fruit farms. Yilan-style green onion cakes are enjoyed across Taiwan. The small village of Sanxing (三星) in Yilan is especially famous for its green onion cakes.

For many years, the slow and winding Highway 9 was the main way to reach Yilan. It passed through Pinglin (a tea growing area) and took around two hours. In 2006, travel to Yilan became much faster thanks to Xueshan Tunnel (雪山隧道), one of the longest tunnels in the world, at 13 kilometers. Now you can get to Yilan in only one hour from Taipei.

Yilan has three urban centers. Driving or taking the bus from Taipei, you’ll emerge from the tunnel at Jiaoxi (礁溪, also spelled Jiaohsi or Chiao Hsi). This hot spring village has some of the most kid-friendly hot springs in Taiwan, plus some great waterfall trails.

After Jiaoxi is Yilan City (宜蘭市). This is the capital and largest population center in Yilan, with just under 100,000 people. For travelers, it has some of the best hotels in Yilan but fewer things to do.

The furthest town is Luodong (羅東). Here you’ll find the best night market in Yilan (read my Luodong Night Market guide ) and some great minsus (guesthouses). It is also close to some of the best family activities in Yilan, so it makes a good base.

Most of Yilan is actually mountainous and not easily accessible. Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area is the top attraction. Visitors flock here for hiking, to ride the cute Bong Bong Train, and on rare occasion, to see snow in winter. Mingchi National Forest Recreation is also popular among locals, but smaller than Taipingshan and less visited by foreign tourists

Getting to Yilan

Driving from Taipei to Yilan through Xueshan Tunnel (Highway 5) can take anywhere from 40 minutes to 2 hours, depending on traffic. Note that there are minimum passengers numbers for this route at certain hours – read my Taiwan driving guide for details.

The same thing goes for buses to Yilan . Under normal conditions, they are faster than the train. But if you get stuck in rush hour, they can be slower than the train (and don’t have toilets!) The seats are very comfortable, though, and they are never crowded like the train.

Buses depart regularly from Taipei Bus Station, Taipei City Hall Bus Station, Technology Building MRT Station, and Banqiao ( New Taipei City ). You can usually just show up and buy a ticket for the next bus. You may have to wait a while at busier times.  

Expect (on average) about 1 hour 15 minutes to Jiaoxi and 1.5 hours to Yilan City , and 1 hour 45 min to Luodong . You can book a ticket online here , but you’ll still have to wait in the line when you get there.

Taking the train to Yilan is more reliable, because there is a schedule, but usually a bit slower than the bus. But local trains can get uncomfortable crowded at peak times. On the plus side, they have toilets. Search the train times and find out how to book your train tickets online .

From Taipei Main Station, traveling time by train will be anywhere from 1 to 2.5 hours, depending on the train type and where you’re going in Yilan.

The fastest trains are the Puyuma Express , Taroko Express , and Tze Chiang Limited Express 3000 , but these require seat reservations. They are almost always sold out because they are the most popular way for getting from Taipei to Hualien quickly.

Tze Chiang Limited Express (any of them except for 3000) and Chu Kuang take seat reservations, but you can also just show up and buy a standing ticket or swipe your EasyCard . Local trains are the slowest, and seat reservations are not possible – just buy a ticket at the station or swipe your EasyCard.

For traveling between Yilan and Hualien, take the train, as there’s no bus. Book tickets early (up to 28 days) as Taipei to Hualien is a very popular route.

Taipingshan is one of the more difficult places to get to in Yilan. There’s only one bus per day ( bus 1750 ) in each direction. It departs Yilan Station at 7:40 AM and Luodong Station at 8 AM, arriving at Taipingshan at 10:30.

Going back, the bus departs Taipingshan at 2:30 PM, arriving at Luodong at 5:30 and Yilan Station at 5:50.

Renting a Car/Hiring a Driver

Yilan’s attractions are quite spread out. What’s more, buses there are slow/infrequent and don’t go to some of the attractions. Taxis are also very limited, except in the Yilan city center. Therefore, many visitors, especially families, decide to rent a car or hiring a driver in Yilan.

If you rent a car , you can start at Taoyuan Airport or in Taipei. But people who are not used to driving in Taiwan will often take public transportation to Yilan, then start their car rental there. I recommend that you rent a car here on Klook .

If you’re going to Taroko Gorge, it’s a beautiful drive along the coast from Su’ao in Yilan to Hualien , called the Suhua Highway (蘇花公路). On rare occasion, this highway can be affected by landslides, which happened during the April 2024 earthquake. See the latest updates here .

By car, you can also drive the slow and winding (but very scenic) Northern Cross-Island Highway (Highway 7) to Taoyuan . Expect to spend a whole day on the road with stops.

Or you can drive Highway 7甲, Highway 8, and Highway 14甲 through Taichung and all the way to Hehuanshan , Cingjing Farm or Sun Moon Lake in Nantou , with possible stops like Wuling Farm, Lishan, Hehuanshan, and Wuling Pass on the way. See my guide to getting to Hehuanshan and Cingjing Farm for more info.

These are very slow, winding, high altitude roads, so make sure to check their current conditions, drive carefully, time it well, and bring carsickness medication if needed.

If you hire a driver , you can visit multiple places in Yilan without worrying about the logistics. Popular stops that people include are Zhang Mei Ama’s Farm, this DIY green onion experience, Lucky Art Crayon Factory, National Center for Traditional Arts, Dancewoods Japanese Garden, KIli Bay Peark Milk Tea Center, and Jiaoxi Hot Springs.

Hiring a driver is very useful for Taipingshan , since there’s only one bus per day. With a driver you can also make stops at Cuifeng Lake and Jiuzhize Hot Spring, which wouldn’t be possible if you took the bus. It’s also best for Mingchi, which has no bus.

You can also rent a scooter outside any of the train stations in Yilan. They’ll want to see a Taiwanese motorcycle license or an IDP. With an IDP, they may also ask to see a motorcycle license from your home country. You can get to Taipingshan by scooter.

Where to Stay in Yilan

Before you choose a hotel in Yilan, you’ll need to decide which city you’re staying in.

Choose Jiaoxi if you want to stay in a hot spring hotel. Jiaoxi is also a suitable place to base yourself for exploring Yilan by car.

Art Spa Hotel (see on Booking / Agoda ), Chuan Tang Spa 1 (see on Booking / Agoda ), and Chuan Tang Spa 2 (see on Booking / Agoda ) are my three most recommended hot spring hotels for families (or anyone really) in Jiaoxi. They all have excellent hot spring facilities, including children’s water play areas kids. You can visit these spas without staying in the hotel.  

On the edge of Jiaoxi, Hotel Royal Chiao Hsi (see on Booking / Agoda ) is the most famous hot spring hotel in Jiaoxi. It’s not cheap, but it’’s great for families.

North of Jiaoxi, Toucheng Leisure Farm (see on Booking / Agoda ) is a popular place for families to spend the night.

Yilan City is the largest but has fewer attractions. Usually when people stay in Yilan city it’s because they want to stay at Silks Place (see on Booking / Agoda ), which is one of Taiwan’s top luxury hotels .

The hotel features rooftop pool, movie theater, kids playrooms, and hot springs. Red Lantern restaurant in the hotel has what some say is the best Peking duck in all of Taiwan.

Luodong is especially known for its family-friendly minsus (local guesthouses). There are hundreds of them, mostly just outside the city.

Try The House of Water (see on Booking / Agoda ), Cabin de Kite (see on Booking / Agoda ), North Zart (see on Booking / Agoda ), 星晏親子民宿 (see on Booking / Agoda ), 宜蘭綠之庭民宿 (see on Booking / Agoda ), or Yun Tien Feng Chuan (see on Booking ).

A little further out of town, Moment Hotel (see on Booking / Agoda ) is another great choice with family rooms. It is connected to National Center for Traditional Arts, which has lots of children’s activities.

If you want to be close to Luodong Night Market , I had a good stay at this budget hotel . For a nicer stay, try Cuncyue Hot Spring Resort (see on Booking / Agoda ), a hot spring hotel.

If you want to spend the night at Taipingshan, there’s an official accommodation at Taipingshan and another at Cuifeng Lake . You can book them online here , but make sure read all the instructions and book as soon as the rooms become available if you want a chance to get one.

Mingchi Village (see on Booking / Agoda ) is especially popular among local tour groups when visitng Mingchi National Forest Recreation Area. We enjoyed our stay in a cabin at Locasu (see on Booking / Agoda ), which is on the way to Taipingshan.

Top Things to Do in Yilan

I’ll separate the below into Jiaoxi & Northern Yilan, Yilan City, Luodong & Southern Yilan, and Mountain Areas.

Jiaoxi & Northern Yilan

In Jiaoxi town center, it’s all about hot springs. You can soak your feet or let fish nibble the dead skin off them in Tangweigou Hot Spring Park (湯圍溝溫泉公園).

Art Spa Hotel has a colored/scented hot springs and steamrooms, lots of massage jets, kids water play area, and a tall hot water slide (minimum height requirement). You don’t need to be a guest to go for a soak.

Chuan Tang (2 locations here and here ) is another great spa, with even more colored/scented pools than Art Spa, massage jets, feet nibbling fish pool, and children’s play area.

Just outside of Jiaoxi, the hike to Wufengqi Waterfall (五峰旗瀑布) is easy enough for kids. Get there by taxi from Jiaoxi town center. The hike to Yuemeikeng Waterfall (月眉坑瀑布) starts at the same spot but is longer and more difficult.

Northeast of Jiaoxi on the coast, Lanyang Museum (蘭陽博物館) is a beautifully designed, meant to mimic the a coastal ridge. It covers local history and culture.

Wai’ao Beach (外澳沙灘) is the best surfing beach in Northern Taiwan, also good for swimming. Get there by taking the local train from Taipei. It’s my favorite beach within day tripping distance of Taipei. You can also do horse riding on the beach .

Dolphin/whale watching boat tours to Turtle Island set sail from Wushi Harbor next to Wai’ao. Turtle Island (龜山島 or Guishan Dao ) is a distinctive island 10 km off the coast that is visible from much of the Yilan coast. Read more about it in my guide to the islands of Taiwan .

North of Wai’ao, Toucheng has the popular Toucheng Old Street (頭城老街), while Toucheng Leisure Farm (頭城農場) is a popular place for families to spend a night or just do a half-day farm experience .

Caoling Historical Trail (草嶺古道) is a popular day hike to coastal bluffs. It starts at Fulong Beach in New Taipei City and ends at Dali Station (main hike) or Daxi Station (if you do a longer add-on) in Yilan. The hike is especially popular when the silvergrass blooms in November.

Yilan City is the capital and largest urban center in Yilan. A few sights in town include Jimmy Park (宜蘭幾米公園) at the train station, which has some cute sculptures, Yilan Distillery Chia Chi Lan Wine Museum (甲子蘭酒文物館), and the LEGO-inspired Brick Ark Museum (積木博物館) in the south of the city.

The very popular Kavalan Distillery (金車噶瑪蘭威士忌酒廠) is west of Yilan City in Yuanshan district. This is Taiwan’s most famous and award-winning whiskey distillery. It is owned by the same company that as Mr. Brown Coffee, so those cafés usually have some whiskey-based drinks.

You can just show up and join the next tour (Mandarin only), which includes a small tasting at the end. For an English tour or to blend your own bottle of whiskey, you’ll need to book it online in advance. Some Yilan tours include a stop there (see “Best Yilan tours” section below).

Just down the road from Kavalan, Jim & Dad’s Brewing Company (吉姆老爹啤酒工場) is an excellent Yilan brewery that also runs a taphouse in Taipei. They use local Yilan ingredients in their beers.

If you need to add something for the kids that doesn’t involve booze, try Up Leisure Farm (可達休閒羊場). Artemis Garden (香草菲菲), a beautiful greenhouse, is also nearby.

Luodong & Southern Yilan

The main highlight of Luodong city center is Luodong Night Market (羅東夜市), one of the best night markets in Taiwan. The Luodong Forestry Culture Park (羅東林業文化園區) is also popular.

Some of the best family-friendly activities in Yilan are around Luodong. These include National Center for Traditional Arts (宜蘭傳藝園區), Kili Bay Pearl Milk Tea Museum (奇麗灣珍奶文化館), and Lucky Art Crayon Factory (蜡藝蜡筆城堡).

Zhang Mei Ama’s Farm (張美阿嬤農場) is a super popular leisure farm, while this DIY green onion cake experience is close to it. Dancewoods Japanese Garden (綠舞日式主題園區) is a Japanese themed leisure farm where you can rent kimonos and have Japanese tea ceremony.

One fun outdoors activity in Yilan is cycling on Dongshan Mr. Brown Avenue (宜蘭三奇美徑), which is Yilan’s version of the famous Brown Boulevard in Chishang , Taitung . Another is kayaking in the rice paddies.

Dongshan River Water Park (冬山河親水公園) hosts many events (see final section below) and has a children’s waterpark in summer.

Southwest of Luodong, Meihua Lake (梅花湖 or Plum Blossom Lake) is a small, pretty lake with a walking and cycling path around it.

South of Luodong, Su’ao (蘇澳) is famous for its cold springs, best visited in summer. At the start of the coastal highway to Hualien, Nanfangao (南方澳) is a very large fishing harbor (see the “What to Eat in Yilan” section below).

Even further south, Dong’ao has a cold spring in a more remote and natural setting than Su’ao. Sea kayaking is also popular in the area.

Mountain Areas

Driving west from the Yilan plain on Highway 7, stop in Sanxing (三星) for green onion cakes . A side road leads up to Water Geothermal Square (清水地熱公園), where you can soak your feet or cook hot spring eggs. There are also wild hot springs here .

You can also cook hot spring eggs or take a full soak at Jiuzhize Hot Spring (鳩之澤溫泉), which is on the long and winding drive up to Taipingshan (太平山). There’s also a short but lovely nature trail (鳩之澤自然步道) with a suspension bridge beside the hot spring. See the “Yilan tours” section for tour options to get here.

Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area (太平山國家森林遊樂區) is one of Taiwan’s most popular. You can see colorful maple trees here in autumn and even snow once in a while in winter. If it does snow, expect it to be super busy.

At the main tourist area, there is a collection of hiking trails, café, temple, and the popular Bong Bong Train (蹦蹦車), a small, old logging train. The 20-minute ride goes to a walking trail. See the train details here . The train is not covered, so dress warm, especially in winter!

Even further up the mountain, and not accessible by bus, is a pretty alpine lake called Cuifeng Lake (翠峰湖), with a walking trail most of the way around it.

There’s a small entrance fee (200 weekends/holidays, 150 weekdays, 100 age 6-12, free under 6) for enter Taipingshan. Parking is 100. If you buy it on Klook , it’s always 150 and free parking is included.

Up Highway 7, the Northern Cross Island Highway, Mingchi National Forest Recreation Area (明池國家森林遊樂區) is another popular spot, especially among locals. It’s closer to Yilan’s cities but less accessible because there’s no bus.

Mingchi is smaller than Taipingshan. Mainly it consists of one lake, but a very pretty one, and an easy walking trail around it.

Best Yilan Tours

There are quite a few good day tours which make Yilan more accessible.

This Yilan day tour from Taipei includes Zhang Mei Ama’s Farm and Lanyang Museum . This one includes Kavalan and some spots on the coast.

For Taipinghan , this day tour from Taipei or Yilan includes the Bong Bong Train, cooking eggs at Jiuzhize, and the option to add Cuifeng Lake.

This one focuses mainly on Taipingshan, with more time for hiking. On this tour , you’ll have time to actually take a bath in the hot springs.

And here is a two-day Taipingshan tour if you want to spend the night on the mountain.

This is a popular dolphin and whale watching boat tour to Turtle Island . The boat tour starts at Wushi Harbor (烏石港) in northern Yilan. It’s very common to see dolphins but not so common to see whales. The tour includes a stop on the island, where you can hike to its tallest point. This tour is most popular in late spring and summer, and may not run at other times of the year.

Here’s a half-day tour to Meihua Lake .

This four day tour of the East Coast includes stops in Yilan, Hualien, and Taitung.

To make your own customized tour in Yilan, I recommend renting a car or hiring a driver .

How to Plan Your Yilan Itinerary

Yilan is most commonly visited as a day trip from Taipei , 2-3 night getaway from Taipei , or on the way to Hualien .

Because Yilan has SO MANY attractions and they are quite spread out, you really need to start by making a shortlist of the places you want to visit . This will help you determine how much time you need there and also which town to stay in.

As a day trip from Taipei , visit Jiaoxi for hot springs and hiking or Wai’ao for the beach. For Zhang Mei Ama, travel to Luodong then take a taxi from there. If you want to visit many spots in Yilan in one day, hire a driver for the day .

It’s not possible to do a day trip to Taipingshan from Taipei by public transportation . The Taipingshan bus leaves before the first train gets there. You’ll have to do a Taipingshan tour or spend the night in Yilan first.

For two days in Yilan , consider to spend one day touring your shortlisted attractions and one day for visiting Taipingshan.

Spend the night in Jiaoxi for the best hot springs, in Yilan City if you have room in your budget for Silks Place, or Luodong if you care most about the night market.

The driving time between Jiaoxi, Yilan, and Luodong is not too far. So no matter which one you choose, you can easily visit the others by taxi, train, or bus.

What to Eat in Yilan

Yilan is most famous for its green onion cakes (蔥油餅). Compared the regular kind in Taiwan, these ones usually deep fried (including the optional egg), so they are greasier. They are made with local green onions are a super delish.

The small village of Sanxing (三星) is expecially famous for its green onion cakes, and you’ll see green onion cake stalls with this name throughout Yilan and even in other parts of Taiwan. This vendor is especially famous, while this one does them like a wrap.

You’ll also see two other unique variations of green onion cake. One is the spiral version (宜蘭蔥餅), which has in inner layer of green onions. Another is green onion pie (蔥餡餅), which is round and is stuffed with even more green onions and sometimes meat. You’ll see them all over Yilan.

In Jiaoxi, I recommend going for hot spring ramen & sushi , where you can soak your feet while you eat. There are two locations of the same shop, here and here .

Locals love getting whole roasted chicken (烤雞) when driving to/from Jiaoxi. Here is a popular spot on the road into town, but there are several other similar ones around it.

In Yilan City, Red Lantern restaurant at Silks Place is said to have the best Peking duck in Taiwan, as well as some unique duck nigiri .

Whiskey lovers shouldn’t miss Kavalan , and the same goes for beer at Jim & Dad’s .

You can also find an older Yilan craft beer called Mai Tian Fresh Brewed Beer (麥田現釀啤酒), which includes a green beer made with spirulina, in a few restaurants in Jiaoxi (see my Jiaoxi guide for details).

At Jiuzhize, makesure to try making your own hot spring eggs (溫泉蛋). Because of the lower cooking temperature, then turn out deliciously soft inside. They provide little packets of salt and pepper.

In Luodong, it’s all about Luodong Night Market . The night market’s specialties are green onion cakes (heads up to vegetarians in Taiwan – some of them contain meat or lard) and angelica mutton herbal soup (for vegetarian-friendly stalls in the night market, see my vegetarian night market guide ).

So find your way through this popular night market, see my Luodong Night Market guide .

Yilan Events

Dongshan Riverside Park east of Luodong is usually the venue for Lantern Festival and Dragon Boat Festival races in Yilan. Also visit this park in summer, when the open up the large children’s water park.

Yilan Green Expo (宜蘭綠色博覽會) is an environment focused event, with flower displays and other activities. It also takes place at Dongshan Riverside Park, usually in May.

Yet another event at the same park is the annual Yilan Hot Air Balloon Carnival in June. It’s a smaller version of the more famous Taitung International Hot Air Balloon Festival in Luye, Taitung.

The Luodong Fringe Festival (羅東藝穗節) usually happens in August, with a focus on local arts and music.

If you want to see autumn foliage at Taipingshan , go there in November. It’s rare to see snow at Taipinghan, so you’ll need to be lucky. It only happens once every few years or so, and when it does, masses of locals try to visit all at once.

A Travel Guide to Taitung, Taiwan’s Rice Basket County

What is the currency of taiwan, 14 thoughts on “a travel guide to yilan, taiwan’s family-friendly county”.

Hi! You so have many useful information! Thank you very much!

I am wondering whether you know how much it costs to hire a driver for a day in Yilan? My family and I (3 adults and 2 children) are going to stay in Luodong in 2 week’s time, and we are trying to figure out the costs of our stay there.

Any information would be really helpful. Thank you!!!

The cost of hiring a driver for the day ranges from around 3500 to 6500 per day in Taiwan, depending on size of vehicle and mileage. Take a look at my article on how to find a driver in Taiwan in the transportation section of this site for my recommended drivers.

This is super helpful! 🙂 thanks a lot for sharing such useful information!

Hi, is it possible to do a day trip from Taipei To taipingshan (take the Bongbong train), then head to Zhang amei farm then back to Taipei? Is the road up winding and carsick inducing?

It’s not possible by public transportation. Because there is only 1 bus per day from Yilan city to Taipingshan, departing 7:40AM, which is too early to reach from Taipei. If you drive a car and start your day very early, then yes, it’s doable, including stop at Zhang Mei Ama. The road up Taipingshan is very winding for about 1 hour.

we plan to rent a scooter to get around yilan, is it possible with a 4 years old kid? we have few destination as such: zhang amei farm, ji mi park & Water Geothermal Square.

As long as the driver has the license to rent the scooter, then it’s fine to take a passenger and/or kid. The shop will most likely require an IDP and may additionally require that is has the A stamp for riding motorcycles. Some shops don’t have children’s helmets, though. When I rented scooters with my kids in Taiwan, I sometimes brought their children’s helmets from home with me.

This is really helpful!

Noticed a general theme of hiring a car/ scooter in a few places. How much can I expect to pay to hire one/ gasoline and do they usually take a deposit/ passport?

You’ll need an international driver’s permit (IDP) from your home country to rent a car in Taiwan. For a scooter, you’ll need the same, plus they may require that it has an A stamp (meaning your are additionally licenses to drive motorcycles in your country). Gas is about USD 1 per liter (you can fill a scooter for days of driving for less than TWD 100) so that’s very cheap. Scooters go for around 300 to 500 per 24 hours, while cars are in the 1200-2000 range.

wow, this article is amazing.

it is super lengthy yet not tiring to read- which is an amazing feat.

very informative, thoughtful and well-sorted out.

thank you so much!

Great website! If I am traveling (total 4 adults) from Hsinchu to Yilan (2 nts) to Hualien (2 nts) before going back to Taipei, would it make more sense to rent a car or to take the train?

Honestly the train will probably be faster and easier for these routes. Choose a car if you want to make more of road trip out of it, stopping and many small stops along the way. If you just want to get to your destination faster and have more time there, then go for train.

Thanks for the wonderful post! It’s really informative and helpful, especially the kids friendly activities that can be done in Yilan.

I’m planning a trip this June with a rough itinerary of Taipei > Taichung > Cingjing > Yilan > Taipei.

Am worried about the travel distance from Cingjing to Yilan though, as we will be bringing along 4 elderly (physically fit) and 3 kids. Instead of doing a direct journey, will it make more sense to return to Taipei from Cingjing before traveling out to Yilan? Thank you!

That depends if you are driving or not. If you are driving, then yes, you can drive from Cingjing Farm to Yilan, but that is a long, winding, full day drive. It is very beautiful and has many scenic stops you could make on the way, especially around Hehuanshan, Lishan, Fushoushan, and possible detour to Mingchi or Taipingshan. Only choose this way if you are keen to do a big, long, full day drive on a very winding high mountain road. There’s no public transportation going this way. If you want that, then yes, Cinging back to Taichung, to Taipei, and onward to Yilan.

Leave a Comment

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Where would you like to go?

• Taiwan Guides: Yilan Ultimate Guide – 10 Best Things To Do

Taiwan Guides: Yangmingshan Hiking Trail + Beitou Hot Springs (*Directions & Google map links…

• Taiwan Guides: Penghu + island hopping (4D3N itinerary)
• Taiwan Guides: Alishan + Fengqihu (One-Day Itinerary)
• Taiwan Guides: 5 Reasons to Visit Chiayi

Taiwan Guides: Kaohsiung Itinerary On A Budget

Yilan is a popular county in Taiwan, famous for its beautiful nature trails, hot and cold springs, and numerous factory outlets each boasting a unique Yilan specialty.

Located along the North-East Coast of Taiwan, the nearest township of Jiaoxi in Yilan County is a short bus ride away from Taipei (about an hour’s journey).

Here is our ultimate guide of best things to do in Yilan.

Travel tip: With so many things to choose from, we recommend you build your itinerary around your interests and location.

For example, you can choose to stay in Jiaoxi and explore the nearby sights, before moving to Luodong for another few nights to explore the sights further south in Yilan County.

To make things easier, we’ve included Google map links so you don’t have to toggle between the article and search Google maps for the location.

1. Hike Yilan Nature Trails

Yilan County has many nature trails that can be as short as 45 minutes. Here are our recommended trails:

A. Caoling Historic Trail (~4 hours, start at Dali TRA Station, end at Fulong TRA Station)

Caoling Historic Trail is a section of an ancient route built by early Chinese settlers.

Starting at Dali TRA Station, visit the Dali Tiangong Temple before you head uphill for the Caoling Historic Trail.

The trail begins with ~2.5km of winding uphill roads with several staircases you can climb to shortcut your hike to Wukou (I preferred walking on the road).

Check out the beautiful sea views just over your shoulder as you climb.

The trail is generally well marked and there are rest stops with toilets at intervals.

At Wukou, you can choose to head downhill towards Fulong Station (steps may be slippery) or turn left to Taoyuan Valley Trail which ends near Daxi Station.

If you choose the former, note that the walk from Yuanwangkeng Waterfront Park to Fulong Station can be hot as you walk along the road.

B. Linmeishipan Trail (~45 mins, self-drive or take the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle bus from Jiaoxi TRA Station)

This romantic trail in Jiaoxi Township takes you through a magical forest setting, with waterfalls, creeks, fern-lined paths and a long staircase along the way.

I fell in love with this trail, perfect for a stroll and picnic with your significant other. There are stalls selling drinks near the entrance.

C. Wufengqi Waterfall + Catholic Sanctuary + Shengmu trail (~30 mins to a few hours, self-drive or take the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle bus from Jiaoxi TRA Station)

Wufengqi waterfall is a 100 m long waterfall set in a lush valley.

Climb up the steps to see the waterfall from various heights, and visit the nearby Catholic Sanctuary of Our Lady of Wufengqi for a zoomed out view.

Continue to the Shengmu trail if you intend to have a longer hike.

D. Qixingling Trail (Su’ao TRA Station)

The trailhead of Qixingling is near the Suao public bath entrance. Walk up flights of stairs to reach lookouts of varying heights (one star, two star etc).

After the six star circular park lookout at the top, the trail then becomes a rocky dirt trail winding downwards towards the Su’ao Swimming Pool.

We decided to turn back after the six star lookout to enjoy the Su’ao Cold Springs.

2. Soak in Jiaoxi Hot Springs

How to get to Jiaoxi:

• Train: Jiaoxi TRA Station (take a Tzechiang or Puyuma train to Yilan Station then change to a local train to Jiaoxi Station)
• Bus: one hour plus journey from Taipei Bus Station to Jiaoxi Transfer Station via Kamelan Bus

Jiaoxi Township has many hot springs options for you.

A. Hotels for overnight stay

• with hot spring pools you can swim in
• with private hot spring baths in your room.

B. Paid hot springs

• some are hot springs pools
• some offer private hot springs rooms for an hour or so.

C. Public hot springs pools and parks to dip your feet in

We have tried all these options and we personally prefer to stay in a hotel with a private hot spring bath in the room, as you can enjoy a bath as many times as you wish!

You can rent a car or motorcycle using your international driving licence in Jiaoxi. We found the motorcycle rental rates in Jiaoxi to be one of the more affordable ones in Taiwan (from TWD350/day).

You can rent from the motorcycle shops outside the Jiaoxi TRA Station, and there is also one opposite the Jiaoxi transfer station (where you alight the Kamelan bus).

Bonus tip: If you’re in Luodong, there is also a hot springs Water Geothermal Square where you can boil eggs.

3. Dip in Su’ao Cold Springs (Su’ao TRA Station)

In Yilan County, you have the options to have both a hot and cold spring experience in a single trip!

Su’ao Cold Springs are 22 degrees Celsius and you can see bubbles forming on your skin.

We enjoyed the cold springs after a hot Qixingling Trail walk to cool ourselves down.

You can choose either:

A. Paid private cold springs room

B. paid public baths (entrance is at the park at the foot of the qixingling trail, look for a new pinkish building behind the local wet market), c. free public foot baths (at the same new pinkish building near this location ).

As a bonus, we treated ourselves to the classic Yilan street dessert, peanut ice cream roll, near the private baths, to beat the hot weather.

4. Yilan Factory Hopping and Shopping (Self-drive)

Yilan is home to so many delicacies you can discover something new on every trip.

There are various factory outlets celebrating the quality and diversity of Yilan’s local specialties.

Some factory outlets have their own museum, cafe and DIY classes too.

Here are just a few options you can drive to:

A. Agrioz Cafe (preserved kumquat, kumquat drinks and snacks)

B. CP Cheese Factory (cheese and cheesecakes)

C. green house workshop (spring onion and other local products).

D. Herbelle (floral skincare, tea, household products)

E. bee farmer (honey products), f. kavalan distillery (liquor), g. artemis garden (plant products), h. king car biotech (orchids, plants and local products), i. lucky art crayon (crayons and stationery), j. yilan cake factory (local cakes and biscuits).

K. Onemit (barley and bean-related products)

5. visit yilan museums and parks.

To learn more about Yilan and explore its history, culture and nature, you can visit several museums and parks such as:

A. Lanyang Museum (history and culture of Yilan)

Read about my visit to Lanyang Museum .

B. 羅東文化工場 (architecture)

C. Luodong Forestry Culture Park

D. 綺麗珊瑚博物館 (corals), e. brick ark museum (lego sculptures), f. jimmy park (theme park for kids), g. dongshan river water park (super huge water park), h. 宜蘭傳藝中心 (cultural park with traditional arts and crafts and local products), i. 冬山河生態綠舟 (big park for walking, cycling), j. wu lao keng scenic area (a paid park for picnics, photo-taking and enjoying the creek), k. 祝大漁物產館 zhu dayu culture museum (for seafood and snacks, if you happen to be at nanfangao harbour).

Bonus: If you’re up for a boat ride, book a tour around Turtle Island (to visit the island, apply for a permit in advance) and watch whales and dolphins along the way.

There are many niche museums and parks not listed here but easily discoverable on Google maps.

6. Feast on Yilan’s Food Delicacies

If you’re in Yilan, try these local delicacies. We couldn’t get enough of it.

A. Bread from Yih Shun Shiuan Bakery (3 branches in Jiaoxi, Yilan, Luodong)

B. Pork Garlic Noodle soup (try Mother’s Love )

C. Wei Jie (Sister Wei) Heart desserts

D. Peanut ice cream pancake rolls ( 老兄花生捲冰淇淋 found at Suao Cold Springs (outside the private baths), Meihua Lake entrance, or you can also buy at a higher price at Luodong Night Market)

E. sizzling hot plate pork chops (my favourite is at 牛小妹牛排鋪 ).

F. Ramen and Xiao long bao ( 傻師傅湯包 has amazing 炸醬麵 – the noodles taste so deceptively simple and innocent but it is secretly winning your heart)

7. Tour Yilan Fruit Farms

Taiwan fruits have a wondrous juicy flavour burst that will surprise you. Depending on the season you are visiting Yilan, you can make a trip to a fruit farm to try their fruits and even book a farm tour.

Read about my visit to Jinpu Orchard fruit farm which has amazing pears and guavas.

Learn more about various fruit farms in Yilan here .

8. Yilan Lake Hopping

Yilan County has several picturesque lakes you can visit.

A. Longtanhu Park

Many people come here to shop at Herbelle and take photos at the garden near the lake across the road from Herbelle.

You can walk along the path and boardwalk around the lake, but we decided to ride the motorcycle instead as the lake is quite big.

B. Meihua Lake

Meihua Lake is a smaller lake which you can easily walk around in less than an hour, or rent a motorised cart (choose either a 2 or 4-seater) to circle the lake. If the weather is good, you can also rent a small boat at the lake.

There are quite a few ducks and geese, and a bridge leading to a little island in the middle of the lake.

Enjoy a peanut ice cream pancake roll and a Taiwanese sausage as you admire the scenery.

Other lake options: Wanglongpi Lake , 蜊埤湖 , 虹明湖

9. Visit Nanfangao Harbour and Neipi Beach

A short drive away from Su’ao is the Nanfangao Harbour which is home to Nantian Temple, Jinan Temple, and many local product shops and seafood restaurants.

Drive to the nearby Neipi Beach (not safe to swim in) for the wind and scenery, and enjoy a cup of coffee at the beachside cafes.

Visit Tofu Cape to admire the landscape and take photos.

Unfortunately, the Nanfang’ao Bridge has collapsed on 1 October 2019. Take note of any travel advisories for Nanfang’ao before you plan a trip there.

10. Eat Your Heart Out at Yilan Night Markets!!

Last but not least, visit Yilan County’s night markets to sample Taiwan’s legendary street food.

Our favourite night market is Luodong Night Market (walkable from Luodong TRA Station), where most of the stalls circle around a park.

From sizzling hot plate restaurants, yam milk to the humble pumpkin balls, you will definitely put on weight here.

If you need a respite from the crowd and weather, hop into the nearby Daiso or enjoy a hot+cold dessert from Wei Jie Heart Desserts .

Parking can be difficult here with a car, but there is a multi-storey carpark which you can try your luck at. It is easier to find motorcycle parking along one of the roads.

Nearer to Yilan TRA Station is the Dongmen Night Market . There is a food street and a perpendicular clothes/knick knacks street for a leisurely night walk.

The crowds aren’t as intense as Luodong Night Market but it can get busy on weekends.

Besides enjoying the street food like Taiwanese sausages and pink guava, our favourite restaurant to eat at is 牛小妹牛排鋪 where the pork chops are one of the best I’ve ever tasted.

The meat is thick and juicy, and the pork chop sizzling hot plate is fantastic value at only TWD90. Enjoy your meal with a complimentary cup of cold winter melon tea.

Besides night markets, the regular shops are open late too which makes Yilan County a fun place to visit at night too.

If you have more recommendations and great things to do for my Ultimate Yilan Guide, please share in the comments 🙂

Click on my other Taiwan guides to exciting places:

Taiwan guides, in-depth taiwan itineraries for your next trip:, taiwan 8d7n south coast itinerary (kaohsiung, kenting, little liuqiu, tainan), taiwan 8d7n east coast itinerary (taipei, jiaoxi, yilan, hualien, taitung), related posts:.

You May Also Like

Taiwan Trip Jan 2016 [Day 1 — Taoyuan, Tainan]

Yilan Taiwan guide: Luodong, Wujie, Dongshan, Su’ao

By: Author Jaclynn Seah

Posted on Published: June 7, 2020  - Last updated: January 14, 2024

Categories Taiwan

I usually head first to Taipei when I take a solo trip to Taiwan since it’s the most convenient, but when I want to escape the busy capital, I head to nearby Yilan County. Just an hour away from Taipei on the northeastern end of Taiwan, Yilan is perfect for a longer weekend getaway or a day trip from Taipei if you’re really short on time. I’ve made several solo trips to Yilan from 2016-2019 and Luodong is my favourite base – here’s a guide I put together about my favourite things to do in Yilan, namely the southern half, covering Luodong , Wujie , Dongshan and Su’ao to help you plan your next Taiwan trip.

Where is Luodong in Taiwan?

If you look at the map of Yilan County, it can be split into a northern and a southern area by the main Lanyang River that runs through it. Yilan’s two main hubs are Yilan City (north of the river) and Luodong (south of the river). This guide focuses on Luodong and other areas in the southern half of Yilan County.

Looking to visit the Northern half of Yilan? Check out this post covering Yilan City, Toucheng, Jiaoxi and Yuanshan .

How to get from Taipei to Luodong

Yilan is about 50 minutes away from Taipei City by express coach or car thanks to Highway 5 and the Xueshan tunnel that cuts through the mountains. I usually take a comfortable coach from the Taipei Main Bus Station, and you can choose to stop in either Yilan City or Luodong – a 1-way ticket costs 140 NTD (~S$6.30)

• Kamalan Bus #1917 from Taipei Main Bus Station to Luodong Bus Station
• Kuokuang Bus #1879 from Taipei Yuanshan Bus Station to Luodong Bus Station and Su’ao/Nanfang’ao
• Capital Star #1572 from Taipei City Hall Bus Station to Luodong Bus Station

You can also take buses to Keelung in New Taipei City or Hualien along the eastern coastline. A highway cuts through the mountains in the central region and links to Taichung and Nantou.

I usually prefer taking trains over buses, but it actually takes longer and costs more to take a train from Taipei to Luodong. You can take a Ziqiang or Puyuma Express from Taipei Main Station to Luodong Train Station that will take around 60-75 mins and cost about 238 NTD (~S$11.25) .

Transport in Yilan

Trains and buses connect Yilan to Taipei, Keelung up north or Hualien along the Eastern Coastline, and a highway cuts through the mountains in the central region and links to Taichung and Nantou.

In Yilan itself, you can take public buses to get to major sights, but if you can, I strongly recommend you rent a car or a scooter to get around as it will make exploring that much easier. Because Yilan is less populated, buses are not as high as frequent compared to Taipei so you might end up waiting 1-2 hours for the bus if you miss it.

You can flag down a taxi which is not too expensive in Taiwan overall – these are easy to find at the main train/bus station or popular tourist spots, but you may need to call or get someone to call a taxi for you if you are going somewhere more remote. You can also consider Tripool Taxi which works like Uber or Grab.

When is the best time to visit Yilan?

When it comes to the best seasons to travel in Taiwan, Spring (April-May) and Autumn (October-November) are usually a little cooler and less wet – check out this article I wrote for Skyscanner about the best times to visit Taiwan . For Yilan specifically, you have to be prepared for rain at anytime because of its coastal valley surroundings which makes the weather a bit more unpredictable.

Also another note about Yilan’s coastline: be very careful on the beaches at all times, particularly during the monsoon periods around mid June to September as Yilan has experienced some extreme weather and rogue waves sweeping people away in recent years. I’ve been warned by locals about keeping an eye out even on the sand.

Yilan festivals

If you want to experience some of Taiwan’s culture and Yilan customs, here are some unique Yilan festivals worth considering braving the crowds for:

• Su’ao Cold Spring Festival [July]: Combat the muggy heat of July at the cold springs in Su’ao along with fun festivities
• Jiaoxi Hot Spring Festival [December]: Hot spring town Jiaoxi has a month full of hot spring promotions and packages, perfect when it gets chilly

See the full calendar on the Yilan Tourism website .

Where to stay in Yilan

Luodong is the most convenient hub in the southern half of Yilan, especially if you are going to rely on public transport to get around. If you have your own transport then you have more options. I’m sharing with you some of the places that I’ve personally stayed at in Yilan.

Hostel in Luodong: Yilan Inspiration Hostel 霊感青年旅舎

I picked this hostel in Luodong because I was charmed by the cute dorm rooms – I stayed in the 6-bed tent room, though there are rooms with proper beds to sleep in as well. It has a charming environment in a residential area, but is within walking distance to the Luodong bus/train station and night market.

No. 29, Luozhuang North Street, Luodong Township, Yilan 265宜蘭縣羅東鎮羅莊北街29號 [ Google Maps ]

Check out on booking.com (affiliate link)

From my research, Cam B&B [ booking.com affiliate link ] looks like a pretty nice option as well.

Sanfu Leisure farm 三富休閒農場 in Dongshan: Violet Forest 紫屋森林

On a media trip to Taiwan, I had the opportunity to stay in the lovely Sanfu leisure farm out in the forested mountains of Dongshan. It’s set far out in the countryside on the slopes in the middle of lots of trees, so very serene and peaceful all around. Also even though it’s a ‘farm’, the rooms have been refurbished into something pretty modern and offer great views of the surrounding forests.

There are different sort of rooms, including large family-style bungalows with multiple rooms for large groups. It’s a bit remote so you do need a car to settle your meals, or they do have food on site as well that you can order and eat. Night activities here include walking around their compound looking for wildlife!

No. 82, Lane 161, Xinliaoer Rd, Dongshan Township 269宜蘭縣冬山鄉新寮二路161巷82號 [ Google Maps ]

Check out their website for more info and booking information.

For the solo travellers in Taiwan looking for cheaper but still stylish accommodation options, read more about my favourite hostels in Taiwan .

Things to do in Luodong 羅東

Luodong is the main heart of Yilan south of the Lanyang River. It’s where I like to base myself when visiting these parts because it is the most convenient. The night market is one of its highlights and one of the more famous ones along the east coast.

Luodong Night Market 羅東夜市

Luodong Night Market is one of Taiwan’s more famous night markets outside of Taipei and filled with street food and stalls selling all sorts of sundry. Most of the food is found on Gongyuan Road – be prepared to queue for local Yilan specialities like:

• Sanxing scallion pancake 三星蔥油餅 : fried pancake filled with a gazillion bits of scallions. Scallion buns are also pretty popular.
• Ice cream peanut roll 花生捲冰淇淋: perfect when the weather is hot – a thin wrap consisting ice cream and peanut candy shavings and oddly enough garnished with parsley.
• Angelica mutton soup 當歸羊肉湯 : tender slices of mutton in a steaming bowl of savoury soup
• Dragon-phoenix rolls 龍鳳腿 : pork, cabbage and fish paste stuffed into pig intestines and deep fried

Tip: Try to avoid visiting on weekends if possible, or go earlier in the evening as the market gets absolutely packed. I regretted going on a Saturday night because I could barely move and couldn’t wait to get out of there. Alternatively, stay somewhere within walking distance if you don’t want to deal with parking because there is A LOT of traffic, a pain if you’re in a car.

How to get there: Luodong Night Market is bordered by Gongyuan Road, Minsheng Road, Minquan Road and Xingdong Road. Open daily from 7pm-2am. It’s a 10min walk west from Luodong Train Station.

If you only have time to visit Taipei but want a local foodie experience, why not check out some of the local’s favourite night markets in Taipei ?

Luodong Cultural Working house 羅東文化工場

The Luodong Cultural Working House is an event venue is usually used for exhibitions and cultural performances, but it has a rather unusual architecture and is a nice place to pop into when exploring downtown Luodong. It resembles a very large shed with lofty ceilings and a rather modern skywalk architecture. I caught a couple of visual arts exhibitions and wandered around the place which was situated pretty near my then-hostel which sadly seems to have closed down.

How to get there: Luodong Cultural Working House is located at No. 96, Section 1, Chunjing Road . It’s a 20min walk southwest from the train station or about 10min by public bus. Open from 9am-5pm every day (closed on Mondays)

Luodong Forestry Culture Park 羅東林業文化園區

Back when the Japanese were in power, Luodong was one of the main centres for timber and wood, and the Taiwanese cypresses felled from the nearby Taipingshan forests were transported here for storage and processing. Today, the area has been converted into the Luodong Forestry Culture Park with a tribute to its past forestry industry.

There are some Japanese style buildings on site, a large pond that used to store timber is now home to a lot of migratory birds, and the remains of the railway that used to transport the timber from the mountains down to Luodong – the park is just north of the current Luodong train station. It’s a nice place for a ramble if you want to stay in the city.

How to get there: No. 118, Zhongzheng North Road . The park is about 15mins walk north from Luodong Train Station. Open 8am-5pm and free to enter, though some of the galleries open from 9am and typically lunch break from 1pm-2pm.

Things to do in Wujie 五結

Dongshan river water park 冬山河親水公園.

For those with kids who need a lot of space to run or just enjoy wide open spaces, the Dongshan River Water Park is a great place to let loose. You can rent bicycles across the street from the main entrance to get around the park more quickly, or follow the scenic riverside paths that take you up to Qingshui or down to Dongshan.

This park has plenty of outdoor activities both on water and on land. You can even take a boat up the river to the Traditional Arts Centre (more about that below). Summer is a great time to visit as they host dragon boat races around June and the International Children’s Folklore and Folkgame Festival during July and August.

How to get there: No. 2, Section 2, Qinhe Road . The park is open 8am – 8pm but most of the facilities run from 9am to around 5pm.

National Center for Traditional Arts 國立傳統藝術中心

The National Center for Traditional Arts (NCTA) gathers Taiwan’s traditional arts and crafts and puts them on display in this theme park / cultural village of sorts – it’s pretty popular with the tour groups so it can get a bit crowded, but what’s great is that you can see everything you need about traditional art forms in a distilled fashion, concentrated in one spot and tourist friendly to boot.

The outdoor spaces here are also quite interesting – there is a recreated old-style Taiwanese street that has shops and workshops by traditional art and craftsmen, and there is even a temple and theatre where they showcase Chinese opera and other types of performances at regular intervals.

I also like the outdoor art installations and space, and you can take a boat down the river to the Dongshan Riverside Water Park as well.

How to get there: No. 201, Section 2, Wubin Road, not far from Qingshui Beach. It’s a 15-20min drive from Luodong Train Station and there are several public buses that run this route as well. Open 9am – 6pm.

Qingshui Beach 清水海邊

A short distance from the NCTA is Qingshui Beach, a relatively quiet beach with black sand. The waves looked pretty big and the flags indicated that you can’t swim there, but it looks nice enough for a quiet stroll, and you can see Guishan Island aka Turtle Island from there.

If you’re up for a little adventure, what I did was ride my scooter from the Qingshui Gate (Wujie Tide Gate) along the back of the windbreak forests that lined the coast northwards. It’s a pretty narrow, unpaved road.

At the end of the road was the Dongshan River Mouth 冬山河口 which really was another black sand beach area, this time on the edge of the Lanyang Estuary where there are lots of migratory birds for the avid birdwatchers. Also a lot of fishermen here – there wasn’t much else to do but enjoy nature.

For cycling enthusiasts, consider the Lanyang Estuary Cycling Trail that takes you from the Lanyang Bridge, along the Lanyang River side all the way to the Qingshui Gate.

Things to do in Dongshan 冬山

Plum blossom lake / meihua lake 梅花湖.

Meihua Lake is surrounded on three sides by mountains and is said to be shaped like a plum blossom flower from above (I looked on Google Maps, it… doesn’t really look like a flower to me). No matter the shape, the lake is quite lovely for some leisurely cycling around and a little birdwatching in the mornings.

Go glamping at 天ㄟ露營車 and stay in a cute caravan right by the lake side – there is a nice cafe to sit down at as well. Or take a stroll on the picturesque suspension bridge that takes you to a mini island in the middle of the lake where you can enjoy nature and birdwatching. You can also visit Sanching Temple which overlooks the southwestern corner of the lake.

How to get there: No. 1 Dapi Road. I rode over on a scooter but it takes about 20mins if you drive from downtown Luodong.

Dongshan Mr Brown avenue 冬山伯朗大道

There is a picturesque winding road flanked by rice fields and mountains without any lampposts in Taitung’s Chishang that was made famous by advertisements for Mr Brown Coffee – that’s how it got the name Mr. Brown Road. Here in Yilan’s Dongshan area is a less famous version that is equally photogenic. I stopped by here on scooter to snap a couple of fun shots and it was pretty deserted on a weekday morning.

Tip: Consider visiting in late June when the green rice fields are blooming with yellow flowers. More here .

How to get there:  77 Sanfeng Road off Chengxing Road, Dongshan. The easiest way to get there is either by scooter or cycling, or you could take the TRA train to Dongshan station, rent a bike there and cycle over to this road. Note that vehicles aren’t technically allowed on this road – you need to park nearby and walk over, but it’s fine for cyclists.

Curious about the original Mr Brown Road in Chishang? Read more about it in my post about my time cycling in Chishang .

Things to do in Su’ao 蘇澳

Su’ao cold spring 蘇澳冷泉.

I love Taiwan’s famous hot springs , but for something quite unusual, go have a soak in some carbonated geothermal cold springs in Su’ao instead where the water temperature is a constant 22ºC throughout the year. It’s perfect for hot summer afternoons, the mineral waters are said to be good for your skin and can even be consumed like a fizzy water drink.

You have free access to the cold spring waters if you head to the park, but for a proper soak and privacy, there are facilities that you can access for a fee. More in my Su’ao post .

How to get there: Su’ao is right before Nanfang’ao if you are coming from up north, so just under 30mins by driving south to get here from Luodong. You can take the Kuokuang bus from both Luodong and Yilan or take the TRA train to Su’ao station if you prefer – the cold springs are right across the road from the train station.

Here’s everything I know about the Su’ao Cold Springs

Nanfang’ao 南方澳

The little fishing town is a charming little place to pop into after a day at the Su’ao Cold Springs and for some great fresh seafood and a lovely beach view. I’ve done a detailed post on Nanfang’ao , but for first-time visitors, I suggest taking in the view from the Nanfang’ao Viewpoint , checking out the Nanfang’ao Fish Market which is busiest in the afternoon and of course having a super fresh seafood lunch or dinner while you’re there. You can also poke around Neipi Beach and other little coves along the coast.

How to get there: Nanfang’ao is about 30min by driving south from Luodong. You can take the Kuokuang bus from both Luodong and Yilan – see my detailed guide for instructions.

Read my detailed guide with suggestions on things to do in Nanfang’ao

Other things to do

Yilan may not be very big but there are many sights in Yilan that I have yet to get around to doing. I’m listing them down here for posterity, feel free to comment on whether I should or should not check these places out:

• Qingshui Geothermal Area – it was closed when I wanted to visit, but basically it’s a place where there are natural hot springs in the mountainous area
• Sanxing Scallion Pancake making – they needed a minimum number of people to conduct a class so poor solo me had to miss out on this when I visited
• Dongyue Cold Springs – further south from Nanfang’ao is Dong’ao and Nan’ao which I have yet to visit. Dong’ao has a cold spring that isn’t geothermal but is colder than the Su’ao Cold Springs
• Taipingshan – this mountainous area is renowned as a very scenic area

What have I missed out in Yilan? Tell me in the comments so I can check it out in future. Check out my post about the northern half of Yilan covering Yilan City, Toucheng, Jiaoxi and Yuanshan, or see all my other Taiwan posts:

Where to find street art in Kaohsiung: Weiwuying Street Art Village 衛武營街頭藝術彩繪

Taiwan Tales Day 8 – Driving around Lyudao

Taipei outdoor activities to experience nature up close

Friday 31st of July 2020

One of my bucket list is to go here. I remember when I was in Gradeschool, F4 is so popular. There is some places in F4 scenes that I really want to visit.

Top Things to Do in Yilan - Yilan Must-See Attractions

Things to do in yilan, explore popular experiences, ways to tour yilan.

Full-Day Private Custom Yilan Tour from Taipei

9 Hour Northeast Coast Bay View Tour in Yilan

5-day Taiwan Family Fun Private Tour

Private 7 Day Tour in East Taiwan

Private Tour to Yilan Kavalan Whisky Distillery

Hualien Taroko Day Tour From Ximending

8 Day Private Tour Around Taiwan

Taipei Northeast Corner Private Day Tour

Yilan 1-Day Private Tour to Kavalan Whisky & Cultural Gems

Northern Taiwan (Taipei, New Taipei City, Yilan County) 3-Day Tour

Private sightseeing tours.

Top Attractions in Yilan

Multi-day Tours

Cultural Tours

Tours & sightseeing, what travellers are saying.

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

Taiwanese Secrets Travel Guide

Travel Guide to Yilan (Ilan) in Northeastern Taiwan

Table of Contents

Yilan Travel Information

Facts About Yilan (Ilan) Yilan, like Taipei and many other cities in Taiwan, refers to both a city and a county (this article’s travel ideas refer to both). It is one of few cities on the mountainous eastern coast of  Formosa , and is humble in size – Yilan city is home to under 100,000 people.

Book your hotel in Yilan before you get there!

Yilan is well-known as a historical center for some of the many aboriginal peoples whose diversity has come to be synonymous with Taiwan. Geographically, Yilan County is characterized by rolling mountains, rocky seaside and heavy rain. The city of Yilan is located on Taiwan’s second largest plain – the Yilan Plain.

Yilan Weather If you’re looking to make it out to Yilan, be warned that the rain can be relentless. You might argue that this is just part of getting the local experience, but a few days of torrential downpours might get you feeling a little bitter about your trip.

The summer months (Jun-Aug) have the least rainfall, and are also ideal for the surfing/beach opportunities weather-wise. If you get a chance to make it in the summer, do so. If not, bring rain gear. However, rainy winter moments aren’t all bad – they serve as the perfect time to hit some of Yilan County’s famed hot springs.

Yilan Attractions

Things to do in Ilan Yilan’s tourism mostly surrounds the two most unique aspects of the area – a rich aboriginal cultural history and lush nature. All of the areas listed below, if not in Yilan City, are easily accessible via train on the Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) lines.

Jiaoxi (Jiaosi) Hot Springs In the northeastern section of Yilan County lies Jiaoxi, one of the hottest of all hot spring stops in Taiwan. Nearly everything in Jiaoxi is written in Japanese and Chinese; the former have a reputation for loving the steaming hot baths. Arriving in Jiaoxi you will be immediately confronted with unending hot spring offerings as it has one of the few ground-level steam baths in Taiwan.

Wai-Ao Beach Beaches are rare in this part of Taiwan; the northeast coast is mostly populated by rocks and cliffs. Wai-Ao in Yilan County is a “black sand” beach, where the rocks are pulverized into small grains. While the waves aren’t crazy, Wai-Ao is a great place to learn how to  surf , or get a bit of intermediate experience under your belt. You can always wait for typhoon season to get some serious (and possibly fatal) rip curl.

Another cool place to surf not too far from here is  Fulong Beach.

Luodong Night Market One of the most famous night markets in all of Taiwan, the modestly-sized town of Luodong will serve up any and every local food specialty you can think of. While some night markets specialize in arcade games or clothing, Luodong’s goes straight for the mouth, and  Taipei  residents regularly make visits to the market to fill their stomachs.

Old Yilan City For history buffs, Old Yilan City has set up a lot of old buildings to put you in the shoes of early- and mid-20th century Taiwan. Buildings such as the Former Taiwan Railway Administration Office, Former Official Residence of the Magistrate of Yilan, Former Rice Inspection Bureau and others were often built during the Japanese occupation of Taiwan and are an interesting peek into the architecture and life of years’ past.

2 other excellent destinations to check out ancient Chinese stuff are  Lugang  and  Tainan .

Getting Around Yilan / Transportation

Getting around in Yilan, like in many parts of non-metropolis Taiwan, is best done on  scooter . Drop by the tourist center near the train station to get a map, then rent a scooter (don’t forget your valid International Driver’s License) and you’re free to roam. Bicycles  can also be rented at the train station, which are a decent option. If you’re afraid of the roads,  taxis  can be hired without a problem, and can even take you to other parts of Yilan County if you’re willing to pay.

Eating in Yilan

Tons of restaurants (Chinese, Taiwanese, McDonald’s) can be found around the train station. If you are a seafood lover, you’ll want to head to one of the seaside villages along the east coast to gorge on fresh-but-cheap fish, shrimps, and squids.

Yilan Green Onion Cake  – Yilan is famous island-wide for its green onion cakes. They are sold throughout the area at small stands. You’re sure to find this delicious at any night market in the region.

Luodong Night Market –  (see above)  – Luodong in Yilan County has one of the most famous night markets in Taiwan. If you go, make sure to do so on an empty stomach.

Mashed Taro  – An Yilan favorite is a simple combination of mashed taro, pork lard, sugar, eggs and candied kumquat. Yilan’s travel website says that mashed taro “represent[s] the characteristics of the Yilan people: cold on the outside and burning hot on the inside”.

Yilan Accommodation  / Hotels

As with most Taiwanese cities, the cheapest hotels / hostels are located near the train station. It’s possible to pay as little as 800NT$ for a night in Yilan if you don’t mind staying around the train station. Yilan county has hundreds of bed and breakfasts / homestays ( minsu  in Chinese).

Hotel Royal Jiaoxi ($$$) – S tay in Jiaoxi if you want to keep the hot springs constantly within reach. Relaxing Japanese-style minimalism and natural steam baths will help you rest easy. – No. 69 WuFeng Rd., DaZhong Village, JiaoXi Township

Fukun Motel ($)  – A cheap option located near the train station. – No. 259 ZhongShan Rd., Section 5, Yilan City

Find more Yilan hotels on HotelsCombined.com This website makes it easy to check availability, room rates, and find great discounts. I have been booking hotels in Taiwan for years with them and I’ve never had any problem.

Travel to Yilan

Getting in and out of Yilan is most easily done by  TRA  trains . These trains can also bring you to any of the surrounding towns quickly.  Tze-Chiang  trains (fast trains) takes around 1h 20m from Taipei to Yilan.

Buses  are also available from some places, and a new tunnel makes getting to Yilan from Taipei a breeze. You can catch a bus for Yilan City at the bus station behind Taipei Train Station; 230NT$.

Some have dared to make  scooter  trips through the old mountain pass from Taipei, which makes for a thrilling ride with breathtaking views. A  taxi  can also take you from Taipei for about NTD$1,000.

Other cool destinations in the area

Fulong  –  Hualien  –  Taroko Gorge  –  Taipei  –  Danshui

Return from  Yilan (Ilan)  to  Taiwanese Secrets Homepage

City Guides , Taiwan · August 6, 2022

11 Unmissable Things to do in Yilan, Taiwan

If you’re looking for things to do in Yilan, you won’t need to look too far. With mountains, hot and cold springs, waterfalls, and gorgeous beaches all within easy reach, Yilan County is the kind of place where you can have your cake and eat it too!

To make your trip to Yilan even more enjoyable, I’ve summed up the top things to do in Yilan for you here – some more touristy and some totally off the beaten track. Whether you’re into food, history, culture, or nature, this list covers a good mix of Yilan attractions, no matter your interests.

Read along to find out what to do in Yilan!

Disclaimer: This post probably contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase through one of these links, I might receive a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Table of Contents

Before you Go to Yilan

Yilan County is located in northeast Taiwan and covers a whopping 2,143 km 2 . While the county is home to several smaller townships, the main tourist spots are in and near Yilan City , Luodong , Toucheng , Su’ao, and Jiaoxi . 

Here are a few important tips to help make your trip all the easier.

• Book accommodation at least two weeks in advance as hotels in Yilan fill up quickly. Yilan City and Luodong offer the best selection of hotels, shops and eateries. Find the best hotel deals here.
• Rent a scooter . While good public transport connects you to all of Yilan County’s corners, the buses aren’t that frequent, and Google Maps doesn’t have the most accurate schedules. Pre-book a scooter for pickup at Luodong Station here. Alternatively, there is also a car/scooter rental company opposite Yilan Train Station. 
• Get an Easy Card – Taiwan’s rechargeable transport card that you can easily use to tap and go on buses and local trains. You can buy (and top up) your Easy Card at any convenience store islandwide. 
• If you want to visit Turtle Island , make sure to book a tour well in advance . A special permit is required to visit the island, and daily visitors are limited to 1800 people. 
• Don’t forget to grab a tourist map of Yilan County at the Visitor’s Center next to Yilan Station.
• Book this  Ancient Yilan tour  if you’d like to see some of Yilan’s top attractions without the hassle of planning a thing. 

How to Get to Yilan

Yilan is easily accessible by rail or bus from most major cities in Taiwan. 

If you’re coming from Taipei , the easiest way to get to Yilan is by train from Taipei Main Station. Snag a seat on one of the faster trains like  Puyuma, TZE-Chiang, or Taroko  for the quickest journey. While these trains are a bit more pricey (TWD218) than the local trains (TWD140), they are much faster. This means you’ll have more time to enjoy all the cool things to do in Yilan!

However, you should know that standing is not allowed, and you must have a seat. Since these trains fill up quickly, buying tickets a few days in advance would be wise. You can buy tickets directly at any train station or on the  Taiwan Railways website . Downloading the  Taiwan Railways App  on your phone will also be a game changer. The app is super easy to use, and I love how it shows all the trains going to your selected destination with their timings, costs and routes. For more tips, read my post on best travel apps for visiting Taiwan .

Alternatively, if you prefer to travel by bus , you can take Capital Bus  1571  or  1572  from  Taipei City Hall . The ride takes just over 1 hour and costs TWD131. 

If you don’t have much time, another great alternative is to join this full-day tour from Taipei .

Getting around Yilan

Yilan is huge, and most of the attractions are quite spread out. Therefore the easiest way to get around is by car or scooter. You can rent a scooter here via Klook for pickup in Luodong, but there’s also a  vehicle rental company  opposite the Yilan Station, right next to the Formosa gas station.  Remember to bring your IDP or local scooter license , as you won’t be able to rent a scooter without it. 

If that’s not an option, you can still get around pretty easily by train, bus or taxi. Download the Taiwan Railways App to check train schedules and prices easily. You can use Google Maps to check bus schedules and routes, but it might be a hit and miss. There’s no Uber in Yilan, but you’ll find yellow taxis near all the touristy places.

Where to Stay in Yilan

Yilan City is a great base to explore the rest of the county. There’s a good selection of hotels and guesthouses, but if you don’t have your own wheels, it’s important to stay somewhere convenient. Here are my top choices for where to stay in Yilan City:

• Luxe: Silks Place Yilan  is a luxurious 5-star hotel with a pool perfect for anyone looking for an upscale stay in Yilan. The hotel features spacious rooms with beautiful interiors and all the mod cons you’d expect from a 5-star property.  Check rates and availability here .  
• Mid-range: Hangkhau Hotel  is a beautiful modern hotel conveniently located mere steps from Yilan Station. It features both dorm and double rooms for travelers who value their privacy.  Check rates and availability here . 
• Budget:  If you don’t mind the 15-minute walk from the train station,  Late Hours  is a beautiful guesthouse with surprisingly affordable rates. The rooms feature simple yet modern interiors and are clean and spacious.  Check rates and availability here . 

Still need more choice? Find the best hotel deals in Yilan here on  Agoda . 

The Best Things to do in Yilan

Snap photos at jimmy square park.

Scan any list of things to do in Yilan, and Jimmy Square Park is bound to be in the mix. 

Jimmy Square is an interactive park full of colorful murals and whimsical props depicting scenes from acclaimed illustrator Jimmy Liao’s picture books. Among the scenes and characters to spot here include works from ‘Turn Left, Turn Right,’ ‘Starry Starry Night,’ and ‘Sound of Colors.’

The park is just a three-minute walk south of the Yilan Station. There are many photo ops here, so don’t forget your camera! 

Visit Diu Diu Dang Forest Park

Another highlight on any Yilan tour is the Diu Diu Dang Forest Park. 

Diu Diu Dang Forest Park is one of the first things you spot upon exiting Yilan Station. While the park is not very big, its centerpiece – a huge colorful train dangling from a metal-frame tree forest – draws the crowds. 

Like Jimmy Park, the characters and scenes are from Jimmy Liao’s books, with this scene adapted from ‘Starry Starry Night.’ 

After adoring the flying train, pop into Baiguo Tree Red Brick House for a drink.

Relax at Yilan Crossing

Right next to the Yilan Station, you’ll find an old Taiwan Railways warehouse dating back to 1919, which has been converted into a cute bookstore/coffee shop. 

Inside you’ll find stacks of books, all kinds of interesting knick-knacks, cute souvenirs, and a cozy cafe where you can sit back and enjoy a cuppa. Definitely try the brownies while you’re at it, too! 

There are also some fun props to take photos with right in front of the building. 

Eat at Dongmen Night Market

Like any other city in Taiwan, Yilan has its very own night market. Dongmen Night Market might not be the biggest or best night market in Taiwan , but it’s got all of Yilan’s local specialty food to fill your belly. 

The market is located under the Donggang Bridge and it’s jam-packed with vendors selling various snacks. Try the dried tofu wrapped around a sausage, the scallion pancakes, and the fried donuts stuffed with taro and red beans. 

Browse the Yilan Cultural and Creative Park

Few people know about the Yilan Cultural and Creative Park, making it a great place to visit with minimal crowds.

The park is basically an exhibition space showcasing aboriginal culture. It’s filled with cute cafes, souvenir shops, and art installations. It’s a cool place to learn a little more about the local tribes of Yilan, try aboriginal cuisine, or buy locally made crafts and souvenirs. 

For more details on upcoming exhibitions, check out the  Yilan Style website . 

Eat Japanese Shaved Ice

I don’t usually dedicate an entire section to food in my guides, but you’ll miss out if you don’t try the snow ice at  小亀有 Kakigori Ice Cream . 

Kakigori is a famous Japanese shaved ice dessert flavored with syrup and a sweetener. And that’s exactly what you’ll get at this tiny Japanese-style ice cream parlor a few minutes’ walk from the train station. 

The menu is on the small side, but the shaved ice here is nothing but melt-in-the-mouth goodness. Definitely among the best I’ve ever tried in Taiwan! Try the matcha ice tower – it’s delicious! 

If shaved ice is not your thing, they also have baked rice cake, Japanese fern cake, caramel pudding, burnt cheesecake, and a small selection of drinks. 

Just a heads up, it’s super popular, especially during summer in Taiwan , so you might need to wait for a table. 

Join a Boat Tour to Turtle Island

If there is one thing you must do in Yilan , it is visit Turtle Island. 

Turtle Island or  Guishandao  is a tiny Taiwanese island floating in the Pacific Ocean just 10km off the coast of Yilan County in Toucheng and Taiwan’s only active volcano. Don’t worry; the last eruption was in 1785, so it’s pretty safe to visit.

Turtle Island is an interesting place to visit, full of history and natural beauty. Once home to a few hundred people and later declared a military zone, the island is today better known as a nature lover’s hot spot. Since the island only has a coastline of about 10km, it’s pretty small and easy to explore on a half-day trip from Wushi Harbor in Toucheng.

Some of the highlights include learning about its unique history, wandering along its stunning hiking trails, spotting whales and dolphins offshore, and getting a close-up look at steamy hot spring water spouting up to the surface of its Milky Sea.

Turtle Island is  only open to the public from May to November.  Only 1800 people can visit the island daily, so booking well in advance is highly encouraged. For hikers who want to tackle the 1706 steps to the island’s summit, booking a tour at least 20 days in advance is recommended. Only 100 people can do this hike daily, so it fills up quickly! You can book a tour here .  

If you still have energy after your boat trip, you can learn a little more about Yilan at the spectacular Lanyang Museum or take a gentle stroll along Waiao Beach – a popular surfing spot in Taiwan.

Stroll Along Neipi Beach

Another awesome thing to do in Yilan is visit Neipi Beach .

Neipi Beach, also called Lover’s Bay, is a dreamy 1km long black sand beach just past the Nanfang’ao Harbor in Su’Ao .

Unfortunately, it’s not a good idea to swim here as the beach has some pretty dangerous undercurrents, but it’s still a nice place to stroll around, have a picnic on the beach, work on your tan, or kick back at one of the cute cafes overlooking the bay. 

We Cafe  has quirky interiors, but if you’re looking for something a bit more upscale, check out  Poseidon Cafe . And if you’re up to it, you can follow the walkway that extends all along the bay’s northern cape. 

Afterward, make a pit stop at the bustling Nanfang’ao Harbor , where you can eat fresh seafood and buy all kinds of local snacks. Alternatively, tackle the hiking trail to the Nanfang’ao Lookout , which offers panoramic views of the entire harbor and beach below. 

Marvel at Dongao Bay

Okay, I’m not going to lie; Dongao Bay is totally off the beaten path and a bit of a mission to get to if you don’t have your own transport. But it is definitely worth the effort! 

Located in the southern corners of Su’ao Township, just outside the tiny village of Dong’ao, Dongao Bay is a stunning 3km beach fringed by lush mountains and azure-colored water. The setting here is really tranquil, and since it’s quite a hidden beach in Taiwan , you’re likely to have it all to yourself! 

The beach is free to visit, but you should know there are no bathrooms or shops here. Stock up on snacks and drinks at the OK Mart in town before heading to the beach. You can also walk along the beach (about 30 minutes) to Fenniaolin Fishing Harbor , where you’ll find food and cleanish bathrooms. 

Visit Fenniaolin Fishing Harbor & Fenniaolin Beach

If you’ve tackled the arduous journey to Dongao Bay, you should definitely add Fenniaolin to your Yilan to-do list. 

Fenniaolin is a tiny fishing harbor at Dongao Bay’s southern edge. Here you’ll find a local eatery frying up fresh seafood, a couple of vendors selling snacks, and a little shop where you can buy drinks, snacks, or ice cream.

After filling your tummy, walk to the end of the harbor, where you’ll spot the staircase leading to Fenniaolin Beach – a tiny pebble cove with clear water and interesting rock formations jutting out of the sea. Swimming is not allowed here, but it’s a cool place to snap photos and marvel at the scenery. 

Other Places to Visit in Yilan

If you still have some spare time on your Yilan itinerary, here are a few more Yilan attractions not to miss: 

• Luodong Night Market is the most famous night market in Yilan County. It has a good selection of classic Yilan street food such as Sanxing spring onion pancake, thick pork soup with garlic, and deep-fried meat cakes. It gets crowded quickly, so go early. 
• Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area  is a magical forest filled with giant cypress trees and stunning hiking trails. It’s also one of the best spots for leaf peeping during autumn in Taiwan. Don’t miss the Bong Bong train!  Book your Taipingshan tour .
• Jiaoxi:  Like Beitou Hot Springs, Jiaoxi is a mecca for hot spring lovers. There are several public hot springs here but for the ultimate experience, book yourself into one of the fancy hot spring resorts. Try ISPAVITA B&B Resort or Hotel Royal .
• Wufengqi Waterfall:  A gorgeous 100m tall waterfall and one of the top tourist spots in Yilan. 
• The Center for Traditional Arts:  Step back in time as you wander through streets filled with red brick buildings. Perfect for shoppers and culture vultures. Skip the lines and grab an entry ticket here or join this full-day tour which includes a stop at Kavalan Distillery.
• Kavalan Distillery  is Taiwan’s only whiskey distillery and famous for its award-winning single malt whiskeys. If you’re into whiskey, you can tour the distillery to learn a little more about whiskey-making and even do some whiskey tasting. 

What to do in Yilan in Conclusion

If you were wondering what to do in Yilan, then hopefully, this guide has given you a decent mix of things to do in and near the city. Have a great trip!

Did I miss your favorite Yilan attraction? Let me know in the comments below!

If you enjoyed this guide on things to do in Yilan Taiwan, don’t forget to pin it for your future travels!

join the club

You’ll also love.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Currently you have JavaScript disabled. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser.

Neipi Beach: Yilan’s Dreamy Black Sand Beach

Trending now.

Follow @ Hoponworld

[instagram-feed]

Travel guides

• Travel Guides
• Itineraries
• City Guides
• Beach Guides
• Outdoor Guides
• Tips & Inspo

Get exclusive access to detailed travel guides & tips!

Work with me

• Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2024 Hoponworld · Theme by 17th Avenue

updated on March 19, 2024

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

Hotels.com Rewards is now One Key™

13 Best Things to Do in Yilan

Yilan attractions.

Many of the best things to do in Yilan stem from the region’s wonderful natural diversity. The county is known for its ample amount of hiking trails, mountain peaks and innumerable natural getaways. The extensive forestry is especially worth exploring, particularly as it contains therapeutic hot springs.

If you’re more interested in culture than the great outdoors, you’ll find that in spades in Yilan , too. There are plenty of art venues and major museums dotted around the historical towns in the area. Each provides a fascinating glimpse into a different aspect of Taiwanese life and heritage.

What are the best things to do in Yilan?

Luodong night market.

Located in the Chungshan Park area, Luodong Night Market is one of the most happening places in Yilan. It not only offers a great shopping experience, but it’s lined with street vendors and cafés offering mouth-watering local Taiwanese cuisine. Despite its name, the market actually opens early in the morning, but runs late into the night.

Some of the most popular snacks to be found here include mutton herbal soup, rice noodle soup and iced tapioca. This is a must-visit location for those who love to hang out and enjoy the sweetness of doing nothing but munching on delicacies. Yilan pastry, smoked duck meat and ya shang are some of the other delicacies you may want to try at Luodong Night Market.

Location: No. 6, Xingdong Road, Luodong Township, Yilan County, Taiwan 265

Phone: +886 (0)3 954 5102

photo by Chi-Hung Lin ( CC BY-SA 3.0 ) modified

Gueishan Island

Gueishan Island is one of the major attractions of Yilan. The island is in the shape of a sea turtle due to many long years of volcanic activity and, unsurprisingly, many people refer to it as Turtle Island. You will require a permit to visit this remote place and the number of people allowed to go is usually limited. You can enjoy whale-watching here, and Turtle Island is also known as one of the best places to appreciate the beauty of the sunrise.

Location: Toucheng Township, Yilan County, Taiwan 261

photo by miquitos ( CC BY-SA 2.0 ) modified

10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Yilan

3 Best Places to Go Shopping in Yilan

10 Best Places Where Locals Love to Go in Yilan

Annong creek.

Annong Creek is known for its splendid whitewater rafting venues. It also has a number of smaller attractions and, because it’s so popular, there are plenty of budget and luxury hotels in the area. Apart from some great whitewater rafting destinations, there are places of historical interest as well as a number of untouched natural belts.

photo by lienyuan lee ( CC BY-SA 3.0 ) modified

Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area

The Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area is located in Datung Village and the whole recreational belt is built around Mt. Tiaping, which rises to almost 2,000 meters above sea level. Though the mountain is covered in mist all the year round, the peak offers epic views of the surrounding area and is one of the few places in Taiwan where you’ll see snow. The forest below is an especially diverse one, with attractions ranging from from cypresses to hemlocks and other types of vegetation. If you love nature, visiting the Taipingshan region should certainly be on your list of things to do in Yilan.

Hot springs are located towards the center of the region and are said to possess therapeutic properties. The famous Pong-Pong trail is also in this area. This trail was used for transporting logs and wood in the past. These days, it’s open to visitors and enjoying a ride along this trail is a great experience. There are so many areas of interest in the Taipingshan region that you really have to visit the place with plenty of time available to catch the essence of it.

Location: No. 58-1, Datong Township, Yilan County, Taiwan 267

Phone: +886 (0)3 980 9806

Yilan Distillery Chia Chi Lan Wine Museum

The Yilan Distillery Chia Chi Lan Wine Museum is a one-of-a-kind place which, as the name suggests, is devoted to alcohol-related collectibles and souvenirs. The museum is located in one of the oldest distilleries in Taiwan and the place is a must-visit for those who want to have a sneak peek at historical methods of wine production and preparation. There is also a small gift shop here.

Location: No. 3, Jiucheng West Road, Yilan City, Yilan County, Taiwan 260

Open: Daily from 8 am to 5 pm

Phone: +886 (0)3 935 5526

photo by Mnb ( CC BY-SA 3.0 ) modified

Kavalan Distillery

The Kavalan Distillery offers a very literal flavor of the Yilan countryside. The whiskey produced here has a smooth and creamy flavor, which has even beaten Scotch whiskeys in window shade taste tests. Since the distillery opened in 2005, it’s been racking up the awards and praises, particularly for its single malts.

Taking its name from the indigenous people of the Kabalan Plain where it’s located, the distillery is a little bit out of town, on the outskirts of Yuanshan Township. Hourly tours of the factory are run throughout the day and are free, but you’ll need to make a reservation if you want it in English.

Location: No. 326, Section 2, Yuanshan Road, Yuanshan Township, Yilan County, Taiwan

Open: Daily from 9 am to 6 pm

Phone: +886 (0)800 232 589

Yilan County Historical Museum

The Yilan County Historical Museum exhibits some old relics and souvenirs from the Japanese colonial era and gives you the chance to get personal with the rich culture heritage of Yilan. Most parts of the museum are free, except for County Prefect’s House, which is about NT$30 for an adult.

Location: No. 3, Xianzheng North Road, Yilan City, Yilan County, Taiwan 260

Open: Tuesday–Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm (closed on Mondays)

Phone: +886 (0)3 925 5488

photo by Wei-Te Wong ( CC BY-SA 2.0 ) modified

National Center for Traditional Arts

The National Center for Traditional Arts is one of the most important centres of traditional and fine arts in Taiwan. It’s located in Wujie and its main focus is to promote Taiwanese arts and culture. You can also shop for souvenirs that are sold along the ‘Old Street’ – a renovated part the town which is part of the complex. The entry fee is NT$150 for adults.

Location: No. 201, Section 2, Wubin Road, Wujie Township, Yilan County, Taiwan 26841

Phone: +886 (0)3 950 8859

photo by 江皓正 ( CC BY-SA 3.0 ) modified

Dong Shan River Park

Dong Shan River Park offers a fun way to escape the sweltering heat of a Yilan summer. It has some really cool activities that you can indulge in, often accompanied by trance-techno music, giving you a head-rush beyond imagination. Some of the most popular attractions of the park include slides and jumping water jets.

Location: No. 2, Section 2, Qinhe Road, Wujie Township, Yilan County, Taiwan 268

Open: Daily from 7 am to 10 pm

Phone: +886 (0)3 950 2097

photo by P1340 ( CC BY-SA 3.0 ) modified

With mighty waves rolling in from the Pacific Ocean, the northeastern coast of Taiwan is known as a surfing mecca. Yilan has some really cool surf spots. Suao is one such harbor town of which is known the world over for its challenging surfing.

Taiwan Theater Museum

Th Taiwan Theater Museum is located in the cultural center of Yilan and it showcases traditional Chinese art forms, including puppetry. You can try your hand at traditional opera on the 3rd floor of this building. It’s a must-visit for all art connoisseurs.

Location: No. 101, Section 2, Fuxing Road, Yilan City, Yilan County, Taiwan 260

Phone: +886 (0)3 932 2440

Mary Leu Fine Art Carving Gallery

Mary Leu Fine Art Carving Gallery belongs to one of the most famous artists to have emerged out of Taiwan. The art gallery not only houses her works, but is also a workshop for the students of this renowned artist. Entry fee is NT$100.

Location: No. 1, Lane 322, Xingnong Road, Jiaoxi Township, Yilan County, Taiwan 260

Phone: +886 (0)3 988 0558

Shengmu Hiking Trail

This Shengmu Hiking Trail starts at a church near Wufengchi Waterfalls, giving it the nickname of the Sacred Mother Hiking Trail or St. Marian Trail. Divided into a total of 4 sections, the trail spans about 7 km and covers some breathtaking landscapes. It picks up in terms of difficulty as you moves further up from Wufengchi, but the landscape also keeps getting better. You end up at a point that gives an awesome view of Turtle Island and the Lanyang Plain. The view is worth the effort and time spent.

Location: Jiaoxi Township, Yilan County, Taiwan 262

Phone: +886 (0)3 954 5114

This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writing appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.

Start planning your trip

Related stories.

10 Best Restaurants in Yilan

10 Best Things to Do for Couples in Yilan

10 Best Things to Do for Families in Yilan

10 Best Budget Things to Do in Yilan

3 Best Nightlife in Yilan

Keep exploring.

• Hualien City
• New Taipei City
• Hong Kong SAR
• Philippines
• South Korea

Australia - New Zealand and the South Pacific

Mexico and central america, middle east, north america, south america.

• 1 Understand
• 2.1 By train
• 3.1 By scooter
• 3.2 By bicycle
• 4.1 Yilan Train Station
• 4.2 History and culture
• 4.3 Museums
• 4.4 Temples
• 5.1 Religious festivals
• 5.2 Food making
• 5.3 Parks and nature
• 5.4 Performing arts
• 9.2 Mid-range
• 9.3 Quality

Yilan (宜蘭, also spelled I-lan ) is a city on the east coast of Taiwan . As the area was mostly settled by Han Chinese immigrants from Zhangzhou , the local dialect of Taiwanese is noticeably more similar to that of Zhangzhou than in other parts of Taiwan. It is perhaps best known as the birthplace of Taiwanese opera.

Understand [ edit ]

Get in [ edit ].

Rail, bus, and taxi are good options for traveling from Yilan to Taipei. The Xueshan tunnel facilitates travel between Yilan and Taipei, shortening the trip to roughly 1½ hr.

By train [ edit ]

Get around [ edit ]

Scooters, cars and bicycles are the main transport around Yilan City (the county seat of Yilan county). There are taxi stands and scooter rental options near the train station. Travel around the county (to destinations such as to Luodong, Suao, and Jiaosi) is easily accomplished by inexpensive rail (US$4).

By scooter [ edit ]

The most convenient way to get around Yilan is by scooter. You can start from Yilan train station and rent one there, but you should first go to the tourist information center and get a map.

By bicycle [ edit ]

You can rent one at Yilan train station. A nice 12-km route may start by riding to Yuan Suan Park (員山公園) which takes about 1 hour. Then you can ride along the riverbank to Jung Shan Bridge (員山橋) before heading back.

See [ edit ]

Yilan train station [ edit ].

The first Yilan Train Station (宜蘭火車站) was constructed in 1919. The original building was destroyed in 1962 by typhoon Opal and rebuilt in the same year. The plaza in front was built in 1997. There are many historical buildings nearby, described below.

• Yilan Railway Station Old Warehousing Facilities ( 台鐵宜蘭車站舊倉庫群 ). There were 9 warehouses built in 1919, providing numerous businesses with a place to store their goods. It is used for selling famous products from Yilan. It is on the right hand side of Yilan train station. Exiting the train station, turn to the right. The building is on the right hand side. ( updated Nov 2019 )
• Former Office, Taiwan Railway Administration, Yilan Transportation Section ( 台鐵宜蘭運務段舊辦公室 ). This building was constructed in 1959. The building served as a transportation office for the Taiwan Railway Administration. It is now a Visitor Center where you can get information. Turn left when leaving the train station. The building is on the left hand side. ( updated Nov 2019 )
• Former Rice Inspection Bureau Yilan Branch Office ( 舊米穀檢查所宜蘭出張所 ). It was constructed in 1930 for use in the process of inspection, evaluation, and distribution of local rice. The characteristics of the building include an arched entrance, rectangular windows, British style brick walls, and a Japanese-style roof. From the train station, go straight and you will find it to your left. ( updated Nov 2019 )
• Former Official Residence of the Magistrate of Yilan ( 宜蘭設治紀念館 ). It was built as the official residence for Japanese magistrates in 1911. There is huge camphor tree inside the premises of the building that has been there for at least 100 years. It was reconstructed for tourists to visit in 1997. Address: No. 3, Lishing 3rd Lane, Jiocheng S. Rd. Yilan City ( updated Nov 2019 )
• Former Yilan Yi Police Station ( 宜蘭警察局 ), No.167, Sec.2, Jhongshan Rd. . It was constructed during the Japanese occupation in 1945. ( updated Nov 2019 )

History and culture [ edit ]

• 24.752963 121.753622 4 Xianguo Monument ( 献馘碑 ). A stone monument erected during the period of Japanese occupation dedicated to the Chinese killed by the indigenous inhabitants during the early period of Chinese migration into the Yilan area. ( updated Nov 2019 )

Museums [ edit ]

Temples [ edit ].

• 24.753968 121.744357 14 Saint Joseph's Church ( 達文西天主堂 ), No. 93, Taishan Road , ☏ +886 3 932 3204 . ( updated Nov 2019 )

Do [ edit ]

Religious festivals [ edit ].

There are various religious festivals and parades of different sizes throughout Yilan, so you may cross one at any moment during weekends. According to believers, the purpose of the parades is to represent that the gods are patrolling the street to see how people doing and to protect people from harm. In order to welcome the gods, the people in charge of the parade set off firecrackers as an announcement that the gods are coming and cast a lot of "ghost money" on the street. Temple workers carry sedans with religious images. You may see traditional musical orchestras.

Usually, the parades are performed by many teams, People can tell which teams a participant belongs to by looking at their t-shirts. The parades consist of different groups of people and each of them are in charge of representing different characters. The characters may vary according to the different festivals. Some of them may do folk dances.

There are about 63 temples, most of them Taoist, and eleven western churches in Yilan County. Historically, there has been freedom in Yilan to practice any religion. Taiwanese celebrate many important traditional festivals. In Yilan the most important celebrations are Cheng-Huang's (城隍) birthday on February 8th of the lunar calendar and Dong-Yue's birthday (東嶽大帝) on March 28th of the lunar calendar. During the festival of Cheng-Huang's birthday, many people from all walks of life usually follow the parade and go around Yilan city and we can see that some people play the characters Chi-ye and Ba-ye (七爺八爺), a traditional Taiwanese myth about friendship. Yilan is the birthplace of Taiwanese opera (歌仔戲), so people can listen to traditional musical instruments during Taiwanese religious festivals.

During these religious parades, visitors can join the festival and take photos, but people should be respectful and observe some taboos. For example, expectant mothers should not join the parade and people should not cross from one side of the parade to the other. For temple workers there are further prohibitions, such as not eating meat before the parade. Parades should not be confused with Chinese funeral, where family members will wear black clothes and there are no images of gods.

There are two temples in Yilan that have regular large-scale festivals. The first is Yilan Cheng-Huang Temple (宜蘭城隍廟) at No.10 Chenghuang St. (城隍街) that holds their major parade every February 8 of the lunar calendar. The temple was established in 1813, and in Chinese culture, Cheng Huang is the Patron saint of cities. The other major temple is Yilan Dong-Yu Temple (宜蘭東獄殿) at No.299, Sec 2, Zhongshan Rd., and their largest parade is held in every March 28 in odd-numbered year of the lunar calendar.

Food making [ edit ]

• [formerly dead link] Chian Li Guang Herbal Garden ( 千里光藥園休閒農場 ), No.51, Ln. 131, Sec. 2, Dapo Rd , ☏ +886 3 928-4349 , [email protected] . 10:00-17:00 . The focus of this place is on traditional herbal medicine, holding two greenhouses, an eco-museum and an exhibition center. The owners are trying pass down the use of traditional herbal medicines to the next generation. They also provide many herbal products (drinks, cookies and herbal meals, for example). There is a NT$100 consumable entrance fee towards a guided tour, a D.I.Y. activity or products. Tour guide is only provided for more than 10 people, charging NT$100 per person, The tour is 40 minutes long.  
• Agrioz ( 橘之鄉 ), No.33, Meizhou 2nd Rd , ☏ +886 3 928-5758 , [email protected] . Daily 08:00-18:00 . It is the first government-authenticated tourism factory in Taiwan, with an area of around 9915 m². Agrioz is a modern tourism factory which produces fine kumquat products and collects kumquats from local farmers to provide quality products to the public. Agrioz provides several activities to their guests, such as D.I.Y., factory tours, visits to the kumquat museum and a souvenir shop. Free .  
• Yadian Cake Factory ( 亞典菓子工廠 ), No. 122, Meizhou 2nd Road , ☏ +886 3 928 6777 . A small cake factory that has a number of exhibits related to cake-making. You can also take a tour of the factory itself. ( updated Nov 2019 )

Parks and nature [ edit ]

• 24.752647 121.757029 1 Jimmy Park ( 幾米公園 ), No. 240, Section 1, Yixing Road , ☏ +886 3 931 2152 . A small, quirky park on the site of an old train station, and themed accordingly. ( updated Nov 2019 )
• 24.738034 121.752512 2 Yilan Sports Park ( 宜蘭運動公園 ), No. 755, Section 1, Zhongshan Road , ☏ +886 3 925 4034 . A large park area with a stadium, running track, and other sports facilities. ( updated Nov 2019 )

Performing arts [ edit ]

• 24.753358 121.75277 3 Yilan Performing Arts Center ( 宜蘭演藝廳 ), No. 482, Section 2, Zhongshan Road , ☏ +886 3 936 9115 . The major venue for performing arts in the city. ( updated Nov 2019 )

Buy [ edit ]

• Eslite , B1 of Yoai Department store, Jiucheng East Road , ☏ +886 3 936-2770 . A large range of English and Chinese books.  
• Caves , 220 Zhongshan Road , ☏ +886 3 932-3259 . Sec. 3. A huge range of English textbooks and novels.  

Local specialities

• One of the local specialties is a delicate cookie referred to as the "Cow Tongue Cookie." This name comes from the shape of the cookie (an oblong, roughly 20 cm or 10 inches long), rather than ingredients. The cookie comes in many flavors, such as coffee, green tea, berry, and sesame.

Shopping malls

• Yoai Department Store ( 友愛百貨 ), No.50, Jiucheng E. Rd , ☏ +886 3-936-9936 . From Yilan Train Station: Go straight and turn right on Jiucheng E. Rd. Walk for three blocks and look for the tall building.  
• Luna Plaza ( 新月廣場 ), No.6, Ln. 38, Sec. 2, Minquan Rd., Yilan City , ☏ +886 3-932-3300 . From Yilan Train Station: go straight and turn left on Jiucheng S. Rd. Then turn left on Sec. 2, Shennong Rd.  

Eat [ edit ]

• Dark ice cream shop (黑店冰店)- On the same street as Luna Plaza, this famous little shop provides 5 flavors but use good quality ingredients. No.63, Sec. 1, Shennong Rd., Yilan City, Yilan County (宜蘭縣宜蘭市神農路二段63號)
• 24.757973 121.758764 1 Dongmen night market ( 東門夜市 ), Shenghou Street . 17:00-00:00 . The Dongmen night market attracts many tourists since the local media regularly does reports about it. At the very front, there is a yakitori shop called Liang Dai Pon (梁大胖), where some of the products are only NT$10 each. The first booth on the left side is green onion pancake (蔥油餅). It is always full of customers because they use the high quality green onion from local producers. The second booth on the left side is an ice cream store; they are famous for their almond curd (杏仁豆腐). The third booth is a beverage store; their bubble tea is different others because they use their handmade white bubble. On the right hand side, there is a roasted chicken cutlet booth. It costs NT$50 for a cutlet that is bigger than your face. The last booth sells "coffin bread", a Taiwanese dish of seafood inside a toast, but this store creates offers original flavors such as ice cream instead of seafood. ( updated Nov 2019 )
• Garlic meat broth (蒜味肉羹) When you leave the Yilan train station, cross the street to Jiucheng East Rd. (舊城東路), turn right to Jiucheng N Rd.(舊城北路), then walk straight until No. 141 (宜蘭縣宜蘭市舊城北路141號). Ask for garlic meat broth (蒜味肉羹), which is a famous dish in Yilan.
• Pasta Kitchen , 47 Jiankang Sreet, Sec 1 , ☏ +886 3 936-3939 .  
• 24.757888 121.755575 2 Everyday Smells Great (每日香) , No. 60, Chongsheng St. ( from Yilan Train Station: go two blocks east, and then turn north on Chongsheng St. Walk for 2½ blocks along this road ), ☏ +886 3 933-0993 . M-Sa 09:30 - 13:00; M-F 15:30 - 18:30 . This is a traditional lunch shop aimed at local workers. Expect it to be very busy around 11:00. You can pick from probably over 30 fresh vegetables, as well as meat and fish. Customers can also drink soup inside for free. The cashier is very friendly and talkative, and is quite likely give you compliments on your looks. NT$40-80 . ( updated Mar 2017 )

Drink [ edit ]

• Blue Bar , 319 Taishan Road , ☏ +886 3 931-3367 . Small, clean and cheap.  

Sleep [ edit ]

Budget [ edit ].

• Fukun Motel ( 福岡商務汽車旅館 ), No.259, Sec. 5, Zhongshan Rd , ☏ +886 3 928-8060 . It is near the train station. It offers free internet connection, air conditioning, spa and free breakfast. Small doubles start at NT$880.  

Mid-range [ edit ]

• England Motel ( 英格蘭汽車旅館 ), No.6, Ln. 127, Sec. 5, Zhongshan Rd , ☏ +886 3 928-2288 . It offers breakfast, afternoon tea, bicycles, and spa. The room rate starts at NT$3,040.  
• Azure Sky B&B ( 蘭天民宿 ), No.3-33, Jinshi Rd , ☏ +886 3 931-1260 . It is near the National Yilan University (國立宜蘭大學). They offer a farm lifestyle experience. Small doubles start at NT$2,000.  

Quality [ edit ]

• Dubai Motel ( 杜拜時尚戀館 ), ☏ +886 3 928-7700 , [email protected] . No.70, Sec. 2, Dafu Rd., It takes around 5 minutes by car from Yilan train station. It offers swimming pool, steam bath, milk bath and spa. The classical villa room starts at NT$4,280.  
• Silks Place Yilan ( 晶英酒店 ), 36, Minquan Rd., Sec. 2, Yilan City , ☏ +886 3-935-1000 . It's on one side of Luna Plaza (mall). From Yilan Train Station: Go straight and turn left on Jiucheng S. Rd. Then turn left on Sec. 2, Shennong Rd.  
• Yoai Hotel ( 友愛大飯店 ), 11-16F., No.50, Jiucheng E. Rd , ☏ +886 3-936-3456 . Go straight after leaving Yilan Train Station, turn right on Jiucheng E. Rd., and walk for three blocks.  
• Grand Boss Hotel ( 伯斯飯店 ), No.366, Sec. 1, Yixing Rd , ☏ +886 3-9312-999 . Turn right after exiting the station and go straight You will see it your right hand side.  

Go next [ edit ]

• Has custom banner
• Has map markers
• Has mapframe
• See listing with no coordinates
• Do listing with no coordinates
• Articles with formerly dead external links
• Articles with dead external links
• Buy listing with no coordinates
• Eat listing with no coordinates
• Drink listing with no coordinates
• Sleep listing with no coordinates
• Usable cities
• Usable articles
• City articles
• Yilan County
• All destination articles
• Has Geo parameter
• Pages with maps

Navigation menu

1-Day Yilan City Itinerary

Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

• Yilan City in 1 day
• 2-Day Yilan City Itinerary
• 3-Day Yilan City Itinerary
• 4-Day Yilan City Itinerary

Table of contents

1-day itinerary.

Brick Ark Museum

Dongmen Night Market

Yilan distillery chia chi lan wine museum, agrioz cafe, jiaoxi tourist service center, where to eat, red lantern, café slow train咖啡館, popular road trips from yilan city, what's the weather like in yilan city.

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Yilan City for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

• Weather in Yilan City in January
• Weather in Yilan City in February
• Weather in Yilan City in March
• Weather in Yilan City in April
• Weather in Yilan City in May
• Weather in Yilan City in June
• Weather in Yilan City in July
• Weather in Yilan City in August
• Weather in Yilan City in September
• Weather in Yilan City in October
• Weather in Yilan City in November
• Weather in Yilan City in December

All road trips from Yilan City

• Yilan City to Taitung City drive
• Yilan City to Hualien City drive

Explore nearby places

• Hualien City
• Miaoli City
• Yonaguni-cho
• Nantou City
• Changhua City
• Pingtan County
• Taketomi-cho
• Taitung City
• Taketomi-jima

All related maps of Yilan City

• Map of Yilan City
• Map of Da'an
• Map of Ruifang
• Map of Taipei
• Map of Wanhua
• Map of Keelung
• Map of Banqiao
• Map of New Taipei
• Map of Taoyuan
• Map of Zhubei
• Map of Hsinchu
• Map of Toufen
• Map of Hualien City
• Map of Miaoli City
• Map of Yonaguni-cho
• Map of Taichung
• Map of Nantou City
• Map of Changhua City
• Map of Yuanlin
• Map of Douliu
• Map of Chiayi
• Map of Taibao
• Map of Puzi
• Map of Pingtan County
• Map of Taketomi-cho
• Map of Taitung City
• Map of Taketomi-jima
• Map of Ishigaki
• Map of Tainan
• Map of Magong
• Map of Changle

Yilan City throughout the year

• Yilan City in January
• Yilan City in February
• Yilan City in March
• Yilan City in April
• Yilan City in May
• Yilan City in June
• Yilan City in July
• Yilan City in August
• Yilan City in September
• Yilan City in October
• Yilan City in November
• Yilan City in December

Looking for other day-by-day itineraries in Yilan City?

Check out our other curated itineraries that are also filled with jam-packed days:

Day itineraries for nearby cities

• 1-Day Taipei Itinerary
• 1-Day Taichung Itinerary
• 1-Day Ishigaki Itinerary
• 1-Day Taoyuan Itinerary
• 1-Day Taketomi-cho Itinerary
• 1-Day Hsinchu Itinerary
• 1-Day Taitung City Itinerary
• 1-Day Changhua City Itinerary
• 1-Day Magong Itinerary
• 1-Day Yonaguni-cho Itinerary
• 1-Day Da'an Itinerary
• 1-Day Wanhua Itinerary

• Itinerary + map in one view
• Live collaboration
• Auto-import hotels and reservations
• Optimize your route
• Offline access on mobile
• See time and distance between all your places

• South Africa
• Afghanistan
• North Korea
• Adventure + Outdoors
• Amusement Parks
• Backpacking Trips
• Boating + Cruises
• Budget Travel
• Bus + Train Travel
• Coasts + Islands
• Country Trips
• Fall Vacations
• Family Vacations
• Green Travel
• Heritage + History
• Honeymoons + Romance
• Inspiration + Guide
• Landmarks + Attractions
• LGBT Travel
• Markets + Bazaars
• National Parks + Reserves
• Nature + Wildlife
• Parks + Gardens
• Pets + Animals
• Photography
• Airlines + Airports
• Budgeting + Currency
• Business Travel
• Celebrity Travel
• Customs + Immigration
• Deals + Rewards
• Family Travel
• Hotels + Resorts
• Luggage + Packing Tips
• Offbeat News
• Photography Tips
• Responsible Travel
• Solo Travel
• Tech + Gear
• Travel Etiquette
• Travel Warnings
• Bars + Clubs
• Celebrity Chefs
• Restaurants + Cafés
• Wine + Vineyards
• Beach Hotels
• Boutique Hotels
• Hotel Openings
• Hotel Reviews
• Luxury Hotels
• Mountain + Ski Resorts
• Spa Resorts
• Vacation Rentals
• Asia Cruises
• European Cruises
• Festivals + Events
• Museums + Galleries
• Style + Design
• Travel’s Best
• Hotel with Agoda.com
• Hotel with Booking.com

Korea itinerary 5 days. What to do, where to go, how…

Taiwan itinerary 6 days 5 nights. How to spend 6 days…

The complete Seoul subway guide: How to use, lines, fares for…

Must eat in India — 12+ most popular, famous & best…

The ultimate guide to NETS FlashPay Card: What is it, how…

How much does it cost to travel to Korea? Tips on…

How much will it cost to go to Singapore? Tips on…

What to eat in Laos? — 15+ famous, most popular &…

Must eat in Saigon. 31+ must-try & best street food in…

Where to eat in Luang Prabang? — Top 5 most famous…

Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives reviews. The detailed review of my vacation…

Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa reviews. The resort is highly…

+7 luxury resorts you must stay in Danang, Vietnam

Top hotels in Siem Reap — 8+ best places to stay…

10 must-know things for your best first time European river cruise

Top 3 best luxury cruises in Halong Bay, Vietnam

Cherry blossom festival Korea 2024 — Top 5 cherry blossom festivals…

Ghibli museum blog — The fullest Ghibli museum guide for first-timers

Kyoto festival — Top 10 best events & most famous festivals…

National Palace Museum Taipei blog — What to see in National…

Japanese waterfall — Top 10 most beautiful waterfalls in Japan in…

19+ most beautiful towns in Europe every tourist need to visit…

Georgia travel photos — 20+ captivating photos show Georgia is heaven…

Explore Damnoen Floating Market — The oldest floating market of Thailand

Visiting Fenghuang Ancient Town — One of the most charming ancient…

Mekong Delta travel blog — Beyond rivers of Southwestern Vietnam

14 reasons why you should travel when you are young

Shigaraki Tanuki – An animal symbol of good luck in Japan

Living in the charms of cave houses in Andalucia, Southern Spain

20+ jaw-dropping tiny homes around the world

Yilan blog — the fullest yilan travel guide for a budget trip from taipei to yilan, taiwan.

Yilan is known for its rich cultural heritages and a large number of hiking trails, mountain peaks and numerous of natural retreats. Yilan seems unfamiliar to many visitors although Yilan is only about 70 km from Taipei, a district bordering the East Coast. From Taipei to Yilan, it takes about 1 hour to drive along Highway 5 (National Highway of Taiwan), through many tunnels, so the feeling of going to Yilan is very mysterious. Yilan is a deserted land, completely separated from urban prosperity but very favored by nature with: the long coastlines lead into the small rivers so the plain is filled with fertile silt, surrounded by the green hilltops. It’s also famous for its hot springs and many reserved majestic forests.

• Visit Lanyang Museum, the pride of Yilan, Taiwan
• Taipingshan Yilan blog — How to spend 1 perfect day in Taipingshan National Forest, Yilan?

Taiwan itinerary 6 days 5 nights. How to spend 6 days in Taiwan with new destinations

• Visit Din Tai Fung Taipei Original (Din Tai Fung Xinyi) — Tasting the best dimsum at the best dimsum restaurant in the world
• What to buy in Taiwan? — 15+ must-have souvenirs & best things to buy in Taiwan

So, is Yilan worth visiting, how to visit Yilan, what to do in Yilan and how to plan a budget trip to Yilan for the first-time perfectly? Let’s check out our Yilan travel blog (Yilan blog) with the fullest Yilan travel guide (guide to Yilan, Yilan tourist guide, Yilan city guide, Yilan guide) from how to get to Yilan, best places to visit, best time to come, what to eat as well as top things to do in Yilan to help you maximize your trip as follows!

Yilan blog: How to get to Yilan from Taipei

There are 3 main way to get to Yilan from Taipei.

From Taipei main station (train station) or Songshan train station, you buy tickets to Yilan station, take 1 hour 30 minutes, Ticket price: 200-250TWD.

From Taipei Bus station

• Kuo-Kuang bus: Ticket price 240TWD/trip, It takes about 50 minutes
• Bus Kemalan to Yilan: Ticket: 129TWD/trip, It takes about 50 minutes.

From Taipei City Hall MRT Station near exit 3

Capital Star Bus (首都 客運) , ticket 120TWD/trip, It takes about 50 minutes.

By shuttle bus

The suitable and most convenient way is to rent a private car for full day of exploring Yilan (shuttle bus) from Klook, a shuttle service pick up and drop off can accommodate 1-8 people. Link book tour: Private Yilan Popular Sightseeing Car Charter from Taipei.

Yilan travel blog: Where to stay in Yilan?

Below are some best cheap, budget, mid-range and upscale hotels with good ratings and reviews you can refer to.

• Lakeshore Hotel Suao (Address: No. 38, Zhongzheng Road, Su’ao Township, Yilan County, Taiwan 270 / Phone: +886 3 996 6600), 4-star hotel with room rates from $121/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).
• Hotel Royal Chiao Hsi (Address: 262, Taiwan, Yilan County, Jiaoxi Township, 大忠村五峰路69號 / Phone: +886 3 988 6288), 5-star hotel with room rates from $202/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).
• Yunoyado Onsen (Address: No. 32, Xinyi Road, Jiaoxi Township, Yilan County, Taiwan 262 / Phone: +886 3 988 5889), 3-star hotel with room rates from $74/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).
• Just Sleep @ Jiao Xi Hotel (Address: No. 8, Lane 24, Deyang Road, Jiaoxi Township, Yilan County, Taiwan 262 / Phone: +886 3 910 2000), 4-star hotel with room rates from $92/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).
• Wellspring By Silks (Address: No. 67, Wenquan Road, Jiaoxi Township, Yilan County, Taiwan 262 / Phone: +886 3 910 0000), 5-star hotel with room rates from $130/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).
• Evergreen Resort Hotel – Jiaosi (Address: No. 77, Jiankang Road, Jiaoxi Township, Yilan County, Taiwan 262 / Phone: +886 3 910 9988), 5-star hotel with room rates from $192/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).
• Maison de Chine Jiaoxi (Address: 262, Taiwan, Yilan County, Jiaoxi Township, Ren’ai Road, 48巷18弄1號 / Phone: +886 3 988 2828), 5-star hotel with room rates from $131/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).
• Jiuwu Hotel (Address: No. 511號, Gongzheng Road, Luodong Township, Yilan County, Taiwan 265 / Phone: +886 3 961 3799), 3-star hotel with room rates from $65/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).
• Living Water Hotel (Address: No. 29, Ren’ai Road, Jiaoxi Township, Yilan County, Taiwan 262 / Phone: +886 3 988 3988), 3-star hotel with room rates from $62/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).
• Pokara Resort (Address: No. 34-3號, Maobu Road, Jiaoxi Township, Yilan County, Taiwan 262 / Phone: +886 3 987 5361), 3-star hotel with room rates from $57/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).
• RSL Cold & Hot Springs Resort Suao (Address: No.301, Zhongyuan Rd, Suao Township, Yilan, Taiwan, 270), 5-star hotel with room rates from $165/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).
• Fairy Story Village Farm B&B (Address: No. 300, Meihua Road, Dongshan Township, Yilan County, Taiwan 269 / Phone: +886 978 082 509), with room rates from $42/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).
• Guan Xiang Century Hotel (Address: No. 6-1, Lane 66, Ren Ai Road, Jiaoxi Township, Yilan, Taiwan, 26243), 4-star hotel with room rates from $120/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).

Yilan blog: Best places to visit and top things to do in Yilan, Taiwan

Guishan island (steep island or turtle island).

Guishan Island (also known as Kueishan Island) is the tip of a high conical volcanic crater formed by several layers of magma, pumice and volcanic ash sprayed from the sea. Of course the volcano has stopped erupting for thousands of years but it is still considered to be the only “active” volcano in Taiwan because there are several points of gas eruptions (eruptions are controlled). The island is covered with a green vegetation, looking away make your eyes cool. The dark blue sea and magical, the white waves tapping on the rocks, are things that always appear when we close our eyes to remember the journey to Guishan Island.

This island located in the east of Gengfang fishing port, to getting here, no other way than to take a train or ferry. Previously the people living on the island were mainly fishermen, later the island was converted into a military base, eventually became the national marine ecological park because the natural landscape of the island is quite unique. The unique from its shape if seen from far, the island will look like a head of turtle floating on the sea surface, but a head can turn itself. It sounds like a shudder, that mean, looking from different directions you will see the “turtle head” turn in different directions.

Visit Guishan Island, the most popular attraction is watch the whale and dolphin of Pacific Ocean. The season that these fish come to the sea to “flapping” is from March to November every year so this time the locals as well as tourists traveling to Taiwan would love to come here to see the fish “fly” over the water surface. However, because the nature preservation regulations of the island are quite strict, so if you want to visit the island, you have to register at least one week before (usually register with the local ferry owner, they will on behalf of you register with the Government).

How to get to Guishan Island?

Ferry/Boat: Port Wu Shih in Toucheng near Guishan Island most. From here you take the ferry/boat to the island, departure time is usually 06:00, 09:00, 12:30 and 15:30 (depend on ship firms). Reaching to the island takes about 40 minutes, another 1 minute recommended for those who are seasickness is midday waves will be high and the boat will sway more. In addition, you need to book with the boat owner for a week before departure to get the permission for the island tour (with this permission, you can visit the highest peak of the island).

Annong Creek

This place is known as a beautiful waterfront destination. Annong also has some smaller and well-known attractions, and there are many convenient and luxurious hotels in the Annong Creek area to meet the needs of travelers. The region has several destinations can be reach by boat, historical attractions as well as some wilderness natural areas.

Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area

One thing you do not know is that any natural landscape in Taiwan is in the national preserve. The Taipingshan forest is no exception. The former Taipingshan National Forest was a logging facility, so it displayed a lot of logging equipment and an also has old wooden ship, which became a “virtual landmark”. Many Taiwanese who prefer healthy lifestyles often come to the trekking around this forest to breathe fresh air and watch the sea cloud cover the valley below.

Saying TaipingShan is “virtual” also has its own reason, because each season it owns a different color. Every autumn the forest turn to red color of the maple leaves, the spring is pink because of the cherry flowers and plum blossom, the summer with green leaves, the winter is covered with snow, difficult to understand and difficult to guess.

In Taipingshan, in addition go to the forest to cut the wildflowers, you should visit Jiuzhize Hot Spring and Cuifeng Lake. Cuifeng is the largest mountain lake in Taiwan, as high as 1900m above sea level, there is a lake in the mountain, do you imagine there is poetry, lyrical?

How to get to Taipingshan?

This is a big question, since from Yilan to Taipingshan only by road.

Kuo Kuang Bus: You can depart at Yilan Bus Station at 08:30. It takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to get to Taipingshan. However, you have to walk a distance of about 20 minutes from Yilan Train Station to this place. And do not forget to have an internet-connected phone to navigate, not to be lost your way.

Bus information: Kuo-Kuang Motor Transport ( http://www.kingbus.com.tw ) Tel: + 8863-9384171 (Yilan Bus Station) The bus schedule: http: //www.kingbus.com.tw/ticketPriceResult.php?sid=15

Hot springs & Cold springs

Jiaosi Hot Springs (Jiaoxi Hot Springs): If Malaysia’s tourism slogan is “Truly Asia”, Jiaosi has the slogan “Truly hot springs town” (less related, haha). We would like to emphasize that it is true as mice like rice, fall into the land of hot springs. Many public swimming pools are smoke rising, so if you want to have your own private bath and luxury, you can easily find hot mineral water spots in the surrounding area. The water is warm, rich in minerals, a feeling of super pleasure, super comfortable.

How to get there?

Bus: If you are from Taipei, you go from Taipei Bus Station: Take the Kuo Kuang Bus (King Bus) to Yilan, get off at Jiaoxi Station.

Continued reading …

Related articles

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Korea itinerary 5 days. what to do, where to go, how to spend 5 days in korea., the complete seoul subway guide: how to use, lines, fares for first-time riders, the ultimate guide to nets flashpay card: what is it, how to use, where to buy, what can it be used for.

Singapore itinerary 3 days 2 nights. How to spend 3 days in Singapore for budget travelers

Krabi itinerary 4 days — What to do in Krabi for 4 days?

Pattaya travel blog — The fullest Pattaya guide for first-timers

Bangkok to Krabi — How to get to Krabi from Bangkok?

Krabi travel blog: The ultimate Krabi travel guide & suggested Krabi itinerary 4 days perfectly?

Editor picks.

Korea itinerary 5 days. What to do, where to go, how...

Taiwan itinerary 6 days 5 nights. How to spend 6 days...

The complete Seoul subway guide: How to use, lines, fares for...

Popular posts.

What to buy in USA? — 17+ must buy in USA...

What to buy in Korea? — Top +23 cheap, famous &...

Must buy souvenir in Taiwan — Top 17+ most famous, cheap...

Popular category.

• Inspiration + Guide 1473
• Trip Inspiration 468
• Food + Drink 216
• Thailand 210
• Coasts + Islands 194
• South Korea 172
• Vietnam 171
• Travel Photos 144
• Work for Us
• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy

The Stunning East Coast of Taiwan Part 1: Yilan to Hualien and Taroko Gorge

Dear reader: This article contains links to products and services that I may be compensated for, at no extra cost to you.

Where should you go if only visiting Taiwan for 1-2 weeks ? Most say that if you like history and culture, stick to the west coast. If you like scenery and nature, head to the east coast of Taiwan.

While this is a simplistic breakdown of Taiwan’s diverse and abundant attractions, but there’s no denying that Taiwan’s east coast boasts a vast, sparsely populated coastline of unparalleled beauty, making it the ideal place for a Taiwan road trip.

In Part 1 of this, 2-part Taiwan east coast guide, I’m going to cover the northern half of the east coast of Taiwan, from Yilan County to Hualien City (or you could follow it in reverse, from Hualien to Yilan).

I’m going to cover all the sights along the coast from Yilan to Hualien, though in reality the vast majority of people visit the two separately: Yilan as day trips from Taipei , then taking the train from Taipei straight to Hualien City for visiting the region’s most famous sight, Taroko Gorge .

In Part 2 of this guide, I cover how to continue south along the east coast from Hualien City through southern Hualien County to Taitung County in the southeastern corner of Taiwan, and finally reaching Kenting National Park at the southern tip of Taiwan.

The tips and photos I present below come from multiple visits over many years. It is my hope that this guide shall provide everything you need to know about planning the ultimate Taiwan east coast road trip, though you’ll also have options for doing it by public transportation.

2024 Update: On April 3, 2024, a massive earthquake struck the Hualien region. The Suhua highway (Yilan to Hualien, as described in this article) is heavily damaged and only open three times per day at this exact spot (open to small cars only 8 to 9 AM, 12-1 PM, and 5-7 PM), so it is more difficult but not impossible to drive from Yilan to Hualien. Trains from Taipei to Hualien and onward to Taitung are running again. Hualien city has suffered moderate damage, while Taroko Gorge National Park is heavily damaged and closed until further notice. It is still possible to drive from Hualien to Taitung, as described in Part 2 of this article. See my newest guide to the best things to do in Hualien which are still open .

Table of Contents

East Coast Essentials 

• Read my Yilan travel guide , Hualien travel guide , and general Taiwan travel guide
• Reserve your train tickets to Hualien 2 weeks in advance. They always sell out!
• You can rent a car in Taipei or Hualien , or a rent a scooter in Yilan , Taroko Gorge , or Hualien City . See my guide to renting a car and driving in Taiwan .
• You can also hire a car with driver for the day in Hualien.
• IslandLife Taiwan can provide qualified, English speaking drivers up and down the east coast of Taiwan.

How Much Time Is Needed for the East Coast of Taiwan?

At the absolute minimum, you need one full day just to see Taroko Gorge , and make that 2-3 days if you also want to check out the sights in Hualien City or do some activities in and around the city, such as whale watching , sea kayaking , or taking an aboriginal cooking course .

For many visitors to Taiwan, this is the extent of their east coast trip. See my detailed Hualien itinerary for more information on how to plan such a trip, with 40+ ideas for things to do in Hualien City.

But if you want to follow the east coast trip I’m going to describe below, you’ll need more time, as well as your own wheels. In fact, few people actually travel along the coast from Yilan to Hualien because the cliff-hugging road has a tendency to be destroyed once in while by landslides, and some consider it unsafe during or after heavy rain or typhoons. This is also why there are no public buses that cover this route.

Having said that, the highway from Suao in Yilan to Hualien (called the Suhua Highway) is gorgeous to drive or bike ride. It’s a two-hour journey, but with stops you can easily make a half or full day of it.

Therefore, I’d recommend one day for getting from Yilan to Hualien, one day for Taroko Gorge, and 1-2 days for further exploring Hualien City and the area around it. That means you’ll need 3-4 days to see and do everything I mention in this article . If you’re living in Taiwan , then you could consider making multiple weekend trips to the area instead of doing it all as one road trip.

For Part 2 , traveling from Hualien City south to Taitung and/or Kenting, you’ll need another 1-4 days, depending on how you go about it. Besides the places introduced in this guide, you can find more things to do in Hualien and things to do in Taitung in these articles.

What Are the Best East Coast Tours?

For Taroko Gorge tour, I recommend this day tour from Island Life Tours . They have English speaking guides, hit all the best spots in Taroko Gorge, and an aboriginal lunch is included.

For tours running down the coast from Hualien to Taitung, try this one .

Why is Taiwan’s East Coast so beautiful?

Taiwan is a geologically active island nation that sits on a convergent boundary between multiple tectonic plates. The subduction of the Yangtze Subplate of the Eurasian Plate beneath the Philippine Sea Plate has produced the Central Mountain Range, the highest mountains in Northeast Asia.

From the peak of Yushan (Jade Mountain) (3952m), the Pacific Ocean to the east is so near that it can be seen on a clear day. The drop from Yushan down to the east coast of Taiwan (50 kilometers) continues below the sea at the same rate, so that another 50 kilometers out from the coast it drops another 4000 meters, constituting one of the most dramatic overall drops in the world.

This explains the rugged seaside cliffs at Qingshui (see below) just north of Hualien, as well as the breathtakingly immense scale of Taroko Gorge , Taiwan’s premier scenic attraction.

South of Hualien City, a smaller and geologically more recent chain of mountains, the Coastal Range, runs parallel to the coast. The coast here is rocky and pretty, with a few surfing beaches such as Dulan , but the real highlight in southern Hualien County and Taitung County is the East Rift Valley. This visually stunning valley sits between the Coastal Range and the Central Mountain Range of Taiwan. It is a vast area rural scenery and rice paddies flaked by mountains on either side, and is considered the rice basket of Taiwan.

South of Taitung, the scenery remains rocky and dramatic on the coast, but then transforms to sand dunes and open, dry expanses as you approach Kenting National Park, occupying the southern tip of the country and home to the best beach resorts on the Taiwanese mainland. See my Kenting guide and list of Kenting’s best beaches and other attractions for more info.

The Route of this East Coast Guide

I’ve decided to start my guide from the first point on the east coast (excluding the far north) where the mountains meet the sea, at the southern end of the rice-paddy-filled Yilan plains.

This winding coastal route from Suao township in Yilan County to Hualien City is called the Suao-Hualien/Suhua Highway, or Provincial Highway #9.

Route covered in parts 1 and 2 of this guide

This map shows the total distance covered by my two east coast guides (in blue), spanning Yilan, Hualien, Taitung, and Pingtung counties.

Route covered in this article only

As you can see, there isn’t a whole lot of ground to cover in part 1, but the road between Suao and Hualien is a rough one, and is not covered by public transportation. Also, you’ll need several days for this part of the east coast, because there is just so much to see and do, including Taroko Gorge.

Route covered in part 2

This map shows the two options covered in part 2: coastal highway 11 (in blue) and inland highway 9 (in gray) through the East Rift Valley.

When to Do this Trip

You can do this road trip at any time of the year. In winter in Taiwan , the northern east coast, including Yilan and Hualien, can be chilly and windy, but in Taitung and the far south, it can still be warm enough to swim or surf in the sea.

Spring and autumn are probably ideal, but heads up that the Plum Monsoon can bring more rains in June , while in July through October typhoons can strike, especially in August and September . If a typhoon hits, avoid traveling or being anywhere near the coast. Summer in Taiwan can also be extremely hot, so make sure to protect your skin and avoid the midday.

See more information in my guide to the best months to visit Taiwan .

Getting from Taipei to the East Coast

If you’re coming from Taipei, be sure to check out my recommended Taipei hotels , Taipei 4-day itinerary and Taipei traveling guide .

For the majority of visitors, they don’t do the Yilan section of my below guide. They take the train directly to Hualien to see Taroko Gorge and perhaps travel south down the east coast of Taiwan from there. Still, I include the Yilan section below for those who really want to to do it!

Use a Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass to save money while traveling around Taipei. In this Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass article , I explain how the pass works and who should get one.

Getting to Suao in Yilan

If you follow my below guide, you’ll see that it begins in Suao, where Highway 9 along the coast of Yilan and Hualien starts. While you can reach Suao on the slow local train from Taipei, or by taking a faster train to Luodong in Yilan then transferring to a bus, there’s no public transportation from Suao on to Hualien.

Therefore, if you really want to cover this section of my guide, you’ll have to bring a bike on the train, rent a scooter in Yilan , or rent a car in Taipei and drive there yourself.

You could also do my below guide in reverse. Take the train to Hualien City first, then rent a scooter or car there, and drive north up the coast to Yilan and back.

If you hire a driver to take you from Taipei to Hualien , the vehicle will actually drive along this route and stop at a few of the most scenic spots on the Suhua (Yilan and Hualien) coast, so you can kill two birds with one stone (get to Hualien, and see the coast along the way).

Flying from Taipei to Hualien

The fastest and most convenient way to reach the east coast is to book this flight from Taipei to Hualien , departing from Taipei’s Songshan airport in the city center. However, if you add the time needed for getting to the airport on either side, it’s barely faster than taking the train.

Taking the train from Taipei to Hualien

The Taipei to Hualien train route is one of the most popular in the country, so it almost always sells out. This is why it is essential to book your train tickets in advance . You can book TRA (Taiwan’s regular) trains up to 28 days in advance. Try to do it the moment they go on sale if you’re hoping to travel on a weekend or holiday. They can sell out in minutes! Also keep in mind that they go on sale at midnight, so you’ll actually want to book it on the night of 29 days before your trip (Taiwan time, of course).

The express (Puyuma/Taroko Express) trains from Taipei to Hualien only take 2 hours 15 minutes, but they sell out especially fast, and standing tickets are not allowed. Non-express trains take 2.5 to 3.5 hours, but even if their seats sell out, you can still always buy a standing ticket and just stand or sit on the floor between train cars. It’s not ideal, but at least you’ll still get there.

When booking your train ticket, you need to first decide whether you’ll get off at Xincheng (Sincheng/Taroko Gorge) Station or Hualien Station. Xincheng is a small town very close to the entrance of Taroko Gorge. There are few hotels or amenities there, but if you’re going directly to Taroko Gorge or staying at a hotel inside Taroko Gorge, it makes sense to get off there. You can also rent a scooter at Xincheng station and drive to the entrance of Taroko Gorge in less than 10 minutes.

If you continue on to Hualien Station in Hualien City, the county capital, there are loads of amenities, hotels, hostels, and attractions there, but it’s about a 40-minute drive to reach Taroko Gorge. Most Taroko Gorge tours take off from Hualien City, but should be able to pick you up from Xincheng as well.

Taking the bus from Taipei to Hualien

It is impossible to travel all the way from Taipei to Hualien by bus because no buses do the Suao to Hualien coastal highway, and there are no highways through the mountains; only the train goes through tunnels in the mountains.

Many locals do have a trick for slightly shortening their trip from Taipei to Hualien by taking a bus from Taipei to Luodong in Yilan, then transferring onto train from there (or the same thing in reverse). It doesn’t save much time, but getting a seat on a bus for part of one’s trip can be more comfortable at times when trains are packed and only standing tickets are available.

Cycling from Taipei to Hualien

For cyclists, you can actually cycle all the way around Taiwan, including to and from Hualien. See this super detailed guide to cycling around Taiwan for all the details.

Riding a Scooter to Taroko Gorge

It is possible to rent scooters at Hualien or Xincheng (Sincheng/Taroko Gorge). You’ll need a local or international driver’s ID.

Note that riding scooters or even bicycles in Taroko Gorge is a risk. Several people have been injured or died in landslides, and some local tour companies no longer recommend it. If you do decide to do it, definitely avoid going after or during any kind of heavy rain or typhoons, and drive carefully. Also watch out for those big tour buses hogging the narrow road.

Where to Stay on the East Coast

One of the toughest choices you need to make when visiting the east coast of Taiwan is where to stay. Hualien City is the most obvious choices, with loads of accomodation options and some of the best hostels in the country.

However, it’s also possible to stay in Xincheng, closer to the entrance of Taroko Gorge, or right in Taroko Gorge.

Hostels in Hualien City

There is a high concentration of hostels in Hualien, and their quality and value for money is better than anywhere else in Taiwan. It is a 40-minute ride by scooter from Hualien City to Taroko Gorge.

Some top rated hostels include Just Walk Backpacker Hostel ( see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor ) and View Hostel ( see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor ).    

Xincheng (Taroko Train Station)

Staying near Xincheng (Taroko Gorge) train station is very convenient for accessing Taroko Gorge. Most hotels are only a few minutes by car to the entrance of Taroko Gorge.

Taroko Liiko Hotel (see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor ) is the best hotel in Xincheng. Liwu Hotel ( see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor ) is the closest you can get to Taroko Gorge without actually being in the gorge.

In Taroko Gorge

Silks Place Hotel ( see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor ) is the most luxurious hotel in Taroko Gorge and all of Hualien, while the wood cabins at Taroko Village Hotel ( see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor ) offer a more down-to-earth experience in Taroko Gorge.

Budget travelers who want to stay right in Taroko Gorge can try Tienhsiang Youth Activity Center ( see on Agoda / TripAdvisor ) at Tianxiang village in Taroko Gorge.

Find more information in my Taroko Gorge article.

Camping in Taroko Gorge

This is your cheapest option. Heliu Campground is first-come-first serve, with a dozen wooden platforms (NT200 per tent) 16.5 kilometers up the valley. I stayed here several years ago with my family; the facilities are very basic but the setting is awesome. There’s a self-pay system, and some even more basic overflow sites nearby at Lushui campground.

Off-the-beaten-track

If you want to get off-the-beaten track, you can stay at Songyue Guesthouse ( see on Booking ) in Sanzhan (Sanjhan). Sanzhan is a small aboriginal village 10-minutes south of the Xincheng train station, in the direction of Hualien City. You can rent scooters in Xincheng to get there (IPD needed).

The relaxed one-street town of Sanzhan sits on a lovely stretch of the scenic Sanzhan River with a stunning mountainous backdrop, with many good spots for jumping into blue-green pools of water. It is a 15 minute ride by scooter from Sanzhan to the entrance of Taroko Gorge. It is also the starting point of the famous river trek to Golden Grotto (see the end of the article).

There are only a few tiny shops and informal restaurant-slash-KTV joints with limited hours in Sanzhan, so you may want to pick up supplies at the 7-11 on the highway just south of Xincheng train station.

They don’t speak much English and the hotel is basic but clean. I love it for its location and the town’s non-touristy atmosphere. I’ve never seen other guests staying there, but do be aware that it can sometimes be filled with river tracing groups, so advance reservations are strongly recommended in summer.

East Coast Road Trip: Yilan to Hualien

Now, let the road trip begin! We set out from Suao in southern Yilan County, following Highway 9, the Suhua (Suao to Hualien) Highway. The following are the sights you’ll encounter in order.

Suao (Su-Ao) Cold Springs

Starting in Yilan County , at the point where the northeastern plains meet the coastal mountain range, Suao Cold Springs (蘇澳冷泉) is Taiwan’s most famous cold spring town. The town looks very similar to hot spring towns found all over the island , with multiple hotels and spas offering a full range of experiences, from cheap and gritty to posh and upscale, but the natural spring water itself in this case is cold.

Obviously, the town is only popular in summer, and attracts many families with kids. I’ve never stopped Suao Cold Springs because I like the natural setting of Dongao Cold Spring south of Suao (see below), but if you want a convenient place to cool down in summer on the way to Hualien, Suao may be for you!

You can get from Taipei to Suao slow local train, by taking a faster train to Luodong then transferring to a bus, or as a stop if you charter a private car from Taipei .

If you have more time in Yilan before traveling down the coast, don’t miss Jiaoxi Hot Spring , or see my 40+ tips for other things to do in Yilan .

Nanfang Ao Harbor

Nanfang Ao (南方澳) harbor is located just south of Suao, where the largest isthmus on the east coast of Taiwan provides a perfect natural harbor, which just happens to be adjacent to a stretch of coastal water rich in migratory fish. The harbor is abuzz with activity, especially around the main fish market in the morning.

The market caters to tourists, especially domestic ones; you can buy sample packs of extremely fresh sashimi, or buy a whole fish or any other kind of seafood and have one of the adjacent quick fry shops cook it up for you for only TWD100 per dish.

The rickety-looking boats bobbing about in the teal waters of the harbor make for great photos, and for the best vantage point of the entire harbor and adjoining Suao port, there is a lookout point when you continue south along the highway, which ascends steeply above the harbor.

Nanfangao made international headlines on October 1, 2019, when the steel arched Nanfangao Bridge collapsed , killing six fishermen in boats below. The bridge is visible on the far left of the image below, which I shot several years before the bridge collapsed.

If you only want to visit Nanfangao, you can get there by public transportation. Take a bus or train from Taipei to Luodong (famous for Luodong Night Market ), then transfer to a local bus to reach it. You can also get there as a stop along the way if you charter a private car from Taipei .

Dongyue (Dong’ao) Cold Spring

After the turnoff for Nanfagao, the highway winds upward for some time and reaches its crescendo, upon which you will suddenly be rewarded with an incredible view of the wide Dong Ao Bay to the south. After you descend and reach the small aboriginal town of Dong Ao, watch for a small sign (or ask around if you can’t find it) to the rustic Dongyue Cold Spring (東岳湧泉) sometimes called Dong Ao Cold Spring (東澳冷泉).

Here a small cold spring stream has been dammed up to create a pool of chilly, crystal clear water that provides a much-needed cool-down on a scorching, Taiwanese summer day. Kids love it, evidenced by the mobs of children splashing around in the water. Many local aboriginal families come here to picnic, and don’t be surprised if they call you over and offer you a chilled can of beer from the water like they did to me.

The pool sits below a train overpass, causing the kids to scream every time a train passes overhead. Beside the pool there is a large grassy field, and at peak times, vendors set up, selling cold beer, sausages, and other snacks. Strangely, the spring was packed with people and food stalls the first time I went, about three years ago (photos below), and nearly deserted when I went last year (photo above). Both visits were on summer weekend days.

It is only possible to visit Dongyue Cold Spring with your own transportation.

Continuing south from here, you can visit remote Nan’ao Beach Waterfall (南澳滴水坑瀑布) and Aohua Waterfall (澳花瀑布) before reaching the border of Hualien County.

Qingshui Cliffs, Hualien County

The Qingshui Cliffs (清水斷崖) have been designated as one of Taiwan’s “Eight Wonders”, and stretch for more than 21 kilometers along the coast of northern Hualien County. Some of the best views are only a 10 to 15-minute drive north of the entrance to Taroko Gorge and are often included on Taroko Gorge day tours, so you don’t have to drive all the way down the coast from Yilan to see them.

There are multiple lookout points and places where you can park at the side of the road or follow stairs down toward the sea. Just be careful for passing traffic, since many drivers’ eyes are on the sea and not the road. Another magnificent experience is to visit the cliffs while sea kayaking below them.

If you are visiting Taroko Gorge by van tour or on this private tour , the Qingshui Cliffs are included. The cliffs are best seen in the early morning, when the rising sun casts softer rays on them, but you may also be rushed to get into Taroko early to beat the crowds. Some tours only visit them at the end of the day, if there’s still time.

Taroko Gorge: The East Coast’s Most Famous Attraction

Taroko Gorge, one of Taiwan’s most famous scenic attractions. It is the star attraction of Hualien and the east coast, and many visitors travel to the east coast just to visit it. There’s a lot to see and do in Taroko Gorge, so you’ll definitely want to set aside a whole day for it. For more information on how to plan your visit, where to stay, and how to get there, see my detailed Taroko Gorge itinerary .

Taroko Gorge is even doable with young kids. Whether you take the local bus and just visit one or two spots, or hire a car or scooters like we did, there are plenty of easy, kid-friendly trails to enjoy in Taroko Gorge.

To make planning easier, here is a highly recommended Taroko Gorge tour .

Funny side note: There is one more place in Taiwan that claims to have the “Grand Canyon of Taiwan”, although it is much smaller and few people know about it. Find out where it is in my article on day trips from Taichung .

Wenshan Hot Spring

For those who love to get off the beaten track, there’s a secret wild hot spring that used to be popular many years ago, before it was mostly destroyed in a landslide. There are still some rock pools you can bathe in, and it’s an adventure to find it. To find out exactly how to get there, read my guide to Wenshan Hot Spring .

Hualien City

Hualien City, the capital of Hualien County and largest city on the east coast of Taiwan, is located about 35 minutes south of the entrance to Taroko Gorge by car. As the region’s main city, most visitors base themselves here for visiting Taroko Gorge and other scenic attractions and outdoor activities in the area. Most tours in the area take off from Hualien City.

There are enough things to do in and around Hualien City to warrant staying here for 1-2 days after you visit Taroko Gorge. Most people reach Hualien by direct train from Taipei City.

Qixingtan Beach

“Seven Star Lake” (七星潭) is not a lake but a picture-postcard pebble beach on the northern edge of Hualien City, with incredible views of mountains looming over the sea looking north along the coast.

There are a dozen or so food stalls set up here and it’s a great place to lie on the beach and gaze at the sea, but note there is no swimming permitted due to strong tides, and yes, they will stop you.

As it is a short detour off the Hualien City to Taroko Gorge highway, most day tours to Taroko Gorge include a stop at Qixingtan. You can also rent bikes at Qixingtan and ride them to Hualien City, where someone will pick them up for you (or the same in reverse).

The Taroko Gorge van tour from Hualien includes Qixingtan.

If you’re looking for sandier beaches on the east coast of Taiwan, check out my articles on the best beaches on the Northeast Coast of Taiwan or Dulan Surfing beach in the far south.

Other things to Do in Hualien City

Hualien City (花蓮市) is a convenient base for exploring the area and has some of the best hostels in all of Taiwan. There are several fascinating cultural, artistic, and historical sights in Hualien City, so many people opt to stay here for an extra day after visiting Taroko Gorge. Here’s my detailed guide to the best places to visit in Hualien City .

Some of the best things to do in Hualien City include:

• Martyr’s Shrine: One of the city’s most beautiful pieces of architecture
• Dadongmen Night Market: The best place for tasting Taiwanese street foods in Hualien
• Farglory Ocean park , a marine ecology theme park
• The Starbucks shipping container store (picture above)
• Taking an aboriginal cooking course
• Hopping on a dolphin and whale watching tour

Also see my suggested Hualien itinerary for the finer details of planning your trip.

River Tracing in Hualien

River tracing (aka river trekking) is a very popular summertime activity in Taiwan. Basically, you walk up a river, jumping in various spots, playing in the water, sliding down rock slides, and more. It’s really fun and a great way to cool off in summer.

If you are a first timer, you can consider trying this river trekking in Hualien guided adventure.

The small aboriginal village of Sanzhan/Sanjhan (三棧) , which I will mentoned above as my favorite place to stay in the Taroko Gorge area, is also the starting point for one of Taiwan’s most renowned river traces: the Golden Grotto (黃金峽谷) , but this is not recommended for beginners, and as times it is illegal to visit.

This 6 to 7-hour return trace requires some experience and equipment, and it is at times technic fally illegal to the visit due to the very real danger of falling rocks, especially after heavy rainfall. Here is a guide to river tracing to the Golden Grotto .     

If you’re visiting the area just to go river tracing, it makes most sense to stay at Moon River Guesthouse , from where it’s a short walk to the river.

But if all you want to do is jump into some cold water, Sanzhan is also a great place to do so. The Sanzhan Riverside (三棧溪戲水區) has several spots where you can jump into the water. You can also walk from Sanzhan Village upstream for about 10 minutes in the direction of the Golden Grotto, to find more great spots to jump into the water. This part of the river is popular for Taiwanese river tracing groups, so you may see lots of them.

Sanzhan village is only a 10-minute drive from the entrance to Taroko Gorge, and just off Highway 9 between Hualien City and Taroko Gorge.

Other Outdoor Activities in Hualien

There are loads of other outdoor activities to enjoy in Hualien County. Many activity tours take off from Hualien City, making it the most convenient base. Here are some popular choices:

• Whale watching
• Sea kayaking
• SUP (stand up paddle boarding) at Liyu (Carp) Lake
• Paragliding in Fenglin
• Taking a scenic flight over the East Rift Valley
• White water rafting on the Hsiukuluan River

Cycling is extremely popular in the area. For more detailed info I would recommend searching cycling blogs online, of which there are many, or checking Lonely Planet Taiwan .

For a more leisurely ride, you can cycle along the coast from Qixingtan beach (see below) to Hualien City. You can hire your bikes at one end and drop them off at the other.

Aboriginal Culture on the East Coast of Taiwan

Nearly 30% of the population of Hualien county is aboriginal, including the Amis (Taiwan’s largest tribe), Atayal, Bunun, Truku or “Taroko”, Sakizaya, and Kavalan. As such, many aboriginal festivals take place on the east coast of Taiwan, including the most famous, the week-long Ami Harvest Festival in summer.

Dates of festivals can change, so if you want to see if anything is coming up, you can try contacting the Hualien County government . All of my photos above and below were taken at the Hualien County Joint Aboriginal Festival in Hualien City in 2014. At any authentic aboriginal festival, you can expect song and dance performances, curious smiles, and profuse consumption of millet wine (小米酒 or xiaomi jiu ).

The best way to experience aboriginal culture on the east coast is to take t his aboriginal cooking course . The class includes visiting an aboriginal garden maintained an Amis tribe, learning how to cook wild herbs, and tasting millet wine.

You can visit a small aboriginal museum or enjoy an aboriginal buffet feast at Buluowan Visitor Center (布洛灣管理站) in Taroko Gorge, on the site of a former aboriginal village of the Truku (Taroko) tribe. You can even spend the night there at Taroko Village Hotel ( see reviews / check prices ). Finally, you can also meet aboriginal people if you visit Sanzhan village (三棧) near the entrance to Taroko Gorge (see the river tracing section above).

Other great places to experience aboriginal culture in Taiwan include Orchid Island and Sun Moon Lake .

Well, I hope that the information here helped you to plan your Taiwan East Coast trip. Enjoy your Taiwan road trip! Please continue on to Part 2 of this guide for Hualien to Taitung and Taitung to Kenting National Park!

Related Posts

21 thoughts on “The Stunning East Coast of Taiwan Part 1: Yilan to Hualien and Taroko Gorge”

Hi, Nice guide !!! I drove my scooter from Taipei to Kaohsiung along the east coast 6 years ago. here’s the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1ErG8mZVL4

Nice one! Makes me want to get on a scooter and head back there right now!

So much diversity! Great pictures, thank you 🙂

Thank you!!! 🙂

When can we expect part two?

Hey Nick, I’m a Taiwanese tried to help my foreigner friend plan their trip. And your blog is so helpful even I have known most of the places and things you mentioned. Not just for the language is in English also the info is well organized and very detail. I appreciate all your writing for people who want to travel in Taiwan. I tried hard to search your part 2 for telling the rest part of east coast but I can’t find it, and also I can’t find others with the same quality as yours! Can you plz finish your part 2 for all of us? I crave for that!

Many thanks for this excellent guide!

Thank you so much for your travel inspiring blogs of Taiwan east part. I myself also recommend my friends to visit these places since they are just amazing! Thank you and love to immerse into your next travel blogs!

Enjoy reading your story very much. Easy to find the various places you named in your blog on Google map, only one place gave a small problem. It is called Dongyue (東岳)Cold Spring instead of DongAo CS.

Thank you so much for the correction. I’ll make the update!

appreciate your blog very much. can you recommend a purely Yilan + Hualien tour offer?

hope to hear from you, thank you

Hi Jeff, How many days are you looking for? And are you looking for low budget, or higher budget is OK? Feel free to send me an email at [email protected]

thank you for your reply, i am looki at 4-5 days, likely alone with low budget. i heard so much how stunning the scenery is. ( forests, hot spring, gorge)

but i will be flexible with your suggestions as you are more experienced and I have none,

i fall in love with taiwan, i think its going to be my favorite country. so far been to taipei only.

not willing to go down all the way to southern tip. ( Taitung, kenting) or am i missing something?

Hi Jeff, I have replied to you by email!

Hi. I’m reading almost every single article. Thank you so much for all this great information. I read your article about travelling with children but my question is. Is it doable to travel Tapei to Hualien and explore the area (Qingshui cliffs, gorge and Qixingtan beach) exclusively by public transportation with an 9 months old? Thank you so much!

Hi Aline, Thanks for you message and comments! To be honest, I think this would be tough to accomplish, even without a kid. Taroko Gorge only, then sure, you could do it. It’s just slower, and you won’t be able to see as much of the gorge because you’ll spend more time getting around and waiting for the bus. Qixingtan is also doable, since the local bus to Taroko stops there along the way. For Qingshui Cliffs, though, as far as I know, there is no bus that goes along that road because the road is considered a little dangerous. The only way you can see the cliffs is by driving on your own, taking a tour that includes them, or hiring a taxi. Even though the first two are doable, this is one day trip that, in my opinion, is worth paying a little more on to at least have a driver, especially if traveling with a kid. Then you can have more time and energy to focus on the sights in the gorge, instead of spending most of your time and energy just getting there and getting between the sights. The buses are not very frequent, too, so you really have to time it right to avoid long waits. I hope this helps! Nick

love all the recommendations you shared, especially between Hualien to Taitung. Your website is a good reference for many folks new to Taiwan.

I brought 2 kids to cycle South over 4D3N, slow and easy, and we love the EXPERIENCE! Have blog about our adventure too and link up to yours. -> https://sengkangbabies.com/holiday/4d3n-taiwan-east-coast-cycling-itinerary

Cheers to more exploration! Andy

Thank you so much for that, Andy. I really appreciate it, and great post!

Hi Nick! Thanks for your very informative blog. Our 1st time to taiwan with 2 kids (14 and 10). Do you think renting a car and driving for most of our trip (outside Taipei) is a good idea, or trains should suffice. We are mainly doing the East Coast: Taipei (3nights)>> Wulai (2n) >>Jiaoxi(2n) >>Hualien (3n) >>Taipei (1n)>>fly out. do you think this plan is doable? We don’t want to rush, and prefer a more relaxing, flexible holiday. Planning to rent a car when we leave Taipei, to drive to Wulai. is this advisable, is it easy/expensive to drive there?

On another note, would you know if the whale watching trips cause a lot of sea sickness? Would you recommend this for mid/end April?

Thank you so much for your time

Driving on public transport would be both be good for your plan, so it boils down to a personal choice. To reach Wulai by public transport, it’s 1 hr bus ride from Xindian MRT station. Driving would be slightly faster. Some people don’t feel comfortable driving in Taipei city (myself included, but I’m fine outside of the city), so that depends on what’s your used to. Generally, taipei is much easier to explore by MRT. Parking anywhere is notoriously tough. Going to Jiaoxi, it’s a pretty easy 1 hr drive. The bus or train is easy too, usuallu 60-90 min. Jiaoxi to Hualien is also easy by train (you would want to book the tickets early though), but if you drive, it’s a scenic route. Having a car for Taroko Gorge would be very convenient, otherwise you’d need to hire a driver, take a tour, or take the very slow bus. Renting a car vs taking trains plus a taroko tour probably won’t be a big price difference. The boats can be a little rocky, so seasickness is possible for anyone who is prone to it. Usually peak whale viewing time is summer, and it’s considered possible to see them May to September. So you might be a hint too early, or maybe you’ll be lucky. Hope this helps!

Hi Nick, Currently travelling in Taiwan. Your blogs have been an incredible source of information for my trip. Congratulations and many thanks. Having published a travel guide (Oman) and set up a website (Tunisia) I know how much time and effort it takes. BTW my “base camp” is Calgary. Cheers and many thanks Heiner

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Detailed Maps of Europe

Map of Europe with capitals

Physical map of Europe

Rail map of Europe

Map of Europe with countries and capitals

Political map of Europe

Outline blank map of Europe

European Union countries map

Europe time zones map

Europe location map

Regions of Europe

Balkan countries map

Baltic states map

Map of Scandinavia

Western Europe map

Map of Central Europe

Map of Eastern Europe

Map of Northern Europe

Map of Southern Europe

Map of Europe with cities

Countries of Europe

• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Czech Republic
• Faroe Islands
• Isle of Man
• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• North Macedonia
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• Vatican City

Cities of Europe

• ALL CITIES OF EUROPE
• CAPITALS OF EUROPE

Capital Cities of Europe

• Capital - Country
• Amsterdam (official) - Netherlands
• Andorra la Vella - Andorra
• Athens - Greece
• Belgrade - Serbia
• Berlin - Germany
• Bern - Switzerland
• Bratislava - Slovakia
• Brussels - Belgium
• Bucharest - Romania
• Budapest - Hungary
• Cetinje (Old Royal Capital) - Montenegro
• Chișinău - Moldova
• Copenhagen - Denmark
• Douglas - Isle of Man
• Dublin - Ireland
• Gibraltar - Gibraltar
• Helsinki - Finland
• Kyiv - Ukraine
• Lisbon - Portugal
• Ljubljana - Slovenia
• London - United Kingdom
• Luxembourg - Luxembourg
• Madrid - Spain
• Mariehamn - Åland Islands
• Minsk - Belarus
• Monaco City - Monaco
• Moscow - Russia
• Nicosia - Cyprus
• Nur-Sultan - Kazakhstan
• Nuuk - Greenland
• Oslo - Norway
• Paris - France
• Podgorica (official) - Montenegro
• Prague - Czech Republic
• Pristina - Kosovo
• Reykjavik - Iceland
• Riga - Latvia
• Rome - Italy
• San Marino - San Marino
• Sarajevo - Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Skopje - North Macedonia
• Sofia - Bulgaria
• St. Helier - Jersey
• St. Peter Port - Guernsey
• Stockholm - Sweden
• Sukhumi - Abkhazia
• Tallinn - Estonia
• Tbilisi - Georgia
• The Hague (de facto) - Netherlands
• Tirana - Albania
• Tiraspol - Transnistria
• Tórshavn - Faroe Islands
• Tskhinvali - South Ossetia
• Vaduz - Liechtenstein
• Valletta - Malta
• Vatican City - Vatican City
• Vienna - Austria
• Vilnius - Lithuania
• Warsaw - Poland
• Yerevan - Armenia
• Zagreb - Croatia
• North America Map
• South America Map
• Oceania Map

Popular maps

• New York City Map
• Los Angeles Map
• Las Vegas Map
• Australia Map
• Germany Map
• Netherlands Map
• Singapore Map
• United Arab Emirates Map
• United Kingdom Map
• United States Map

U.S. States

• Arizona Map
• California Map
• Colorado Map
• Florida Map
• Georgia Map
• Illinois Map
• Indiana Map
• Michigan Map
• New Jersey Map
• New York Map
• North Carolina Map
• Virginia Map
• Wisconsin Map

Advertisement

Supported by

5 Dead as Iowa Reels From Tornado

Severe weather destroyed much of Greenfield, where officials were continuing search and rescue work. At least 35 people were injured.

• Share full article

Midwest Storms Destroy Homes

The storms hit iowa particularly hard, leaving a mess of debris in greenfield..

We thought we lost our house, but we were lucky. It’s kind of weird seeing all this trash when yesterday I was driving through here and everything was sunshiny and fine. You never, ever think it’s going to happen to you, and then it happens to you. It’s just crazy to see your hometown like this.

By Joel Petterson and Christine Hauser

Southwestern Iowa was reeling Wednesday after a destructive wave of storms, including a tornado, swept across the state the day before, leaving five people dead and at least 35 injured, the authorities said.

The tornado devastated the city of Greenfield , where survey teams estimated it had wind gusts of up to 165 miles an hour, powerful enough to cause major damage to buildings.

“It is just gut-wrenching,” Gov. Kim Reynolds said at a news conference on Wednesday morning in Greenfield, where large swaths of the town were destroyed by the tornado. “It is just horrific; it is hard to describe.”

Here’s what to know:

Four people died and at least 35 others were injured by a tornado in the area of Greenfield, about 50 miles southwest of Des Moines, the Iowa State Patrol said.

There were multiple reports of tornadoes in southwestern Iowa, the National Weather Service said.

Governor Reynolds issued an emergency disaster proclamation in 32 counties. In Adams County, one woman driving a car died after being caught in a storm, according to the county medical examiner’s office.

The Weather Service warned of “ unsettled and changeable weather ” from the West Coast to the Great Plains in the next few days. On Wednesday evening, forecasts were not as worrisome as they had been on Tuesday. A tornado watch was in place in central and northeastern Texas until 8 p.m. Central Time, but the risk was considered much lower. Hail and high winds were possible there and in parts of Oklahoma and Arkansas. Some stormy weather could stretch as far north as New York.

The storm devastated Greenfield, a city of about 2,000 people, where video footage showed destroyed homes, mangled cars, and roads covered with debris after a reported tornado swept through the town in the afternoon. The Adair County Health System hospital in the city sustained tornado damage, and patients were transferred to other nearby hospitals, the Iowa Department of Public Safety said in a statement.

The city announced a curfew on Tuesday from 10 p.m. until 7 a.m. local time as it assessed the death toll and damage. “This tornado has devastated a good portion of this town and community,” Sgt. Alex Dinkla of the Iowa State Patrol said at a news conference on Tuesday evening.

In Adams County, near Greenfield, television footage showed that three wind turbines had been toppled . One appeared to have caught fire, releasing a large plume of smoke.

A flood warning was in place for Butler and Black Hawk counties, northeast of Des Moines, for much of Wednesday.

Tornado reports in the Midwest

Locations of tornado sightings or damage reported by trained spotters.

The storms began on Tuesday morning with pea-sized hail, strong winds and heavy rains sweeping through Madison County, southwest of Des Moines. Multiple tornadoes were reported in southwest Iowa, as well as several north of Des Moines. At one point on Tuesday night, more than 13 million people in parts of Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin were under tornado watches.

It was the latest bout of severe weather to strike the Midwest in recent weeks. Earlier storms have killed dozens of people across multiple states and injured many more. There have been more than 150 preliminary reports of tornadoes in Iowa, Illinois and Missouri so far this year. Most of those reports occurred before May and June, typically the peak period for tornadic weather in these states.

Orlando Mayorquín contributed reporting.

Christine Hauser is a reporter, covering national and foreign news. Her previous jobs in the newsroom include stints in Business covering financial markets and on the Metro desk in the police bureau. More about Christine Hauser