Yunlin is a rural county in western Taiwan that for many expats is simply a large landmass on their way to another destination. However, there are many worthwhile places to visit here, such as interesting historical sites, natural beauty, and rich culture worth exploring.
Below I will list some of the best places in Yunlin that I have visited. I will be sure to update this blog as I visit more places later. □️ Planning your trip to Yunlin? □ Here are some top travel tips for you:
Historical Background:
Before Han Chinese settlement, Yunlin was inhabited by native peoples. During the Dutch era in Taiwan in the 1600s, Chinese farmers first began to move here. One notable Chinese pioneer was Yan Siqi (also known as Pedro Chino, or the Pioneer King of Taiwan). He created a settlement in Ponkan (modern day Beigang, Yunlin) and recruited over 3000 farmers from Fujian and nearby regions in China to come farm in Taiwan. He also had 13 ships and a merchant trade and formed an alliance with the local indigenous population.
Dutch and Chinese farmers introduced mango, sweet potato, pineapple, and many other crops to Taiwan at this time. During the Qing Dynasty, Yunlin became its own county under governor Liu Mingchuan. The most economically important town, Douliu, continued to be the center of commerce in the Japanese era, and the area was combined with Tainan County. In 1950 Yunlin became its own county again, and Douliu was upgraded to a city. Douliu is unique because it is the largest city in Yunlin, but is not named after Yunlin County like all the other largest cities in each county (there is no Yunlin City). Currently, Yunlin's economy is mainly composed of agriculture and fishing. The population of Yunlin County is about 650,000 and continues to drop every year due to emigration, with young people moving to bigger cities for work opportunities. In addition, the area is underdeveloped compared with other places in Taiwan. How to get around in Yunlin?
As always, we recommend renting a scooter as the best way to see Taiwan. However, you can also a great deal of Yunlin by taking the train, inter-city bus, or local bus (there is no MRT in Yunlin). Getting around in a car is also a convenient option as there is plenty of parking pretty much everywhere in this less crowded county.
By Scooter:
Looking for scooter rental in Yunlin? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here.
By Car:
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.
By Bus/Train:
You can book tickets to travel to Yunlin via inter-city bus on Klook here.
You can book tickets to Yunlin via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bicycle:
Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here.
Basic Yunlin Travel Tips:
When should you go to Yunlin?
In my opinion, the best weather in Yunlin is from October - March, when the temperatures stay around 26 degrees Celsius and there is not as much rain.
Summers are also nice, with the most sunny weather, but also hot and rainy. Winters can be cold and windy but usually dry. Overall, there is no wrong answer as to what time of year you should visit Yunlin. You will have a great time here at any time of year. Where to stay:
We have stayed at and recommend Ai Ni Ya Hotel, with great quality and service right in downtown Beigang (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here).
We also recommend the Grand Earl Hotel, a high class hotel in central Douliu (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here) Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Tours in Yunlin:
Tours and activities in Yunlin include Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing , Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more.
You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here. Yunlin Tourist Sites Map:
You can see a map of all the places that we will visit in this blog below:
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 The Lantern Festival in Taiwan is an exciting time when many cities and counties in Taiwan put on colorful displays of lanterns for visitors to enjoy. There are usually lanterns in all the big cities including Taipei, Hsinchu, Taichung, and Kaohsiung. In this guide, we will share how Taiwan celebrates the Lantern Festival and how you can get involved.
🏯 Planning your trip to Taiwan? 🌊 Here are some top travel tips for you:
Table of Contents
 Thinking of coming to Taiwan? In this blog, we will share insider tips for planning a great vacation here.
Taiwan is the most friendly country in the world for foreigners and one of the best tourist destinations in the world. Many have called it the best-kept secret in Asia. Taiwan is not usually known as a travel destination, mainly because of PRC China which tries to downplay its existence and the fact that the Taiwan Tourism Bureau does not do a very good job. We will try to make up for that with this blog. Table of Contents
When to go: The best time to go they say is anytime! There is always a part of Taiwan that is great to visit at any given time of year. However, most areas are most comfortable around May when it is not too hot and there are no northeasterly winds or typhoons. The typhoon season lasts from around June to October. The tourist busy season is during summer break from June to August, during which time it can be hard to book a hostel or airplane ticket. Winter is the less crowded season, but the water will be colder, there will be constant wind (which could cancel transportation), and it will rain more often. How to get there: By Plane: You can book cheap flights to Taiwan on Trip.com or CheapO Air. You can also search for cheap flights in Taiwan here and here. You can also book discount tickets for domestic flights within Taiwan on KKday here. By Boat: There is a ferry boat between Kinmen and Xiamen, China. That is the only commercial way I know of to travel to Taiwan by boat. Tours: There are many tours and activities available such as snorkeling, diving, SUPing, Surfing, Speed Boating, Glamping, River tracing, Paragliding, Kayaking, Canoeing, River Tracing, River Rafting, River Tubing, Pack Rafting, Whale Watching, ATV / 4-wheeling, Paintballing, Water Biking, Glamping, Cycling, Ziplining, Horse Riding, and many others, which you can book through Klook here or KKday here. Where to stay: Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. Booking.com, Expedia, and Hotels.com are also good choices. How to get around in Taiwan: By Train: You can take a train ride around the entire island in about 8 hours. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By HSR: Taiwan’s HSR runs from north to south along the west coast of Taiwan, and is perhaps the fastest mode of transport available. You can book discount tickets via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. By Bus: Busses leave hourly from most major cities. You can book inter-city bus on Klook here. By Scooter: You can rent a scooter on Klook or KKday. Scooter rental is about 300 NT per day. You can check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car: You can also rent a car for about 1500 NT per day. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Map: Please see a map below of all the places we have blogged about in Taiwan: 
Erlun Story House (formerly Erlun Police Station) was the first police station built in Yunlin County in 1899. It acted as both a police station and a dormitory for police officers. Now it has been renovated and converted into a communal space to tell the stories of Yunlin's history. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Yunlin.
Historical Background: Before Han Chinese settlement, Erlun was inhabited by native peoples. During the Kingdom of Tungning after Koxinga's conquest of Taiwan from the Dutch, the first Chinese farmers began to settle here due to the fertile land and mild climate. At the time it was situated in the middle of two other settlements: Lukang and Beigang. After the Japanese took control of Taiwan in 1895, Erlun Police Station was built in 1899 as the first police station in Yunlin and was officially called Douliu District Erlun Police Substation. The Erlun Police Station's jurisdiction included Erlun, Huilaicuo, Tianwei, and Sankuai Village. In 1926, it was rebuilt on the original site into its current form. The main office was made of brick and the left and right sides were wooden dormitories, making an "i" shape. After World War II, the original Erlun Police Station continued to be used as a police station until a new Erlun Branch Office was built right next door. It was recognized as a historical building in 2005. In 2014 it was renovated at a cost of roughly 8 million NTD and renamed the Erlun Story House. The building is now used for cultural promotion and performances. Hours: 9 AM - 5 PM, closed Mondays and Tuesdays Saturday hours: 1 PM to 9 PM Price: Free Where to stay: We have stayed at and recommend Ai Ni Ya Hotel, with great quality and service right in downtown Beigang (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Grand Earl Hotel, a high class hotel in central Douliu (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here) Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Tours in Yunlin: Tours and activities in Yunlin include Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing , Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more. You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: By Scooter: From Provincial Highway 1, go south to the Xiluo Great Bridge until you reach Xiluo Town. Then continue along Highway 154 until you reach Erlun. The police station is in the center of town. There is free parking on the side of the road. Looking for scooter rental in Yunlin? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car: From National Freeway 1, get off at the Xiluo Exit and keep going until you reach Xiluo Town. Then continue along Highway 154 until you reach Erlun. The police station is in the center of town. There is limited free parking on the side of the road. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus/Train: From Yunlin HSR Station, you can take bus 7718 for about 20 minutes to Erlun Village. The Erlun Story House is near Erlun Station. You can also book tickets to travel to Yunlin via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Yunlin via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below: 
The Tuku Sugar Railway is a bicycle path converted from an old sugar railway in rural Yunlin. The path is about 9 KM long, and along the way you can see many historic sites and tourist factories. It is definitely worth a trip if you are in the area.
Historical Background: Taiwan Sugar Railways began construction by Meiji Sugar Co., Ltd. starting in 1906 during the Japanese era to transport sugar cane from fields to sugar factories for processing. After the ROC took control of Taiwan, the sugar industry continued and further railways were added. At the peak of operations, the railway system was over 3000 KM long. During the 1980s and 1990s, Taiwan's sugar prices were no longer globally competitive and rail operations began to decline. Today, only about 240 KM of railway is still in operation, meaning that thousands of kilometers of railway have been dismantled or abandoned. During the early days of the Japanese Era in Taiwan, Tuku was originally chosen as the site for the main industrial development in the area. However, due to a fire and flood in the space of three years, the Japanese decided to move the location of the sugar factory to modern-day Huwei. However, many of the old sugar railways have been converted into bicycle paths in recent years. Currently, the Tuku Sugar Railway Bike Path is about 9 KM long and takes about 40 minutes to complete from end to end. 
You can see above for a map of old sugar railways in Yunlin when the sugar industry was at its peak.
Difficulty: Easy. It is flat the whole way. Length: The Tuku Sugar Railway Bike Path is about 9 KM long and takes about 40 minutes to complete from end to end. Where to stay: We have stayed at and recommend Ai Ni Ya Hotel, with great quality and service right in downtown Beigang (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Grand Earl Hotel, a high class hotel in central Douliu (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here) Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Tours in Yunlin: Tours and activities in Yunlin include Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing , Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more. You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: By Scooter: Looking for scooter rental in Yunlin? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car: If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus/Train: You can book tickets to travel to Yunlin via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Yunlin via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: You can see a map of all the places that we will visit in this blog below: 
The Beigang Water Cultural Park is the last remaining intact Japanese architectural site in Beigang. Built in 1930, it included a 20 meter octagonal water tower, reservoirs, and employee dormitories that still stand today. It is a great place to dive into Taiwan's past and sits right next to Beigang Old Street.
Historical Background: During the Qing Dynasty, the waterways around the Beigang River were made deeper than other areas in central Taiwan, allowing for larger ships and more trade. Beigang soon became one of the most prosperous areas in central Taiwan. In 1700 Chen Lixun donated to build the "Penkan Tianfei Temple," now the "Beigang Chaotian Temple 北港朝天宮." The temple housed a statue of Mazu brought from Meizhou in Fujian. Soon, it became the most important temple in the area. The temple has undergone reconstruction in 1730, 1770, and 1884. Currently the temple sees more than a million visitors a year and is considered one of the most important Mazu temples in Taiwan, and is part of the annual Mazu pilgrimage. Traditionally, local farmers in the area drew drinking water from ponds or wells. As the population grew, so did the demand for fresh drinking water. In 1930 during the Japanese era, the Beigang Water Treatment was constructed, thanks to 240,000 yen financed by the nearby Chaotian Temple mentioned above. The water tower is 20 meters high and was built in an octagonal shape. The two bottom floors were used as office space while the third floor was used as a storage tank for fresh water. Nearby a red-brick engine room was built, as well as reservoirs, and employee dormitories. The water facility drew water from the Beigang River, desilted the water, and sanitized it. Once completed, the water facility helped produce clean drinking water for nearly 10,000 households. The plant continued operations until 1997, when a new water treatment plant replaced it. The area was declared a heritage site in 2006. It now stands as a landmark to the history of Beigang and is a popular park for both tourists and locals. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Where to stay: We have stayed at and recommend Ai Ni Ya Hotel, with great quality and service right in downtown Beigang (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Grand Earl Hotel, a high class hotel in central Douliu (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here) Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Tours in Yunlin: Tours and activities in Yunlin include Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing , Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more. You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: By Scooter: From Chiayi, go east on Highway 164 until you reach Beigang. There is free parking on the side of the road. Looking for scooter rental in Yunlin? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car: From National Freeway 1, get off at the no. 257 Xingang / Minxiong Exit and keep going east on Highway 164 until you reach Beigang. There is paid parking near the riverside at the end of the old street. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus/Train: From Chiayi HSR Station, you can take bus 7235 for about 40 minutes to Beigang Town. You can also book tickets to travel to Yunlin via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Yunlin via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below: 
Beigang Sugar Factory is a defunct sugar factory in Yunlin that is now being converted into an art and exhibition space. You can also find the Taisugar Ice Cream Shop here. It is a great place to enjoy the history and culture of the area.
Historical Background: Before Chinese settlers came to the area, Yunlin was inhabited by native peoples. During the Dutch era in Taiwan in the 1600s, Chinese farmers first began to move here. One notable Chinese pioneer was Yan Siqi (also known as Pedro Chino, or the Pioneer King of Taiwan). He created a settlement in Ponkan (笨港 Bengang, modern day Beigang) and recruited over 3000 farmers from Fujian and nearby regions in China to come farm in Taiwan. He also had 13 ships and a merchant trade and formed an alliance with the local indigenous population. Dutch and Chinese farmers introduced mango, sweet potato, pineapple, and many other crops to Taiwan at this time. When Koxinga invaded Taiwan, many local Chinese farmers such as Chen Lixun supported Koxinga and were rewarded with lands once the Dutch were conquered. During the Qing Dynasty, the waterways around the Beigang River were made deeper than other areas in central Taiwan, allowing for larger ships and more trade. Beigang soon became one of the most prosperous areas in central Taiwan. The Beigang Sugar Factory was established in 1910. Sugar was grown locally in nearby fields in Yunlin and Chiayi and shipped by rail to the factory for processing. At the most prosperous time of the sugar factory, there were over 1000 employees, which helped promote the development of the area. As time went on, Taiwan could no longer compete with global sugar prices. In addition, the factory was blamed for being a blocking point stopping development further west of Beigang. The Sugar factory ceased operations in 2005 despite being the number one sugar producing plant in Taiwan. After that, the factory was left abandoned and fell into disrepair. It was listed as a historical building in 2016. Despite talks to revitalize the area, concrete plans were not put in place for over 15 years. In 2021 it was proposed to turn the abandoned factory into a cultural park. The revitalization of the area, including 25 warehouses as exhibition spaces, is expected to be fully complete by 2025. For more information on the building's history, you can check out this short documentary made by Taiwan Plus. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Where to stay: We have stayed at and recommend Ai Ni Ya Hotel, with great quality and service right in downtown Beigang (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Grand Earl Hotel, a high class hotel in central Douliu (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here) Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Tours in Yunlin: Tours and activities in Yunlin include Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing , Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more. You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: By Scooter: From Chiayi, go east on Highway 164 until you reach Beigang. The Sugar Factory is on the southwest edge of town. There is free parking at the sugar factory. Looking for scooter rental in Yunlin? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car: From National Freeway 1, get off at the no. 257 Xingang / Minxiong Exit and keep going east on Highway 164 until you reach Beigang. The Sugar Factory is on the southwest edge of town. There is free parking at the sugar factory. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus/Train: From Chiayi HSR Station, you can take bus 7235 for about 40 minutes to Beigang Town. You can also book tickets to travel to Yunlin via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Yunlin via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below: 
Beigang Spring Living Museum showcases traditional carpentry culture in Beigang Township of Yunlin. It includes elegant Hinoki wood carvings as well as local art installations. There are also many interesting historical sites nearby. Visitors can engage in DIY woodworking activities, enjoy outdoor leisure areas, and partake in detailed instructional courses, making it an immersive destination to appreciate and learn about traditional carpentry in Taiwan.
Historical Background: "Beigang Chun Living Museum" originated from Mr. Wu Chuntang, who was involved in Taiwan's lumber and woodworking industry. With the ban of logging in Taiwan in 1991, in recent years Mr. Wu Chuntang decided to plant trees back in the land that nurtured him as a gesture of gratitude to Beigang and the heavens. In 2013, he founded the "Beigang Spring Living Museum" with the hope of passing down carpentry skills. In the exhibition area of "Beigang Chun Living Museum," one can smell the elegant scent of Hinoki wood. Throughout the museum area, there are many local art installations and traditional crafts. The park also includes children's play areas, dining areas, outdoor leisure areas, DIY woodworking activities, and woodworking classrooms. Beginner courses, advanced courses, and detailed instructions are available. The main goal of the museum is to promote traditional carpentry culture to a wider audience. Hours: 9:30 AM to 6 PM Closed Mondays Price: 100 NT per person Where to stay: We have stayed at and recommend Ai Ni Ya Hotel, with great quality and service right in downtown Beigang (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Grand Earl Hotel, a high class hotel in central Douliu (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here) Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Tours in Yunlin: Tours and activities in Yunlin include Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing , Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more. You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: By Scooter: From Chiayi, go east on Highway 164 until you reach Beigang. There is free parking on the side of the road. Looking for scooter rental in Yunlin? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car: From National Freeway 1, get off at the no. 257 Xingang / Minxiong Exit and keep going east on Highway 164 until you reach Beigang. There is free parking on the side of the road. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus/Train: From Chiayi HSR Station, you can take bus 7235 for about 40 minutes to Beigang Town. You can also book tickets to travel to Yunlin via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Yunlin via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below: 
Douliu Tourist Night Market is the largest night market in Yunlin County and the largest night market in Taiwan by number of stalls available. Even though it is only open three nights a week, there are hundreds of stalls that feed thousands of people when it is open. Popular foods here include Taiwanese steak and eggs, sausage, stinky tofu, and many other Taiwanese night market staples.
Historical Background: Before Chinese settlers came to the area, Yunlin was inhabited by the Hoanya (洪雅族) native tribespeople, who named the area Tawrag. During the Dutch era in Taiwan in the 1600s, Chinese farmers first began to move here. The native people named the area and translated Tawrag into Taiwanese as Táu-la̍k-mn̂g (Douliumen 斗六門 in Mandarin). The area was also Dutch control during the Dutch colonization of Taiwan. By the Qing Dynasty, Douliumen had become a sizable community mostly comprised of Hoanya Aborigines, but more and more Chinese merchants began to set up shops in the city. During the Douliumen Battle in 1862, the settlement was taken over by rebels led by Dai Chaichun but was retaken by the Qing Army in 1863. After the Japanese took control of Taiwan in 1895, anti-Japanese forces fought the Japanese in Douliu as part of the Yiwei War. During the ROC era, Yunlin County was established in 1950 and Douliu was made the County Seat. With over 100,000 people, Douliu is the most populous administrative region in Yunlin. Douliu Tourist Street Night Market began operations at the end of 2021. Before that, Douliu's Renwen Night Market (斗六人文夜市) was the largest in Yunlin. Most of the stalls at Renwen Night Market moved to the new location. Douliu Tourist Night Market includes three different parking lots and nearly 1000 stalls, making it the largest night market in Taiwan when it began operations. The night market is just one block away from the National Yunlin University of Science and Technology (國立雲林科技大學) meaning that there are plentiful students seeking cheap night market snacks nearby. In March 2024, the night market began to open on Sundays too. Hours: Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 4 PM to 12 Midnight Price: Free Where to stay: We have stayed at and recommend Ai Ni Ya Hotel, with great quality and service right in downtown Beigang (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Grand Earl Hotel, a high class hotel in central Douliu (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here) Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Tours in Yunlin: Tours and activities in Yunlin include Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing , Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more. You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: By Scooter: From Provincial Highway 1, go west to Douliu. The night market is on the south end of town in the middle of some farmer's fields. There is free scooter parking near the night market. Looking for scooter rental in Yunlin? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car: From National Freeway 3, get off at the Douliu Exit and keep going west until you reach Douliu City. From Provincial Highway 1, go west to Douliu. The night market is on the south end of town in the middle of some farmer's fields. There is limited free parking nearby and paid parking near the night market. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Train: The Night Market is within walking distance of Douliu TRA Station. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. You can also book tickets to travel to Yunlin via inter-city bus on Klook here. By HSR: From Yunlin HSR Station, you can take bus 201 for about 40 minutes to Douliu TRA Station. The Night Market is within walking distance of the old street. You can book tickets to Yunlin via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below: 
Taiping Old Street in Douliu is a well-preserved historic area with century-old baroque-style buildings dating back to the Japanese era of Taiwan. Here you can find many restaurants that serve local snacks and delicacies such as squid soup, taro ball soup, spring onion pancakes, and more. It is usually a popular and busy spot, especially on holidays and weekends.
Historical Background: Before Chinese settlers came to the area, Yunlin was inhabited by the Hoanya (洪雅族) native tribespeople, who named the area Tawrag. During the Dutch era in Taiwan in the 1600s, Chinese farmers first began to move here. The native people named the area and translated Tawrag into Taiwanese as Táu-la̍k-mn̂g (Douliumen 斗六門 in Mandarin). The area was also under Dutch control during the Dutch colonization of Taiwan. By the Qing Dynasty, Douliumen had become a sizable community mostly comprised of Hoanya Aborigines, but more and more Chinese merchants began to set up shops in the city. During the Douliumen Battle in 1862, the settlement was taken over by rebels led by Dai Chaichun but was retaken by the Qing Army in 1863. After the Japanese took control of Taiwan in 1895, anti-Japanese forces fought the Japanese in Douliu as part of the Yiwei War. During the ROC era, Yunlin County was established in 1950 and Douliu was made the County Seat. With over 100,000 people, Douliu is the most populous administrative region in Yunlin. Taiping Old Street is located on Taiping Road in Douliu City and is about 600 meters long. Historically, Taiping Road has always been Douliu's main commercial street and serves as a connecting road to rural areas around the city. The buildings on the old street are primarily designed in the Baroque style and many are over 90 years old dating back to the Japanese Era. The old street is full of many restaurants that serve local snacks and delicacies such as squid soup, taro ball soup, spring onion pancakes, and more. It is usually a popular spot, especially on holidays and weekends. However, it is a busy street and is not a blocked-off pedestrian area. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Where to stay: We have stayed at and recommend Ai Ni Ya Hotel, with great quality and service right in downtown Beigang (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Grand Earl Hotel, a high class hotel in central Douliu (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here) Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Activities and Tours in Yunlin: Tours and activities in Yunlin include Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing , Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more. You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: By Scooter: From Provincial Highway 1, go west to Douliu. Taiping Street is right in the center of town. There is free parking on the side of the road. Looking for scooter rental in Yunlin? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car: From National Freeway 3, get off at the Douliu Exit and keep going west until you reach Douliu City. Taiping Street is right in the center of town. There is free parking on the side of the road. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Train: The Old Street is within walking distance of Douliu TRA Station. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. You can also book tickets to travel to Yunlin via inter-city bus on Klook here. By HSR: From Yunlin HSR Station, you can take bus 201 for about 40 minutes to Douliu TRA Station. The Train Station is within walking distance of the old street. You can book tickets to Yunlin via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below: 
Qingpu Cypress (Dawn Redwood) Grove in Huwei, Yunlin County is a beautiful place to enjoy fall colors. There are many places like this in rural Taiwan that have recently become hot spots for Instagrammers. Normally, Taiwanese people would have to travel overseas to see cypress trees in fall colors, but now thanks to many independent farmers in Taiwan, these cypress groves make it easier for Instagrammers to take amazing European-like photos every year from November to February.
Historical Background: Bald Cypress, Metasequoia, or "dawn redwood" trees (落羽松) originate from the southern United States but were imported to Taiwan in 1901 by the Japanese. These trees like wet and humid environments and thrive well in Taiwan. They absorb a considerable amount of carbon dioxide. However, due to the hot weather in southern Taiwan, their growth there is less than ideal, so they are mainly concentrated in the central and northern regions such as Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Miaoli. The first real tourist Cypress Grove was the Nanxing Metasequoia Forest in Taoyuan, which actually began as a plantation established by a construction company owner. Over a decade ago, he leased land in Daxi and planted over 3,000 Cypress trees to meet the needs of his construction projects as lumber. Later, aerial photos taken by the public unexpectedly turned it into a popular tourist destination. After the success of this farm nearly 10 years ago in roughly 2014, many similar cypress farms and gardens have sprung up around Taiwan, attracting visitors. Many of these places charge an entrance fee. The Secret Garden of Qingpu is the private sanctuary of former Yunlin County Magistrate, Chang Rong-wei. It sits adjacent to the Huwei Sugar Factory, on the eastern side of the riverbank road by the Huwei Iron Bridge. Inside the garden, meticulously crafted small mounds create an undulating landscape. Nestled among these are small ponds, reflecting the majestic Cypress trees against the backdrop of the sky, evoking the serene beauty similar to the landscapes of Northern Europe. When to go: The best time to go is between November and February when the Cypress trees are in fall colors. Hours: 9:30 AM to 5 PM Closed on weekends. Price: Free Where to stay: We have stayed at and recommend Ai Ni Ya Hotel, with great quality and service right in downtown Beigang (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Grand Earl Hotel, a high class hotel in central Douliu (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here) Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Tours in Yunlin: Tours and activities in Yunlin include Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing , Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more. You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: By Scooter: From National Freeway 1, go west on Highway until you reach Xiluo Town. The Academy is on the south side of town along Highway 154 and is hard to miss. There is free parking on the side of the road. Looking for scooter rental in Yunlin? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car: From National Freeway 1, get off at the Xiluo Exit and keep going until you reach Xiluo Town. The Academy is on the south side of town along Highway 154 and is hard to miss. There is free parking on the side of the road. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus/Train: From Yunlin HSR Station, you can take bus 88 for about 30 minutes to Xiluo Town. The Academy is then in walking distance. You can also book tickets to travel to Yunlin via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Yunlin via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below: 
Huwei Iron Bridge, also known as Huwei Sugar Factory Bridge, is an old railway bridge dating back to the Japanese rule of Taiwan in 1907. The bridge is nearly half a kilometer long and is now part of the Huwei Sugar Factory Riverside Park. Popular activities here include cycling, jogging, and taking selfies. It is a great place to enjoy the history and beauty of the local area.
Historical Background: Huwei Sugar Factory was built in 1906 before Huwei Town existed. The town began to develop on the outskirts of the sugar factory as employees began to settle nearby. The sugar factory is still operating and processing sugar. There is also a Taisugar ice cream shop that operates nearby. The Huwei Sugar Factory Bridge was originally a wooden bridge built during the Japanese era to facilitate the transportation of sugarcane to the Huwei Sugar Factory and was constructed in 1907. Besides transporting sugarcane, it also acted as a passenger train. In 1931, the new iron bridge was constructed downstream from the original wooden bridge with a length of about 300.6 meters. In 1960, the Huwei Iron Bridge was extended to 437 meters. The bridge's northernmost steel truss is actually a 200-foot steel beam recycled from the Qing Dynasty railway in the Hsinchu area, dating back to the late 1800s. The bridge has a total of 21 piers, 22 bridge spans. The structure of this bridge consists of four different sections erected according to different span requirements due to changes in river terrain, forming step-like structure. The manufacturers of the bridge trusses or girders are known to include Westwood Baillie & Co. from England (2nd bridge span) and the Osaka Automobile Manufacturing Co., Ltd. from Japan (7th bridge span, manufactured in 1913). Huwei Sugar Factory was established in 1906, after which the local economy gradually developed and prospered, and the population increased. To solve transportation problems, the sugar company and the Railway Department of the Taiwan Governor's Office jointly operated a passenger railway between Dounan and Huwei in 1910, and the train also connected with the Western Main Line. In 1942, the bridge was damaged in a storm but was later repaired. During the ROC era in 1954, a wooden pedestrian bridge was built on the right side of the iron bridge, creating a safe passage for pedestrians. In 1959, the 87 Flood occurred, and the south bank of the river was breached, causing the bridge to be destroyed. Afterward, the riverbed was widened and the riverbanks were reinforced to prevent erosion. In June 1960 the bridge was extended by about 185 meters solving local flooding problems. In 1982, the construction of the Xingnan Bridge gradually replaced the function of the wooden plank bridge beside the iron bridge. After that, it remained idle for a long time and was not well maintained. The reconstruction project of the Huwei Iron Bridge was completed in 1999, and it was named the Sweet Potato Village Plank Bridge. Subsequently, both sides of the bridge were converted into a "riverside park," combining the nearby Huwei Sugar Factory and Tongxin Park, to provide an ideal place for sightseeing and leisure for the public. In 2012, during Typhoon Saola, about 50 meters of the bridge deck was washed away by floodwaters. The restoration of the Huwei Bridge was completed on September 9, 2015. Currently, the bridge is a popular place for local residents especially on weekends. Hours: Huwei Iron Bridge: 24/7 Price: Free Where to stay: We have stayed at and recommend Ai Ni Ya Hotel, with great quality and service right in downtown Beigang (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Grand Earl Hotel, a high class hotel in central Douliu (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here) Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Tours in Yunlin: Tours and activities in Yunlin include Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing , Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more. You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: By Scooter: From Provincial Highway 1, go east to Dounan and then take Highway 158 to Huwei. There is free parking on the side of the road. Looking for scooter rental in Yunlin? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car: From National Freeway 1, get off at the Huwei Exit and keep going east until you reach Huwei Town. The bridge is on the south side of town along Highway 73-3 and is hard to miss. There is free parking on the side of the road. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus/Train: From Yunlin HSR Station, you can take bus 7112 for about 30 minutes to Huwei Puppet Museum. The bridge is then about a 10 minute walk south. You can also book tickets to travel to Yunlin via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Yunlin via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below: 
Taixi Night Market is a small night market operating only on Saturdays in rural Taixi Township. Here you will not find any other foreign tourists and you can enjoy a truly local small town night market experience.
Historical Background: Taixi Night Market branches out from Minzi Road Lane 30 and Minzu Road Lane 10 in downtown Taixi. There are about 30 stalls that come here every Saturday evening. Like many small towns in Taiwan, this town's night market only visits once a week to satisfy the tastes of the local people here, and the stalls move to other night markets in the area on other nights of the week. Usually you will see a sizable crowd here on Saturday evenings but not tons of people like you would see at other full-time tourist markets in Taiwan. Hours: 5 PM to 10:15 PM Price: Free Where to stay: We have stayed at and recommend Ai Ni Ya Hotel, with great quality and service right in downtown Beigang (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Grand Earl Hotel, a high class hotel in central Douliu (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here) Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Tours in Yunlin: Tours and activities in Yunlin include Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing , Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more. You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here. How to get there: By Scooter: Take Provincial Highway 17 along the west coast of Taiwan until you reach the town, which is on the northern coast of Yunlin. . There is free parking on the side of the road. Looking for scooter rental in Yunlin? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car: Take National Highway 1 to Yunlin, then take wither Freeway 61 or 78 west to Taixi. There is free parking on the side of the road. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus/Train: You can also book tickets to travel to Yunlin via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Yunlin via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below: 
Beigang Iron Bridge is the longest bridge ever built by the Taiwan Sugar Company, that used to connect sugar fields in Chiayi to the Beigang Sugar Factory. Unfortunately, the bridge was washed away in floodwaters during Typhoon Sinlaku in 2008.
Currently a new "Daughter Bridge" has been completed to connect the two sides, and further construction is expected to connect the two sides of the river via pedestrian walkways by 2025. Historical Background: Before Han Chinese settlement, Yunlin was inhabited by native peoples. During the Dutch era in Taiwan in the 1600s, Chinese farmers first began to move here. One notable Chinese pioneer was Yan Siqi (also known as Pedro Chino, or the Pioneer King of Taiwan). He created a settlement in Ponkan or Bengang in Mandarin (modern day Beigang) and recruited over 3000 farmers from Fujian and nearby regions in China to come farm in Taiwan. He also had 13 ships and a merchant trade and formed an alliance with the local indigenous population. Dutch and Chinese farmers introduced mango, sweet potato, pineapple, and many other crops to Taiwan at this time. When Koxinga invaded Taiwan, many local Chinese farmers such as Chen Lixun supported him and were rewarded with lands once the Dutch were conquered. During the Qing Dynasty, Beigang was known as Bengang (笨港), and its waterways were made deeper than other areas in Taiwan, allowing for larger ships and more trade. Beigang soon became one of the most prosperous areas in central Taiwan. After many Typhoons and floods, the Beigang River became silted and shallow, and also due to silting Beigang was moved further and further from the seashore. Up to the Japanese colonial period, the port lost its function as a maritime trading location, but it remained a center for agricultural commerce. The establishment of sugar mills during the Japanese colonial period also brought significant economic benefits to Beigang for nearly a hundred years. However, since the Japanese colonial period, due to the silting of the port, the lack of a main railway line passing through, and the absence of a major highway, its economic influence has diminished significantly. Beigang Creek Iron Bridge The Beigang River Iron Bridge, also known as the Fuxing Bridge or Fuxing Iron Bridge, was built during the Japanese colonial period in Taiwan and later rebuilt and extended during the ROC era. It is located over the Beigang River at the border of Beigang Town in Yunlin County and Xingang Township. Currently, it is abandoned and partially destroyed due to flooding. During the Japanese Era, the Beigang River Bridge was originally a wooden structure built to facilitate the transportation of sugarcane to the Beigang Sugar Factory during the Japanese colonial period. Construction began in 1909 by the Beigang Sugar Manufacturing Society for the Beigang Line of the sugar industry railway between Beigang and Chiayi, which was completed and opened on August 30, 1911, along with the wooden Beigang River Bridge, spanning a length of 220 meters. In 1917, passenger services started operating. In 1943, the wooden Beigang Creek Bridge between Beigang and Wan Zai Nei was washed away by flooding, causing a train passing at that time to derail into the creek, resulting in dozens of casualties, making it the deadliest accident in the history of sugar railway passenger services. During the ROC Era after World War II in 1945, due to strong public demand, the Beigang River Bridge was repaired in 1951 and named the "Fuxing Iron Bridge." The Beigang Creek Iron Bridge had a total of 76 bridge piers, including 74 reinforced concrete girder piers. The upper structure of the bridge consisted of 74 composite steel beams and 2 lower-bearing steel plate girder beams. Train services resumed to Beigang. In 1967, the Beigang River was dredged, and embankments were built on the east bank of the iron bridge. Because of this, in 1968, the Taiwan Sugar Company raised and extended the Beigang Creek Iron Bridge by about 600 meters. The project was completed in June 1969, extending the total length of the bridge to 878 meters, making it the longest bridge used by the Taiwan Sugar Railway. On August 17, 1982, passenger services on the Beigang Line ceased, and the Beigang River Iron Bridge remained only for transporting raw materials. In 1998, Taiwan Sugar Factory completely ceased railway transportation in the area and the Beigang Line was discontinued. After the Beigang River Iron Bridge was decommissioned, Taiwan Sugar planned to demolish it in May 2000. Fortunately, it was saved due to the efforts of local activists. The bridge was made a historical site in 2001. Unfortunately, on September 12, 2002, several bridge piers at the north end of the bridge's water area were washed away by flooding, leading to its closure. Although efforts were made to repair it, the bridge suffered damage from flooding again during Typhoon Sinlaku in 2008. In 2021, The "Daughter Bridge" was finished alongside the old Fuxing Bridge to connect the two sides via pedestrian walkways. However, the Daughter Bridge was not finished and connected at the time of writing. In 2022, the central government approved a budget of 180 million yuan to support the reconstruction and repair project of the Beigang Iron Bridge on the Xingang, Chiayi side. Construction started on May 9, 2023, and is expected to be completed by late 2024 or early 2025 to complete the connection between the two sides. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Where to stay: We have stayed at and recommend Ai Ni Ya Hotel, with great quality and service right in downtown Beigang (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Grand Earl Hotel, a high class hotel in central Douliu (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here) Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Tours in Yunlin: Tours and activities in Yunlin include Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing , Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more. You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here. How to get there: By Scooter: From Chiayi, go east on Highway 164 until you reach Beigang. The bridge is on the east side of town. There is free parking on the side of the road. Looking for scooter rental in Yunlin? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car: From National Freeway 1, get off at the no. 257 Xingang / Minxiong Exit and keep going east on Highway 164 until you Reach Beigang. The bridge is on the east side of town. There is paid parking near the riverside at the end of the old street. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus/Train: From Chiayi HSR Station, you can take bus 7235 for about 40 minutes to Beigang Town. You can also book tickets to travel to Yunlin via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Yunlin via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below: 
Beigang was once the second largest city in Taiwan, second only to Tainan City, and was central Taiwan's most important maritime trading post. After the silting of the Beigang River, the town mostly relies on agriculture for its economy, but Beigang Old Street is also one of the most important religious sites in Taiwan due to the worship of Mazu in Beigang Chaotian Temple. Besides the temple, there are also many food and shopping options nearby. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to central Taiwan.
Historical Background: Before Chinese settlers came to the area, Yunlin was inhabited by native peoples. During the Dutch era in Taiwan in the 1600s, Chinese farmers first began to move here. One notable Chinese pioneer was Yan Siqi (also known as Pedro Chino, or the Pioneer King of Taiwan). He created a settlement in Ponkan (笨港 Bengang, modern day Beigang) and recruited over 3000 farmers from Fujian and nearby regions in China to come farm in Taiwan. He also had 13 ships and a merchant trade and formed an alliance with the local indigenous population. Dutch and Chinese farmers introduced mango, sweet potato, pineapple, and many other crops to Taiwan at this time. When Koxinga invaded Taiwan, many local Chinese farmers such as Chen Lixun supported Koxinga and were rewarded with lands once the Dutch were conquered. During the Qing Dynasty, the waterways around the Beigang River were made deeper than other areas in central Taiwan, allowing for larger ships and more trade. Beigang soon became one of the most prosperous areas in central Taiwan. In 1700 Chen Lixun donated to build the "Penkan Tianfei Temple," now the "Beigang Chaotian Temple 北港朝天宮." The temple housed a statue of Mazu brought from Meizhou in Fujian. Soon, it became the most important temple in the area. The temple has undergone reconstruction in 1730, 1770, and 1884. Currently the temple sees more than a million visitors a year and is considered one of the most important Mazu temples in Taiwan, and is part of the annual Mazu pilgrimage. After many Typhoons and floods, the Beigang River became silted and shallow, and also due to silting the seashore moved further and further westward away from the town. In 1750, due to the southward shift of the river channel, Beigang Old Street was divided into two: North Street (now Beigang Town) and South Street (now Xingang Township, Chiayi County). Up to the Japanese colonial period, the port lost its function as a maritime trading location, but it remained a center for agricultural commerce. The establishment of sugar mills during the Japanese colonial period also brought significant economic benefits to Beigang for nearly a hundred years. The construction of Chaotian Temple and the widespread belief in Mazu further contributed to Beigang's fame. However, since the Japanese colonial period, due to the silting of the port, the lack of a main railway line passing through, and the absence of a major highway, its economic influence has diminished significantly. Currently the population of Beigang is about 38,000 and it continues to fall every year. Beigang Old Street is usually still busy especially on weekends due to religious pilmagriges. The street is especially busy during the Dajia Mazu pilgrimage. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Where to stay: We have stayed at and recommend Ai Ni Ya Hotel, with great quality and service right in downtown Beigang (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Grand Earl Hotel, a high class hotel in central Douliu (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here) Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Tours in Yunlin: Tours and activities in Yunlin include Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing , Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more. You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: By Scooter: From Chiayi, go east on highway 164 until you Reach Beigang. There is free parking on the side of the road. Looking for scooter rental in Yunlin? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car: From National Freeway 1, get off at the no. 257 Xingang / Minxiong Exit and keep going east on highway 164 until you Reach Beigang. There is paid parking near the riverside at the end of the old street. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus/Train: From Chiayi HSR Station, you can take bus 7235 for about 40 minutes to Beigang Town. You can also book tickets to travel to Yunlin via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Yunlin via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below: 
Yanping Old Street (aka Xiluo Old Street) is a well-preserved historical part of Xiluo Township of Yunlin County dating back to the Kingdom of Tungning, the Qing Dynasty, and the Japanese era of Taiwan. Here you can find historical landmarks as well as good food and cultural attractions. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Yunlin.
Historical Background: Before Han Chinese settlement, Xiluo was inhabited by native Taiwanese plains tribal peoples. During the Dutch colonial period, Han Chinese settlers began to migrate and cultivate the land, gradually increasing in number. During the Kingdom of Tungning after Koxinga's conquest of Taiwan from the Dutch, an even larger number of Chinese farmers began to settle here due to the fertile land and mild climate. At the time it was situated in the middle of two other settlements: Lukang and Beigang, making it an important transportation hub from northern to southern Taiwan. There also was a ferry along the Zhuoshui River, further connecting the town to the rest of the world. The Zhuoshui River also made irrigation easy, and the area is often known as the granary of Taiwan. The original name for Xiluo was Luoyang (螺陽), named by early settlers to commemorate their hometown Luoyang Town in Huian County, Quanzhou Prefecture, Fujian Province. Yanping Old Street is also named after Prince Yanping (延平王) which was the honorific name of Koxinga, the ruler of the founders of the town. After the completion of the Xiluo Great Bridge in 1952, the town continued as a transportation hub linking north and south Taiwan. However after the completion of National Freeway 1 in 1978, the bulk of traffic moved onto the new highway and Xiluo turned into a rural backwater, with most of its economy based on agriculture. Currently, the population of the town is about 44,000 and is falling every year. Although usually not especially busy, the old street usually has tourists and shoppers and is full of interesting historical buildings. Where to stay: We have stayed at and recommend Ai Ni Ya Hotel, with great quality and service right in downtown Beigang (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Grand Earl Hotel, a high class hotel in central Douliu (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here) Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Tours in Yunlin: Tours and activities in Yunlin include Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing , Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more. You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here. How to get there: By Scooter: From Provincial Highway 1, go south to the Xiluo Great Bridge until you reach Xiluo Town. There is free parking on the side of the road. Looking for scooter rental in Yunlin? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car: From National Freeway 1, get off at the Xiluo Exit and keep going until you reach Xiluo Town. There is free parking on the side of the road. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus/Train: From Yunlin HSR Station, you can take bus 88 for about 30 minutes to Xiluo Town. You can also book tickets to travel to Yunlin via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Yunlin via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below: 
Xiluo Bridge (aka Xiluo Great Bridge) was once the second-longest bridge in the world and connects Yunlin County to Changhua County across the Zhuoshui River. Here you can also find a large public square and grassy park which is free for everyone to enjoy. It is one of Taiwan's historical landmarks that you should not miss.
Historical Background: Before Han Chinese settlement, Xiluo was inhabited by native Taiwanese plains tribal peoples. During the Dutch colonial period, Han Chinese settlers began to migrate and cultivate the land, gradually increasing in number. During the Kingdom of Tungming after Koxinga's conquest of Taiwan from the Dutch, an even larger number of Chinese farmers began to settle here due to the fertile land and mild climate. At the time it was situated in the middle of two other settlements: Lukang and Beigang, making it an important transportation hub from northern to southern Taiwan. There also was a ferry along the Zhuoshui River, further connecting the town to the rest of the world. The Zhushui River also made irrigation easy, and the area is often known as the granary of Taiwan. The Zhuoshui River which the Xiluo River crosses is the longest river in Taiwan and is often considered the boundary between north and south Taiwan. Due to the Zhuoshui River's wide river surface, some early European maps of Taiwan mistakenly divided Taiwan into two islands. During the Japanese era, there were only railway bridges spanning the Zhuoshui River, but no bridges for cars or pedestrians to cross. At that time, people had to cross via ferry or the railway. Starting from the 1920s, the Japanese continued to improve Taiwan's road systems and by the end of 1935, only the Zhuoshui River and the Gaoping River remained impassable by car. In September 1934 the construction of a bridge over the Zhuoshui River was first proposed by local residents. Construction of the bridge began in 1938, with completion scheduled for March 1942. Subsequent construction was halted due to the diversion of steel materials for wartime use, leaving the road incomplete. After WWII, in 1946, the Provincial Assembly proposed to allocate American aid to complete the Xiluo Bridge, with support from local residents. In May 1952, after the steel trusses manufactured with US aid arrived in Taiwan (manufactured by the United States Steel Export Company, which was a front for the US government that could not sell steel directly to Allies), construction resumed. The Xiluo Bridge was completed on December 25, 1952, and officially opened on January 28, 1953. Xiluo Bridge is 1,939 meters long and 7.3 meters wide. It has 31 spans, 32 piers, and a foundation 20 meters deep. It is made from Warren truss steel girders, painted gray-green when opened to traffic in 1952, then repainted gray in January 1962, and changed to red in August 1986. When completed in 1952, the Xiluo Bridge was the world's second-largest bridge after the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, USA. It was also the longest bridge in Taiwan at the time, earning the title of the "largest bridge in the Far East." After the completion of the Xiluo Great Bridge in 1952, the town continued as a transportation hub linking north and south Taiwan. However after the completion of National Freeway 1 in 1978, the bulk of traffic moved onto the new highway and Xiluo turned into somewhat of a rural backwater, with most of its economy based on agriculture. Currently, the population of the town is about 44,000 and is falling every year. Although usually not especially busy, the old street usually has tourists and shoppers and is full of interesting historical buildings. Where to stay: We have stayed at and recommend Ai Ni Ya Hotel, with great quality and service right in downtown Beigang (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). We also recommend the Grand Earl Hotel, a high class hotel in central Douliu (book on Agoda here or Booking.com here) Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Tours in Yunlin: Tours and activities in Yunlin include Janfusun Fancy World Amusement Park, Kite Surfing, Tree Climbing , Chaoyang Green Energy Farm, Sam Siu Garden, Pink Castle Park, Gukeng Green Tunnel, Caoling Highway, and more. You can find more tours of Yunlin on Klook here or KKday here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: By Scooter: From Provincial Highway 1, go south to the Xiluo Great Bridge until you reach Xiluo Town. There is free parking on the side of the road. Looking for scooter rental in Yunlin? Check out Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car: From National Freeway 1, get off at the Xiluo Exit and keep going until you reach Xiluo Town. There is free parking on the side of the road. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bus/Train: From Yunlin HSR Station, you can take bus 88 for about 30 minutes to Xiluo Town. You can also book tickets to travel to Yunlin via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can book tickets to Yunlin via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below: 
You've heard of Taipei (Tainorth 臺北) Taichung (Taimiddle 臺中) Taitung (Taieast 臺東) and Tainan (Taisouth 臺南), but what about Taixi (Taiwest 臺西)? It exists. It's a small coastal township in Yunlin County, with the main industry there being oyster harvesting. There isn't much to see here besides oyster farms and wetlands, but I still recommend going there at least once for bucket list checking purposes.
Background: Taixi was first colonized by Chinese people in the 1800s, first by the Ting family, which were Muslim Chinese that immigrated from Fujian province. They built a mosque there, but over time the family all converted to Taoism, and the mosque has since been converted into a Taoist Temple. Now, over 70 percent of the people living in Taixi are descendants from the Ting family. The main industry here is oyster farming, but radish farming and eco-tourism of the local wetlands and Taixi Seaside Park also bring in some income. A large section of sea off the coast of Taixi also has been planned for land reclamation for industrial use. Currently there are 24,212 people living in the township, which is divided into 15 villages. Price: Free Hours: 24/7 How to get there: By Car: Take National Highway 1 to Yunlin, then take wither Freeway 61 or 78 west to Taixi. Scooter: Take Freeway 17 along the west coast of Taiwan until you reach the town, which is on the northern coast of Yunlin. By Bus: From the Yunlin High Speed Rail Station, you can take the city bus to Taixi, which is about an hour bus ride away. Map: Please see below: |
Author 作家I am an American expat who has extensive experience living, working, and traveling in Taiwan. In my day, I had to learn many things about Taiwan the hard way. But I have come to learn that Taiwan is one of the best places in the world for Foreigners to live. This blog does not represent the opinions of every foreigner in Taiwan. I am just trying to help others learn more about this beautiful country. Categories
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