Trip to Yilan City, Taiwan

Day 1: Arrival and Local Cuisine Adventure

Welcome to Taiwan! After checking in and getting settled, we’ll explore the local cuisine scene in Yilan City. Begin with a visit to one of the food markets in town such as Luodong Night Market, which features a wide variety of savory foods, street vendors, games and goods to purchase. Don’t miss out on migao, a local delicacy that is crispy and sweet! After sampling the local street food, visit a more upscale restaurant, the Tianwei Seafood Restaurant for dinner. The restaurant offers a variety of fresh seafood dishes including abalone, crab, and seafood hot pots. Be sure to try the local specialties such as YiLan San Bei Chicken, which is steamed chicken with ginger and scallions.

Day 2: Yilan Farm Experience and Tea Tasting

Start the day with a visit to one of the local farms, such as the Evergreen Laurel Farm, where we’ll learn about traditional farming practices in the region and get to pick our own produce. After experiencing the farm life, we’ll visit the Kavalan Whisky Distillery which offers a guided tour to see the whisky making process and try some of its award-winning whiskey. We’ll end the day with an authentic Taiwanese tea experience at the Dongshan River Ecoark, located in a tranquil riverbank in the serene countryside of Yilan

Day 3: Wufongci Falls, Yilan Museum of Literature, and Late Night Shopping

Today’s first adventure is an exhilarating hike to the stunning Wufongci Falls. Afterward, we’ll go to the Yilan Museum of Literature, which showcases famous literary works written by Yilan writers that show the culture, history, and charm of Yilan. In the evening, we’ll visit the Loho Night Market for some late-night shopping and more delicious street food like honey candied sweet potatoes. Loho Market also has an extensive selection of clothing, accessories, and local souvenirs to take home as keepsakes.

Day 4: Whale-Watching and Hiking in Guishan Island

Today we’ll head out to Guishan Island for some whale-watching and a hike along scenic trails. We’ll get to see humpback and sperm whales in their natural habitat, and not to mention the breathtaking views of the mountainous terrain, forests, and coastal cliffs on the island. We’ll also visit the famous Tangweigou Hot Spring Park, renowned for water reflecting the little stars. In the evening, we’ll return to Yilan city and make a stop at the Mitsuaki Market, where we’ll have dinner and unwind.

Day 5: Jiufen and Shifen Day Trip

On this day trip, we’ll visit the neighboring towns of Jiufen and Shifen. In Jiufen, we’ll wander through its charming streets and alleys filled with tea houses, souvenir shops, and traditional food vendors. Don’t miss the opportunity to sample sweets like taro balls and be sure to visit the A-Mei tea house for a panoramic view of the sea. In Shifen, we’ll experience the magic of the Shifen Waterfall as it cascades down the rocky cliffs and also have fun releasing lanterns at the Shifen Old Street.

Day 6: Luodong Forestry Culture Park and National Center of Traditional Arts

Today we start our day with a visit to the Luodong Forestry Culture Park where we’ll learn about the history and development of the forest industry in Taiwan. The park features a variety of exhibits, live demonstrations, handicrafts and souvenir shops. Later, we’ll explore the National Center of Traditional Arts, which preserves traditional folk cultures, crafts and traditions. Visitors can create beautiful DIY handicrafts and try out traditional skills like indigo dying and painting sugar figurines.

Day 7: Departure and Goodbye Taiwan

It’s time to say goodbye to Taiwan! After checking out of our hotel, there may be a little time to explore the city before leaving. For a quick adventure, we’ll visit Yilan’s famous sports center, the Yilan Sports Park. Here you can enjoy outdoor activities like jogging, cycling, relaxing on the grass and even skateboarding before hopping on your flight back home.