[TAIWAN] YILAN - Hot Spring Town of Jiaoxi

08:00 Travel Bunny 0 Comments


Known as the Land of Hot Springs, Yilan County is where dramatic coastal landscapes clash beautifully with world-class hot spring. Unlike many hot spring destinations that smell faintly of boiled eggs, Jiaoxi is famous for its sodium bicarbonate springs. The water here is clear, odorless, and packed with minerals that leave your skin feeling like polished silk.

Getting there: 

1) By Train
Tze-Chiang (Express) train takes about 1.5 hours. These require seat reservations.

Local trains takes about 2 to 2.5 hours. No reservation needed, you just tap your EasyCard and hop on.

Cost: NT$130–$200 depending on the train class.

2) By bus
Taking the bus is faster than the train because it cuts through the mountains rather than winding around the coast.

From Taipei City Hall Bus Station: Take Capital Bus (Route 1572). It runs every 15–20 minutes. It’s the quickest route, taking roughly 40–60 minutes depending on traffic.

From Taipei Main Station (Q-Square): Take Kamalan Bus (Route 1915). These are very comfortable coaches with free Wi-Fi and charging ports. The ride takes about 60–75 minutes.

From Technology Building MRT: You can also catch both bus lines here for a slightly shorter ride.

Cost: Approximately NT$110–$140 (around $4 USD). You can use your EasyCard or iPASS.

3) By Car or Taxi

Driving is about a 45-minute drive via National Highway 5.

Uber/Taxi: A one-way trip from Taipei usually costs between NT$1,200 and $1,600.

Where to stay: 
Definitely stay in one of the many hot-spring hotels in town. We stayed at Gamalan Breeze Hotel. There are a few Gamalan hotels in Jiaoxi. Buffet breakfast is served at the nearby Gamalan Spring Hotel. 

What to see/do:
Anything related to hot spring, of course!

One of the perks of Gamalan hotel guests enjoy is the NT$50 voucher to try boiling sweet corn and eggs in the hotel's onsen facilities. 

Next to the stall, guests can dip their feet for a relaxing fish spa where we dipped our feet in a tank while tiny fish nibbled away the dead skin. It’s ticklish, slightly weird, and a quintessential Jiaoxi experience.

The public Jiaoxi Hot Springs Park (礁溪溫泉公園) is a lovely park which many locals especially the elderly frequent. 

What to eat: 
Yilan is world-famous for its green onions. Do not leave without trying a Sanxing Scallion Pancake. It’s crispy, savory, and highly addictive.

For lunch, Yu Ren Eight Treasure Vermicelli (玉仁八寶冬粉) is an absolute must-try local delicacy. It is the number one noodle and rice snack in Yilan County, highly praised by both locals and tourists. Currently, Yu Ren Eight Treasure Vermicelli has two locations in Jiaoxi: Store No. 1 (Flagship Store) and Store No. 2 (Taizi Store).

Store 1 Flagship Store is spacious, bright, and with a trendy, artsy style, suitable for tourists who value dining comfort. (Hours: 10:00–20:30) 

The environment of Store 2 Taizi Store/Old Store is simpler, but the opening hours are very long, starting early in the morning, suitable for breakfast or late-night snacks. (Hours: 06:00–21:00)

This bowl of noodles is known for its abundant ingredients, often called "the mini hot pot of vermicelli." It contains eight ingredients: fresh shrimp, handmade squid strips, meat strips, fish roe balls, seasonal vegetables, daylily buds, wood ear mushrooms, and shiitake mushrooms. The broth is a clear, sweet, and not greasy pork bone soup. The vermicelli soaks up the savory flavor of the broth, ensuring a satisfying meal with every bite. 

You can also order some side dishes such as Coriander and Tofu Skin Rolls, soft-boiled eggs, braised tofu and authentic Yilan-style side dishes such as pork liver, duck gizzard, and pork intestines.
 
For dinner, head to Kong Yeh Farm (空ㄟ農場). Perched high above the Jiaoxi township, this isn't your typical "farm" with animals and crops, it’s a hilltop restaurant offering what locals call the "Million-Dollar Night View" of the Lanyang Plain.

What else to see/do:

Wu Feng Qi Waterfalls is a stunning three-tiered waterfall just a short hike from the town center. The mist from the falls is the perfect cooling "rinse" after a hot soak.

Marian Hiking Trail (The "Matcha Mountain") is for the adventurous. This hike offers a panoramic view of lush, rolling green peaks that look exactly like scoops of matcha powder.

Souvenirs to bring home: 
Anything made with Sanxing Scallion.

We really had a relaxing time in Jiaoxi. After our 2-day adventure in Yilan, we caught an afternoon train back to Taipei.

You Might Also Like

0 Comments:

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)