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♨ 2-Day Itinerary · 2026

Yilan in
2 Days 1 Night

Check into a hot spring hotel, soak in free mineral baths in the town centre, taste world-class whisky, and wander Luodong Night Market until midnight — a relaxed escape from Taipei, just 1.5 hours away.

📅 Updated May 2026
About This Trip

A mountain-town with hot springs, whisky, and a night market in one trip

Yilan is where Taipei locals escape on weekends — yet it sees surprisingly few foreign visitors. This 2-day 1-night itinerary makes the most of every hour: Day 1, check into a Jiaoxi onsen hotel, soak in the free public mineral bath right in town, try Yilan's famous smoked duck, then stroll Luodong Night Market until midnight. Day 2 starts with a tour of the Kavalan Distillery for a free whisky tasting, then head to Sanxing to pick scallions and make DIY scallion pancakes before a comfortable afternoon ride back to Taipei.

Daily Schedule

Hour-by-hour plan for both days

DAY
1
Jiaoxi Hot Springs · Smoked Duck · Luodong Night Market
09:00 AM
Depart Taipei — bus or TRA trainKamalan Bus from Taipei City Hall station takes about 1 hour to Yilan, NT$150. Or take the TRA from Taipei Main Station to Jiaoxi in 1.5 hours, NT$180–220. TRA is better if you have heavy luggage.
10:30 AM
Check in to your Jiaoxi hot spring hotelBook a hotel with a private in-room onsen, such as Yamagata Kaku or Hotel Royal Chiao Hsi. If check-in isn't available yet, leave your bags and head out to explore.
11:30 AM
Yangshan Hot Spring Public Bath — free soak in the town centreThe free public mineral bath sits on Jiaoxi Road Section 4. Open 05:00–22:00, always free. The sodium bicarbonate spring water is clear and odourless. Bring a towel and swimwear.
01:00 PM
Lunch — Yilan smoked duckYilan smoked duck (宜蘭鴨賞) is the city's most iconic dish. Find it at restaurants around Jiaoxi station, NT$120–200 per plate. Great over rice or noodles.
02:30 PM
Afternoon soak in your hotel's private onsenJiaoxi is famous for having the best mineral springs in northern Taiwan. Soaking in the afternoon before the market means you arrive relaxed. Book a specific time slot if your hotel offers it.
05:30 PM
Head to Luodong — Luodong Night MarketTake a bus or taxi from Jiaoxi, about 25 minutes, NT$200. Luodong Night Market opens 16:00–01:00 daily — the biggest in Yilan. Top bites: braised pork rice, bào bǐng shaved ice, egg pudding.
08:00 PM
Browse the market then return to your hotelHead back before 22:00 for a late-night onsen soak. Many Jiaoxi hotels have a rooftop open-air bath — perfect for star-gazing on a clear night.
DAY
2
Kavalan Distillery · Sanxing Scallions · Back to Taipei
08:00 AM
Breakfast + early morning onsenTaiwanese breakfast shops near Jiaoxi station open from 06:30. An early-morning soak before 09:00 means fewer crowds and cooler air.
09:30 AM
Check out + travel to Kavalan DistilleryKing Car Kavalan Distillery is in Yuan Shan. Take a bus or taxi from Jiaoxi, about 30 minutes, NT$250–300. Uber is convenient for groups.
10:30 AM
Kavalan factory tour + whisky tastingFactory tour NT$200 includes one tasting dram. Free tastings are also available at the tasting counter without booking. Open daily 09:00–18:00. Kavalan has won multiple world awards — you won't be disappointed. Pick up a bottle at the gift shop.
12:30 PM
Lunch + travel to Sanxing Scallion FarmGrab lunch near Yuanshan first. Then it's about 30 minutes to Sanxing, which is famous for producing Taiwan's finest scallions.
02:00 PM
Lao Wu Farm — pick scallions + make Scallion Pancakes DIYBook via KKday in advance, NT$300 includes all materials. Pick scallions in the field, then learn to roll your own pancakes. Great for kids and adults alike. The activity takes 1.5–2 hours.
04:00 PM
Return to Taipei by TRA or Kamalan BusTRA from Sanxing or Yilan station back to Taipei takes 1.5 hours, NT$180–220. Kamalan Bus runs every 30–40 minutes from central Yilan City. You'll be back in Taipei well before evening.
Trip Budget

Estimated costs for 2 days 1 night (per person)

TransportNT$1,200
AccommodationNT$3,000
FoodNT$1,200
Activities & TicketsNT$600
TotalNT$6,000
Estimated per person, including train/bus, mid-range onsen hotel, 4 meals, Kavalan tour, and Sanxing activity. Does not include whisky purchases or souvenirs.
Tips for This Trip

5 things to know before you go

♨
Book your private onsen room in advance
Good Jiaoxi hotels fill up fast on Friday–Saturday nights. Book 1–2 weeks ahead. Ask specifically for a room with a private hot spring tub so you can soak whenever you like.
🥃
Kavalan tasting counter is free — no tour needed
Just want a taste? Walk in free and try a dram at the tasting counter. The NT$200 factory tour is worth it if you want to see the production process.
🌙
Luodong Night Market is open daily 16:00–01:00
Yilan's biggest night market. Peak crowds 18:00–20:00. Top picks: braised pork rice, 三星蔥油餅 scallion pancakes, sausages. Plenty of space to walk and eat.
🧅
Book Sanxing Scallion DIY on KKday in advance
Lao Wu Farm has limited spots. Reserve on KKday 1–3 days ahead, NT$300 all-inclusive. If you skip the DIY, freshly made scallion pancakes are easy to find at any market stall.
☔
Yilan is rainy — always carry an umbrella
The east coast of Taiwan catches much more rain than Taipei, especially October–January. A light umbrella or rain jacket is essential. It's not a dealbreaker — just be prepared.
Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ · Common questions answered

How do I get from Taipei to Yilan?
Kamalan Bus from Taipei City Hall station takes about 1 hour to Yilan Bus Station, NT$150. Or take the TRA train from Taipei Main Station to Jiaoxi in 1.5 hours, NT$180–220. TRA is recommended if you have large luggage.
Where is Kavalan Distillery and do I need to book a tour?
King Car Kavalan Distillery is in Yuan Shan, about 20 minutes from Yilan City. Factory tours cost NT$200 and can be bought on-site — no advance booking needed. For large groups, calling ahead is recommended for a confirmed time slot. Open daily 09:00–18:00.
Is 2 days 1 night enough for Yilan?
Perfectly enough if you focus on hot springs, Kavalan, and Luodong. If you want to add Turtle Island whale watching or East Coast cycling, consider 3 days 2 nights. Two days suits a relaxed, unhurried trip.
Which Jiaoxi hot spring should I choose?
Jiaoxi has the free Yangshan Hot Spring Public Bath right in town. For a private in-room onsen, top picks are Yamagata Kaku (9.1) · Hotel Royal Chiao Hsi · Evergreen Resort. See all Yilan hotel details
What are the must-eat foods in Yilan?
Yilan specialties: smoked duck (鴨賞) · Sanxing scallions · Sa Chi Ma honeycomb candy · egg rolls at Luodong Night Market · Yilan-style braised pork rice. See the full Yilan food guide
What is the best season to visit Yilan?
March–May brings pleasant weather and blooming flowers. October–December is ideal as cooler temperatures make soaking in hot springs even more enjoyable. The east coast gets more rain in winter, but that's actually peak hot-spring season. Avoid Taiwanese public holidays (Lunar New Year · Golden Week) when accommodation books out fast and prices spike.
Yilan Travel Guide
Everything you need to know — hot springs, markets, and nature
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Yilan Food Highlights
Smoked duck · Sanxing scallions · Sa Chi Ma · Luodong Night Market
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10 Best Onsen Hotels in Yilan
Yamagata Kaku · Hotel Royal · Evergreen Resort · mountain-view stays
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All Yilan Attractions
Turtle Island · Jiaoxi · Sanxing · Luodong · Kavalan
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