yilan tourist spot

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!

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• 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

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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...

Taichung Itinerary: See the best Taichung attractions in 1 day

How and Where to buy a Taiwan SIM Card for Tourist in 2023

Bitoujiao Trail: Half-day Trip from Taipei or Yilan County

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! 🙂

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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.

50+ Fun Things to Do in Yilan, Taiwan (2024 Updated!)

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

Yilan County is the 5th largest of Taiwan’s 13 counties and home to about half a million people. It is located in the northeast of Taiwan. Most of the things to do in Yilan are located on the rice-paddy-covered Yilan (Lanyang) Plain, where the main towns of Jiaoxi , Yilan City, and Luodong are located. South of the plains, most of the county is mountainous and inaccessible.

Yilan (宜蘭, sometimes spelled Ilan or I-lan) is often overlooked by visitors to Taiwan, who tend to ride the train right through it when traveling from Taipei to Taroko Gorge in Hualien County . But for locals, especially the 7 million people who live in Taipei and New Taipei City , Yilan is a favorite weekend getaway, with countless possibilities for overnight or day trips from Taipei .

Yilan’s attractions range from hot (& cold) springs, beaches and high-mountain resorts to night markets, museums, and quirky treats. Yilan is especially suitable for people visiting Taiwan with kids , with hundreds of small-scale family-oriented museums & leisure facilities. There are too many kid-friendly things to do in Yilan to list in this article, so I’ve just stuck to some of our favorites. Meanwhile, off-the-beaten-path travelers will find some of the most rewarding things to do in Taiwan in Yilan.

The recommendations I provide in this article come from many years and numerous trips to Yilan with my friends and family. Yilan is the kind of place we never get tired of, either returning continually to our favorite spots (like Jiaoxi hot spring and Wai Ao beach) or driving around and discovering new places.

If you’ve already done the big sites in Taiwan like Sun Moon Lake and Alishan , it’s time for you make some room in your Taiwan itinerary for Yilan!

Table of Contents

Yilan Top Things to Do

These are some of the highlights and best places to visit in Yilan, which I’ll be covering in great detail below.

• Green onion cakes & ox-tongue cookies (all over Yilan!)
• Jiaoxi Hot Springs
• Wai Ao Beach
• Kavalan Whiskey Distillery
• Luodong Night Market
• Nanfangao Seafood Harbor
• Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area

Tips for Visiting Yilan

• Read my general Yilan guide for planning your visit.
• Explore some of the best sights in Yilan on this Yilan day tour .
• Search here for the best hotel deals in Yilan
• Use Klook to find discounted travel deals. Sign up with my referral link first to get TWD100 off .
• If you’re basing yourself in Taipei, find the best places to stay in Taipei here .
• Find our the best times to visit Yilan in my guide to when to visit Taiwan .
• Learn every else you need to know for planning a Taiwan trip in this article .
• For the east coast road trip, see my guide for traveling from Yilan to Hualien , my recommended Hualien itinerary , and how to get from Hualien to Taitung and Kenting .

Getting to Yilan

• Hire a driver for the day (Yilan only) or this one that includes driving to/from Taipei (find more private driver recommendations here )
• Rent a car to drive there yourself.
• Get a private transfer from Taipei to your hotel in Yilan.
• Buy your bus ticket from Taipei to Yilan here .
• Ride the regular train – check the times on the TRA website .
• Rent a scooter in Jiaoxi, Yilan, or Luodong for getting around.

Since Yilan is a whole county, there isn’t one single way to get to Yilan. It’s going to depend on where exactly you want to go to in Yilan, and even then, you’ll have different options for getting there. If you rent a car or hire a driver, this is really going to help for exploring Yilan, as most of Yilan’s top attractions are kind of spread out around the county. You can also rent a scooter (IDP needed) outside of Yilan’s three main train stations.

There are three major towns in Yilan that provide access to most of the Yilan things to do that I will cover in this article. They are Jiaoxi, Yilan City, and Luodong. I will also provide individual transportation details for most of the places to visit in Yilan listed in this article. Riding the train or bus to Yilan are both good options and take a similar amount of time. Buses can be a little faster, except during rush hour, when train might be a safer choice.

Getting to Yilan from Taipei City by car used to be much slower on the super winding Provincial Highway 9, which goes up and over the mountains. Now, thanks to the Xueshan Tunnel , one of the longest tunnels in Asia, the drive from Taipei to Yilan only takes about 1 hour (double that on a long weekend, though).

When the road finally exits the never-ending series of tunnels and emerges onto the Yilan (Lanyang) Plain, the first town you’ll come upon is Jiaoxi. Yilan City, the Yilan County capital, lies south of it, and Luodong is further south on the other side of the Lanyang River.

Getting from Taipei to Jiaoxi

Trains to Jiaoxi from Taipei Main Station or Songshan Station take about 1.5-2 hours and cost TWD100-200.

The bus from Taipei to Jiaoxi is usually faster. And unlike local trains, you’ll always get a seat on the bus.

The buses take about 1 hour (longer at peak traffic times). There’s no toilet on the bus, so go before you get on!

Getting from Taipei to Yilan City

There are frequent trains from Taipei Main Station or Songshan Station to Yilan City, taking 1.5 to 2.5 hours (TWD140-218). Taroko/Puyuma Express trains only take an hour, but these trains are almost always sold out and don’t allow standing tickets.

Buses also depart every 15 minutes or so, taking about 1 hour and 15 minutes (slower at peak traffic times).

Getting from Taipei to Luodong

The same trains from Taipei to Jiaoxi & Yilan City continue on to Luodong, taking a total of 1h45min to 2.5 hours. Taroko Express trains can get you there as fast as 1h15min but, as mentioned above, are very hard to get seats on.

Buses take around 1.5 hours to reach Luodong under normal traffic conditions.

Things to Do in Yilan: Jiaoxi

Jiaoxi (礁溪, sometimes spelled Jiaosi) is my personal favorite town in all of Yilan County and one of my favorite day trips from Taipei . We’ve stayed overnight here many times to enjoy the excellent hot spring facilities, food, craft beer, and waterfall hikes around town.

Enjoy some of the best hot spring spas in Taiwan

For visitors to Taiwan in winter , Jiaoxi is one of the best hot spring resort towns in Taiwan , with dozens of hot spring spas and hotels to choose from. You can find more details about the village in my complete guide to Jiaoxi Hot Spring .

Almost every hotel in Jiaoxi has its own spa (and often a hot spring tub in your own room), plus some of the best hotel spas are open to non-guests. Overall, spas in Jiaoxi are better value-for-money than those in Taipei at Beitou Thermal Valley .

The only downside is that almost none of the hot springs in Jiaoxi have natural views, even though the countryside around Jiaoxi is quite beautiful if you walk or drive just a few minutes out of town (think lots and lots of rice paddies).

One pair of spas in Jiaoxi stand out above the rest: Chuan Tang Spring Spa Hotel ( location 1 / location 2 ). The hotel spa (guests allowed for a reasonable entry fee) has the best variety of scented and brightly colored hot springs in town, plus a young children’s section, scented steam rooms, and more. Both locations are good and only a few minutes’ walk from Jiaoxi Train Station.

If you’re looking for a private hot spring room try this one or this one or search for others on Klook – there are many.

Go Down a Hot Waterslide

Another fun spa worth considering is the one at Art Spa Hotel (see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor ). This one also has a great kids’ section, including a really tall hot water slide (older kids only), plus a small selection of colored/scented tubs, tons of massage jets, and more.

You don’t have to actually stay in these hotels to enjoy their spas; there are loads of better and cheaper options in town; find the best places to stay here .

If you only want to visit the hot spring and not stay in this hotel, you can book your hot spring experience online here .

For more great hot springs in Taiwan, visit Tai’An in Miaoli County on the west coast or Wulai Hot Spring in New Taipei City .

Let fish nibble your feet in Tangweigou Hot Spring Park

Tangweigou Hot Spring Park (湯圍溝溫泉公園) is a long, narrow walkway/park in the Jiaoxi City Center stretching between Jiaoxi Street (礁溪路五段) and Deyang Road (德陽路).

A hot water stream runs through it and there are numerous spots for soaking your feet and letting fish nibble the dead skin off them. It doesn’t hurt, but it’s incredibly ticklish! You’ll need to pay a small fee for the unusual experience, and you can even enjoy a draght craft beer while you do it.

Eat the spiciest ice cream you’ll ever try

At the southern (Jiaoxi Street) entrance to Tangweigou Park, Chili Hunter is a specialty ice cream shop serving the spiciest ice cream I’ve ever tried. Not all the flavors are spicy; go for level 0 for non-spicy. But if you are brave enough to try the strawberry ice cream (level 7, the highest) like we did, I can only say that the feeling is similar to burning your tongue. Definitely I’d recommend one of the levels in between.

If you need something to neutralize your mouth, go for one of the delicious green onion cakes served from stalls at the back of the park.

Drink green algae craft beer

Yet another awesomely unusual thing to do in Tangweigou Hot Spring Park is to sample beer crafted by the local Yilan brewery Mai Tian Fresh Brewed Beer (麥田現釀啤酒). Their beers include wheat (小麥), barley (大麥), rye (黑麥), and spirulina (green algae) (螺旋藻).

Are they good? Well, you’ll have to try to find out! There are several stalls in the park serving the beer on tap, but our go-to patio for post-hiking beers is a small café called 9號咖啡(德陽店 at the back of the park on Deyang road, behind Maison de Chine Hotel . However, a reader recently informed me that this cafe is now closed/moving.

2024 Note : some readers have mentioned that it’s no longer possible to find the green beer in town.

Soak your feet while feasting on Japanese hot spring cuisine

If letting fish nibble the skin off your feet doesn’t sound too appealing, then maybe you’d rather soak your feet in hot springs while you enjoy delicious Japanese food?

You can try Leshan Hot Spring Ramen (樂山溫泉拉麵) right by the train station, but the restaurant is notoriously busy. For a better chance at a spot, their second location, try Rakuzan Ramen (樂山溫泉拉麵二店) near the Jiaoxi bus terminal.

Both of them specialize in hot spring ramen, hot spring eggs, and an assortment of other delicious Japanese foods.

Marvel at Wufengqi Waterfall

The most famous scenic attraction associated with Jiaoxi is Wufenqi Waterfall (五峰旗瀑布), three kilometers west of town. There you’ll find an easy hiking trail leads to a series of breathtaking waterfalls.

Getting to Wufengqi Waterfall: You can walk there in about 45 minutes from town, but we often hop in a taxi from Yilan train station and get the driver’s number for the return pick-up. They are usually a few vendors selling snacks and local specialties at the entrance to the waterfall trail.

Hike to Yuemeikeng Waterfall

Starting very close to Wufengqi but significantly less known is the start of the trail to Yuemeikeng Falls (月眉坑瀑布). The trail is better for intermediate hikers as you’ll need to cross a small stream or two and climb over a few boulders, but the reward is a gorgeous, 3-tiered curtain waterfall that you can even swim under when the water level is high enough.

The return hike takes around two hours. To find the trail from the entrance to Wufengqi, follow the path downhill through the forest to Dezikou River, then cross the Dezikou River Check Dam (得子口溪攔沙壩). Watch for macaques; we spotted a whole troupe of them on this hike!

Things to do in Yilan City

When Taiwanese people say they’re “going to Yilan this weekend”, they are most often referring to somewhere in Yilan County, not necessarily Yilan City.

While Yilan city is the capital and largest city in Yilan, I’d personally rather stay in Jiaoxi (for hot springs) or Luodong (for the best night market). Some people choose to stay in Yilan city for Silks Place Yilan , one of the top luxury hotels in Taiwan . Its restaurant, Red Lantern, is famous for its Peking duck nigiri.

Go on a walking tour of Yilan City

Starting right in front of the Yilan train station, Jimi Square (Jimmy Park or 幾米公園) is a cute park with many painted walls and statues themed on Jimmy Liao , a Taiwanese artist from Yilan, and the movie Turn Left, Turn Right (向左走·向右走), which he wrote.

Down the street, Happy Station (Happiness Transfer Station or 幸福轉運站) has the same idea, but applied to a bus station. There is also an extremely cute children’s playground with indoor and outdoor facilities, including a bus converted into an elephant that kids (or selfie-snappers) can climb up into.

From there, walk 15 minutes to Yilan Distillery Chia Chi Lan Wine Museum (甲子蘭酒文物館), where you can learn about (and of course taste or buy) traditional Taiwanese liquors. For a bit of fresh air, head to the Yilan Riverside Park (宜蘭河濱公園), and don’t miss the unique Jin-Mei Pedestrian Bridge (慶和橋津梅棧道).

Another popular thing do in Yilan is to try some traditional Taiwanese ice cream. Just type “Yilan ice cream” into GoogleMaps and you will find loads of shops. I can personally recommend Qilin Ice Cream (search for “奇淋冰品”), one of the most popular among locals (thanks to my Taiwanese friend for taking me there!)

Get local at the Yilan Night Market

By Taiwanese standards, Yilan City’s main night market, called Dongmen Night Market (東門夜市), is pretty tiny and doesn’t have much selection. On the plus side, it is very local, and prices are cheap, cheap, cheap. If you happen to be spending the night in Yilan, this will give you something to do in the evening.

For a larger and more popular night market in Yilan, check out Luodong Night Market (see below).

Play with LEGO at Brick Ark Museum

At the southern end of Yilan City, Brick Ark Museum (積木博物館) is a dedicated LEGO museum. Where else will you get a chance to see a huge hand holding pearl milk tea (made of LEGO bricks)? The museum also has DIY workshops and you can take home what you build, so it’s a fun place to visit if you are traveling to Yilan with kids.

It’s a little far to walk there, but you can hop on bus 772-1 or 772-2 from bus station at the back of Yilan train station and get off at Yilan County Government stop (縣政府站).

Leisure Farms in Yilan

There are several leisure farms around Yilan where families can meet/pet/feed animals and do a variety of other hands-on and DIY farm activities. Some also have hotels where you can spend the night – I’ve linked to those below.

Here are just a few that you can consider adding to your Yilan itinerary. I’ve mentioned ever more green onion-focused ones further below in the article.

• Dancewoods Japanese Garden (綠舞日式主題園區): a Japanese-style garden with animals (capybaras, alpacas), matcha making, mask paiting, kimono for rent, and overnight hotel . Here’s my guide to all the places to see capybaras in Taiwan .
• Zhang Mei Ama’s Farm (張美阿嬤農場): more capybaras, alpacas, sika deer, Japanese torii gates, and green onion cakes. This one comes highly recommended from one reader of this site!
• Toucheng Leisure Farm (頭城農場): a large and very popular leisure farm in northern Yilan with animals, traditional earth houses, various DIY activities, and a hotel on site .
• Bambi Land (斑比山丘): super popular spot focused mainly on Taiwanese sika deers
• Sinbow Leisure Farm (星寶蔥體驗農場): DIY green onion cake making, cute dwarf donkeys, sika deer, and more
• Shangri La Leisure Farm (香格里拉休閒農場): in a very pretty location, with forest ladder, swing with a view, and overnight hotel
• Shang Yang Leisure Farm (勝洋休閒農場): a water-focused leisure farm with fishing, playing in water, DIY activities, rainbow umbrellas and more (some reviewers are disappointed by this one, so make sure to read the reviews before you go!)

Things to do in Northern Yilan County

Besides the Jiaoxi and Yilan City centers, there are plenty of other things to do spread out around them. This section covers everywhere in Yilan County north of the Lanyang River, besides Yilan City and Jiaoxi, which I already covered above.

Hike the Caoling Historic Trail

Once described by Lonely Planet as the most worthwhile hike in all of Taiwan, the Caoling Historic Trail follows a route that once was the only connection between New Taipei City and Yilan County. It also makes my list of the best hikes within short distance of Taipei .

Beginning near Fulong Beach in New Taipei City, the trail climaxes at a section of high mountain grasslands (watch for buffalos!) and bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean above Dali (大里) in Yilan. A more difficult (but even more scenic) continuation follows the Taoyuan valley along the bluffs, ending near Daxi (Dasi or 大溪).

The most popular time to walk the trail is in autumn, when the silvergrass blooms and paints the hillsides along the hike a silvery gray.

Hit the surf at Wai Ao Beach

The most popular beach in Yilan County, and one of the best beaches within easy reach of Taipei , is Wai Ao (外澳).

Wai Ao is the best place to try surfing in northern Taiwan, especially for beginners. You can hire surfboards right on the or from one of the several surf shops behind the southern (surfing) end of the beach.

If surfing is not your thing, you can also ride a horse on the beach near Wai Ao !

Getting to Wai Ao: You’ll have to travel about two hours on the slow train from Taipei to get here, but when you see that long stretch of sand and incredible view of Turtle Island (see below), you’ll realize it’s completely worth it.

For beach lovers, also see my list of other great beaches in Taiwan .

For the best surfing beach in southern Taiwan, see my guide to Dulan, Taitung .

Visit Turtle Island (Guishan Island)

Guishan Island is one of Yilan’s most recognizable landmarks. Also called Turtle Island, but literally “turtle mountain island” (龜山島), the island is known for its turtle-like shape and is located 10.5 km off the coast of Toucheng in Yilan. The island is formed by the only active volcano in Taiwan (although Yangmingshan may be active as well), and it is Yilan’s largest and only inhabited island.

A variety of boat tours run from Wushi Harbor (烏石港), which is just south of Wai Ao beach, to Turtle Island ( March to November only). I recommend this Turtle Island tour, which includes dolphin watching, a boat ride around the island, and you get to stop on the island and climb to the top of 410 Peak, the island’s main peak.

Read about Taiwan’s other small islands here .

Learn more about Yilan at Lanyang Museum

Between Wai Ao and the town of Toucheng, Lanyang Museum (蘭陽博物館) is right on the coastal highway and worth a visit. The museum delves into local Yilan topography and history.

The museum’s exterior is also quite a sight, designed to mimic the cuestas (hills or ridges that are gentle on one side and abrupt on the other) that are common in the area.

The museum is included on this Yilan day tour from Taipei .

Take a stroll down Toucheng Old Street

Of the many “old streets” in Taiwan, Toucheng Old Street (頭城老街) is one of the least lively, but I still include it here for anyone that may be passing through and want to take a quick look.

Unlike the others, you won’t find loads of food stalls or people, but instead a quaint neighborhood of old residential buildings where you can get a real feel for old-time, small-town Taiwan. It’s pretty much empty during the week but does get a little busier on weekends.

We usually make a quick stop at A-Zong Taro Ice Cream (阿宗芋冰城) on the main road near the Old Street for some delicious old-fashioned Taiwanese ice cream.

Sample some of the world’s best whiskey at Kavalan Distillery

The multi-award winning Kavalan Whisky Distillery is one of the most well-known sights in Yilan. Come here to join a free distillery tour (Mandarin only), which includes one sample at the end. To arrange an English tour and/or a “bottle-your-own whiskey” experience, you’ll need to contact them via their website.

Kavalan distillery is included on this Yilan day tour from Taipei .

Getting to Kavalan Distillery on your own: The distillery is located in Yuanshan Township, directly west of Yilan City. To get there, you can take bus #752 (only 7 per day) from Yilan Train Station (about 30 minutes) or hop in a cab. The next entry is just down the street.

Get your craft beer fix at Jim & Dad’s Brewery

If you prefer beer to whiskey like I do, then don’t worry, Yilan has still got you covered! Only 15 minutes on foot from Kavalan, you’ll find Jim & Dad’s Brew Company (吉姆老爹啤酒工場), another local institution.

The brewery adds unique touches to their brews with local Yilan ingredients (for example kumquat IPA or smoked plum marzen), and their handsome taproom is worth the trip. We visited with my wife’s family, only to find out that one of the owners was my father-in-law’s old friend!

Make your own candy & chocolate at Sophisca

One of the many Yilan attractions appealing to families is Sophisca (菓風糖果工房), a candy and chocolate shop with some hands-on, candy making activities for kids. It’s not a reason to travel all the way from Taipei, but a fun little stop if you happen to be Yilan with kids. They’ve even got vegan options and chocolate lipstick!

The candy store is located a little ways southwest of Yilan City in Yuanshan District; if you don’t have a car, it may not be worth the journey.

Admire the variety of plant life in Artemis Garden

On a weekend trip I made to Yilan with my wife and her Taiwanese friends, one of our best finds was Artemis Garden (香草菲菲/芳香植物博物館), a beautiful greenhouse in a quiet corner or Yuanshan township, just before the Yilan plains give way to the mountains.

The large, bright greenhouse is filled with all manner of local flora, perfect if you are looking for something special to take back to your apartment in Taipei (I got a carnivorous flower!) There are staircases leading up to ramps covered in hanging plants; it’s quite a beautiful place to visit, and there’s a small café inside.

Bus #752 (the same one that goes to Kavalan Distillery) also continues on to here. It’s quite a journey from Yilan Station though (about 45 minutes) and there are only a few buses per day. Get off at Artemis Garden/Taiyangpi (太陽埤) stop.

But your Artemis ticket online here , with the option to add afternoon tea.

Be surrounded by pumpkins at a Pumpkin Leisure Farm

Of the many “leisure farms” I’ve been to in Taiwan (I covered leisure farms for a whole year while writing for Travel in Taiwan magazine), this is one of the smaller but more interesting ones I’ve been to. I found it when I went on a weekend trip to Yilan with a cram school I was working for at the time.

Pumpkin Farm Yilan (旺山休閒農場-主題南瓜園) is off-the-beaten-track (you’ll need a car to get there) on a small road east of Yilan City. It is exactly what it sounds like; a pumpkin farm aimed at domestic tourists. Don’t expect a whole lot to do, but do expect to take a whole bunch of fun pumpkin pics.

Besides admiring the rather picturesque rows and tunnels of pumpkins, kids can do a few DIY activities, and eat (or drink!) a variety of pumpkin-based treats, like roasted pumpkin, pumpkin pizza, pumpkin soup, and more. I had to try the pumpkin coffee, and it was actually pretty good!

Things to Do in Yilan: Luodong

Luodong township is the second largest urban center in Yilan County. There isn’t a whole lot to do there, but it is a transportation hub for accessing many of the Yilan sights around it, and a good place to spend the night if you’re traveling with a group.

Some people also like to take an express bus from Taipei to Luodong and then hop on the train to Hualien from there as a faster (or less crowded) way to reach Taroko Gorge from Taipei (or coming back).

Happiness Yes Inn (see on Booking / Agoda ) is a kid-friendly hotel in central Luodong with ball pools, slides, children’s beds and more!

Feast on snacks at the best night market in Yilan

Luodong Night Market (羅東夜市) is the largest and best night market in Yilan County, eclipsing the much smaller Dongmen Night Market in Yilan City. Here you can expect the typical crowds and variety of snacks that you would find at any of the great night markets in Taipei or elsewhere in Taiwan.

The night market wraps around a park in the city center. It is especially known for its angelica mutton soup, ice cream cilantro wraps (invented in Yilan!), and many green onion cakes stalls. Find out more about what to eat at Luodong Night Market .

Getting to Luodong Night Market: the night market is located 750 meters (10 minutes’ walk) west of Luodong train station.

Stay in a Luodong Minsu

There are literally hundreds of minsu (民宿 or local guesthouses) in and around Luodong, catering primarily to local families and groups. If you’re traveling with a large family or group of friends, this is a great place to rent a beautiful house in a quiet area surrounded by rice paddies, but you’ll probably need your own wheels to get to most of them.

You can find many of these house rentals here or Booking or here on Agoda. Just open the map function and search around Luodong and you will see many of them!

Go for a stroll at Luodong Forestry Culture Park

Luodong Forestry Culture Park (羅東林業文化園區) is a lovely park which exhibits, statues, locomotives, and more devoted to the area’s former logging industry. It is built around a large pond where logs were once floated in off the river to store.

Getting to Luodong Forestry Culture Park: It is free to visit and located 10 minutes’ walk north of Luodong Train Station.

Hang out with cats in a cat cafe

As Yilan is a leisure-focused destination, there are dozens, perhaps even hundreds of cafes across the county, including several cat cafes. One of the best cat coffee shops in Yilan is Cats’ Day (猫的生活提案) in Luodong. The cafe features pretty standard food and drinks, but the real draw is all the kitties to pet. There’s a second floor with elevator access.

The cafe is a few minutes walk west of Luodong Train Station, near Luodong Night Market. You can find other cat coffee shops in Yilan by simply searching “cat cafes” on GoogleMaps. Find many more cat cafes in my guide to cat cafes in Taipei and across Taiwan .

Other Things to do in Southern Yilan County

South of the Lanyang River, the plains surrounding Luodong are dotted with attractions. More so than north of the river, you are going to need your own transportation to get around here, although some of the sights do have infrequent bus services or slow trains from Taipei.

Heading south along the coast past Su’Ao Cold Spring toward Hualien County and Taroko Gorge , the coastal scenery becomes increasingly dramatic. Most of Yilan County is actually made up of mountains, which visitors can most easily access at Mingchi National Forest Recreation Area and Taipingshan.

I’ll cover the sights in this part of Yilan in roughly a clockwise directions, starting to the north of Luodong, and finishing in the mountains to the west.

Visit museums dedicated to pencils and crayons

If you’ve got kids (or maybe just prefer quirky museums?), Yilan’s got both a pencil and a crayon factory/museum. Rabbit Pencil School (玉兔鉛筆學校) is just north of Luodong and was the first company to produce ballpoint pens in Taiwan.

Lucky Art Crayon Factory (蜡藝蠟筆城堡) is further south, heading toward Su’Ao Cold Springs (see below) and close to Xinma Train Station. This is a popular spot for families. There’s even a super tall rainbow colored slide inside! You can buy your ticket online here .

Both facilities cater to school groups and will appeal mainly to visitors with kids, with a number of displays and activities on offer.

Spend a whole afternoon at the Yilan National Center for Traditional Arts

One of the biggest attractions in Yilan is the National Center for Traditional Arts (國立傳統藝術中心) in Wujie Township, east of Luodong. The huge, nearly 20-year-old, government-run facility is devoted to preserving and promoting traditional arts in Taiwan.

Here you can learn about traditional arts such as Taiwanese opera, woodworking, and jewelry making. You can also buy Taiwanese crafts and sample local foods. There are various workshops and hands-on activities, and many sections have beautiful settings worthy of backdrops for photos.

You can buy your ticket online for a small discount and the option to add a shopping coupon, river boat ride, or DIY experience. The center is also included on this Yilan day tour from Taipei .

How to get to National Center for Traditional Arts Yilan: Take bus #241 from Luodong Station, departing at 10:00, 12:00, or 14:00.

Cool off at Dongshan River Water Park

If you’re visiting Taiwan in summer with kids who love water, definitely drop by Dongshan River Park (冬山河親水公園), a large outdoor children’s pool and spray park (a rarity in Taiwan), connected to the riverside cycling trails.

As a parent (and a person who is always too hot here), I wish there were more parks like this EVERYWHERE, especially in Taipei. See here to learn about other waterparks in Taiwan .

Dongshan River is also where Yilan’s races usually take place during the Dragon Boat Festival, one of the most important traditional festivals in Taiwan .

Getting to Dongshan River Park: take bus #241 from Luodong Station, which only departs three times per day. It’s the same bus that goes to the National Center for Traditional Arts.

Cycle along Dongshan Mr. Brown Avenue

One of the best way to experience the Lanyang (Yilan) Plains is to hop on a bike, and Dongshan Mr. Brown Avenue is one of the best places to do this. The bikeway is named after the Mr. Brown Boulevard in Chishang , Taitung , which has similar scenery (read more in my guide to the East Coast of Taiwan from Hualien to Taitung ).

Take the regular train to Dongshan Station (one stop south of Yilan), hire a bike, and off you go! The 21-kilometer-return easy ride takes in beautiful rice paddies, and the Wushierjia Wetlands. Cross Lizejian Bridge to reach Dongshan River Park.

The scenery is incredible, so do consider getting a good cycling camera for your bike!

Ride a kayak through the rice paddies

There’s a brand new experience in Klook which allows you to ride a kayak through the rice paddies in Yilan . I have yet to try this myself, but it looks really fun!

You’ll need to get there yourself (there’s a location link in the Klook description – it’s east of Luodong). Minimum age is 6, and only kids 8 and up will get an hour.

Uncover the history of pearl milk tea

If you’re a huge bubble tea fan, and you’ve already made a pilgrimage to the homeland of bubble tea in Taichung , your next step is to check out this cute little museum devoted to the sweet chewy drink.

The Kili Bay Pearl Milk Tea Cultural Center (奇麗灣珍奶文化館) is devoted to this history and culture of Taiwan’s most famous drink. You can even make your own bubble tea in a DIY activity.

The center is a little out of the way, located near the coast in Su’ao township. Buses 1797 and 1791 go there from Luodong.

Camping or Glamping in Yilan

There are numerous locations for camping and glamping experiences in Yilan. Usually almost everything you need is provided and there are various family friendly activities on offer. It’s best to find out exactly what is included before booking.

A few you can consider are this one , this one , this one , this one , this one , and this one . I told you there are a lot!

Beat the heat at Su’ao Cold Springs

Su’ao (蘇澳) is Taiwan’s most famous cold spring village. Here on the east coast of Taiwan, right at the point where the Yilan plains meet the rugged coastal mountains of Hualien , carbonic acid mineral water bubbles out of the ground.

The springs truly are cold, so you’ll want to save this for a hot summer day. There are a few facilities in town where you can enjoy the water, some for a fee, and some for free. Most of them are pretty run down, though. See this article for more info and details about visiting Su’ao cold spring . You can also stay in this resort in Su’ao (see on Booking / Agoda ), which has both hot and cold spring facilities.

The train from Taipei to Su’ao takes about three hours, or about 30 minutes from Luodong to Su’ao. Bus 1879 from Yuanshan MRT in Taipei is faster, getting there in about 2 hours.

For a more natural (but harder to reach) cold spring experience, see below.

Eat super fresh seafood at Nanfangao Harbor

Of the many harbors in Taiwan where fresh seafood can be purchased and eaten right on the pier, Nanfangao (南方澳, sometimes written Nanfang’ao) is one of the best. You may remember Nanfangao from the news, when on October 1, 2019, a bridge across the harbor suddenly crashed , killing six people.

Like most harbors in Taiwan, you’ll find multiple seafood restaurants around it, catering to families and groups. But for the most local experience, head to the Nanfangao Fish Market (南方澳觀光漁市場), where the vendors display the catches of the day. The takeaway trays of super cheap & fresh sashimi are irresistible!

Choose whatever you’d like on one side of the market, then bring it over to the other side where one of the simple eateries will cook it up for you on the spot, along with your choice of veggies, noodles, rice, beer, etc. This is a true Taiwan dining experience!

Getting to Nanfangao Harbor: Check GoogleMaps for train + bus options to get here from Taipei or cities in Yilan.

Check out the view at Nanfangao Lookout

If you’ve got your own vehicle (or some extra energy to climb the stairs behind Zhen An Temple or 鎮安宮), head to Nanfangao Lookout (南方澳觀景臺), a lookout point with a panoramic view of the entire Nanfangao harbor.

This is also a popular stop for anyone driving down the coast from Yilan to Hualien .

Get off the beaten track at Dongyue Cold Springs

Going south past Su-Ao, the Suhua highway (Su’Ao to Hualien highway) becomes a winding, slow-moving, and incredibly scenic drive. After going way up and then way down to pretty Dong’ao Bay, a little detour off the highway around the aboriginal town of Dongao will bring one to remote Dongyue Cold Springs (東岳湧泉, also called Dongao Cold Spring or 東澳冷泉).

This is a more natural and completely non-touristy version of Su’ao cold spring, and people from the immediate area are the main ones who frequent it. It gets pretty busy in summer, and don’t be surprised if friendly locals offer you a beer. The train line passes by on an overpass practically right above the cold water pools.

Without your own vehicle, you could walk here from Dongao train station, which is a 2.5 to 3-hour ride from Taipei.

If you travel further south from here, you can visit remote Nan’ao Beach falls (南澳滴水坑瀑布) and Aohua Waterfall (澳花瀑布) before reaching Hualien County.

Adventure seekers: You can also ride an ATV on a beach or go river tubing around Dongao!

Things to Do in the Mountains of Yilan

Now we jump over to the area lying to the west of Yilan, at Meihua Lake and Sanxing, before heading up into the mountains of southwest Yilan County.

If you’re interested in exploring this gorgeous region, then we would recommend Locasu Bed & Breakfast (see on Booking / Agoda ).

These lovely cabins are in a perfect location for exploring all of the following attractions, with a pretty setting near the river. Stay here if you love a quiet stay away from the city (and you have your own wheels).

Admire beautiful Meihua Lake

Meihua Lake (Plum Blossom Lake or 梅花湖) is a tiny, pretty lake southwest of Luodong. You can take a pleasant stroll around the lake, hire a bike, or relax in one of several cafés. It’s a popular spot for local families and youths to kick back.

Getting to Meihua Lake: join this Meihua Lake tour from Yilan or take bus #281 from Luodong bus/train station to Meihua lake stop, which departs five times per day.

Eat green onion cakes in Sanxing village

All of Yilan county is famous for green onion cakes (蔥抓餅, also known as green onion pancakes or scallion pancakes), and the tiny village of Sanxing (三星, or Sanshing) has the most famous of them all. These are one of the top-10 street foods in Taiwan ! You can even see the name Sanxing on various green onion cakes vendors in Taipei night markets .

What makes them so good? Well, for starters, green onions grow all over Yilan, so the onions used are fresh & local. Second, they tend to fry them in a TON of oil, so they greasily delicious. Note than not all green onion cakes are vegetarian. See how to ask in my Taiwan vegetarian guide .

The most famous local spot in Sanxing to try them is on Sanxing Road Section 7 (三星路七段), where two extremely popular street-side green onion cake stalls across the street from each compete for business: Apo Green Onion Cakes (阿婆蔥油餅) and Luo Family Green Onion Cake (羅家蔥捲餅). They are both located a short drive west of the Sanxing town center, heading towards the mountains. In the Sanxing town center, you can try 蔥蔥蔥蔥油餅 or 小梅蔥油餅.

When you order, you’ll have to answer two important questions: egg or no egg, and spicy or not spicy. Say yes to both.

You’ll need to drive or ride a scooter to get here.

DIY green onion picking and making your own cakes

Besides just eating green onion cakes, you may want to try picking green onions and making green onion cakes by yourself. These are family-friendly DIY experiences and a great way to learn about local Yilan culture and food.

The Sanshing Green Onion Culture Palace (三星青蔥文化館) is a small museum devoted to green onion cakes. Groups with bookings can pick green onions and learn how to make the pancakes. It is located in the Sanxing town center.

Sinbow Green Onion Experience Farm (星寶蔥體驗農場) is another sport just west of town offering a similar experience, plus they’ve got dwarf donkeys, sika deers, and other animals.

Soak in remote hot springs

At the base of the mountains a short drive west of Sanxing, there are a handful of wild and developed hot springs along Provincial Highway 7, also known as the Northern Cross Island Highway.

The first is a remote wild hot spring called Fan Fan Hot Spring (梵梵溫泉), which has two sections on the Fan Fan Stream: 梵梵溫泉A區 and梵梵溫泉B區 . A second one is Ribs River Hot Spring ( paigu wenquan or 排骨溫泉), which is located near where the highway 7 veers away from the Lanyang river and up into the mountains toward Mingchi National Scenic Area.

For a developed hot spring facility, head to Jiuzhize (Renze) Hot Springs (鳩之澤溫泉) at the bottom of the drive up to Taipingshan (see below).

Cook hot spring eggs

Besides soaking in hot springs in Taiwan, you can also cook eggs in them! Due to the temperature of the water, the eggs cook slower than normal hard boiled eggs, achieving a gooey texture on the inside that is extremely delicious!

Water Geothermal Square (清水地熱廣場), which requires a drive into the hills from Sanxing, is a hot spring park where you can cook eggs, corn, and even prawns in the hot water. There are also foot soaking pools.

Another spot to do this is just outside the popular Jiuzhize Hot Springs (see below) at the start of the long winding road up Taipingshan. You can buy eggs there for cooking in the water. See my Taipingshan guide for all the details .

This Taipingshan and Jiuzhize Hot Spring day tour from Taipei or Yilan includes a stop to cook eggs (but doesn’t include soaking in the hot spring).

Soaking at Jiuzhize Hot Spring

After cooking your eggs, go for a stroll on the Jiuzhize Nature Trail (鳩之澤自然步道). This includes crossing a beautiful river valley on the Dauwan Suspension Bridge (多望吊橋).

After hiking, go for a soak in the popular Jiuzhize Hot Spring (鳩之澤溫泉). One of the best parts of this hot spring is sitting in one of the hollowed out stones in the hot spring pool (see image above).

It’s best to get here on your own. You can take the bus there, but there’s only one bus per day in each direction. It is the same bus that goes from Yilan to Taipingshan (see final entry of this article). If you want to take it to Jiuzhize, it means you will have to spend around 5.5 hours at Jiuzhize, which is a little long.

If you want to do this, bus 1750 departs from Yilan station at 7:40 AM. The bus stop is here . it will arrive at Jiuzhize around 9:30 AM. Going back, the bus will depart from Taipingshan at 2:30 PM, and pass Jiuzhize around 3 PM (go to the bus stop early just in case).

Eat (& drink) tea at a tea-themed restaurant

Have you ever heard of tea cuisine? This is a special style of dining that has developed in Taiwan (and maybe some other tea producing regions in the world?) in which tea, tea oil, and tea leaves are used to prepare all the dishes in a meal.

You find this kind of food in several places in Taiwan, but one that we found just by searching around our hotel in the area was 田媽媽玉露-茶葉大餐 in a tiny village across the river from Sanxing.

We were the only guests when we dropped in on a random weeknight. We feasted on deep fried tealeaves, Taiwanese guabao with tea sauce, meats, tofu, and noodles cooked in tea oil, and of course lots of tea to wash it down. This is truly a unique style of food, and I would highly recommend it!

To find more places like this, see my article on tea in Taiwan .

Walk around stunning Mingchi Lake

Mingchi National Forest Recreation Area (明池國家森林遊樂區) is a name that all Taiwanese people know. The main focus of the park is picturesque Mingchi Lake.

The gorgeous alpine lake is located near the highest point of the (very winding) Northern Cross-Island Highway . The lake is often shrowded in mist, and it’s an easy 30-minute stroll around it. Our kids’ favorite part were the ducks, swans, and turtles.

There is one large facility near the parking lot, Mingchi Villa (明池山莊), offering rooms and cabins, and popular among local families and tour groups.

Explore Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area

If you loved Alishan National Scenic Area , then you will also enjoy visiting 1950m Taiping Mountain (Taipingshan or 太平山). This less-visited peak offers fresh air and a network of trails through high mountain forests of cypress, pine, maple, and cedar, which were once logged by the Japanese.

Since there’s only one bus per day to Taipingshan, and you have to get to Yilan city super early to catch it, it’s most convenient to take this Taipingshan day tour from Taipei or Yilan .

One of the highlights of visiting Taipingshan is riding the Bong Bong Train (蹦蹦車). Like the Alishan Forest Railway, it was once used to haul wood. Another similarity is that it was closed to the public due to typhoon damage. After being closed from 2012 to 2018, the Bong Bong Train is up and running again!

Taipingshan is also one of the best places for seeing snow in Taiwan in winter. There isn’t always snow there in winter, but when there is, it will usually be announced in the news, and masses of people will flood there. Even when there’s no snow, if you visit Taipingshan in winter, expect it to be very cold, especially when riding the Bong Bong Train.

To enter the scenic area, you’ll need to pay TWD150 (weekends 200), and a ride on the Bong Bong Train costs TWD180. On weekends and other popular times, there can be a very long wait for the train.

There’s only one very basic, park-run accommodation at Taipingshan, and it can be difficult to get a booking.

Getting to Taipingshan: Only one bus, Kuoguang bus #1750 , departs per day from Yilan (7:40 a.m.) and Luodong (8:00), arriving at Taipingshan at 10:30. The bus returns from Taipingshan at 14:30. To make life easier, take this day tour that includes Jiuzhize, or this tour that only focuses on Taipingshan.

Cuifeng Lake

Cuifeng Lake (also spelled Cueifong Lake, Cuifenghu, or 翠峰湖), is a gorgeous alpine lake with various hiking trails and lookout points around it. The lake is a 30-minute drive further up the road from the main tourist area of Taipingshan, and there are no buses that go up there.

To visit Cuifeng Lake, you’ll either need to drive or join this Taipingshan Day Tour and choose the Cuifeng Lake option, or this other day tour . You can also spend the night at a simple, park-run accommodation there, but it can be very hot in summer and very (very!) cold in winter.

Well, I hope you’ve found enough ideas here to plan a lifetime of fun trips to Yilan, Taiwan! Let me know if there’s anything I should ad to the list, as we are always looking for new places to explore! !

Related Posts

8 thoughts on “50+ Fun Things to Do in Yilan, Taiwan (2024 Updated!)”

Very informative and useful. Thanks very much. Given me some great ideas for next time we come.

Thanks for reading!

Hi Nick, would it be recommended to self-drive in Yilan with a 3-year old toddler given the attractions are relatively spread apart and less accessible via public transport? If so, are there any recommended car companies from Taipei? Thank you!

Yes, driving yourself is a good idea, if you are comfortable with the roads in Taiwan. I normally recommend Klook for renting a car in Taiwan, which includes the option to add a child seat. Here’s a link (you might have to copy-paste it) https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=3452&aff_adid=626006&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-US%2Fcar-rentals%2F%3Fspm%3DActivity.CategoryBar_L1%26clickId%3Dcd3bb6b89e

I think one of your best posts – your website is full of great and detailed information. I’m surprised you’ve done all of this! I booked a hotel through one of your links to Booking.com. ^_^

Thanks so much!

You mentioned horseback riding at Wai’ao Beach. Do you know the name of the establishment and their contact info? TIA!

Yes, search 外澳小山丘馬場 on GoogleMaps or their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076296005304&ref=pages_you_manage

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

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Destinations

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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 .

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

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:.

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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

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 Taroko Gorge in 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 very rare occasion, this highway can be affected by landslides. 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, 12 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.

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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

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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.

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THE 10 BEST Family & Kid Activities in Yilan

Things to do in yilan with kids.

• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for Kids
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Couples
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• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Jiaosi Hot Spring

2. Lanyang Museum

3. National Center for Traditional Arts

4. Yilan Luodong Forestry Culture Park

5. Luodong Night Market

6. Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area

7. Wufengchi Waterfall

8. Meihua Lake

9. Jimi Square - Yilan Station

10. Mingchih Forest Recreation Area

11. Qingshui Geothermal Park

12. Crayon Factory

13. Tangweigou Jiaosi Hot Spring Park

14. Linmei Shipan Trail

15. Waiao Beach

16. Luodong Sports Park

17. Jioujhihze Hot Spring

18. Guishan Island

19. Luna Plaza

20. Suao Cold Spring

21. Dongshan River Water Park

22. Bee Museum, The Honey House

23. Taoyuan Valley

24. Jiaosi Hot Spring Park

25. Nanfangao Fishing Port

26. Neipi Beach

27. Yilan Longtan Lake

28. Yilan International Children's Folklore and Folkgame Festival

29. Yilan Dongmen night market

30. E-Long Goat Farm

What travellers are saying

15 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Moscow

Written by Diana Bocco Updated Dec 23, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Moscow is one of Europe's most enigmatic destinations, home to a fascinating history and colorful, awe-inspiring architecture you won't find anywhere else in the world. Moscow might be one of the most populous cities in the world with over 11 million inhabitants, but this hasn't changed its strong cultural and social traditions.

Walk the cobblestone streets of the Red Square or the banks of the Moskva River early in the morning, and it's hard to tell what century you're in.

Tsarist architecture, must-see churches, and glamorous shopping opportunities blend together for a visual experience you won't forget. For ideas on what to see and do while visiting Russia, here's our list of top tourist attractions in Moscow.

1. Marvel at the Size of the Kremlin

2. catch a performance at the bolshoi theatre, 3. shop at the luxurious gum, 4. make your way into lenin's mausoleum, 5. spend an hour (or three) at red square, 6. discover history at the museum of cosmonautics, 7. ride the stunning moscow metro, 8. explore the moscow state integrated museum-reserve, 9. spend a rainy day at the tretyakov gallery, 10. walk up and down arbat street, 11. stop by the vdnkh all-russian exhibition centre, 12. wander around gorky park, where to stay in moscow for sightseeing, map of tourist attractions & things to do in moscow.

Moscow's most recognizable structure is without a doubt the Kremlin, a 15th-century fortified complex that covers an area of 275,000 square meters surrounded by walls built in the 1400s.

The Grand Kremlin Palace -which has over 700 rooms- was once home to the Tsar family and is now the official residence of the president of the Russian Federation, although most heads of state choose to reside elsewhere.

The massive complex also includes many other buildings, some of which are open to the public and can be visited regularly. Aside from three cathedrals (including one where the Tsars were once crowned) and a number of towers, the Kremlin is also home to the Armory building, a museum holding everything from the royal crown and imperial carriages to the ivory throne of Ivan the Terrible and Fabergé eggs.

The Bolshoi Theater is home to the largest and one of the oldest ballet and opera companies in the world . While the theater has undergone several major renovations over the past century-including a recent one in 2011 to restore some of the imperial architectural details-it still retains all of its Neoclassical grandeur.

The Bolshoi Theater you see today opened in 1824, after several older versions burned down. Inside, red velvet, a three-tiered crystal chandelier, and gilt moldings give the place a Byzantine-Renassaince grandiose feel like no other.

Catching a show from the resident ballet and opera troupes is a treat, as the theater often presents a number of classic performances, such as Tchaikovsky's Mazeppa and Rachmaninoff's Francesca da Rimini, both of which originally premiered here.

Moscow's oldest and most upscale shopping center is an architectural marvel. GUM (short for Glávnyj Universálnyj Magazín or "Main Universal Store") was built in the late 1800s in neo-Russian style to showcase a beautiful mix of a steel skeleton and 20,000 panels of glass forming an arched roof.

This was a unique construction at the time, since the glass had to be strong enough to support the snow-heavy Russian winters. The building is just as impressive outside, with all three levels covered in marble and granite.

While GUM is no longer the largest shopping center in Moscow, it's still by far the most beautiful. Home to brands like Gucci and Manolo Blahnik, this might not be the ideal destination for most budget-conscious visitors, but the beauty of the building itself is worth a visit.

On the third floor, there are also great dining options, including a Soviet-style canteen that serves traditional Russian food, and a stand selling ice cream made by hand using an original 1954 recipe originally approved by the Soviet government.

Lenin's Mausoleum, the final resting place of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin, occupies a central spot in Red Square. His body has been in the mausoleum since his death in 1924-and although the original plan was for him to be buried after a short period of public display for mourning, the plan quickly changed.

After over 100,000 visited the tomb over a period of six weeks, it was decided that a new sarcophagus and a more permanent display space could actually preserve Lenin's body for much longer than expected-and Lenin's Mausoleum was built.

Over the years, the mausoleum and its marble stairs also became the main spot from where Soviet leaders would watch parades and events happening in Red Square.

Lenin's embalmed body can still be seen today, lying down in a bulletproof glass sarcophagus as if he's sleeping. While a visit to the mausoleum is certainly unusual, it has become a must-do for history buffs looking to understand how Lenin's legacy truly changed the nation. Come ready to wait, though -there are usually lines to get in.

All of Moscow's main streets start at Red Square, so it's easy to see why this is considered the heart of the city. A massive space of 330 meters by 70 meters, the square is flanked by the Kremlin, Lenin's Mausoleum, two cathedrals, and the State Historical Museum.

In 1945, a massive Victory Parade was held here to celebrate the defeat of Nazi Germany by the Soviet Armed Forces.

St. Basil's Cathedral , one of the most recognizable buildings on the square, was built in 1555. The unique cathedral has architectural details inspired by Byzantine and Asian design, as well as details that resemble those found in famous mosques. There are nine individual chapels inside the church, all decorated with colorful mural art.

Both the square itself and the Kremlin are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites . On weekends, there are sometimes stalls selling souvenirs and traditional items here, such as matryoshka (Russian nesting dolls), at the entrance of the square.

At one point, Russia and the US were toe-to-toe when it came to space exploration. While that might no longer be the case, the museum's amazing collection-which includes over 85,000 items-is still awe-inspiring.

Main exhibits include the space capsule used by Yuri Gagarin , the first human to travel into outer space; a USSR flag with moon fragments; a Soviet spacesuit; and a rocket propulsion unit from the 1960s. A special two-story hall showcases sections of the Mir space station interior, and there are also models of the first sputniks and a replica miniature spaceship.

English-language tours are available, and there's also a Cinema Hall showing subtitled short films about the history of space exploration programs and the first manned space flight.

The museum is located inside the base of the monument to the Conquerors of Space, which was built almost 20 years before the museum opened.

Riding the Moscow metro is an experience all in itself, but even just heading underground to walk through the stations is something no visitor should miss. With 223 stations and 12 metro lines crosscutting through Moscow, however, this can be tricky, so visiting at least a few of the most impressive ones is a good start.

Arbatskaya station was designed by a skyscraper architect, so it's no surprise that it features multicolored granite slabs and impressive bronze chandeliers.

Park Kultury station , located next to Gorky Park, is covered in marble and features reliefs of people involved in sports, while Teatralnaya station is decorated with porcelain figures dancing and wearing traditional Russian costumes.

The metro is open between 5:30am and 1:00am but it's very crowded in the early morning and after 4pm, so it's better to visit in the late morning or early afternoon to really appreciate the architecture without the crowds.

The Moscow State Integrated Art and Historical Architectural and Natural Landscape Museum-Reserve is a cultural open-air museum complex comprised of four different historical sites.

The most important site, the Kolomenskoye Estate, was once the summer residence of Tsars as far back as the 14 th century. The complex, which covers almost 300 hectares, is home to fairy-tale wooden palaces; a tent-roof stone church built in the 1500s; a water tower; fort towers and structures; and the 24-room Museum of Wooden Architecture , which includes the restored dining room of Tsar Alexei I.

Beautiful manicured gardens , riverside picnic areas, and a massive collection of both artifacts and structures make this a great destination to help you see what medieval Russia looked like. English-language tours are available, but you're also free to wander the grounds on your own.

The largest collection of Russian art in the world sits here, with over 180,000 paintings, sculptures, and religious art dating back to over a millennia ago. The gallery, built using beautiful red and white colors from classical Russian architecture, is located near the Kremlin and it was built in the early 20 th century.

Significant art pieces include the Vladimir Mother of God; a Byzantine icon of the Virgin and child dating back to the 1100s; Andrei Rublev's The Trinity icon from the 15 th century; and several works by Ilya Repin, the most famous realist painter in Russia.

On the grounds of the museum, there is also an 86-meter-tall statue of Peter the Great, as well as a number of Socialist Realism sculptures.

Moscow's one-kilometer-long pedestrian street has been around since the 15 th century. Originally a trade route in the outskirts of the city, Arbat Street is now very centrally located, home to posh buildings and lots of places to eat and shop.

Beautiful street lamps and two significant statues-one of Princess Turandot (from Puccini's last opera) and one of Soviet-era poet Bulat Okudzhava-adorn the street, which fills up with both locals and tourists on evenings and weekends.

A great place to pick up souvenirs or sit down at an outdoor café, Arbat Street also offers a chance to visit the former home of poet Alexander Pushkin and the café both Anton Chekhov and Leo Tolstoy used to visit.

Although it was originally designed as a general-purpose trade show venue, this park complex now houses amusement rides , ice rinks , and a number of galleries and other attractions for all ages.

The park's most famous landmarks are the Moskvarium, a marine biology center home to over 8000 species of marine animals, the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art, and a shopping center selling traditional products from former Soviet countries.

There's even a film museum showing Soviet cartoons or even a full-length film (for an extra fee) and an education center offering masterclasses on everything from becoming a barista to video montage (call or write in advance to find out which ones are English-friendly).

Soviet-era pavilions, sculptures, and fountains abound here as well, including the famous Friendship of the Peoples Fountain, which features statues of women dressed in costumes from different former Soviet countries.

Named after the famous Russian writer Maxim Gorky (who was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature five times but never won it) and sitting right across the Moskva River, Gorky Park covers 120 hectares of beautiful ponds and green spaces.

Popular with both locals and tourists, the park offers a variety of things to enjoy-from sunbeds, hammocks, and drinking fountains to free yoga classes and children's playgrounds. There's free Wi-Fi and sockets for charging your phone, as well as many food stands and plenty of wild animals, including deer, rabbits, and pheasants.

Visitors can rent paddle boats and bicycles to explore the park-and from May to October, there is also an open-air movie theater, as well as scheduled presentations by street performers, musicians, and artists. Gorky Park attracts the young and old, so don't be surprised to see a mix of people exercising, playing chess, and sunbathing.

Luxury Hotels :

• Lotte Hotel Moscow is one of the top 5-star properties in Moscow offering the largest Royal Suite in Russia. The trendy rooms and suites here all have contemporary style and great city views. On-site amenities are plentiful. There are two restaurants: one serving contemporary Italian fare, and the other Japanese. There is an impressively lit indoor swimming pool, a well-known spa, and a state-of-the-art gym.
• Another excellent luxury hotel is the Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow . The residential-style property is in the heart of Moscow just next to the Bolshoi Theatre and within walking distance of the Kremlin and Red Square. The rooms and suites have been opulently designed by Tony Chi. The on-site restaurant serves a mix of European and Armenian specialities. There is also a Japanese sushi bar and a rooftop lounge with fabulous city views.
• The St. Regis Moscow Nikolskaya also has a central location just a few minutes from the Kremlin and Red Square. The 5-star property has a mix of elegant rooms and suites, including interconnecting room options for families with kids. There are multiple restaurants on-site including an Italian bistro. Other amenities include the fabulous Iridium Spa, which does a full range of treatments and has an indoor swimming pool, sauna, and steam room.

Mid-Range Hotels :

• Palmira Business Club is a top mid-range choice. The contemporary lifestyle hotel offers well-appointed rooms and suites, including options for families. Suites are quite spacious and have kitchenettes. Amenities here include a complimentary breakfast at the on-site restaurant, a hot tub, sauna, and spa. There is also a fitness center.
• The trendy Mercure Moscow Baumanskaya offers a mix of rooms and suites with contemporary decor. The mid-range hotel can arrange airport transportation and offers baggage storage. Other amenities include a restaurant and room service. The front desk is open 24 hours.
• Boutique Hotel Brighton is about 10 minutes from the city center in a leafy park area. It offers excellent value for money and has charming rooms and suites with sound-proof windows and doors, as well as blackout curtains. A complimentary breakfast is served, and there is also an indoor swimming pool.

Budget Hotels :

• Hotel Ibis Budget Moscow Panfilovskaya is about a 15-minute drive from Moscow's downtown, and it's within walking distance from a metro station that will take you there. The soundproof rooms at this budget property are clean, comfortable, and can sleep up to three people. The hotel is pet friendly, has paid parking available on-site, and also has a salon.
• If you just need a budget hotel near the airport then check out Aviator Hotel Sheremetyevo . Located right at the airport, it has soundproof rooms, including options for families. Amenities include an indoor play area for kids, a sauna and swimming pool, and a free breakfast.

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Exploring Russia: Whether you are interested in history, nature, or architecture, there's much to see in Russia. For a good introduction to some of the most fascinating spots in the country, take a look at our article on the Best Places to Visit in Russia . For more on Russia's second-largest city and all it has to offer, check out our piece on the Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in St. Petersburg .

9 Things to See in Moscow's Red Square

 Sir Francis Canker/Getty Images

In most cases, you'll be entering Red Square from the north, passing landmarks such as the Bolshoi Theatre and Duma parliament building as you make your way southward. Although you don't necessarily have to pass through the Voskresensky (or Resurrection in English) Gates in order to gain access to the square these days, they definitely provide a sense of arrival, to say nothing of the way their left arch frame's St. Basil's Cathedral if you look from just the right angle.

An interesting fact is that while a gate of some kind has stood here since the mid-16th century, the one you currently see wasn't built until 1994, having been destroyed in 1931 so that tanks could enter and exit Red Square during military parades.

St. Basil's Cathedral

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson 

Few sights are as iconic not only of Moscow and Red Square but indeed of Russia than St. Basil's Cathedral, whose colorful, onion-shaped domes are a symbol of the country around the world. Officially known as the Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed, this church has stood since 1561, which is quite miraculous when you consider all the turbulent history that has transpired since then.

Among other things, religion was severely prohibited during the Soviet period , which led some to believe that this emblem of the Russian Orthodox church might not withstand the tenure of the USSR. 

An interesting fact is that St. Basil's is the so-called "Kilometer Zero" of Russia; all of Moscow's main roads (which can take you anywhere in Russia) begin at the exits to Red Square. In this way, St. Basil's iconic status also has an extremely tangible element.

The Kremlin

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson

When you think of The Kremlin, it's unlikely that positive images enter your mind. The fact that simply saying the word "Kremlin" is too vague a descriptor (most Russian cities have their own Kremlin complexes; you should say "Moscow Kremlin") notwithstanding, this misunderstood place is incredibly beautiful, even if you don't like the policy that comes out of it.

Senate Square

In spite of its name, which refers to the role the building that rises above the square played during Imperial Russia, Senate Square is actually home to Russia's presidential administration, currently helmed by Vladimir Putin. In order to see where Russia's legislature operates from, walk just outside Red Square to the Duma parliament building.

Dormition Cathedral

Dating back to the year 1479, the gold-domed Dormition Cathedral pays homage to an Orthodox religious feast that commemorates the death of the Virgin Mary . As is the case with St. Basil's, it is curious that such a conspicuously religious structure was able to survive through the Soviet period.

Armoury Chamber

Though it takes its name from the fact that it housed Russia's royal arsenal when it was built in the 16th century, the most notable resident of the Kremlin's Armoury Chamber today is the Russian Diamond Fund.

Notable Kremlin Towers

Robert Schrader

The interior of the Moscow Kremlin is more beautiful and inviting than you'd expect, but the walls and towers that rise around it better live up to the intimidation with which the complex is associated. 

Borovitskaya Tower

Named to commemorate the dense forest that once stood atop the mount where it's built, this tower is extremely picturesque. Built in the late 15th century, it's visible from most places in the square, and also as you walk along the Moskva River.

Nikolskaya Tower

Also built in the year 1491, this tower currently suffered destruction at the hands of Napoleon's army in the 19th century. What you see now is the result of an 1816 re-design and renovation, though artillery fire during the Russian Revolution also caused superficial damage to the tower, named to honor St. Nikolas of Mozhaysk , so it's difficult to know which elements of it are original.

Spasskaya Tower

Known in English as the "Savior's Tower," this iconic, star-topped tower is perhaps the best-known of all the Kremlin's towers. Built in 1491 like the other two towers on this list, it's certainly the most photographed. As a result of its proximity to St. Basil's, it often makes its way into tourists' pictures.

Mausoleum of Lenin

Just as it's strange to learn how many religious monuments survived through the Soviet period, it's a bit odd to think that Lenin's preserved body still sits in a mausoleum just beneath the walls of the Kremlin on Red Square, given the lack of consensus about the ultimate impact of his Revolution, even in Russia.

It's not guaranteed that you'll be able to see the body (which, believe it or not, seems to be improving with age ) when you go, and if you do you will likely have to wait in line, but even strolling past the outside of the Lenin Mausoleum, flanked by stone-faced guards that almost look like statues, illuminates the gravity of his body still being here.

GUM Shopping Center

You might cringe, at least initially, when you realize that one of the most iconic stops on a tour of Red Square is a department store—until you see said department store, that is. Built in 1893 and known during Soviet times as the State Department Store, GUM  ( Glávnyj Universáľnyj Magazín​ or Main Universal Store in English) hearkens back to the grandeur of the late 19th century, both seen from the outside (especially, when lit up at night) and the interior, which might have you feeling like you're further west in Europe.

A trip inside GUM is a particularly good idea during winter, when frigid temperatures outside will have you savoring the heat, the quality of souvenirs, confections and other goods sold inside notwithstanding. Also, make sure not to confuse GUM with CDM, which sits near the Bolshoi Theatre, even though both are stunning and iconic in their own right.

State Historical Museum

The Russian State Historical Museum is located near Voskresensky Gates, though you should wait until after you've seen the first few attractions of Red Square and the Kremlin to head back there and go inside. To be sure, as you pass by its facade (whose late-19th century grandeur somewhat obscures that fact that it's currently a museum accessible to the public) you might not even think to try and gain entry.

Once inside the museum, you can plan to spend at least a couple of hours, given that artifacts here date back to the very beginning of the Russian state in the ninth century. As is the case with GUM, this will be a particularly alluring prospect if you visit in winter, when Moscow is arguably at its most beautiful, but certainly at its least tolerable. 

Minin-Pozharsky Monument

It's somewhat easy to disregard this monument, which pays homage to the two Russian princes who ended the so-called "Time of Troubles" in the mid-16th century, during which Polish-Lithuanian forces occupied Russia, among other awful things including a famine. That's because the statue currently sits just at the base of St. Basil's Cathedral, which makes it very difficult to photograph or even see without being overwhelmed by that much more famous edifice.

Though the statue originally sat at the very center of Red Square, it came to be an obstacle to the movement of tanks during the Soviet period, much like the Voskresensky Gates. As a result, authorities moved it during that time, and it's stayed where you currently find it ever since.

Kazan Cathedral

Taken by itself, the smokey-pink Kazan Cathedral is an architectural marvel; originally built in the 17th century, the church you find here today, located just north of the GUM department store, dates back only to 1993.

Unfortunately, since it sits not only in the shadow of GUM, but also in the shadow St. Basil's and the Towers of the Kremlin, it's easy to miss entirely if you aren't looking. As a result, you might wait until you've seen just about everything else in Red Square before coming here to take photos, and to appreciate the understated beauty of this oft-overlooked cathedral.

Moskva River

As you head south from St. Basil's Cathedral to exit Red Square, make sure to walk onto Bolshoy Moskvoretskiy Bridge, which crosses the Moskva River. If you look due north, you can get an excellent shot of the church framed, on the left, by the towers of the Kremlin. Directing your gaze a bit to the west allows you to see the skyscrapers of Moscow City as they rise above the Kremlin's walls.

Walking westward along the riverbank is also a worthwhile excursion, for the views it provides of Red Square and the Kremlin, as well as the fact that doing so takes you to other iconic Moscow attractions, including Gorky Park and the Pushkin Museum. The views you enjoy from the river and the bridge are particularly stunning at night, though you should make sure you bring a tripod if you want to get a clear picture, given how strong winds over and near the river can be.

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TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

19 Unique And Fabulous Experiences In Moscow

• Destinations

Thinking of visiting Russia? When visiting such a famous city, one must, of course, visit the iconic landmarks first. Moscow has plenty of those, most of them in the center of the city, which is very well-planned for tourists. Once you’ve seen the sights that are on most travelers’ lists, it’s time to branch out and visit some of the lesser-known sites, and there are some fascinating places to see and things to do.

I know this list is long, but I just couldn’t help myself. You probably won’t have the time to see them all. But that’s okay. Just scroll through the list and choose what sounds the most interesting to you. Where possible, make sure to book in advance, as things can get crowded, especially during high season.

1. The Red Square, Kremlin, And Surroundings

Red Square (Krasnya Ploshad) is the heart and soul of Russia, and where much of the country’s history has unfolded. This is the most famous landmark in Moscow and indeed the whole country, it’s an absolute must-do! The square is always full of people and has a rather festive atmosphere!

Saint Basil’s Cathedral

This is the famous church with the rainbow-colored, onion-domed roof. The cathedral was commissioned in the 1500s by Ivan the Terrible and according to legend, the Tsar thought it was so beautiful, that he ordered that the architect’s eyes be cut out afterward, so he could never build anything more beautiful! He wasn’t called Ivan the Terrible for no reason!

Lenin’s Mausoleum

The “love-it-or-hate-it” of tourist attractions in Russia. A glass sarcophagus containing the embalmed body of Russian revolutionary, Vladimir Lenin. It may seem a bit bizarre to display the mummy of a person, but it has been there for almost half a century and the 2.5 million visitors who come each year, clearly feel the queuing and thorough body search are worth it, to be in Lenin’s presence.

Pro Tip: no photos and no loud talking are allowed inside the Mausoleum.

Eternal Flame

There is an Eternal Flame in honor of an unknown soldier on the left side of Red Square. The hourly changing of the guards is worth seeing.

The Kremlin is the official residence of the Russian president. You can see it from the outside, or you can take an excursion to one of the museums located inside. This is the biggest active fortress in Europe, and holds a week’s worth of attractions! Once behind the 7,332-feet of walls, there are five squares, four cathedrals, 20 towers, various museums, and the world’s largest bell and cannon to see. Worth a special mention is the Armory Chamber that houses a collection of the famous Faberge Eggs.

Pro Tip: You can only go inside the Kremlin if you are part of a tourist group.

2. Bolshoi Theatre

Bolshoi Theatre translates to “The Big Theatre” in Russian, and the building is home to both the Bolshoi Ballet and Bolshoi Opera — among the oldest and most famous ballet and opera companies in the world.

Pro Tip: It’s hard to get an inexpensive ticket, so if you’re reading well in advance of going to Moscow then try buying tickets on the official website . Last-minute tickets cost around $250 per person. If this is out of your budget, about an hour before a performance, you can try buying a ticket at the entrance from a reseller. Most can speak enough English to negotiate the price.

Tour the Bolshoi Theatre: You can take a group guided tour of the Bolshoi Theatre which focuses on the history and architecture of the theatre and behind the scenes. There’s an English language tour that lasts 2 hours and costs around $300 for a group of up to six.

3. Luxury Shopping At GUM And TSUM

Russia’s main department store, GUM, has a stunning interior that is home to over 100 high-end boutiques, selling a variety of brands: from luxurious Dior to the more affordable Zara. Even if shopping is not on your Moscow to-do list GUM is still worth a visit; the glass-roofed arcade faces Red Square and offers a variety of classy eateries. TSUM, one of the biggest luxury malls in town, is right behind the Bolshoi and GUM. It’s an imposing building with lots of history, and worth a visit just for its design and its glass roof.

4. Christ The Savior Cathedral

This is one of Russia’s most visited cathedrals and is a newer addition to the gorgeous array of Muscovite cathedrals, but don’t let its young age fool you. After perestroika, in the early 90s, the revived Russian Orthodox Church was given permission to build a cathedral on this site. It did the location honors and built the largest temple of the Christian Orthodox Church. The façade is as grand as you’d expect, but it’s the inside that will mesmerize you, with its domes, gold, gorgeous paintings, and decor!

The cathedral is located just a few hundred feet away from the Kremlin and was the site of the infamous Pussy Riot protest against Putin back in 2012.

Pro Tip: Bring a shawl to cover your hair as is the local custom.

5. Gorky Park

Moscow’s premier green space, Gorky Park (Park Gor’kogo) is the city’s biggest and most famous park. There is entertainment on offer here for every taste, from outdoor dancing sessions to yoga classes, volleyball, ping-pong, rollerblading, and bike and boat rental in summer. In winter, half the park turns into a huge ice skating rink. Gorky Park is also home to an open-air movie theater and the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art. There is also Muzeon Art Park, a dynamic contemporary space with a unique collection of 700 sculptures. It is located right in front of Gorky Park.

6. Sparrow Hills Park

If you take a walk from Gorky Park, along the Moscow River embankment, you’ll end up in the city’s other legendary park, Sparrow Hills. Although the park doesn’t offer as many activities as its hip neighbor, it has a great panoramic view of the city

Pro Tip: You can take a free walking tour to all of the above attractions with an English-speaking guide.

7. River Cruising

One of the best ways to experience Moscow, and see all the famous landmarks, but from a different angle, is from the Moscow River. Take a river cruise. Avoid the tourist crowds. There are little nameless old boats that do the cruise, but if you are looking for a more luxurious experience take the Radisson Blu cruise and enjoy the sights with some good food and a glass of wine.

8. Metro Hopping

Inaugurated in the 1930s, the Moscow Metro system is one of the oldest and most beautiful in the world. Started in Stalinist times, each station is a work of art in its own right. I’d recommend touring the stations between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. This way, you’ll be able to properly see it without the crowds. Ideally, I’d recommend taking a tour with a knowledgeable guide with GuruWalk, who will tell you stories of forgotten stations and how the history of the country is interconnected with the metro development. If going by yourself, then I definitely recommend checking out: Mayakovskaya, Ploschad Revolutsii, Kievskaya, Kropotkinskaya, Kurskaya, and Novoslobodskaya stations.

Visit the free Moscow Metro Museum: For real train enthusiasts, located in the southern vestibule of Sportivnaya station is a small free museum. Here you can take a peek into the driver’s cabin, see a collection of metro tokens from different cities, and see different models of a turnstile, traffic lights, escalator, and more.

9. Moscow State University View

In his effort to create a grander Moscow, Stalin had seven skyscrapers built in different parts of town; they’re called the Seven Sisters. The largest of these buildings and the one with the best view is the main building of the Moscow State University. Although this is a little outside the city center, the view is more than worth it.

10. Izmailovsky Market

Mostly known for the city’s largest flea market, the district of Izmaylovo is home to a maze of shops where you can get just about anything, from artisan crafts to traditional fur hats, handcrafted jewelry, fascinating Soviet memorabilia, and antiquities. It’s also one of Moscow’s largest green spaces. There are often no price tags, so be prepared to haggle a bit. Head to one of the market cafes for a warming mulled wine before continuing your shopping spree.

The History of Vodka Museum is found here, and the museum’s restaurant is the perfect place to sample various brands of the national drink.

Once you’ve covered the more touristy spots, Moscow still has plenty to offer, and the places below will also be full of locals! So for some local vibes, I would strongly recommend the spots below!

11. Moscow City

With a completely different vibe, Moscow City (also referred to as Moscow International Business Center) is like a mini Dubai, with lots of impressive tall glass buildings. Here is where you’ll find the best rooftops in towns, like Ruski Restaurant, the highest restaurant both in Moscow City and in Europe. Moscow City is great for crowd-free shopping and the best panoramic views of the city.

12. Tretyakov Gallery

Tretyakov Gallery started as the private collection of the Tretyakov brothers, who were 19th-century philanthropists. They gave their private collection to the government after their deaths. If there is just one museum you visit in Moscow, I recommend this one!

13. Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve

Tsaritsyno was a residence of Catherine the Great more than two centuries ago. It became derelict during the Soviet era but has now been fully renovated. With its opulently decorated buildings, gardens, meadows, and forests, Tsaritsyno Park is the perfect place for a green respite in Moscow.

14. Kolomenskoye

A 10-minute metro ride from the city center is Kolomenskoe Museum-Reserve, where you can get an idea of what Russia looked like 200 years ago. You’ll find ancient churches (one dating back to the 16th century), the oldest garden in Moscow, and the wonderful fairytale wooden palace of Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich, father of Peter the Great.

15. Ostankino TV Tower

Built in 1967, Ostankino TV Tower was the tallest free-standing construction in the world at the time, it’s still the 8th tallest building in the world and the highest in Europe. It’s also the best observation deck, with a glass floor and 360-degree views. The speedy elevators take you 1,105 feet in next to no time.

Pro Tip: You need to book in advance; entrance is based on specific ticket times and the capacity is limited and only a certain number of tourists are allowed per day. Don’t forget your passport, you’ll need it to get through security.

16. Zaryadye Park

Zaryadye is a newly opened, landscaped urban park so new you won’t find it in a lot of tour guides. The park is near Red Square and is divided into four climatic zones: forest, steppe, tundra, and floodplains, depicting the variety of climatic zones in Russia.

These last three suggestions are a little quirky, but all are really worth checking out.

17. Museum Of Soviet Arcade Games

Release your inner child playing on 66 arcade machines from the Soviet era! What a great way to spend a couple of hours when tired of visiting museums and palaces. The staff speaks excellent English and are happy to explain how the games work.

18. Moscow Rooftop Tour

Take a 1-hour private Moscow rooftop tour with an experienced roofer. I can just about guarantee none of your friends will be able to say they’ve done it! For your comfort, I recommend wearing comfortable shoes. Take your camera, there are some amazing photo opportunities out there!

19. Sanduny Banya

This classical Russian bathhouse opened its doors in 1808 and is famous for combining traditional Russian banya services with luxurious interiors and service. If you enjoy spas and saunas, then you should experience a Russian bathhouse at least once in your life! Go with an open mind and hire a specialist to steam you as it’s meant to be done — by being beaten repeatedly with a besom (a leafy branch)! This is said to improve circulation, but is best done by a professional!

So there you have my list of things to do in Moscow. I could have gone on and on and on, but I didn’t want to try your patience! There are so many things to do in this vibrant city that you’ll definitely need to allocate several days for exploring.

Here are some other reasons to visit Moscow and Russia:

• 7 Reasons To Put Moscow On Your Travel Bucket List
• Russia 30 Years (And 30 Pounds) Ago
• Massive Mysterious Craters Appearing Again In Siberia

Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, before moving to Africa at the age of 21, Sarah Kingdom is a mountain climber and guide, traveler, yoga teacher, trail runner, and mother of two. When she is not climbing or traveling she lives on a cattle ranch in central Zambia. She guides and runs trips regularly in India, Nepal, Tibet, Russia, and Ethiopia, taking climbers up Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro numerous times a year.

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Moscow’s Top 13 – The Main Attractions of the Russian capital

13 Moscow Attractions

One of the most fascinating metropolis, breathtaking city, and a vibrant European capital, Moscow is a powerful mix of history and edginess, full of world famous sites and attractions that are worth exploring. However, it would take weeks to really explore all facets of the Russian capital – unfortunately hardly any traveler has that much time, which is why you should concentrate on the absolute Moscow top attractions and highlights. Here is the list of top 13 Moscow attractions you can choose on your next Russian travel journey.

What Times Square means to New York, Pariser Platz with the Brandenburg Gate to Berlin, or Trafalgar Square to London – Red Square means to Moscow. The heart of Russia’s capital it is the central meeting point and the most famous photo opportunity. No place stands for Russia and Moscow more than “krasnaja ploshchad”, as Red Square is called in Russian.

It is arguably one of the Moscow main attractions and most visited. With the gigantic military parade on Victory Day in World War II, which takes place every year on May 9, the pictures of the square go around the world year after year. But for the rest of the year you will mainly meet local and foreign tourists here, who take peaceful pictures and soak up the unique spirit. The square looks spectacular illuminated at night, but you should visit the square at least once in daylight as well.

If you stand in the middle of the huge cobblestone square, in the clockwise direction you can see the Kremlin and the Kremlin Wall with a total of 20 individually designed towers, Lenin’s Mausoleum, Historical Museum built with red bricks, the little Kazan Cathedral, the impressive luxury department store GUM, the imposing St. Basil’s Cathedral and, the bridge over the Moskva River. This unique ensemble offers more sightseeing highlights at one stroke than any other tourist attractions in Moscow or the world.

So it’s no wonder that Red Square is UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers the most popular photo opportunities worldwide. When visiting Moscow, there is no reason not to visit to Red Square and a selfie is practically also a must – getting there is easy even for Russia newcomers. Although Red Square does not have its own metro station, it is still child’s play to find the way there – especially since the Square is the absolute geographical center of the city.

There are four metro stations in the vicinity, from which it is only a short walk to Red Square, Okhotny Ryad and Teatralnaya directly at the northwest entrance of the Square at the Historical Museum; further to the west is the Lenin Library station, from which one arrives at the same entrance through the Alexander Garden. As well as the station Revolution-square behind the GUM department store, which leads past to the northeast side of the Square.

The Kremlin

This is the biggest active fortress in Europe offering a week’s worth of attractions. For more than 70 years, the Kremlin was the power center of the Soviet Union, which the US President Ronald Reagan called the Empire of Evil exactly 35 years ago, one of the symbols of the East-West conflict in the Cold War. People in the West feared the «dark» plans that were built behind the thick walls of the Kremlin.

The Kremlin is built in a triangular shape on the natural elevation above the Moscow River, known today as the Kremlin Hill. Today’s metropolis Moscow has expanded in a circle around it and the road around the Kremlin is considered the first of several ring roads in Moscow counting.

Now Kremlin has lost its terrifying image, although it is still the seat of the Russian President and thus one of the most important places in World political events. It is an inviting, historical sight for tourists, and one of the famous Moscow tourist attractions which can be visited for just a few dollars.

The large parts of the 28 hectare site can be visited by tourists – with the exception of the Kremlin towers, the presidential Grand Kremlin Palace and the Senate Palace. The first port of call on the site is the so-called Cathedral Square, which is the geographical center of the Kremlin and at the same time the highest point on the Kremlin Hill and contains the three oldest structures in the complex. The three 15 th -century cathedrals of the Kremlin (the Dormition, Archangel Michael and the Annunciation Cathedrals), which together with the Ivan the Great Bell Tower and the Cathedral of the Deposition of Mary, make the most famous ensemble of the Kremlin. Also to be visited here are primarily the Armoury and the Patriarch’s palace.

To get to the Kremlin, you have to pass a security gate at one of the two publicly accessible entrances – these are located at the Kutafja and Borovitsky towers. Tickets cost from 700 rubles upwards, the admission to the Armoury, the Ivan the Great bell tower and the Patriarch’s Palace being paid for separately.

More about the Kremlin

Lenin’s Mausoleum

This is the ultimate love it or hate it tourist attractions in Moscow It may be mistaken for a gloomy performance, but Lenin remains an absolute attraction almost a hundred years after Vladimir Lenin death. The founding father of the Soviet Union is not only a fascinating historical figure of world renown for supporters of communism. Despite ongoing discussions about a final burial of the leader of the communist October Revolution in 1918, hundreds of thousands come year after year to the dark marble building on Red Square, right next to the Kremlin wall, to see the embalmed body of the legendary Russian revolutionary.

First opened to the public in 1924, the Mausoleum attracts 2.5 million visitors every year, so, visitors have to wait a long time to get into the illustrious building. Also, photos from inside the Mausoleum are prohibited. But a visit is still a must for Moscow visitors, especially since the visit is free. Please note that the Mausoleum is only open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The queue starts behind the Historical Museum and before you get into the actual mausoleum, you have to pass an airport-like security gate – cameras and cell phones are not allowed into the Mausoleum, but can be safely placed in a cloakroom for a small fee. On the way out of the Mausoleum, after the visit, you pass the graves of the other Soviet heads of state. Including the grave of Josef Stalin, who was briefly kept next to Lenin in the Mausoleum after his death. But in the course of de-Stalinization, the cruel dictator was moved to the less prominent place behind the Mausoleum.

More about the Lenin Mausoleum

The Alexander Garden (Alexandrovsky Sad)

If you visit Moscow in summer, the hustle and bustle in the metropolis of millions can get over your head. The city, best known for its icy winters, can turn into an absolute burning furnace in summer. It sometimes takes over an hour to get to the edge of the metropolis. The perfect retreat, located in the center of Moscow, is therefore the Alexander Garden and one of the Moscow top attractions.

Located directly on the western wall of the Kremlin, the Alexander Garden is just a small, but all the more well-kept park that extends to the nearby Manege Square (Manezhnaya Ploschad). The garden undergoes a lot of changes, with old trees cut down in 2012 and over 200 planted, the authorities also claim that there will be a rosary of 3000 roses. As soon as the first rays of sun warm up the Muscovites, tormented by the long winter, they set off into the countryside. If you are right in the center, you can choose the small park right by the Kremlin.

With a café in hand, which you can get yourself on Manege Square, you can linger here between the carefully tended flower beds. With the Grave of the Unknown Soldier and the regular changing of the guard, there is even a real tourist attraction on top. Entry is free.

The Moscow Metro

In no other metropolis in the world would the subway be declared a sight. Yes, that is truly right as riding this one of the top Moscow tourist attractions is an experience in itself or just a walk through the station is amazing in itself. Whether in New York, Berlin, London or Paris – the big city inhabitants of the world metropolises have a love-hate relationship with their metro. It’s different in Moscow – the residents of the Russian metropolis love their metro and there is a reason for that: in the early days of metro construction, dictator Stalin had built the stations into “palaces for the workers”.

All the splendor of the tsars, which the ordinary Russian never saw, is now open to everyone, regardless of their origin. Indeed, a number of stations on the Moscow Metro, each built shortly before or after the war, are unmatched architectural masterpieces. Mayakovskaya station is often compared to a ballroom for its chandeliers and ornaments. The Teatralnaya stop, located directly below the world-famous Bolshoi Theater, shines with decorations reminiscent of the country’s theater and ballet tradition. Colorful glass windows, almost like in a sacred building, adorn the Novoslobodskaya station.

But the uncalled queen among Moscow’s metro beauties is Komsomolskaya station, named after the youth organization of the Soviet Union. With its huge chandeliers and detailed ceiling decorations, it is the crown jewel among the 331 metro stations. It is not uncommon for tourists to stand in the middle of the platform and take photos under the glances of passengers who just want to walk past the annoying tourists to and from work as quickly as possible.

A ride on the metro currently costs 57 rubles, which is less than one dollar. You should plan a few hours for a tour of the most beautiful stations, but the good news is, once behind the turnstile, a single ticket is enough to stay in the metro system as long as you want.

The Bolshoi Theater

To see Tchaikovsky Swan Lake or the Nutcracker by the same legendary Russian composer on the famous Bolshoi stage – that is the dream of every ballet fan. Home to the largest and one of the oldest ballet and opera companies in the world, nowhere else is the fine art of musical dance lived as much as in Russia – and has been since the times of the tsars.

The Bolshoi itself has been shining back to its former glory since it was built in 1776 since its extensive renovation that cost almost a billion dollars a few years ago. The large historical hall of the building impresses with its opulent golden decorations and creates a very special atmosphere – this was also used by the communist leaders of the Soviet Union, who held their congresses in the building directly at the Kremlin. The Theater is so famous that it currently adorns the 100 ruble banknote and is among the Moscow main attractions.

If you’d like to go to what is probably the most famous ballet theater in the world today, it’s easier than ever. The program can be found months in advance on the official website bolshoi.ru  and can be ordered at very reasonable prices. The cheapest seats in the hall can be booked for as little as 100 rubles, i.e. less than $ 2. However, you should reserve tickets early, as the performances are usually booked weeks in advance. Even for good seats, you pay very moderate prices compared to Western Europe.

There are a few things to watch out for, however, proper, appropriate clothing is welcome, but apart from the obligation to wear trousers, it is not an exclusion criterion for men. If you arrive late, you have to wait outside until the next break so as not to disturb the other guests during the performance. The best way to get to the Bolshoi is by taking the Moscow Metro via the Teatralnaya station, which was built especially for the theater and which stairs are right in front of the main entrance.

More about the Bolshoi Theater

The GUM department store

The Russian abbreviation GUM means main all-purpose shopping center and sounds quite formal for such a shopping temple. Located in front of the Kremlin on Red Square, GUM has existed as a department store since 1920 and was previously a market. It is the most iconic and largest department store in Russia and among the Moscow tourist attractions .   The facade of the building, built in 1890, fits perfectly into the overall picture of Red Square and is illuminated photogenically at night.

In contrast to the scarcity economy of the Soviet era, the GUM today really has everything to offer that one can imagine. It has become the flagship of the shopping and fashion metropolis Moscow. But today you will mainly find smaller luxury shops here. From western high-couture boutiques such as Prada or Gucci to fur for the icy Russian winter, a well-to-do Muscovite or a tourist will find everything their heart desires here.

People can walk through the wide and beautifully decorated arcades of the GUM, free of charge. Cafes invite you to linger. A delicatessen shop on the ground floor sells Russian specialties at affordable prices. Chocolate, honey and caviar, as well as the all-round vodka in Russia, can be bought here as souvenirs for friends and family at home. In addition, the Soviet-style cafeteria on the upper floor is very cheap for lunch.

The GUM offers a special highlight every winter when the department store administration built an ice rink in front of the building directly on Red Square. For only 200 to 300 rubles per hour, depending on the time of day, you can lace up your skates and glide over the ice with the unique panorama of Red Square.

More about the GUM department store 

The Historical Museum

The Historical Museum is a museum of Russian history wedged between Red Square, Lenin Mausoleum, small Kazan Cathedral, and Manege Square. The red brick building of the Museum is a real eye-catcher and Moscow top attractions located on the opposite side of St. Basil’s Cathedral. It is dedicated to Russian history and is built in the Old Russian style, the building did not open until 1883.

The Museum houses everything from an exhibition on the archeology of Russia, through the technological achievements, to the art of the gigantic empire in 16 sections and has a total of 5 million exhibits. So if you are interested in the history of Russia, you cannot avoid visiting this Museum and should plan enough time for it.

A visit costs 150 to 500 rubles, depending on which exhibition you want to visit. The Museum is open in winter, autumn and spring from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., closed on Tuesdays. In the summer months, the extended Saturday times apply daily.

It is probably the most famous park in the Russian capital and the top Moscow tourist attractions – a novel and its film adaptation and a Russian rock band have its name and numerous songs by Russian and international bands and TV series, such as House of Cards, mention it or act here. Gorky Park is a premier green space offering entertainment for every taste. Located southwest of the center of Moscow on the Moskva River, it is designed more for family attractions and rest and the classic park on the other side – has become one of the meeting places for Muscovites of all kinds in recent years.

Whether for a yoga class, a family picnic or beach volleyball match, skateboarding, and cycling – people meet here often. Because even in the Gorky there is an ice surface in winter, the largest in Moscow, which attracts many Moscow residents as well as tourists.

A large-scale renovation in 2011 breathed new life into the park – the roller kiosks were removed and more emphasis was placed on the maintenance of the green spaces. The park remained free of charge and developed into one of the most popular places in the capital. Whether with the rental bike through the green lungs, the pedal boat across the numerous ponds or simply watching the goings-on on the park bench – a visit to Gorki is also absolutely worthwhile for tourists.

Day trip to the Golden Ring

As much as the metropolis Moscow is fascinating, the side effects of a cosmopolitan city like Moscow – the noise, the traffic and the crowds – can overwhelm any tourist. What could be better than a day trip to escape the organized chaos of the cosmopolitan city?

The places on the Golden Ring near Moscow are an ideal destination for this and among the Moscow main attractions – located north-east of the metropolis, these old Russian cities, some of which have existed for much longer than Moscow itself, offer a welcome change from the hectic hustle and bustle of the capital.

Developed in the late 1960s uniting several mediaeval Russian cities located to the north-east of Moscow it is the most popular route around provincial cities of central Russia. More than a thousand year old city of Yaroslavl on the Volga is the largest, but at 260 km from Moscow also the most distant city of the Golden Ring. For only 650 rubles, however, you can take the three-hour train ride there.

Yaroslavl has been part of the world cultural heritage since 2005 and is best known for its two monasteries – the Monastery of our Savior and Transfiguration and the Monastery of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Tolga are located directly on the Europe’s longest river Volga and its inflow Kotorosl. Both testify to the long history of the Russian Orthodox Church. The cityscape of Yaroslavl is also really worth seeing with its classicist buildings – walking through the streets of the city with 500,000 inhabitants is a welcome contrast to Moscow. Things are even more slow in the small towns of Suzdal and Vladimir, both of which can still be reached with the Moscow suburban train network (known as Elektrichka) for a good 500 rubles. In both cities time seems to have stood a little – large sacred buildings dominate the cityscape.

Especially the Assumption Cathedral, located in the center of Vladimir, and the Golden Medieval Gate are the main attractions for tourists. The church, built in the early 12th century, is best known for its almost 700 year old wall paintings and frescoes and is a World Heritage Site. The Suzdal Kremlin is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage List and was first mentioned in writing in 1024.

Suzdal with its only 10,000 inhabitants has still retained the character of a small Russian town and in the town, which will celebrate its millennium in 2024, you can still find numerous wooden buildings typical of rural Russia – whether churches or houses, the colorful buildings are ideal as Photo motif and give an impression of the simple Russian provinces life away from the metropolises.

The exhibition of the achievements of the national economies is not in every travel guide as a classic Moscow main attractions and a must see of the Russian capital. But no other place in the modern mega-metropolis exudes the spirit of the Soviet Union as much as the enormous VDNKh (All Russian Exhibition Centre) in the north of Moscow. It was built as an agricultural exhibition before World War II, but was then renamed world exhibition for the 15 individual Soviet states and their achievements.

From the Armenian, Estonian and Kyrgyz culture, to the Soviet achievements in space travel and nuclear power, to statues about the heroes of the Soviet history, the VNDKh (Vystavka Dostizheniy Narodnogo Khozyastva) was an absolute attraction until the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. After that, the old charm fell into disrepair and the large central pavilion, which was built in the splendidly pompous Stalinist style, was filled with small traders selling souvenirs and matryoshkas.

Since its renovation in 2014, the exhibition in the park-like area is absolutely worth a trip again and with the metro station of the same name you can get from the center to the VDNKh quickly and without problems. There are still strange souvenirs, plus huge Soviet monuments worth seeing, as well as numerous rides for children. The Kosmos exhibition still exists and is now part of the Cosmonaut Museum, which is located at the front end of the park when coming from the metro station.

Here you can experience the various achievements of Soviet and Russian space travel vividly. From the very first Sputnik satellite, the spacesuit of Yuri Gargarin, the very first human in space, to the Buran space shuttle, you can learn an incredible amount about the conquest of the cosmos here. However, you should plan several hours just for a visit to the Cosmonaut Museum.

More about the cosmonaut museum

The Pushkin Museum and the Tretyakov Gallery

To complete the cultural program in Moscow, you should definitely make a tour to the Pushkin Museum and the Tretyakov Gallery when visiting the Russian capital. It is the largest museum of European art and among the Moscow top attractions. The former Museum of Fine Arts was named after Alexander Pushkin’s death in 1837 – it is still one of the most important art collections in the world today.

It boasts one of the richest collections of foreign art in Russia, showcasing global artistic developments from early times to the present day in expositions numbering 700,000 works of art.  Not far south of the Kremlin, exactly opposite the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the Museum is housed in a classic building specially built for this purpose in 1898. From early Byzantine art to the famous Madonna by Lukas Cranach, the Italian masters, Peter Paul Rubens and masterpieces of Expressionism, for example by Paul Cézanne, you can admire a huge selection of important art here.

The regular entry ticket costs 800 rubles and the Ьuseum is open on weekends from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., during the week until 8 p.m. – only Monday is closed.

The second important art collection in the capital is the State Tretyakov Gallery. It is the national treasury of Russian fine art and one of the greatest museums in the world. Started by the textile entrepreneur and philanthropist Pavel Tretyakov as a collection of local contemporary art in 1851, the gallery has now developed into one of the cultural highlights of Russia. In contrast to the Pushkin Museum, you will primarily find Russian art from the 19th century and older icons.

Entry cost is 400 rubles and the Gallery is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. – Monday is also the day off.

Take a stroll across Red Square, meet Lenin and see the world-famous Kremlin?

Then first of all you need a visa! !

Alexander Popov

Welcome to Russia! My name is Alexander, I was born in Moscow and I'm a passionate tour guide. I want to share my passion for Russia and my hometown with you. On my website you will find useful information to make your individual trip to Russia as interesting as possible.

The Museum of Cosmonautics and the Planetarium in Moscow

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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

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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 metres above sea level. Although 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 centre 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 flavour of the Yilan countryside. The whisky produced here has a smooth and creamy flavour, which has even beaten Scotch whiskies in blind 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 Centre for Traditional Arts

The National Centre 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 harbour town of which is known the world over for its challenging surfing.

Taiwan Theater Museum

Th Taiwan Theater Museum is located in the cultural centre 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 writings appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.

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Top Things to Do in Yilan, Taiwan - 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 4-Day Eastern Taiwan Tour: Yilan Hualien Taitung

• Private Tour to Yilan Kavalan Whisky Distillery

• Hualien Taroko Day Tour From Ximending

Private Yilan Green Expo Day Tour from Taipei

N112 Northeast Day Tour (South Yaki Rock Fulong Sanjiaojiao Beiguan Haichao Park Burang Coffee Castle) (10h)

Discover Yilan: Scallion Pastry, Kavalan Whisky & Cultural Gems

Private sightseeing tours.

Top Attractions in Yilan

Nature and Wildlife Tours

Multi-day tours.

Cultural Tours

Tours & sightseeing, what travellers are saying.

• Aohua Waterfall
• Guangsing Farm
• Yi Lan King Car Toucheng Afforestation Park
• Jiaosi Hot Spring
• Wufengchi Waterfall
• Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area
• Meihua Lake
• Tangweigou Jiaosi Hot Spring Park
• Taipei Northeast Corner Private Day Tour
• Lanyang Museum
• Yilan Luodong Forestry Culture Park
• National Center for Traditional Arts

Top Things to Do in Yilan

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 4-Day Eastern Taiwan Tour: Yilan Hualien Taitung

• Private Tour to Yilan Kavalan Whisky Distillery

• Hualien Taroko Day Tour From Ximending

Private Yilan Green Expo Day Tour from Taipei

N112 Northeast Day Tour (South Yaki Rock Fulong Sanjiaojiao Beiguan Haichao Park Burang Coffee Castle) (10h)

Discover Yilan: Scallion Pastry, Kavalan Whisky & Cultural Gems

Private sightseeing tours.

Top Attractions in Yilan

Nature and Wildlife Tours

Multi-day tours.

Cultural Tours

Tours & sightseeing, what travellers are saying.

• Aohua Waterfall
• Guangsing Farm
• Yi Lan King Car Toucheng Afforestation Park
• Jiaosi Hot Spring
• Wufengchi Waterfall
• Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area
• Meihua Lake
• Tangweigou Jiaosi Hot Spring Park
• Taipei Northeast Corner Private Day Tour
• Lanyang Museum
• Yilan Luodong Forestry Culture Park
• National Center for Traditional Arts