Traveling

Yilan Train Station and Jimmy Park(s)

Downtown Yilan has a number of great public spaces designed in honor of Jimmy Liao, a famous Taiwanese children’s book illustrator from Yilan county. The Yilan Train Station and three nearby parks feature designs from his different books and are great places to go if you have a free afternoon.

Yilan Museum of Art

Located in the old Bank of Taiwan building, the Yilan Museum of Art changes its exhibits frequently, so there is always something new to see. Directly across the street is also the former home of the Japanese magistrate during the days of colonization. This is a place to learn some of that history pertaining to Yilan. This museum is also free for Yilan residents once you have an ARC. 

Taiwan Theater Museum 

If you are interested in Chinese opera, be sure to keep an eye out for this museum, which showcases a certain type of Taiwanese opera. Gezai opera is the only type of traditional operas to actually originate in Taiwan. It is originally from Yilan County, so be sure to check it out! While this museum showcases the Gezai opera, it also has exhibits on traditional puppetry and offers a free costume loan service. 

Lanyang Museum 

Located in Toucheng, this museum details Yilan’s history and natural beauty. The building itself is architectural masterpiece, and is free for Yilan residents with an ARC.

Luodong Cultural Workshop 

Located next to Dongguan Junior High School, the Luodong Cultural Workshop is home to orchestral performances of both traditional Chinese and western varieties; there is also a free museum at the top of this architecturally significant structure that features local art.

Luodong Forestry Culture Garden 

This area preserves Yilan’s famous Hinoki trees. Many of these trees were extracted from the county during Japanese occupation to help build the Imperial Palace. There are educational centers here that feature the history of the logging industry, as well as information on the local ecology. The Forestry Culture Garden is frequented daily by tourists and class trips from all over Taiwan.

National Center for Traditional Arts 

One of Yilan’s most famous tourist attractions, the National Center for Traditional Arts draws visitors from all over island. 

Located in Wujie Township, the center is comprised of traditional style buildings and an art museum. The center itself underwent a massive renovation this past winter and hosts many new shops that sell local and traditional art, as well as great food! This is one of the best places to find souvenirs to bring back to family and friends in the US.

Turtle Island

This turtle-shaped island is one of the most recognizable symbols of Yilan County. Visitors can take day trips there, but you MUST register for a permit. It is very easy to contact a private company/agent who will register and arrange everything for you. The cost is $1600NTD per person for an incredible boat ride to and from the island, dolphin-watching (with a very high likelihood of seeing some), landing and visiting the major scenic points on the island, and a Chinese tour guide. For a small extra fee, you can hike the famous staircase up to the highest point of the island (401 高地).

Wai’ao 

Wai’ao has a gorgeous black sand beach and is located about 30-40 minutes away from Yilan City by train. It’s a great place to spend a sunny afternoon, especially in the warmer months when the water is still very warm. Wai’ao is a popular surfing spot, and it’s only 15 USD to surf for the whole day. This includes a surfboard, swimsuit, life-guarding, a basic lesson, and a beach tent and chair. Wai’ao also has paragliding for 30 USD next to Mr. Brown’s Coffee Castle, a building set into a mountain that overlooks Wai’ao beach and Turtle Island. In terms of food and drink, Drifter’s, located next to the train station, serves woodfired pizzas that are pretty great! There is also a small shop along the boardwalk that makes fresh fruit smoothies (optional vodka shot included for those interested).

Hikes (Wu Fend Qi Trail) & MeiHua Lake (Plum Lake)

Do not miss out on hiking in Taiwan! From paved paths, to endless stairs, to wild barely marked trails, there is something for everyone! In Jiaoxi township, the Wu Feng Qi trail includes famous waterfalls, and can be accessed using the shuttle bus system in Jiaoxi. Just a short 10 minute walk from the Dali Station is the Caoling Historic Trail, which boasts a beautiful view of the mountains on one side and ocean on the other. If you start early enough in the day, you can go all the way across to Fulong Beach, then take the train back to Yilan. In Nan’ao and Dong’ao, a 40 minute train ride away from Yilan City, there are many mountain hikes. The Nan’ao Ancient Trail and Jin Yue waterfall are untouched natural wonders. The Rei Fan Botanical Garden in Dongshan Township features a paved path up a mountain topped with a tea farm accompanied by Swiss, Japanese, Chinese, and Taiwanese gardens. This beautiful sight is a great reward after exercising, especially while sampling some of the teas from the area. Some of the most beautiful views of the southern part of the county can be seen at the top of this trail. Meihua Lake (Plum Lake) is also great for running, kayaking, and hiking. Jiu Liao Xi in Sanxing Township and Taiping Mountain also feature some of the best hiking and lake views in Yilan. 

Yilan &Luodong Sports Parks

Although there are many, many parks scattered throughout Yilan, Yilan Sports Park and Luodong Sports Park are where most of the locals go on the weekend to exercise. There are basketball courts, tennis courts, baseball fields, tracks, etc., all of which are well-maintained and convenient to access. The Luodong Forestry Culture Garden and Luodong Cultural Workshop are also popular parks for people to take a scenic walk or go on a run. In close proximity to the Luodong apartment is Dongshan River Park, which is incredibly scenic, even when cloudy.

Hot and cold springs

Jiaoxi, a 10-15 minute train ride away from Yilan City, is known for its hot springs. The township relies on the hot spring tourism industry, so the area basically only consists of public hot springs and hot spring resorts. The public or day-trip bathhouses are very affordable (starting from $3 USD) and very relaxing, especially in the colder winter. Su’ao is known for its unique cold springs. Just soaking your feet and legs in the shallow pools is refreshing and worth the 25-minute train ride from Yilan City.