Visiting Yunlin for the Lantern Festival? Don’t miss these spots too – Guakeng’s Little Sky Ladder has become a pilgrimage hotspot!

Text and photos byDouglas Fang

This year, the Taiwan Lantern Festival is finally being held in Yunlin County. Beyond admiring the lantern displays, you definitely shouldn’t miss Yunlin’s local culture, distinctive attractions, and street food delicacies. This article compiles highlights of Yunlin’s scenic spots, plans multiple route-based itineraries, and recommends them as a reference for those coming to enjoy the lanterns or planning a future trip to Yunlin.

The Taiwan Lantern Festival in Yunlin is divided into two lantern zones. Personally, I think that if you want to visit both zones, you should plan at least a two-day trip or split your visit over two days. Otherwise, when transitioning from one zone to the other—whether by private car or shuttle bus—you’re bound to spend most of your time stuck in traffic.

The official website for this year’s Taiwan Lantern Festival in Yunlin also offers ten different themed travel routes. Those interested can check them out themselves.For more details, click here

Old Streets & Temples / Leisurely One-Day Tour

Basically, just staying in Beigang to enjoy the lanterns will make for a fairly packed one-day itinerary. When you arrive in Beigang in the morning, you should definitely start your day with some local specialties for breakfast. Fried rice noodles (炕蚵仔麵線) are a must-try local favorite. (For more, read: [Food Review │ Yunlin Beigang] Ah Feng’s Rice Vermicelli with Oyster Thread or [Food Review │ Yunlin Beigang] Jin Jie Fa Fried Rice Noodles)、[Food Review │ Yunlin Beigang] Jin Jie Fa Fried Rice Noodles)

For lunch, you can choose between two renowned duck rice spots on Beigang Old Street: Lao Shou Duck Rice and Fu An Duck Rice—absolutely must-tries. After your meal, head to Beigang Yuan Zi Tang for a refreshing cold dessert to beat the heat. (Further reading: [Food Review │ Yunlin Beigang] Fu An Duck Rice and [Food Review │ Yunlin Beigang] Lao Shou Duck Rice)▲ Beigang Daughter’s Bridge.▲ Beigang Gongguan Murals.In the afternoon, while in Beigang, you can take a walk to the riverside embankment next to the old street to check out Daughter’s Bridge and the nearby Gongguan Mural Area—perfect spots for photos. In addition to these, Xingang’s Ban Tao Yao Cross-Strait Cut-and-Paste Craft Park is also worth a visit, or you could stop by Le Coffee near Wude Temple for a short rest before the evening lantern displays begin.Before heading out to the lanterns again, be sure to grab a bite. There are plenty of great snacks around Beigang Old Street for you to explore on your own. (Further reading: [Food Review │ Yunlin Beigang] Ah Deng’s Taro and Oil Rice)

▲ Beigang Daughter’s Bridge.

▲ Beigang Gongguan Mural Area.

In the afternoon in Beigang, you can choose to walk to the riverside area next to the old street to see Daughter’s Bridge and the nearby Gongguan Mural Area—great photo spots. Besides Daughter’s Bridge and the murals, the Xin Gang Ban Tao Yao Cross-Strait Ceramics and Cut-Paste Craft Park next to Beigang is another good option, or you can relax for a while at Le Coffee near Wude Temple while waiting for the evening lantern festival to begin.

Before checking out the lanterns, you’ll definitely want to eat. There are plenty of tasty snacks around Beigang Old Street to explore. (Further reading: [Food Review │ Yunlin Beigang] Ah Deng’s Taro and Oil Rice)▲ Taiwan Lantern Festival in Yunlin, Beigang Lantern Zone.Hudi Tuku / Lantern Viewing / Artsy One-Day Trip

Xiluo Hudi / Lantern Viewing / Old Streets, Temples, Historic Buildings / Leisurely One-Day Trip

If you’re heading from Xiluo toward Hudi, then one thing you absolutely can’t miss when you arrive in Xiluo in the morning is the local specialty “oil leek” (油蔥), especially from the popular spot Jun.

The two oil leek shops near Xiluo Fuxing Temple are extremely popular for breakfast. Locals often pair them with congee. The preparation process of the oil leek is fascinating to observe—from start to finish, you can see the craftsmanship involved. You might even catch Mr. Jun in action, who personally makes the oil leek using traditional methods. The taste is incredibly rich, and the price is very reasonable, offering great value.
Xiluo-Huwei / Lantern Viewing / Old Streets, Temples & Historic Buildings / A Leisurely One-Day Trip

If you're heading from Xiluo to Huwei, then one thing you absolutely must not miss when arriving in Xiluo early in the morning is the most local snack of Xiluo: fried shallots | Jun<

The two shops selling fried shallots | located near Xiluo Fuxing Temple are usually packed with locals during breakfast time. Whether you go for a meat rice noodle soup or a bowl of pork rice paired with a cup of soy milk, each bite and sip offers a truly authentic experience. The process of making fried shallots at these shops is very elaborate—they are slowly stir-fried bit by bit. In the hustle and bustle, you might even catch a glimpse of the owner personally overseeing the frying, as they are all made on-site using traditional methods. The taste of the fried shallots here is noticeably richer compared to those made elsewhere, and what’s more, their prices are very affordable, offering great value for money.

▲ Xiluo Scallion | Jun

After a hearty breakfast, you can take a stroll through Dong Market in Xiluo Old Street. Nearby, there’s also a soy sauce tourist factory worth visiting. On the other side of Xiluo Old Street lies Yunlin’s iconic landmark — the Xiluo Bridge. This red iron bridge spans the Zhuoshui River, making it a great spot for a commemorative photo.

For lunch in Xiluo, you can try local specialties such as tofu and vegetable noodles, xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), or charcoal-grilled goose, all located along Jiansing Road. Before leaving Xiluo, don’t forget to pick up some homemade wheat crackers from Muguanzai on Jiansing Road as a souvenir. (Extended reading:【Food Review │ Yunlin Xiluo】Classic Tofu & Vegetable Noodles with Squid Soup)

Tuku, located near Huwei, features Japanese-era architecture such as the village office, story house, and First Market, all perfect for photos. In recent years, the government has renovated both the interiors and exteriors of these old buildings, making them popular photography and sightseeing spots.

The most famous street food in Tuku is angelica duck noodle soup, with several shops lining the streets. The ones I visit most often are A-Hai Shi and A-Ming.

▲ Tuku A-Hai Shi Angelica Duck Noodle Soup.

▲ Tuku Bobby’s Crispy Chicken.

Besides angelica duck noodle soup, the Strange Man’s Squid & Eel Soup is also quite famous. Aside from its quirky name, the dishes here are made with quality ingredients and cooked to order. (Extended reading:【Food Review │ Yunlin Tuku】Strange Man’s Squid & Eel Soup)

Huwei offers a wide range of attractions. These include Huwei Sugar Factory (Huwei Iron Bridge), towel factories, paper-cutting art villages, Yunlin Puppet Theater, Yunlin Story House, and the Cats on the Rooftop of Dingxi Community — just these sites alone can fill an entire day in Huwei. When you need a break, Huwei also boasts numerous cafes where you can enjoy coffee and light bites.

Don’t miss the Starbucks and Eslite Bookstore located in the former Heto Building. A cafe and bookstore inside a historic structure offer a uniquely charming experience. While I don’t dine in Huwei often, whenever I do, there are two spots I frequently visit: Squid Kitchen, located diagonally opposite Huwei University of Science and Technology — a great Italian pasta spot with excellent value for money — or Hai Shen Canteen, a hidden gem serving quality ingredients in a cozy alleyway.

▲ Huwei Squid Kitchen.

▲ Huwei Hai Shen Canteen.

This year’s Taiwan Lantern Festival in Huwei, Yunlin, features an exceptionally spacious lantern display area with various themed zones. The main Huwei lantern zone alone includes 11 sub-zones: 【Blessing Lantern Zone & Light Environment】, 【Lantern Lighting Stage】, 【Welcome Lantern Zone】, 【Traditional Lantern Zone】, 【Joyful Lantern Zone】, 【Creative Lantern Zone: Cloud Tour of Investiture of the Gods】, 【Innovative Lantern Zone: Tianxin Sweetheart】, 【Central Axis Lantern Zone: Rooster Painting Egg Birth】, 【International Friendship Lantern Zone】, and 【Five Grains Abundance Lantern】. It’s highly recommended to arrive before 5 PM to avoid crowds and long parking lines, and to give yourself more time to leisurely enjoy the lantern displays.

▲ Taiwan Lantern Festival in Huwei, Yunlin – Main Lantern Zone.

Douliu · Beigang · Xiluo · Gukeng / Lantern Viewing
Coffee · Culture · Food / Fulfilling Two-Day Trip

As mentioned earlier, to fully explore both lantern zones, it’s best to plan a two-day trip. This helps ease the schedule. While you can combine the previously mentioned areas — Huwei, Tuku, Xiluo, and Beigang — I recommend a route through Yunlin’s mountainous region: Douliu and Gukeng.

For accommodation, you can choose to stay around the downtown roundabout and train station in Douliu, or opt for a homestay atop Huashan in Gukeng. If staying in Douliu, after enjoying the lanterns at night, you can visit the Douliu Light Art Festival at the roundabout. Though smaller in scale, it’s beautifully curated, featuring many exquisite lanterns to admire.

▲ Douliu Light Art Festival.

Alternatively, after viewing the lanterns, you could head up to Huashan to find a cozy cafe, sit back with a view of the night scenery, and enjoy a relaxing coffee.

For daytime activities, families might enjoy a trip to Janfusun Fancyworld. Besides the theme park, Gukeng also offers attractions such as the Honey Story Museum, Zhanghu Elementary School, Caoling, Rose Garden, and Waterscape Forest Church. The Waterscape Forest Church is located beside Gukeng’s Green Tunnel and can be combined with a visit to the Honey Story Museum.

I highly recommend visiting Zhanghu Ecological Elementary School on Huashan. The air there is fresh, and the school is backed by vast tea fields. The campus itself is delightful, with its colorful buildings that help you forget the stresses of city life. Aside from the school, you can also check out the Lover’s Bridge and Little Ladder on Huashan — both fun and photogenic spots.

▲ Gukeng Zhanghu Ecological Elementary School.

▲ Gukeng Huashan Little Ladder & Lover’s Bridge.

When it comes to food in Gukeng, besides the Clay Pot Chicken at Creative Chicken Kiln near Provincial Highway 3 and the Beef Noodles at Countryside Snacks, the Steamed Ginger Duck found along Gukeng’s main streets is also a great choice. Additionally, the Sesame Chicken Nuggets diagonally across from the Gukeng Post Office are affordable and delicious.

▲ Gukeng Creative Chicken Kiln.

Among the towns and cities in Yunlin County, Douliu City is the only one, and it's also where I currently live. In Douliu, there’s no shortage of delicious food—from group dining courses to hidden street snacks, you name it. Aside from viewing lanterns, taking a stroll around Douliu is also a great choice. In Douliu, spots like Aotu Cafe, Sanxiao Building, Xingqi Memorial Hall, and Fengchao Chocolate Workshop are all great for a walk and some photos.

▲ Douliu Food Cheat Sheet.

When visiting Douliu, you absolutely can’t miss the area’s most famous Squid Mouth Soup. I personally recommend Squid Xing, located downstairs from the Douliu Mazu Temple—it’s a delicious taste I’ve enjoyed since childhood. Aside from Squid Mouth Soup, I also highly recommend the Pickled Radish | Stir-fried Pork Rice Noodles, which is another local favorite that’s super satisfying.

▲ Douliu’s A’Niu Pickled Radish | Stir-fried Pork