Yilan Tourism

Yilan New Year

Month : January to February
Location : Yilan City or Dongshan Township

Every New Year’s Eve, it’s a tradition for the whole family to gather for a sumptuous meal at home, and then sit around the fire chatting, hoping for blessings in the New Year until it arrives.

Want to experience a different New Year’s atmosphere? Want to pass New Year’s Eve with friends from all around the country? The Yilan Lunar New Year event welcomes young and old to count down the night together in a festive atmosphere.

Every year Yilan’s Lunar New Year event is a lively experience of music and performances, providing travelers with the familiarity of home. Come celebrate with us!

Lizejian Zao-ang

Month : February
Location : Wujie Township

Lizejian was once an important area for traffic between Su’ao, Yilan and Monga as well as for cargo distribution. One year, an epidemic struck and the residents decided to scale up the local custom of idol carrying, parading temple idols around town, in order to cleanse the area of disease and evil spirits. And so the custom grew into the traditional idol parade of today.

Every Lantern Festival (on the fifteenth day of the first Chinese lunar month) Lizejian Yong’an Temple invites big and small temples in the area to parade their idols around the perimeter. The impressive and lively scene always draws huge crowds of onlookers.

The event’s highlight occurs after the parade. Formerly a sedan chair race down the street between two groups at a time, it now showcases fire walking while carrying idol sedan chairs. Whenever participants pass over the hot embers, the crowd goes wild, a truly exciting atmosphere.

Yilan Green Expo

Month : March to May
Location : Wulaokeng Scenic Area or Dongshan River Ecoark

Caring for the environment is everyone’s responsibility. We must continually and actively protect the environment, use green energy, and expand environmental education to preserve our beautiful planet.

Yilan is a leader in sustainability, hosting the Green Expo every year to promote eco-friendliness in daily life, public environments, manufacturing, etc. Through gradual progress, a harmonious relationship can be maintained between humanity and nature.

The Yilan Green Expo explains how to implement and live a sustainable lifestyle, which can spread like a ripple effect. We are headed toward a better future on a green ark, and hope you will join the effort.

Erlong River dragon boat races

Month : June
Location : Jiaoxi Township

In early years the Kavalan plains tribe settled in Qiwulan beside the Erlong River, and would hold a rowing competition every year with the Fangetian tribe further upstream. They would use wooden rafts or cargo boats for an entertaining race. Due to the buildup of sediment in the river near Qiwulan, the race had to be moved further downstream, eventually changing into a rivalry between the Qiwulan and Zhouzaiwei villages.

Erlong River has been closely intertwined with local residents’ lives over the past 200 years. When a drowning accident occurs, villagers race their boats to expel evil water spirits. During the Dragon Boat Festival, they fly in exquisite dragon boats towards the finish line. The competitions have no referees or time keepers; winners are decided among the teams and audience after an intense race, one of Taiwan’s most unique folk customs.

International Children's Folklore and Folkgame Festival

Month : July To August
Location : Dongshan River Water Park

In the boiling summer, where can you go for a vacation that isn’t blanketed in heat? Yilan is your place to be!

Playing in water is a blast during the summer, so every year, the Yilan International Children’s Folklore and Folkgame Festival is packed with water slides, pools, fountains, with visitors of all ages joining in the fun.

Great for the whole family, Yilan’s Children’s Festival brings out the playfulness in everyone’s heart.

Su'ao Cold Spring Carnival

Month : July
Location : Su'ao Township

Su’ao boasts a world-famous sodium and calcium bicarbonate cold spring, wonderful for cooling off in the peak of summer. Gather with the crowd for a huge water fight and parade on the streets at the Su’ao Cold Spring Festival as well.

Featuring a parade full of creativity, wandering flower floats, and street performances among other festivities, the event draws thousands of visitors to Su’ao, some to showcase their water balloon throwing skills!

Yilan Chinese Valentine's Day

Month : August
Location : Yilan Courtry

The Weaver Girl and the Cowherd are only able to meet on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month each year, on a bridge of magpies. Sprinklings of rain are the two lovers’ tears from being apart. This tragic tale has been passed down through centuries, touching many hearts.

Every year on Chinese Valentine’s Day, Yilan’s Magpie Bridge is decorated with vibrant lights that illuminate the night. Couples stroll across the bridge hand in hand, capturing the moment and making wishes for forever on this symbol of love.

Leave the most romantic moment for the night of lovers, Yilan’s special Valentine’s Day event gives a new style to the celebration, recreating the story’s legendary setting right here in Yilan.

Toucheng Cianggu

Month : August to September
Location : Toucheng Township

Long ago when the Han people first came to Yilan, they experienced natural disasters, war, disease, and other trials. Spirits of those who passed away were not able to find rest, so every seventh lunar month, locals would host a Pudu ceremony to repel misfortune, feed ghosts, and compete in the exciting Qianggu (grappling) race before the gates of hell closed.

Once every year, right before midnight, Grappling with the Ghosts at Toucheng begins. Contestants climb up poles covered with oil, working together with their team to ascend the dizzying heights. Together they experience the difficult process of placating wild ghosts.

A mix of religion, history, and culture, Grappling with Ghosts at Toucheng attracts visitors from all over the world to enjoy its thrilling atmosphere and grand celebration.

Forever Young Festival

Month : October
Location : Yilan City or Lotong Township

The Yilan Forever Young Festival is the first event in the country specially created for elders. Packed with activities great for the silver-haired, the festival shows that those young at heart are still lively and energetic.

Wave your hands, move your feet, shake your hips, turn around; an elderly crowd dances to the music, smiles on all faces. Moving and singing along to nostalgic songs from their younger days, happy memories are relived and zest for life proclaimed.

Yilan’s Forever Young Festival opens the door to a lively world for the elderly, and helps build up an elderly-friendly city. Through activities that encourage interaction, looking out for one other, conversation, singing, and dancing, new value is added to each life.

Erjie Wanggong Fire-Crossing Festival

Month : December to January
Location : Wujie Township

Erjie Wanggong Temple is home to the “Three Ancient Kings”. According to legend, towards the end of the Southern Song dynasty, there were three righteous warriors who gave their lives fighting against the Mongols. To honor their loyalty, the villagers built a temple dedicated to them, the “Three Ancient Kings”.

Every fifteenth day of the eleventh lunar month, the largest fire walking ceremony in Taiwan is held at Erjie Wanggong to prevent disasters, get rid of bad luck, and repel misfortune. A century-old custom, there is a local saying that more money is spent on this event than on New Year’s, showing how highly local residents value the ceremony.

Under the direction of elders, up to 12,000 kilograms of charcoal are piled together. Then staff sprinkle rice mixed with salt onto the fiery pile to remove uncleanliness. Amid a cheering crowd of thousands, believers carry idols across the fire in order of rank.

Folk beliefs are an important part of the local culture, bringing peace to believers. In 2007, Erjie Wanggong Fire Walking was chosen by the General Association of Chinese Culture as one of the nation’s ten important folk ceremonies.

Jiaoxi Hotspring Festival

Month : December
Location : Jiaoxi Township

Tired of noisy traffic and mundane problems at work? Need a vacation that relaxes your heart, soul, and body? The annual Yilan Jiaoxi Hot Spring Season is just what you’re looking for! Bask in a healthful and leisurely atmosphere while bands, dance groups, and street artists put on exciting performances. Eat, drink, sightsee, play, and be merry - all in Jiaoxi.

Incorporating music and dance into the activities, Jiaoxi’s festive atmosphere is widely known, and interests visitors in getting to know Jiaoxi, Yilan, and the whimsical home of hot springs.