Yilan: Your Epic Escape to Taipei’s Backyard Playground! (Lanyang Museum & Must-Try Taro Ice Cream)

│Taiwan. Yilan Town│

Hey, travel buddies! Let’s talk about Yilan, often affectionately dubbed “Taipei’s backyard.” And seriously, once you visit, you’ll totally get why. Ever since the Hsuehshan Tunnel opened up, this little slice of paradise has transformed into a booming tourist hotspot, drawing folks from Taipei who are just craving a mental break.

Summertime? Wushi Harbor turns into a surfer’s paradise, where you can catch some serious waves and maybe even a few cute surfers (just sayin’). And for those who prefer to pamper themselves, Jiaoxi’s famous hot springs are calling your name. Imagine soaking in those therapeutic warm and cool waters – pure bliss! So, seriously, ditch the grind, pack your bags, and come discover all the amazing vibes Yilan has to offer. You deserve this!

│Toucheng, Yilan. Lanyang Museum│

First stop on our Yilan adventure: The Lanyang Museum in Toucheng. This isn’t your grandma’s dusty old museum, folks. It’s a seriously sleek, modern art museum with an architectural design that’ll make your jaw drop.

Instead of a typical boxy building, it slants and angles, creating this super unique, almost triangular shape. It’s totally striking and makes for some epic Instagram shots!

The architects drew their genius inspiration from Yilan’s unique landscape, specifically the “single-sided mountains” (or cuestas) that hug the northeast coast. It’s like the mountain itself became part of the building – how cool is that?

Spanning a cool 10.9 hectares, the museum’s four floors are cleverly themed “Mountain Layer,” “Plain Layer,” “Sea Layer,” and “Time Corridor.” Each section dives deep into Yilan’s geography, history, and vibrant culture. But don’t let the sleek exterior fool you; inside, it’s all about Yilan’s rich history and local life. They even have super realistic wax figures depicting how folks used to make a living here. The Lanyang Museum is a total champion for local history, aiming to inspire future generations to appreciate and contribute to Yilan’s vibrant culture.

Lanyang Museum│Visitor Info

▶Opening Hours: Tuesday to Thursday 09:00-17:00 (Closed on Wednesdays)

▶Address: No. 750, Section 3, Qingyun Road, Toucheng Township, Yilan County

▶Contact Number: (03)977-9700

▶Admission Fee: NT$100

●【By Train】Take the Eastern Main Line to “Toucheng Station,” then walk towards Wushi Port for about 20 minutes.

●【By Train + Bus】Take the train to “Toucheng Station,” then transfer to Yilan County Bus “131,” “1766,” or “Red 1” (operates only on weekends). Get off at “Lanyang Museum Station” or “Wushi Port Station,” and you’re there.

●【By Car】If you’re driving south from Taipei: Take National Freeway No. 5 through the Hsuehshan Tunnel. Exit at Toucheng Interchange, turn right onto Provincial Highway 2 (Binhai Highway), and head towards Toucheng for about 5 kilometers. Just follow the signs, and you’ll easily find the Lanyang Museum.

A-Zong Taro Ice Cream│A Taste of Childhood

Okay, next up: dessert! And when you’re in Toucheng, you HAVE to hit up A-Zong Taro Ice Cream. This isn’t just any ice cream; it’s the real deal. The owner uses only the freshest, high-quality ingredients, and you can totally taste the difference.

They keep it simple with just six classic flavors, but trust me, simple is GOOD here. It’s that old-school, nostalgic kind of ice cream that just takes you right back to your childhood. Pure comfort in a scoop! Fair warning: on weekends, this place gets SWAMPED. We’re talking crowds so big even the local cops sometimes pitch in to direct traffic! Yeah, it’s *that* popular.

Flavors: Taro / Red Bean / Pineapple / Peanut / Longan / Purple Rice

A-Zong Taro Ice Cream│Visitor Info

▶Opening Hours: 10:00-21:00

▶Address: No. 267, Section 3, Qingyun Road, Toucheng Township, Yilan County

▶Contact Numbers: (03)9771362, (03)9777362

●【By Bus】Take the Kuo-Kuang Bus and get off at “Toucheng Station.”