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♨ 3-Day 2-Night Plan · 2026

Yilan in
3 Days 2 Nights

Day 1 — hot spring soak and the night market. Day 2 — world-class whisky and scallion farm. Day 3 — dolphins off a volcanic island or ancient folk arts. Mountains, sea, and culture in one unhurried trip from Taipei.

📅 Updated May 2026
About This Trip

Three days that give you hot springs, whisky, dolphins, and living folk arts — all in one trip

If two days in Yilan always felt just a little rushed, this is the version you actually want. The 3-day 2-night plan is designed to breathe: Day 1, check into a Jiaoxi onsen hotel, soak in the free public mineral bath right in town, try Yilan's legendary smoked duck, and wander Luodong Night Market until midnight. Day 2 opens with a tour of the Kavalan Distillery — the single-malt whisky that quietly beat Scotland at its own game — then it's on to Sanxing to pick your own scallions and roll pancakes before a second easy night at the onsen. Day 3 is the highlight you came for: a morning boat out to Turtle Island (Guishan Island) to spot dolphins and stand above a volcanic crater lake, then either the National Center for Traditional Arts or a seafood lunch before a comfortable afternoon train back to Taipei.

TRIP IN PICTURES

Highlights you’ll see with your own eyes

Turtle Island (Guishan) — Yilan, Taiwan
Turtle Island (Guishan)
Wufengqi Waterfall — Yilan, Taiwan
Wufengqi Waterfall
Toucheng Beach — Yilan, Taiwan
Toucheng Beach
Jimmy Square Park — Yilan, Taiwan
Jimmy Square Park
Lanyang Museum — Yilan, Taiwan
Lanyang Museum
Luodong Night Market — Yilan, Taiwan
Luodong Night Market
Daily Schedule

Hour-by-hour plan for all 3 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 straight 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 slot if your hotel offers one.
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, peanut ice cream rolls, 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 · Second Onsen Night
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 — savour it, there's plenty of day ahead.
09:30 AM
Check out of your room + travel to Kavalan DistilleryKing Car Kavalan Distillery is in Yuan Shan. Take a bus or taxi from Jiaoxi, about 30 minutes, NT$250–300. Leave your bags at the front desk and collect them later, or bring them along.
10:30 AM
Kavalan factory tour + whisky tastingFactory tour NT$200 includes one tasting dram. Free tastings at the counter need no 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 produces Taiwan's finest and sweetest scallions thanks to its mineral-rich soil.
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. Activity takes 1.5–2 hours.
04:30 PM
Check in to second night accommodation + evening onsenYour second night in Jiaoxi (or Luodong). If you're staying in Jiaoxi, soak this evening without a care. Jiaoxi restaurants serve onsen-water morning glory and ramen that you simply can't get anywhere else.
DAY
3
Turtle Island Dolphins · Folk Arts Centre · Back to Taipei
07:30 AM
Check out + light breakfastPack your bags — today's early start pays off. Keep breakfast light in case the boat rocks a little. Jiaoxi station onsen eggs (NT$10–20 each) are the perfect easy option.
08:30 AM
Travel to Wushi Harbour (烏石港) near TouchengTake a taxi or bus from Jiaoxi to Wushi Harbour, about 20 minutes, NT$200–250. The boat tour (dolphin watching + Turtle Island landing) costs NT$600–1,200 per person. Book through Klook 3–7 days ahead. Open season: March–November only.
09:00 AM
Dolphin cruise + land on Turtle Island (Guishan Island)The boat takes about 30 minutes to reach the island. En route you'll spot spinner dolphins and occasionally sperm whales. On the island, walk to the volcanic crater lake and see underwater hydrothermal vents bubbling beneath the surface. Full tour takes 3–4 hours.
01:00 PM
Back on shore + lunch, or visit National Center for Traditional ArtsOption A (recommended): Head to the National Center for Traditional Arts (傳統藝術中心) in Wujie. Admission NT$150, open 09:00–18:00. Watch craftspeople demonstrate traditional skills — pottery, painting, snack-making, glove puppetry. Option B: Grab fresh seafood near Toucheng and head back to Taipei at your own pace.
03:00 PM
National Center for Traditional Arts — Option AA 24-hectare open-air museum styled as an old Chinese town. Real artisans demonstrate living crafts — not a tourist recreation, but an active preservation programme. Pick up genuinely unique souvenirs before you leave. Allow 2–3 hours here.
05:00 PM
Return to Taipei by TRA or Kamalan BusTRA from Luodong 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 comfortably before evening.
Trip Budget

Estimated costs for 3 days 2 nights (per person)

TransportNT$1,800
Accommodation (2 nights)NT$6,000
Food (6 meals over 3 days)NT$1,800
Activities & TicketsNT$1,800
TotalNT$11,400
Estimated per person, including train/bus + taxis between stops · mid-range onsen hotel 2 nights (NT$3,000/night) · 6 meals · Kavalan tour NT$200 · Sanxing activity NT$300 · Turtle Island boat tour NT$1,000 · Traditional Arts Centre admission NT$150. Does not include whisky purchases or souvenirs.
Tips for This Trip

6 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 for a room with a private hot spring tub so you can soak whenever you like — on both nights.
🛥️
Book the Turtle Island boat 3–7 days ahead
Daily visitor numbers to Guishan Island are capped by conservation law. Always book on Klook before you travel. Season: March–November only. If you're visiting in winter, the National Center for Traditional Arts is an excellent indoor substitute.
🥃
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 understand the production process and see the barrel warehouse.
🌙
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, peanut ice cream rolls, dragon-phoenix chicken. Plenty of room to walk.
🧅
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 in Yilan.
☔
Yilan is rainy — always carry an umbrella
The east coast of Taiwan catches much more rain than Taipei, especially October–January. If Day 3 brings heavy rain, the boat tour may be cancelled — the National Center for Traditional Arts is a perfect covered backup plan.
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.
Do I need to book the Turtle Island boat tour in advance?
Yes, always book in advance — especially during peak season (March–November). Prices range from NT$600–1,200 and include dolphin watching and a landing on the island. Book through Klook or KKday 3–7 days ahead. Boats depart from Wushi Harbour (烏石港) near Toucheng.
Is 3 days 2 nights enough for Yilan?
Perfectly. Three days gives you hot springs, Kavalan, Luodong Night Market, Sanxing scallions, and still leaves Day 3 for Turtle Island or the National Center for Traditional Arts — all without feeling rushed. Ideal for a long weekend.
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 scallion pancakes · Sa Chi Ma honeycomb candy · peanut ice cream rolls · Jiaoxi onsen eggs · dragon-phoenix chicken legs at Luodong. 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 is actually peak hot-spring season. Avoid Taiwanese public holidays (Lunar New Year · Golden Week) when accommodation books out fast and prices spike.
Where is the National Center for Traditional Arts and how do I get there?
The National Center for Traditional Arts (傳統藝術中心) is in Wujie Township, about 10 km from Luodong. Take Bus 241 from Luodong (departures at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00) or a taxi for about NT$200. Admission NT$150 for adults. Open daily 09:00–18:00. Allow 3–4 hours.
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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Less time? See the 2-Day Plan
Back in Taipei by afternoon — hot springs, Kavalan, and Luodong in just two days
View Plan →