Yilan and Jiaoxi: hot springs, Turtle Island and key tips

Take a bus from Taipei through the Hsuehshan Tunnel to Jiaoxi for the hot springs, an easy day trip. To land on Turtle Island, apply for a permit 20 to 3 days ahead: landings run only from March to November.

How long have you got?

• A day from Taipei: the Jiaoxi hot springs and Wufengqi Falls, or the Lanyang Museum and a boat from Wushi Harbor.
• Two days: add Turtle Island, Luodong Night Market and the National Center for Traditional Arts.

When are you going?

• March to November: landings on Turtle Island, by permit only.1Northeast and Yilan Coast NSA (opens in a new tab)necoast-nsa.gov.tw
• April to September: the best season for whale and dolphin watching from Wushi Harbor.2Northeast and Yilan Coast NSA (opens in a new tab)necoast-nsa.gov.tw

Top things to do

• Jiaoxi hot springs: Tangweigou Hot Spring Park has public foot baths and bathhouses, 240 m from Jiaoxi station.3Tourism Administration (opens in a new tab)eng.taiwan.net.tw Jiaoxi Hot Springs Park is 500 m north of the station.4Tourism Administration (opens in a new tab)eng.taiwan.net.tw
• Turtle Island (Guishan Island): a volcanic island off the coast, NT$100, landings 09:00 to 17:00 from 1 March to 30 November.Tip Apply online 20 to 3 days ahead; a certified guide is required and numbers are capped.5Northeast and Yilan Coast NSA (opens in a new tab)necoast-nsa.gov.tw The 401 summit trail is closed.6NSA notice (opens in a new tab)necoast-nsa.gov.tw
• Whale and dolphin watching: boats leave Wushi Harbor; the best season is April to September.7Northeast and Yilan Coast NSA (opens in a new tab)necoast-nsa.gov.tw
• Lanyang Museum: a slanted museum on the shore at Toucheng, NT$100, 09:00 to 17:00.Tip Closed on Wednesdays, not Mondays; a free shuttle runs from Toucheng station.8Lanyang Museum (opens in a new tab)lym.gov.tw
• National Center for Traditional Arts: craft streets and performances by the Dongshan River, 09:00 to 18:00. Bus Green 21 or Kamalan 621 from Luodong.9Tourism Administration (opens in a new tab)eng.taiwan.net.tw
• Luodong Night Market: around Zhongshan Park, 15:00 to midnight.10Tourism Administration (opens in a new tab)eng.taiwan.net.tw
• Wufengqi Falls: three tiers falling about 100 m.Tip Bus Green 11-A runs from Jiaoxi Transfer Station; the stop is 700 m from the falls.11Tourism Administration (opens in a new tab)eng.taiwan.net.twTaiwan Tourist Shuttle (opens in a new tab)taiwantrip.com.tw

Hidden gems

• Nanfang’ao Fishing Cultural Museum: free, 10:00 to 18:00, at the fishing port in Su’ao. Closed Wednesdays.12Lanyang Museum (opens in a new tab)lym.gov.tw
• Luodong Forestry Culture Park: an old log pond with forest railway tracks and a steam locomotive, about 750 m from Luodong station.13Tourism Administration (opens in a new tab)eng.taiwan.net.tw

Getting there and around

• Bus from Taipei: Kuo-Kuang, Capital and Kamalan buses leave Taipei City Hall Bus Station and Taipei Bus Station for Jiaoxi, Yilan and Luodong. Book ahead on holidays.14Tourism Administration (opens in a new tab)eng.taiwan.net.tw Capital’s 1572 to Jiaoxi runs every 10 to 30 minutes; tap an EasyCard on and off.15Capital Bus (opens in a new tab)capital-bus.com.tw
• Along the coast: Tourist Shuttle Green 19 runs from Jiaoxi via Toucheng and Wushi Harbor, with a NT$60 day pass sold at Jiaoxi Transfer Station.16Northeast and Yilan Coast NSA (opens in a new tab)necoast-nsa.gov.tw

If it doesn’t go to plan

• No Turtle Island permit? From April to September, take a whale-watching boat from Wushi Harbor, booked separately. Otherwise, go to the Lanyang Museum.
• Bus full? Three companies run the route, or take the train.
• Heading up the coast? After Typhoon Jangpi in October 2026, several coastal sites, including Longdong Bay Ocean Park, closed until further notice. Check the notice (opens in a new tab) for which have reopened.