5 PLACES TO VISIT FOR A DAY TRIP TO YILAN, TAIWAN
by
JH
- Monday, March 02, 2015
One of the most beautiful and spectacular sights in Yilan will have to be the Lanyang Museum.
Alight at Toucheng 頭城 Station. Here's the flow of the train station onboard Taiwan Railways.
蘇澳新 - 羅東- 宜蘭 - 礁溪 - 頭城 - 外澳- 龜山
Suaoxin- LuoDong- Yilan- JiaoXi- Toucheng- Waiao- Guishan
If you want to skip the hassle, hire a local driver and get to Yilan's various attractions faster.
* This is going to be a long photo post filled with information*
1. Lanyang Museum
More details on traveling later. We did not pay for the admission fees to enter the exhibition halls because the museum closes at 5pm and we were there late. Museum was super packed with tour groups.
They are closed on every Wednesday and open from Thursday to Tuesday. So do take note.
This spectacular architecture was modelled to reflect the gently sloping mountain. It was stated that the roof protrudes from the ground at an angle of 20 degrees and that the aluminium panels resembles that of the joints of the mountain, reflecting harmony with nature
Look at what creative shoots you can create, see how the locals do it.
Serene at every angle. The Lanyang Museum is indeed a harmonious blend with nature.
Moving away from Lanyang, towards Toucheng Fish Harbor Center and Waiao Beach.
Along the way is the visitor center, which unfortunately we had no time to step in. I suggest coming here early to explore the whole area.
Guishan Island (Turtle Island)
We had wanted to go for the Turtle Island tour but unfortunately, we were there right smack with the start of typhoon period. The trip was cancelled by the tour operator due to stormy and choppy sea waves.
We had wanted to choose the following tour options:
宜蘭龜山島賞鯨
賞鯨+繞島+登島1400元
The tour includes whale watching with island tour and entry with a guided tour. Priced at TW1400 per pax, it was a reasonable price.
The tour includes whale watching with island tour and entry with a guided tour. Priced at TW1400 per pax, it was a reasonable price.
However, it was difficult for foreigners to book online. You might want to attempt to email Ms Li the agent in mandarin, but best to get your hotel/minsu to book the tour for you. I am sure it will be easier via the locals.
Head on to this website to see the details: http://www.qk717.com.tw/suite.html
2. Toucheng Fish Harbor
This is where we were supposed to gather for the Turtle Island tour.
If you can read Mandarin, you can see many ferries have the words ' 龜山' on them, stating that there are indeed many operators providing the tour services to Turtle Island. It was a real pity we have travelled so far but not able to board this lovely island.
Hope you will have better luck should you decide to give this island a visit. 
All the fishing boats and ferries were tied up and were not in service that day due to typhoon alert.
3. WuShi Harbor 烏石港
The huge concrete barrier separates the beach from the much further Toucheng Fish Harbor just now. Takes about 35 mins to walk over to this harbour from Lanyang Museum.
Phew~
4. Waiao beach 外澳海滩
Wushi Harbor comprises of this beautiful lovely Waiao beach. This beach is a hidden paradise known for surfing and I have seen pictures on blogs whereby umbrellas and surfboards spreading the entire coastline, crowded with sea surfing sun tanning.
I guess my photos below will look pretty 'unusual' with no sea activities. The lone island on the far end is the famous Turtle Island~~
I guess my photos below will look pretty 'unusual' with no sea activities. The lone island on the far end is the famous Turtle Island~~
Nonetheless, I was pretty thankful for the fine weather. It was a clear day and we managed to play by the beach. There were still people around, though no surfing.
Turtle Island.~ The next best thing we could do was to admire the island from afar.
Pity.
Pity.
Love the smooth black sand under my feet. Warm and fine, like a spa for my feet.
5. Mr Brown Coffee Castle 伯朗咖啡城堡
The only up is to take a cab and it was not too expensive. The journey from Lanyang Museum took us some 20 minutes up the winding slope.
Address: 外澳里8鄰石空路95號
This has got to be the most awe-dropping cafe I have been to ever. Occupying the entire premises with a magnificent exterior resembling that of a castle, it was hard for me not to OooH and Aahhhh.
That's not all. There is another castle even further uphill away from this castle cafe. However the slope looks so steep and far, we didn't try walking up. Seems only possible if you drive. ( Cabs do not come easy on the hill)
The Cafe occupies 2 level, with an open roof top.
There's even a lift within.
Here's our order: Chocolate cream puff, egg tart and drinks~
Level 1 order and self-service.
Rooftop View
Get ready for a spectacular top-down panorama view at the rooftop.
From high up, there will always be people photo bombing everywhere.
View from up the castle- Turtle Island
Actually, Mr Brown is a franchise with branches everywhere in Taiwan. Honestly speaking, the drinks are not spectacular but people are here mainly for the ambience and to take photos.
Returning Back to "Earth"
From the top, you can have a clear view of the massive Waiao Beach.To come back to "earth", asked the friendly staff in the cafe to book a cab for you. If you are in luck you may catch patrons alighting from a cab but otherwise booking is the best to get back down.
Waiao Mr Brown Cafe
Nearer to Waiao Beach however, at the Waiao Service Centre is another Mr Brown Cafe, back on land. 金車海景咖啡館
Address: 濱海路二段6號
This cafe is well loved because of it's peculiar architecture as well as the cafe's strategic location facing the Waiao Beach. Patrons can choose to sit outdoors near the beach.
Heading Back
To get back to the Train station, take a cab. Taking cab is the fastest and most efficient way to travel in Yilan and fairly cheap. Just quote/ ask for a fixed rate before boarding. If you have a travel partner sharing, it's even better.
Surprise surprise, the symbol of Toucheng Station is the Lanyang Museum.
At the train station, queue up at the counter and simply tell which station you are heading. Simple. There's no need to fuss on the timing of the trains as frequencies are quite frequent.
Check your train time schedule.
Check your train time schedule.
PIN FOR LATER!
Read on my other trips in Taiwan. Click Menu and search under 'Taiwan' for more!
Useful Location Maps
Mr Brown Castle Cafe
