North Taiwan · Tea & Silence
Yilan
宜蘭 · Yílán
Su’ao harbour, Yilan · Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC BY-SA 3.0
Why go
A green plain of rice fields between the mountains and the Pacific, with Taiwan’s only lowland hot springs at Jiaoxi and dolphin-watching around Guishan Island.
Through the Hsuehshan Tunnel, an hour from Taipei, the mountains open onto the Lanyang Plain: rice paddies, slow rivers and the volcanic outline of Guishan (Turtle) Island offshore.
Yilan is where Taipei comes to unwind. Jiaoxi’s hot springs are a short walk from the station, the harbour at Nanfang’ao serves the day’s catch, and from spring to early autumn boats head out to see dolphins.
Highlights
- 一Jiaoxi hot springs
- 二Guishan Island & dolphin watching
- 三Nanfang’ao fishing harbour
- 四Su’ao cold springs
Top experiences
4 things to see and do in Yilan
Yu tptw, CC BY-SA 4.0 Jiaoxi hot springs 礁溪溫泉
Taiwan’s only flatland hot springs: clear sodium-bicarbonate water, with resorts offering private baths.
Insider tip Jiaoxi Hot Springs Park is about 500 m from the railway station.
lienyuan lee, CC BY 3.0 Guishan Island & dolphins 龜山島
A volcanic island shaped like a floating turtle, about 10 km offshore, with milky-blue water from undersea springs and frequent dolphin sightings.
Insider tip Landing on the island needs a permit; whale and dolphin trips run from April to September. We arrange both.
Taiwankengo, CC BY-SA 4.0 Nanfang’ao fishing harbour 南方澳
One of Taiwan’s great fishing ports, with a seafood market and views from the harbour lookout.
Taiwankengo, CC BY-SA 4.0 Su’ao cold springs 蘇澳冷泉
Rare carbonated cold springs, a refreshing contrast to Jiaoxi on a summer day.
When to go
Guishan Island is open from March to November and the whale and dolphin season runs from April to the end of September. Winter is cool and wet, perfect for hot springs.
Getting there
- About 1 hour from Taipei by private car through the Hsuehshan Tunnel.
- Trains from Taipei to Jiaoxi or Yilan take about 1–1.5 hours.
Where to stay
- Jiaoxi: Hot-spring resorts with private baths, an hour from Taipei.
- Countryside villas: Design homestays among the rice fields for a quiet night.
Local tips
- Combine Yilan with the northeast coast or continue south to Hualien by train.
- Weekend traffic in the Hsuehshan Tunnel can be heavy; we time the drive around it.
Plan
A private trip to Yilan
Tell us your dates and pace. We will suggest how long to stay, where to sleep and when to arrive to avoid the crowds.
Yilan: frequently asked questions
Can we see dolphins year-round?
The main season is April to the end of September, when sightings are frequent.
Is Yilan a good day trip from Taipei?
Yes, though a night in a Jiaoxi hot-spring resort makes it far more relaxing.
Practical guides
Travel guides for Yilan
- The best time to visit TaiwanWhen to visit Taiwan, month by month: typhoon statistics from the Central Weather Administration, the May–June plum rains, and the 2027 Lunar New Year and lantern festival dates.
- The best day trips from TaipeiDay trips from Taipei compared: Jiufen and Shifen, Yehliu, Yilan hot springs, Taroko Gorge and Sun Moon Lake, with travel times and opening hours from official sources.
