Three days lets you add the part of Yilan most day-trippers miss: the old logging mountain of Taipingshan, or the fishing harbor at Nanfang'ao. The plan runs north to south, so each day starts where the last one ended. With a car and a clear forecast, we'd give day three to Taipingshan. Without one, Su'ao and Nanfang'ao make an easier, gentler day. Stay in Jiaoxi the first night and Luodong the second, or base yourself in Yilan City and ride out each morning. → Where to stay
Day 1: Toucheng and Jiaoxi
Morning. Train to Toucheng (頭城車站) and walk to the Lanyang Museum (蘭陽博物館) (09:00 to 17:00, closed Wednesdays). → Lanyang Museum
Afternoon. From Wushi Harbor (烏石港) beside the museum, take your pick: a boat to Guishan Island with a landing permit (March 1 to November 30 only, and not on Wednesdays), a whale-watching trip around it, or a walk on the beach at Wai'ao (外澳沙灘).
Evening. On to Jiaoxi for a hot spring and dinner. → Hot springs · Jiaoxi
Day 2: Yilan City and Luodong
Morning. If the morning is dry, go for a walk. The Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Jiaoxi Line A (Green 11A) G11A runs from Jiaoxi Station to Wufengqi Waterfall (五峰旗瀑布), and it's about 1 km up to the third tier. If it's wet, take the train straight to Yilan Station (宜蘭車站) and its picture-book square. → Waterfalls and hikes · Yilan City
Afternoon. Take the train on to Luodong (羅東車站), then the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Dongshan River Line (Green 21) G21 from Luodong Transfer Station to the National Center for Traditional Arts (宜蘭傳藝園區), open 09:00 to 18:00. → Traditional Arts Center
Evening. Dinner at Luodong Night Market (羅東夜市), a walk from the station in the town center. → Night markets · Luodong
Day 3, with a car: Taipingshan
Drive up from Luodong to Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area (太平山國家森林遊樂區), the old logging mountain at about 2,000 meters. Leave early. Allow about 1.5 hours from the entrance ticket booth to the forest train station, and the park sells tickets until 18:00. Entry is NT$150 on weekdays and NT$200 at weekends, plus NT$100 parking. Stop at Jiuzhize Hot Spring (鳩之澤溫泉) on the way down. Bring a jacket. It's much colder up there than on the plain.
Partly closed: the park's notice of October 27, 2026 has the Bong Bong forest train running only a short 1 km section, the Jianqing Historic Trail open to 750 m, and the Maoxing trail closed. The mountain road closes in heavy rain and typhoons. Check the park's news the day before. → Taipingshan, what's open
Without a car, the Kuo-Kuang 1750 bus goes up daily from Yilan and Luodong. The Taipingshan page has the details, and it makes for a long day. → Sanxing and Datong
Day 3, without a car: Su'ao and Nanfang'ao
Su'ao is a short train ride south of Luodong, and this is the easier day if you're tired. Soak in the carbonated Su'ao Cold Spring (蘇澳冷泉), about 300 m from Su'ao Station. The water is about 22°C, and the public pool costs NT$120. Then take a short taxi ride to the fishing harbor at Nanfang'ao for seafood. Head back to Taipei from Su'ao New Station (蘇澳新車站), where the fast trains stop, or carry on south to Hualien. → Su'ao and Nanfang'ao · Hualien as a day trip
Good to know: the old Su'ao Station, by the cold spring, is served by local trains only. Su'ao New Station is one stop back up the line.
→ Su'ao and Nanfang'ao · Day trips from Yilan · Where to stay
Sources: Taiwan Railway timetable and fare search (November 2026); Lanyang Museum; Northeast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area; National Center for Traditional Arts, Yilan park; Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area (notice of October 27, 2026); Su'ao Township on the cold spring, via our springs page. Checked November 2026.