Recommended Itinerary and Attractions for a 2-Day Trip to Yilan: Studio Ghibli-Themed Spots, Night Markets, and Xiao Long Bao

Text & Photos / Purple Smile

Not sure how to plan your Yilan trip during the holiday? Don’t have a car or traveling alone? Come on in—after reading this, you won’t need to ask anyone else. Just download it right away and hit the road. Just get off at Yilan Railway Station, and you’re guaranteed a fun-filled one- or two-day adventure with delicious food too!!

Day 1

Collect the JiMi Plaza, JiMi Railway Station, and the Flying Train all in one go.
Location: No. 280, Section 1, Yixing Road, Yilan City (Yilan Railway Station)
Free admission.


Take a train to Yilan, and get ready for a surprise as soon as you arrive at Yilan Railway Station!!


Giraffe.


The flying train from the comics comes to life right before your eyes.




Don’t forget to check out the nearby JiMi Plaza too!!

Also, Drop Drop Forest features Hundred Fruit Tree Red Brick House run by author Huang Chunming, where you can enjoy coffee.


This is a magical hundred fruit tree made of materials like newspaper. The many fruits on the tree symbolize creativity and abundance, while the red brick house represents a traditional, cozy little castle.


This theater troupe isn’t about adults performing for kids—it’s kids performing for kids. Pretty special, right? While waiting, you can also grab a drink or some snacks!!

Old Book Cabinet
Business Hours: 14:00–22:00 (Closed Tuesdays)
Address: No. 280, Section 1, Yixing Road, Yilan City (Next to the Railway Station)


Next to Yilan Railway Station stands the over 80-year-old Yilan TRA Warehouse, once a bustling hub where merchants traded goods. It has now been revitalized and transformed. What was previously a venue for renting space for agricultural, forestry, fishery, and livestock products and merchandise exhibitions has become the Old Book Cabinet. With second-hand books, coffee, and light meals, the hope is that this nostalgic, humanistic style paired with the architecture will allow this innovative vibe to continue spreading...


It’s easy to find—just head to the right as you exit the train station to find the Old Book Cabinet.
 


Walk past the transparent pedestrian shelter, and Yilan’s historic warehouse complex comes into view.


It’s something the locals are happy to see: a series of cultural plans and integrated developments for the old buildings around Yilan Station. They hope this space full of culture and character will continue to spark innovation and creativity. There are often weekend market events too—you won’t want to miss them!!

Authentic Fresh Meat Xiao Long Bao
Address: No. 102, Section 1, Yixing Road, Yilan City (Next to the Green 9 Market Level Crossing)
Phone: 03-9315932
Business Hours: 06:30–12:30 / 15:00–19:00


A famous and affordable Xiao Long Bao in Yilan that rivals “Din Tai Fung”—you’ve got to try it, right? After visiting JiMi, walk a bit toward Luodong (toward the direction of Luodong) and you’ll be able to taste it!! But be prepared to queue up first ^^

Dongmen Night Market (Under Donggang Bridge)
Address: No. 7, Shenghou Street, Yilan City (Next to Fragrant Chicken City)
Business Hours: Monday–Sunday, 12:00–01:00


In the early days, locals referred to Yilan Dongmen Night Market as Triangle Park. With the opening of the Hsuehshan Tunnel and its proximity to Yilan Railway Station, it now attracts huge crowds not only on holidays but has also seen many new shops open. However, we still prefer the old storefronts.

The next day

Yilan Jinhaoxing Sightseeing Minibus
Fare: Free
Route 755: Yilan Transfer Station 1 — Yilan Railway Station (Front Station) — Xinsheng Elementary School — Dapo — Orange Homeland — A.Dian Cake — Mushroom Baby — Yongquan Pool — Tongle Elementary School — Zanhua Temple — Leigongpi Pond — Toufen Village — Qing’an Temple — Jinpu Sightseeing Pear Orchard — Pillow Mountain Leisure Agriculture Area — Wanglongpi — Old Mama Soy Sauce — Dajiaoxi


The several routes of "Yilan Jinhaoxing" connect key tourist attractions along the Yilan Line, making it a true blessing for those without cars and students. Just plan your timing right, hop on, and you can "travel for free" all around. Take Route 755 from Yilan Transfer Station to Wanglongpi (click for station names and timetables). This line passes through popular spots like Orange Homeland, and travels around the bustling areas of Longtan and Zhen Mountain. These attractions are mostly located far from transit stations and are nearly inaccessible without private transport — Route 755 links them all together. Thank goodness for that.

The attractions you can visit can easily fill up a whole day. Here’s an introduction:

Mushroom Baby Museum & Sightseeing Factory
Address: No. 22, Meizhou 1st Road, Yilan City
Visiting Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, AM 9:00 – PM 5:00 (Closed on Mondays)
Phone: 03-9281168
Admission: Free entry; free parking.
DIY Activities: NT$180 per person. Classes start with 4 or more people; free guided tour for groups of 20 or more.


Introduces good bacteria and bad bacteria, as well as how fungi are used in daily life — perfect for the whole family to learn something new together.

Orange Homeland Preserved Fruit Image Museum
Address: No. 33, Meizhou 2nd Road, Yilan City
Visiting Hours: Sunday to Thursday, AM 9:00 – PM 6:00 / Friday to Saturday, AM 9:00 – PM 7:00
Phone: 03-9285758
Admission: Free entry; free parking.
DIY Activities: NT$120 per person.


Taiwan’s first preserved fruit exhibition hall, featuring a sales area, tasting samples, and the “Orange Homeland Kumquat Preserved Fruit DIY.”


The biggest highlight in the building is this giant chair. It’s designed to mimic the scene of a child trying to reach for candy — offering a child’s-eye view of the world, full of whimsy and fun. Isn’t it playful?


As a preserved fruit image museum, it naturally showcases a colorful array of beautifully made and delicious preserved fruits.

A.Dian Cake Password Museum
Address: No. 122, Meizhou 2nd Road, Yilan City
Visiting Hours: Monday to Sunday, AM 9:00 – PM 6:00
Phone: 03-9286777
Admission: Free entry; free parking.
DIY Activities: NT$150 per person. Classes available Monday to Friday, only when 20 or more people sign up.

Offers tastings of various flavors and unlimited refills on drinks. Their signature “Annular Cake” is a hit, and there’s also an on-site bakery crafting the “Annular Cake.”

The Kiln-Baked Mountain Village
Address: No. 140, Meizhou 2nd Road, Yilan City
Visiting Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM


Following the Monster Village in Nantou, the first giant in the Lanyang Plain has made an appearance here.


The wooden platform made from a bullock cart is filled with jars of local gifts.



Inside, you’ll find freshly baked pizza, bread, and specialty local products...


The menu of the Kiln-Baked Mountain Village.
The menu is also a place where lots of creativity shines — pizza, pasta, bread, burgers, honey toast...

Wanglong Pond (Ruanpi Pond):
Near Hushan Elementary School Address: No. 54, Pocheng Road, Yuanshan Township, Yilan County, 260
Free admission.


This area is suburban, with beautiful scenery along the way and not so densely populated. However, Yuanshan Township’s homestay industry is thriving. Along the road, you’ll see some tourists who drive here and then switch to bicycles, or use the homestay’s bikes, which allows them to more closely enjoy the nearby scenery — it feels very relaxing.


The flower field village, made famous by the idol drama “Autumn’s Concerto,” is also located here!!
What an exciting itinerary, and we’re worried you might not have enough time — hehehe^^

We are Ben & Jean, and we love food, travel, photography, and 3C.
http://smilejean.pixnet.net/blog