Yilan City and Jiaoxi: Jimmy Liao's Plaza, an Old Winery and Hot Spring Foot Baths — A Two-Day Walking Itinerary
Yilan is little more than an hour from Taipei by train or bus. Many people treat it as a day trip, but Yilan City rewards a slower pace: a Japanese-era official residence, a century-old winery and an old bank all sit in the old town near the station. One stop north is Jiaoxi, where free hot spring foot baths line the streets.
ExploreStamp's "Yilan and Jiaoxi: Foot Baths and Jimmy Liao" route covers eight places in the area. This post covers what's worth seeing at each one and how to fit them into two days.
The route at a glance
| Place | Category | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Yilan Station | Railway station | Yilan City |
| Yilan Museum of Art | Museums & arts | Yilan City |
| Yilan Memorial Hall | Historic site | Yilan City |
| Yilan Winery | Factory tour | Yilan City |
| Yilan City Library | Library | Yilan City |
| Jiaoxi Hot Spring Park | Parks & nature | Jiaoxi |
| Tangweigou Hot Spring Park | Parks & nature | Jiaoxi |
| Toucheng Old Street | Historic site | Toucheng |
The first five are in Yilan City and fit into a single day. Jiaoxi and Toucheng are north of the city and easy to link by train, so they work better on day two.
Yilan Station: stepping into a picture book
Yilan is the hometown of picture-book artist Jimmy Liao. Turn left out of the station and you're in Jimmy Square, where characters from his books stand among old warehouses and railway tracks. For many visitors, this is where the first photo of the trip gets taken.
From here, head toward the old town. The next few places are all within walking distance.
Yilan Museum of Art: an exhibition in a bank vault
The Yilan Museum of Art occupies the former Yilan branch of the Bank of Taiwan. The building keeps much of its old bank character, and the most unusual part is the original vault, now a gallery. Stepping through its heavy door to look at art is an experience you won't find in many museums.
Exhibitions change regularly, so check the official website to see what's on.
Yilan Memorial Hall: an official residence in a garden of old trees
The memorial hall was the official residence of the Yilan district chief during the Japanese colonial era. The wooden house, a mix of Japanese and Western styles, is tucked into a garden of old trees, and the noise of the town fades as soon as you walk in. Inside are displays on Yilan's history, though many visitors prefer to sit under the wooden eaves and look out at the garden.
Yilan Winery: the story of red rice wine and red yeast
Yilan Winery has been making wine for more than a century. The Chia Tzu Lan Wine Museum on the grounds explains how Hung Lu red rice wine is made and how it relates to red yeast rice. After seeing the old buildings, brewing tools and rows of wine jars, you'll understand a little more about the red yeast dishes that turn up so often on Yilan tables.
The shop on site has red yeast products to take home.
Yilan City Library: an afternoon in a small city
The city library is part of daily life in Yilan, and it's common to see people settle in for a whole afternoon. After half a day in the old town, finding a seat and leafing through a few books is another way to get to know the city. It's easiest to get here from the old town by YouBike.
Jiaoxi Hot Spring Park: a free foot soak
On day two, head north to Jiaoxi. Jiaoxi Hot Spring Park is right in town and has free foot baths, next to a forest bathhouse that charges admission. If a foot soak is all you want, roll up your trousers and sit down.
Tangweigou Hot Spring Park: foot baths and doctor fish
Tangweigou Hot Spring Park, on the streets of Jiaoxi, also has a free foot bath. For a fee, you can also try the hot spring fish that nibble at your feet. The two parks are close together, so you can visit both in one go.
Bring a small towel to dry your feet afterwards.
Toucheng Old Street: the first street on the Lanyang Plain
The last stop is Toucheng, to the north. Toucheng Old Street was the first commercial street on the Lanyang Plain, and Heping Street still has the Thirteen Row Houses, the Lu family residence and Qingyuan Temple. It feels less like a tourist street and more like an old neighborhood where people still live, so take your time.
A two-day plan
Day 1: Yilan City
- Arrive at Yilan Station in the morning and look around Jimmy Square
- Walk to the Yilan Museum of Art and the Yilan Memorial Hall
- Visit Yilan Winery in the afternoon
- Ride a YouBike to the city library in the late afternoon
Day 2: Jiaoxi and Toucheng
- Take the train to Jiaoxi in the morning and soak your feet at Jiaoxi Hot Spring Park and Tangweigou Hot Spring Park
- Take the train to Toucheng in the afternoon and walk Toucheng Old Street
With only one day, do the five places in Yilan City and save Jiaoxi and Toucheng for your next visit.
Before you go
- Opening hours, closing days and ticket prices can change, so check each place's official website before you set off.
- Yilan gets a lot of rain, especially in autumn and winter. Bring an umbrella.
- The foot baths are public spaces. Rinse your feet before getting in and follow the rules posted on site.
Collecting this route with ExploreStamp
Open ExploreStamp, find "Yilan and Jiaoxi: Foot Baths and Jimmy Liao" among the themed routes and tap "Check in" at each place you reach. The app confirms you're within range, adds the place's stamp to your stamp book and records the date of your first visit. Collect all eight stamps to complete the route.
See the other routes under Explore.