A Travel Guide to Yilan’s Tourist Attractions
I am about to spend a weekend in Yilan and recently checked several travel guides online. Including my own videos. Time has passed, and I realized that my last trip from Taipei to Yilan was almost two years ago.
Somehow, I felt I had missed so much about Yilan County. At the same time, I found some of the guides a bit overwhelming and hard to follow. Thus, I decided to put together this travel guide for Yilan, Taiwan.
In this article, I will focus on the best places to visit in Yilan. If you are looking for more general information about traveling in Taiwan, check out my blogs about the Best Attractions in Taiwan and How Much Does Traveling in Taiwan Cost?
A Travel Guide to Yilan, Taiwan’s Family-Friendly County
Yilan is located on the northeast coast of Taiwan and is a well-known tourist hotspot. You find mountains, waterfalls, hot springs, and beaches. It a great destination for a day trip from Taipei, though I recommend staying longer. You can also consider stopping in Yilan on your way to Hualien.
You can go hiking, surfing, or explore the history of Yilan City. Because there are so many things to do, it is also a great destination if you are traveling in Taiwan with children. In fact, the International Children’s Festival of Taiwan takes place in Yilan.
Yilan City has around 95,000 inhabitants and is the capital of Yilan County. The city lies on the north side of the Lanyang River. Personally, I think the best places to visit are outside the city. I willl talk about my favorite scenic spots in Yilan in a moment, and below you also find more information about the history of the region. But first, let us start with some essential travel Yilan info.
Getting to Yilan from Taipei by Public Transport
You can reach Yilan by bus or train, and I have tried both. Technically, buses are a bit faster than the train. But if you get stuck in rush hour traffic, it can take longer. It also depends on where you are starting from.
When I visited Yilan for the first time, I took the bus from Songshan Airport (since I live in Kinmen). I had to transfer once, but everything went smoothly, and the whole trip took just under two hours.
On the way back from Yilan to Taipei, I took the train. It was a bit slower, but more comfortable. I confess the train was fairly empty. From my hotel in Yilan, I took a local bus to the train station and then boarded a regular train. For these slower trains, you do not need a reservation. Just swipe your EasyCard. The journey took around two and a half hours.
Of course, you can also drive if you have a car. The drive from Taipei to Yilan via the Xueshan Tunnel (Highway 5) takes about 40 minutes according to Google Maps. I have never done a road trip in Taiwan myself and generally do not enjoy driving, so I cannot share much more about that option.
Best Things to Do in Yilan County
The most important question when visiting Yilan is: what to do in Yilan? I suggest adding Wufengqi Waterfalls, Yilan’s hot springs, and Waiao Beach (with views of Turtle Island) to your Yilan County bucket list. In the city, do not miss the Luodong Night Market and the Memorial Hall of the Founding of Yilan Administration.
Visiting Yilan County: Wufengqi Waterfalls and Yilan Hot Springs
I had an amazing time at Wufengqi Falls in the Lanyang Plains. They are easy to reach by bus from Yilan City, even the bus to Jiaoxi Township was quite busy. The name “Wufengqi” refers to the five sharp peaks that stand in a row behind the falls. The waterfalls have three levels, with a total height of about 100 meters from top to bottom.
It is an easy hike, but you should still wear proper clothing and hiking shoes. The entrance to the scenic viewpoint is near the lower level of the falls. There is also a barbecue area and a small pool area where kids can play. For more details, check out my video about traveling in Yilan.
Afterwards, I went to the hot springs. I booked a private room directly near the waterfalls. But you can also enjoy the Jiaoxi Hot Springs Park in town. Here you can dip into a public hot spring for free.
Waiao Beach and Turtle Island: Surfing and Scenic Views in Yilan
Waiao Beach (also spelled Wai’ao Beach) in Toucheng Township, Yilan County, is Taiwan’s surfing hotspot. Apparently even more famous than Kenting. I loved the long beach and the seemingly endless waves, although I did not try surfing this time.
During my visit, I only had time for a walk, but I will definitely come back. Waiao is special because you always have a amazing view of Turtle Island (Guishan Island) in the distance. This beautiful island is on my personal list of things to visit in Yilan. It is Taiwan’s only active volcano and the only inhabited island in Yilan. However, to protect the natural environment, the number of visitors is strictly limited.
Things to Do in Yilan City
Of course, you should also spend some time exploring Yilan City itself. I arrived in town and headed straight to the Luodong Night Market. On the one hand, it is a Taiwanese night market; you find those in several cities. On the other hand, it offers a unique selection of local Yilan snacks you will not find elsewhere. Do not miss specialties like mutton herbal soup, ox-tongue-shaped pastry, smoked duckling, and many other dishes worth trying.
Memorial Hall of the Founding of Yilan Administration
At the Memorial Hall of the Founding of Yilan Administration, you can take a step back in time. The building was originally constructed by the Japanese in 1900 as the official residence of the county magistrate. Its architecture combines the simplicity of a traditional Japanese wooden house with elements of Western classical style.
Inside, you will find detailed exhibits about Yilan’s local history and development. The museum charges a small entrance fee, but the surrounding garden alone is already worth a visit. I noticed that many visitors seemed to come mainly for photos. It is quite an Instagram hotspot. And I must admit, I also enjoyed shooting some videos there myself.
More Places to Visit in Yilan
There’s much more to see in Yilan, including the Yilan Confucian Temple and the Former Yilan Prison. Unfortunately, I did not have time to visit these spots, so I willl save them for my next trip. And another blog post!
Before wrapping it up, I feel like I should mention a bit more about the history of Yilan. I already mentioned that the Japanese left their mark during the colonization of Taiwan. But there is more
Quick History of Yilan for Travelers
The first inhabitants of the Yilan Plain were the indigenous Kavalan people. In 1626, Spanish forces invaded the area, followed later by the Dutch. They began trading with Han Chinese merchants and levying taxes on goods. These merchants had to pay high taxes but gained exclusive rights to conduct trade in the region.
In 1787, a Han Chinese pioneer named Wu Sha led large-scale land reclamation in what is now Yilan. Later, in 1809, during the reign of the Jiaqing Emperor, Yilan (or Kavalan at the time) was formally incorporated into the Qing Empire. Troops were sent to suppress pirate activity and map the local territory, strengthening control over the area.
After the Mudan Incident in 1874, the Qing government began ruling Taiwan more directly. They replaced the area’s original name, derived from the indigenous term Kavalan, with the more Han-style name Yilan. A year later, in 1875, the newly established Taipeh Prefecture included modern-day Yilan County within its borders.
During the Japanese colonial period (1895–1945), much of what is now Yilan County was part of Taihoku Prefecture. When the Republic of China took over Taiwan, it governed Yilan as part of Taipei County. In October 10, 1950, twelve southeastern townships split off to form the present-day Yilan County.
Summary: Travel to Yilan
I did not realize Yilan had such a complex history until I visited. Today, it is one of the most beautiful and underrated regions in northern Taiwan IMHO. Beyond its famous waterfalls, beaches, and hot springs, Yilan’s historical background adds depth to every visit. I have only been to Yilan once, but I am already looking forward to going back and doing another travel vlog. There is still so much more to explore.
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