10 Best Things to Do for Couples in Yilan

The mystic realm of the bald cypress in Sanxing is located on the banks of Annong River in Yilan. Having attracted a huge amount of attention from the media, bloggers and influencers in recent years, this has become a popular destination in Yilan and a check-in hotspot for Facebook and Instagram users. Apart from the stunning Annong River, which has undergone restoration and already attracts many tourists, there are also pedestrian and cycle paths. The blue sky, white clouds, green grass and other natural landscapes help you to relax, making this a great location for leisure activities, walks and picnics.

With fresh buds in spring, lush greenery in summer, fiery reds in autumn and withered leaves in winter, you can enjoy the various guises of the deciduous cypress in different seasons. However, the best time to come is from December to January of the following year, as this is when the leaves of the bald cypress begin to turn red. As you stroll past the two straight and continuous rows of bald cypresses in all shades of red, you'll feel as if you're in a scene from a romantic movie. If you're planning a holiday, why not join the trend? Imagine yourself as an Internet celebrity and head to Sanxing Township, Yilan, to enjoy the view of the cypress trees.

Fenniaolin Fishing Harbour, a popular check-in spot with Facebook and Instagram users, is located on the coast of Dong'ao in Nan'ao Township, Yilan County. The harbour became popular when the Suhua Highway was diverted from Su'ao to Dong'ao in 2018. It gets its name from the wild pigeons that once gathered here ("Fenniao" means "pigeon" in Taiwanese). The unusual rocky outcrop is nature's own amazing creation. This, together with the stunning view where the sky meets the sea, has been dubbed Taiwan's own version of Little Halong Bay after the popular tourist destination in Vietnam. This magical hideaway that was previously only known to locals is now no longer a secret due to the huge influx of visitors.

In the past, it was necessary to navigate the wave breakers beside the fishing harbour to enter. Now the local government has added easily accessible stone steps on the right-hand side for improved safety. When the weather is clear, the blue sky and sapphire-coloured water appear to almost mirror one other in a phenomenal spectacle that makes you unconsciously open your heart and mind. When the air is thick with moisture and the mist starts gathering, you feel as if you've stepped into the pages of a fairytale book. As the waves hit the shore, step barefoot into the water and feel the pleasant sea breeze.

Neipi Beach is a beautiful white sandy beach shaped like a crescent moon in Beibin Park in Nanfang'ao, Yilan. One of the prettiest bays in Yilan, it often attracts couples who come here for its romantic natural beauty, hence the affectionate nickname "Lovers Bay". The stunning scenery makes this a great place to gaze out to sea, play in the sand or have a relaxing time sipping coffee at a cafe with an ocean view.

If you're a thrill-seeker, you can also try water activities such as stand-up paddleboarding and kitesurfing. If romance is on the agenda, you can stroll along the beach holding hands as you listen to the sound of the waves, watch the sunrise or sunset or admire the moon. When the weather is clear in summer, the Milky Way is visible in places with less light pollution on both sides. Such a picturesque location is obviously perfect for wedding photography. As there are abundant fish habitats throughout the year, it's also a popular fishing spot with anglers.

Dongshan River is an important tourist and recreation area in Yilan and is located in Dongshan Township, Yilan County. If you want to fully enjoy the scenery of the river bank and have time to spare, there's a dedicated cycle path here where you can cycle to stretch both your body and your mind. The Dongshan River Bike Path is about 11.8 miles (19 km) long and starts at Dongshan Railway Station. If you have strong legs and can ride the entire journey, you'll pass famous sightseeing spots in Yilan including Dongshan River Water Park, the National Center for Traditional Arts and Dongshan River Forest Park along the way. There are also a few protected areas where you can find rhinoceros beetles and fireflies.

If you're not in a hurry, park your bike for a while and take a walk around to get some pictures. There are also several bridges crossing the path. Under the bridge of National Highway 5 that crosses Dongshan River, there are steps where you can rest your weary feet. There's also Lizejian Bridge, which looks like a red rainbow spanning Dongshan River. It's a great place to come during the holidays for a leisurely bike ride surrounded by the gentle breeze and beautiful riverside scenery.

Yilan Confucius Temple, originally located in Xinmin Road Central Market in Yilan City, was built during the Tongzhi reign of the Qing dynasty (1865) by the people of Yilan. Local landowners were urged to donate money and resources to build the temple, which was constructed in the style of the Confucius Temple in Tainan. The main hall of the Confucius Temple, Dacheng Hall, was once praised by scholars as the most beautiful Dacheng Hall in Taiwan. Unfortunately, it was damaged during the war and the Japanese occupation, and eventually had to be demolished at the end of World War II. Only a low wall remained on the original site. The architectural format of the original Dacheng Hall has now been recreated outside the North Gate. The towering and magnificent Dacheng Hall is built according to a structure that is typical of ancient Chinese temples. It resembles a two-storey building with high ceilings and elaborate ornate carvings.

As soon as you walk into the Confucius Temple, you'll see huge red brick structures everywhere and get a sense of being in ancient streets, as if you're on the set of the Korean period drama "Dae Jang Geum". There are ceremonies organised by the Confucius Temple every spring and autumn. On the birthday of the esteemed Confucius, a grand celebration is held, with solemn Liuyi dance performances by primary school children and the distribution of cakes.

Dahu Recreation Area is where one of the five famous lakes in Yilan is located. The park itself is situated in Dahu Village in Yuanshan Township, Yilan. The lake consists of natural spring water from the snow-capped mountains. The water is clear and at a constant temperature all year round. It's said that when viewed from the sky, Dahu Lake has the shape of a swan, hence its other name "Swan Lake".

The rolling mountains and sparkling lake create a scene of refreshing natural beauty, enhanced by the floating houses and pavilions dotted around the lake. You can choose to watch birds, fish, pedal boats or look for clams. You can go for a ride on a whale boat or swan boat, though only some of them may be operating when there are few tourists around. If you're with a large group, you may also have the option of a motorised bamboo raft. The floating restaurant supported by bamboo rafts is known for its delicious seasonal fish dishes. After the Dragon Boat Festival, you can bring your partner here to see the lotus flowers in bloom.

Located in Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area in Yilan, Jioujhihze Hot Spring was formerly known as "Boiling Pool", a reference to it being a geothermal hot spring. It was built by Japanese logging workers during the Japanese occupation. When you arrive at Jioujhihze Hot Spring, which is about 1,706 feet (520 metres) above sea level, you can see white steam rising from the hot spring pool where eggs are being cooked. The hot spring egg boiling area resembles a volcano cone and was reopened in May 2019. You don't need to prepare any ingredients, just buy the eggs and rent the basket on site and you're all set to cook delicious hot spring eggs.

If you want to relax in the hot spring baths, you can choose from baths made from cypress barrels as well as open-air hot spring baths. The water temperature at the source of the hot spring is about 140 °C (284 °F), but the temperature in the bathing area has been adjusted to 38 °C to 42 °C (100 °F to 108 °F), which is more suitable for bathing. The hot spring here is a weakly alkaline bicarbonate mixed spring and the water here is said to beautify the skin and relieve aching muscles, earning the spring the nickname "beauty bath". If taking a beauty bath and boiling hot spring eggs aren't enough for you, you can also walk on the nearby trails and let nature cleanse your mind and body.

Wanglongpi is a lake formed by mountain torrents and the erosion of earth and rock over hundreds of years. Also known as Ruanpi, it's located behind Hushan Elementary School in Zhenshan Village, Yuanshan Township, Yilan County. In the past, as the villagers depended on the water in the lake for their livelihood, the lake was called "Wanglong" (literally "seeking dragon"), an auspicious name to aid in their prayer for sufficient water. Wanglongpi is about a 20-minute drive from Yilan City. You can take a walk or cycle on the trail around the lake to enjoy the emerald-green mountains and crystal-clear waters. The view of the red Jiuqu Bridge across the lake is also quite spectacular. If you're lucky, you may see mandarin ducks on the lake. People also come here to kayak. It's a nice spot for couples to enjoy a stroll and share some sweet romantic moments.

There are hiking trails nearby which will take you to high vantage points where you get great views of the entire area. With so much natural beauty, the area was chosen as a filming location for the popular drama series "Autumn's Concerto". The Huatian Village Cafe even changed its name because of the show. If you're a TV and film buff, it's another great reason to visit Wanglongpi.

Mr. Brown Avenue is the Yilan version of Brown Boulevard in Chishang, Taitung City. It's located next to Fengzun Temple in Dongshan Township in Yilan and is a field road that's 1.86 miles (3 km) long with no electricity poles. Because it resembles Brown Boulevard in Chisang, the Yilan version has also become a popular hotspot. People flock here to check in here on social media and take pictures, though the road has now been renamed.

In the past two years, the popularity of this area has also been boosted by the hot air balloon festival, which draws large numbers of visitors. Against a backdrop of seemingly endless rice paddies, with the vastness of sky unobstructed by urban buildings, you can't help but join in the cheers as you watch the colourful hot air balloons slowly rise in the sky. It's a spectacular sight that allows you to rediscover a little of your childhood innocence. If you don’t fancy riding in a hot air balloon, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the rice paddies from the viewing platform (21.3 feet or 6.5 metres) built by Dongshan Township Office. The rice paddies are usually green, but if you visit between May and June, you'll be treated to a display of golden fields. If you can't get to Brown Boulevard in Taitung where Takeshi Kaneshiro (a Japanese-Taiwanese actor) shot his commercial, you can come to Yilan's version instead.