Yilan
Yilan is a county an hour from Taipei by train, where you can soak in hot springs, walk through rice fields and eat at the Luodong night market.
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Yilan is a county on the northeast coast of Taiwan, on the Lanyang Plain. Mountains rise behind flat farmland, rivers and small towns, and the county sits east of Taipei, about an hour away by train. Day trips from the capital are common, but Yilan also works well as a base for a slower trip, and trains make the route simple.
Most people come for the hot springs in Jiaoxi and Wuwei and for the Lanyang Museum in Yilan City. Luodong Night Market is a popular place for local snacks, and Jiaoxi is a short train ride from Yilan City. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking and soaking, while winter is wetter. Two to three days is enough to see the main towns and spend a night at a hot spring.
Yilan in five
- Set up an eSIM before the hillsMobile signal may be weak on mountain roads, so download offline maps before you leave Taipei.Phones and eSIM
- Take the Taiwan Railways train from TaipeiTrains from Taipei Main Station reach Yilan in about an hour, while the freeway slows badly on weekends. Check times on the railway's own website before you go.Getting around
- Carry cash for the night marketsNight market stalls and small shops often take cash only, so carry New Taiwan dollars. Hotels and chains usually take cards and mobile payments.Money and costs
- Book hot spring hotels for weekendsJiaoxi hotels fill on weekends and public holidays, so book early. Some baths ban visible tattoos, so ask before you go in.
- Check licence rules before you rent a scooterScooter rental is common in Yilan, but you need a valid licence that covers motorcycles, and many visitors need an international driving permit as well. Carry your passport and confirm your foreign licence covers scooters before you sign.
Need to know
- Currency
- New Taiwan dollar (TWD)
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for many passports; check yours before flying Read more
- Emergency
- 110 police, 119 fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+8, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCool, wet
- FebruaryCool, rainy
- MarchDrier, mild
- AprilMild, drizzle
- MayPlum rain
- JuneHumid, rainy
- JulyHot, typhoon risk
- AugustTyphoon risk
- SeptemberTyphoon season
- OctoberWarm, fewer storms
- NovemberWettest, cool
- DecemberCool, wet
Right now in Yilan
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
21
- Feels like
- 24°
- Humidity
- 99%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Yilan
04:40 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today23°19°100%Tuesday: Rain. High 23°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed25°18°73%Wednesday: Fog. High 25°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 73%.
- Thu28°16°55%Thursday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 55%.
- Fri22°20°97%Friday: Rain. High 22°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 97%.
- Sat22°19°100%Saturday: Rain. High 22°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sun26°17°93%Sunday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 93%.
- Mon22°19°100%Monday: Rain. High 22°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 100%.
Updated 04:02 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 32.64 TWD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Taipeiabout 1 hour by trainThe capital, a short train ride away for museums and food.
- Jiaoxiabout 20 to 30 min by trainHot spring hotels and baths on the same rail line as Yilan.
- Keelungabout 1 hour by trainA harbor city with a night market and seafood.
Before you go to Yilan
Rules for Yilan, checked
- Check visa-free entry for your passport on the Taiwan Bureau of Consular Affairs site, boca.gov.tw, before you book.
- Declare meat, fresh fruit, plants and seeds on the arrival card. Taiwan Customs can fine undeclared items.
- Taiwan's drug laws are strict, and possession of even small amounts can lead to arrest. Carry no drugs.
- Vaping devices and e-cigarettes cannot be imported into Taiwan. Check Taiwan Customs rules before you pack one.
Plan around Yilan
Regions, entry rules, transport and money for a Taiwan trip
Read the guideGetting around TaiwanTrains, buses and scooters compared for a trip beyond Taipei
Read the guideMoney and cards in TaiwanCash for night markets, and where cards and mobile payment work
Read the guideVisas and entry rulesWho can enter visa-free and what to check before you fly
Read the guideWhere to stayHot spring hotels and town bases compared
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData on landing and offline maps for mountain roads
Read the guideYilan FAQ
Is Yilan worth visiting?
Yes if you want hot springs, coastline and a slower pace than Taipei. Two or three nights is a practical stay, and trains make it easy to reach.
Is Yilan a good day trip from Taipei?
It works for an afternoon in Jiaoxi, but one day leaves little time for the coast. Take the train to avoid weekend freeway traffic.
How do you get from Taipei to Yilan?
Take a Taiwan Railways train from Taipei Main Station, which takes about an hour. Buses and the freeway also run, but weekend traffic can add a lot of time.
How many days do you need in Yilan?
Two nights covers Jiaoxi, a night market and one coastal stop. Add a third night if you want a hike or a slower hot spring stay.
When is the best time to visit Yilan?
March, April and October are the most comfortable months, with less rain than winter. Typhoons affect summer and early autumn, so check forecasts before you travel.
Do I need a visa for Taiwan?
Many passports get visa-free short stays. Check your nationality on boca.gov.tw before you book, since the rules can change.