[Family Travel]20 Fun Spots in Yilan: A Lazy Guide to Water Play, Sand Fun, and Spring Outings

Baby Wen (bobowin)

Features20 spring outing, picnic, and water play spots in Yilan, and the best part isthey’re all free attractions, allowing youto have fun in Yilan without spending a penny.Each of these family-friendly spots has been personally tried by us, and many are so enjoyable you won’t want to leave. First, let’s take a look at these 20 Yilan attractions, with all their features listed below.

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After seeing these 20 Yilan spots, aren’t you tempted? Each one is perfect for a family outing with kids. It’s really hard to rank which one Baby Wen likes best, so just pick your favorite by looking at the photos.

With its huge, well-maintained sandy beach, this spot is great for kids to play in the sand. The shallow shoreline is perfect for water play, the visitor center offers showers, and there’s even a Barista Coffee shop for a refreshing drink. Among Yilan’s water and sand play spots, Waiao Beach is definitely one of the best.

Surfing enthusiasts must have heard of Wushih Port. Baby Wen’s first visit was here. Remember to bring sunscreen and rent an umbrella from nearby shops. While the kids play in the sand and the adults surf, moms can relax in the shade.

It has a huge free foot soaking hot spring pool—absolutely blissful in winter. Soak your feet while enjoying a Japanese-style rice ball, almost like being in Japan. Next door are a hot spring noodle shop where you can also soak your feet and the upscale Jiaoxi Evergreen Laurel Hotel.

A vast lawn right by the lakeside makes this spot ideal for picnics with stunning views of the surrounding lake. The famous bowl-shaped slide in Longtan Lake is here—the joyful laughter of children is the best proof of how fun it is.

What seemed like just a small park turned out to be a delightful surprise. Inside the park, there’s a steam locomotive, tree-lined avenues that make for gorgeous photos, a robot-like “Sky City” sculpture transformed into a rocking chair toy, and a spaceship-themed slide that kids simply refuse to leave.

“Qinghe Bridge Skywalk”Crosses the Yilan River. The bridge features many exercise stations, and the central viewing platform offers a full panorama of the river. There are large grassy areas on both riverbanks for picnics, shaded spots under the bridge (just pick your picnic mat location wisely), and fun swings and slides underneath—perfect for a family outing.

The Yilan County Government Building is arguably the most beautiful government office in Taiwan. On holidays, the central park within the county government remains open. The park features forest landscaping—absolutely impressive—with endless green lawns surrounded by ponds, where you can explore tiny creatures with your kids.

The large grassland by the Anongxi Riverside was discovered when staying atYasan Sanheyuan Homestay. The restored Anongxi River has become one of Yilan’s finest waterways, and the lesser-known grasslands along its banks offer a perfect chance for a private nature escape.

The Yilan version of Moses parting the Red Sea can be seen at the Anongxi Diversion Weir, where the river splits into two—it’s truly magical. The newly created space around the weir has become the Diversion Weir Park, with gorgeous scenery perfect for outings, picnics, and bike rides.

Yilan is full of water sources, with natural springs everywhere. In Yuanshan, the “bubbling crabs” phenomenon is caused by small springs stirring up fine sand at the bottom, making it look like crabs are bubbling. The spring water stays around 10+ degrees year-round, making it a great spot to cool off and play.

Ludong Yundong Park needs no introduction, right? But those who’ve been there are never disappointed. The expansive grounds make renting a bike to ride around the park the most convenient option. Finding a shady spot, laying out a picnic mat, and enjoying a meal is also a great way to spend a holiday.

Another large park in Ludong, compared to the Ludong Sports Park, the Forestry Park has more historical significance—it was once the terminus of the Taipingshan Forest Railway timber transport line. The park still preserves relics like log ponds, steam trains, and Zhulin Station. It’s definitely worth a visit to explore the glory days of Taipingshan.

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Famous for its spaceship-like appearance, every time you pass through downtown Ludong, your eyes will linger on this battleship for a few seconds. After actually visiting, you’ll really fall in love with this ship. The interior is an exhibition hall, and the large outdoor plaza provides a rain-proof activity space for kids. Outside, there’s also a playground, extreme sports area, and ecological pond. If you’re planning a two-day, one-night trip in Yilan, this is a great place for an evening stroll.

Yilan’s newest spring and picnic spot is the Dongshan River Eco Green Boat. You can have a picnic while watching the Puyuma and Taroko Express trains speed by. Within the park, you can also paddle a boat along the Dongshan River. The beautiful Dongshan Guapeng Railway Station is nearby, and the new slide added under the station has now become a super popular family attraction. There are more and more fun places to go in Dongshan.

The most famous attraction in Yilan is none other than Meihua Lake. It gets really crowded on holidays, but you can enjoy activities like boating, cycling, or simply taking a walk—it’s all great. Staying overnight at a lakeside homestay to experience the early morning beauty of Meihua Lake is the best way to see the most stunning lakeside scenery.

Yilan has two major botanical gardens. While Fushan Botanical Garden requires an application for a mountain entry permit, Renshan Botanical Garden in Dongshan is free to enter during the day. There’s a hiking trail that goes uphill through the park, which is definitely a challenge for your stamina. Once you reach the botanical garden at the top, you’ll find gardens themed around China, France, Japan, and England, as well as exhibition areas for plants from South America, Australia, South Asia, Africa, and the Pacific Islands. There’s also an observation deck offering views of the entire Dongshan area—definitely a worthwhile spot to explore.

There are also lots of monkeys in the park—they’re truly the kings of the mountain, with the whole botanical garden as their home.

Located in the Sanxing Mountain area, this small lake features a lakeside walking path, camping areas, and more. On holidays, you can even drive bumper cars here. The scenery is more beautiful than you’d expect, and it serves as a great halfway stop on the way to Qingshui Geothermal Area and downtown Sanxing. If you’re visiting Sanxing, consider adding Changpi Lake to your itinerary.

In northern Yilan, there’s Waiao Beach, while in the south, there’s Neipi Bay. This crescent-shaped bay is incredibly romantic and is known as Lovers’ Bay. Next to Neipi Bay is Nan’an Elementary School, which sits at a high elevation, offering panoramic views of Nanfang’ao and Su’ao.

Behind Dong’ao Elementary School is a natural spring with water that stays at 14°C year-round. It’s incredibly refreshing to soak in during the summer, and the water isn’t deep, making it perfect for kids to play in. Behind the spring is the railway that connects Yilan to Hualien and Taitung. Under the old bridge, you can enjoy a cool picnic, making it a great spot for family outings.

The beauty of Dong’ao’s coastline is often overlooked. Only by coming here will you truly experience the Pacific Ocean’s endless sea and sky—no need to travel all the way to Hualien and Taitung. Yilan’s Dong’ao, especially at Fenqinlin, offers just that. Driving along the highway beside towering mountains, your eyes can’t help but be drawn to the sea. Keep driving until you reach the Coast Guard outpost and Fenqinlin Fishing Harbor. Cross the breakwater next to the harbor, and you’ll find a hidden paradise for water play.

An extremely clean and secluded spot for water play—no need to crowd the beaches.

After checking out these 20 excellent free outdoor spots in Yilan, which one is your favorite? I’ve added my personal star ratings for reference.

[Authorized Repost by Baobao Wen]Original article from [20 Best Family-Friendly Attractions in Yilan – Including the Best Free Parent-Child Spots, Picnics, Nature Walks, Water Play, Sand Fun, and Bumper Cars]