Travel Guide to Yilan 宜蘭懶人包 – Beaches, Mountains, Hot Springs, and more

Historical Background of Yilan:

Before Chinese settlers came, the area around Yilan was inhabited by the Ketagalan Aboriginal tribe, whose language is now extinct. The name Yilan comes from this language. 
The town Toucheng literally means “first town” in Chinese, because it was the first settlement in Yilan, settled in the late 1700s. With the nearby Wushih and Touwei Harbors around the same time, it became the economic focal point of Yilan. However, in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Wushih Harbor and Touwei Harbor silted in, reducing their function.
With the advent of the Japanese-built Yilan railway line in the mid-1900s, as well as constant floods and continual silting of the harbors, Toucheng Old Street quickly lost its importance economically and fell into decay.
The Japanese also built logging railways up to Taipingshan to harvest lumber. 
The first path between Yilan and Hualien was a trail built in the Qing Dynasty that was completed in 1876, in order for the Qing to better control aboriginal peoples on the east coast. Later after Japan took control of Taiwan, they widened the path and built 9 bridges and 14 tunnels along the way, making it drivable for cars (one way only) by 1932. Because much of the road was next to cliffs that underwent constant landslides, it was considered one of the most dangerous roads in the world at the time. In the 1980s the ROC government further widened the road, and the two-lane highway was completed in 1990. In 2020, a tunnel bypassed the section of the road between Su’ao and Dong’ao. 
Currently, Yilan has a population of over 450,000. A High-Speed Rail extension is planned for Yilan and is expected to be completed by 2036.

When to go?

The best weather in Yilan lasts from about March to November. During winter months there is constant rain due to the northeasterly winds. 

How to get to Yilan?

You can book tickets to travel to Yilan via inter-city bus on Klook here. 
You can book tickets to Yialn via high-speed rail (HSR)  on Klook here or KKDay here. 
Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here.

How to get around in Yilan?

As always, we recommend renting a scooter as the best way to see Taiwan. However, you can also a great deal of Yilan by taking the TRA train, inter-city bus, or local bus. Getting around in a car is also a convenient option as there is plenty of parking pretty much everywhere in this less crowded county. 
Scooter Rental: Looking for scooter rental in Yilan? You can search Klook here or KKday here to look for options.
You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. 
Car Rental: If you are looking for car rentals in Yilan, you can also search Klook here or KKDay here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. 
​Bicycle Rental: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan’s landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. 

Tours and Activities:

You can purchase tours and tickets for many activities in Yilan such as Su’ao Crayon Castle, Taipingshan, Turtle Island, International Children’s Festival, Lanyang Museum, Toucheng Leisure Farm, Zhang Mei Ama Capybura Farm, Bambi Land, Yinong Ranch, National Center for Traditional Arts, Taxi Museum, Glamping, Camping, ATV / 4-wheeling experience, SUP / paddle boarding, Ximeng Forest Theater, Surfing, Kayaking, Horse Riding, River Tracing, River Rafting, River Tubing, Pack Rafting, Water Biking, Snorkeling, Canoeing, Shrimping and many others through Klook here or KKday here. 

Where to Stay:

We have stayed at and recommend Ying Shih Guest House, a resort in Datong Township near Taipingshan and Fan Fan Hot Spring (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here), and Jiaosi Hotspring Hotel, a hotel with hot springs in each room (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, or Trip.com here). We have also stayed at Toucheng Leisure Farm, a recreational farm and experience center in Toucheng (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Klook here, or Trip.com here).
​We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality accommodation on the islands. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.

Map:

You can find a map of places we will cover in this blog below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Toucheng Old Street (officially Heping Street 和平街) is the oldest street in Yilan, dating back to the Qing Dynasty. It was once the economic center of Yilan, but its importance was later replaced. Now it sits as a monument to the past, with few changes as compared to its former glory. It’s definitely worth a stop on your trip through Yilan. For more about the old street, check out our full blog here. 

Toucheng 頭城

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Caoling Old Trail (aka Caoling Historic Trail) is a section of the Danlan Old Trail connecting Gongliao District of New Taipei to Dali District of Toucheng Township in Yilan. In the past, it was an important shipping route for goods from Yilan to Tamsui. Now it is a popular and family-friendly hiking route due to its convenient public transportation, slow elevation gain, grassy mountain hills, and great views of the surrounding area. ​For more about this place, see our blog
here.

Caoling – Fulong Bicycle Loop 草嶺-福隆環狀線

 

Water and Fire Fountain 水火同源

The fire and water spring in Yilan, which I just happened to come across, with fire fueled by natural gas. There is a very similar spring in Guanziling, Tainan which we wrote a blog on here.

Luodong Confucius Temple 羅東孔廟

Luodong Confucius Temple in Yilan County, Taiwan. It is one of the few Confucius temples in Taiwan that has an actual statue of Confucius. Also, I visited right at closing and got locked in. It’s not the first time that’s happened to me.

Li Ze Jian Old Street 利澤簡老街

Lizejian Old Street is an old part of Yilan that dates back to the Qing Dynasty. Once it was the center of economic activity for fishermen and merchants. Here you can find red brick houses, an old theater, historic shops, and riverside scenery.

Dongshan Old Street 冬山老街

Dongshan Old Street, located in Dongshan Township, dates back to the early Japanese colonial period. It developed as a local commercial hub due to its proximity to the Dongshan River, which facilitated trade and transportation. The street features a mix of Baroque-style facades and traditional Taiwanese architecture, reflecting the blend of cultural influences during its peak. Today, it stands as a quiet historical site with some shops and restaurants, offering visitors a nostalgic atmosphere and a glimpse into the township’s past.

Places and activities we missed:

​Zhang Mei Ama Capybura Farm
Bambi Land
Yinong Ranch
National Center for Traditional Arts
Taxi Museum
Glamping
Camping
ATV / 4-wheeling experience 
SUP / paddle boarding 
Ximeng Forest Theater
Surfing
Kayaking
Horse Riding
River Tracing
River Rafting
River Tubing
Pack Rafting
Water Biking
Snorkeling
Canoeing 
Shrimping 

You can book more tours and experiences in Yilan through Klook here or KKday here. 
Check out our full guide to Taiwan’s Northern Coast here and our full guide to Taiwan’s East Coast here. 

You can also check out our full travel guide to Taiwan here.