Yilan Plain Cycling Guide: Open Views Along the Lanyang River and Turtle Island

Located in northeastern Taiwan, Yilan County is surrounded by mountains on three sides and faces the sea on one side, forming one of Taiwan’s rare basin-type plains—the Lanyang Plain. Covering approximately 350 square kilometers, this plain is one of Taiwan’s most famous agricultural counties and the homeland of specialty products such as rice, winter onions, Sansing scallions, and pressed duck.

Cycling in Yilan differs from the mountain experiences found elsewhere in Taiwan. What it offers is another kind of beauty: a 360-degree open skyline, the silhouette of Turtle Island standing alone off the coast, and the tranquility of riding between rice paddies and waterways.

Cycling Environment of the Yilan Plain

Route 1: Lanyang River Bike Path (approx. 40km)

The Lanyang River is Yilan’s mother river, originating in the Snow Mountain Range and flowing through the Lanyang Plain before emptying into the Pacific Ocean. The bike path built along the Lanyang River runs from Yuanshan Township upstream all the way to the river mouth in Zhuangwei Township, offering a flat cycling experience of approximately 40 kilometers in total.

Route Highlights:

• Yuanshan Section: Home to the Lanyang Museum; the Yuanshan Ecological Park features a wetland observation area
• Wujie Section: Yilan’s most important agricultural zone, producing winter onions, garlic, and flowers
• Zhuangwei Section: Enters the river mouth wetlands, where migratory birds can be observed (autumn and winter)
• Lanyang River Mouth: A spectacular landscape where the Pacific Ocean, the Lanyang River, and Turtle Island converge

Route 2: Turtle Island Vista Loop (approx. 55km)

Turtle Island is an active volcanic island off the coast of Yilan County, named for its turtle-like shape, and is a landmark of Yilan. From any elevated point on the Lanyang Plain, or while riding along the coast, you can see the silhouette of Turtle Island.

This loop route, themed around views of Turtle Island, departs from Jiaoxi, rides along the coast through Toucheng, Waiao, and Zhuangwei, and finally returns to Yilan City.

Route Highlights:

Jiaoxi (0km)
Famous for its hot springs; Jiaoxi Old Street has several hot spring restaurants. After riding, you can soak your feet (there are free foot-soaking areas in town).

Toucheng (20km)
The first city opened in Yilan, preserving relics of Han Chinese immigrant development during the Qing Dynasty. Toucheng Old Street features rows of historic shop buildings rarely seen in Taiwan.

Waiao (25km)
Yilan’s most famous surfing spot, with a wide beach facing the Pacific Ocean, with Turtle Island right in front of you. This is one of the best spots along the route for viewing Turtle Island.

Zhuangwei (40km)
The Zhuangwei sand dunes are an important landscape of Yilan. The coastal dunes stretch for several kilometers and are home to the Zhuangwei Sand Dune Tourism Service Center, where you can learn about the geological formation of the Lanyang Plain.

Yilan Agricultural Specialties and Cycling Refueling

Yilan’s agricultural specialties pair perfectly with cycling refueling stops:

Dealing with Yilan’s Rainy Season

Yilan is one of Taiwan’s rainiest regions, with an average annual rainfall exceeding 2,000 millimeters. The northeast monsoon brings heavy rainfall especially in autumn and winter (Oct–Mar). This has a significant impact on cycling plans.

Coping Strategies:

• Choose summer (Jun–Sep) for riding: Least rainfall and most stable weather, but sun protection is needed
• Check the weather before departure: Yilan weather is changeable; check the local Yilan forecast before heading out
• Bring waterproof gear: Even if the forecast calls for clear skies, it’s still recommended to carry a waterproof bag in your backpack
• Avoid the plum rain season (May–Jun): Yilan receives enormous rainfall during the plum rain period; long-distance riding is not recommended

Beiyi Highway (Provincial Highway 9)

If you have climbing ability, riding the Beiyi Highway (Provincial Highway 9) from Taipei into Yilan is a challenging option:

• Depart from Muzha or Shenkeng, approximately 38km
• Climb about 760 meters to Pinglin, then descend into Yilan
• The descent offers magnificent views; the panorama overlooking the Lanyang Plain is breathtaking

Conclusion

The cycling aesthetic of the Yilan Plain is completely different from Taiwan’s mountain routes. When you ride through those vast farmlands, gaze at the silhouette of Turtle Island on the horizon, and smell the fragrance of the rice paddies, you’ll experience a quiet and expansive feeling that belongs only to the Lanyang Plain.

Let Yilan give you a Taiwan cycling experience defined by the plains.

Related Reading

• Yilan Yuanshan and Dongshan River Cycling Routes: Easy Rides Through Plains and Riverbanks
• Yilan Jiaoxi to the Pacific: The Perfect Northeast Corner Route from Plains to Coast
• Yilan Coastal and Dongshan River Bike Paths: Slow Riding Through the Waterways of the Lanyang Plain
• Yilan Plain Cycling: Leisurely Routes Through Luodong, Sansing, and the Dongshan River