A coastal recreation area with sweeping views of Guishan Island has claimed the top spot in Yilan County's visitor rankings for the first quarter of 2026, drawing more than half a million people in just three months — nearly double the count of its nearest rival.
New data released by Taiwan's Tourism Administration shows that Dali Waiao Recreation Area recorded 524,505 visitors between January and March, placing it well ahead of the National Center for Traditional Arts (283,811) and Qingshui Geothermal Park (192,010). The figures confirm a strong start to the year for Yilan's tourism sector and highlight the enduring pull of the county's coastal landscape.
No. 1: Dali Waiao Recreation Area — Where Coast, Sky, and Guishan Island Converge
Situated next to Wushih Harbor on Yilan's northeastern coast, Dali Waiao Recreation Area offers an expansive stretch of golden sand with an unobstructed sightline to Guishan Island (Turtle Island). Its most photographed feature is the vivid yellow Waiao Service Center, designed by architect Kris Yao (姚仁喜). The building's asymmetric silhouette and gate-like entrance frame the island in the distance like a living postcard — a composition that has made the site a fixture on social media.
Beyond aesthetics, the area serves as one of northern Taiwan's premier destinations for outdoor adventure. Surfers take advantage of consistent coastal swells, while paragliding operators launch from the hillside above, offering passengers aerial views of the coastline. The combination of beach, ocean sport, and dramatic scenery drives repeat visits.
Visitor reviews paint a consistent picture. Many describe the light at golden hour as the area's standout feature: the play of sunset colors over the water and the distant silhouette of Guishan Island draws particular praise. Others highlight the wide-open sense of space — a meeting of golden sand, deep blue sea, and open sky — and the distinctive sight of paragliders descending in slow arcs from the hills. On clear days, the scene draws comparisons to a natural panorama painting.
No. 2: National Center for Traditional Arts — Living Heritage Along the Dongshan River
Ranked second, the National Center for Traditional Arts (國立傳統藝術中心) occupies a 24-hectare site along the Dongshan River in Wujie Township. The complex is dedicated to the documentation, promotion, and preservation of traditional Taiwanese performing and craft arts.
The grounds replicate the streetscape of early Taiwan in meticulous detail, incorporating historic structures including Wenchang Temple, Guangxiao Hall, and the Huang Juren Residence. Programming spans large-scale theatrical productions — the annual "Monkey King" show is a perennial crowd-pleaser — as well as folk demonstrations, artisan workshops, and curated cultural retail. An emission-free electric boat service connects the center to the adjacent Dongshan River Aquatic Park, adding a waterway dimension to the visit.
Visitors consistently highlight the center's versatility: it functions as an open-air living museum, an entertainment venue, a craft market, and a scenic walking destination simultaneously. Families with children tend to single out the theatrical performances; those travelling without children often note the appeal of simply wandering the historic lanes in any weather. The multigenerational range of the experience — spanning hands-on craft, performance art, and scenic strolling — appears to be the site's key competitive strength.
No. 3: Qingshui Geothermal Park — Steam, Stone, and Taiwan's Most Interactive Natural Kitchen
Third on the list, Qingshui Geothermal Park(清水地熱公園) straddles the boundary of Sanxing and Datong townships and harnesses one of Taiwan's most productive natural geothermal resources. The spring water here reaches approximately 95 degrees Celsius — a temperature that makes conventional cooking practical and turns the act of preparing food into a communal spectacle.
The park's signature activity involves lowering bamboo baskets loaded with eggs, corn, or sweet potatoes into the bubbling alkaline springs. Visitors cook their own food while steam drifts across the hillside, lending the site an almost theatrical atmosphere. In recent years, the park has undergone significant infrastructure upgrades: free open-air foot-bath pools, shaded rest areas, a Japanese-style private hot spring facility called Qingshui Spring Bath House, and a geothermal education center have all been added.
Visitors frequently reach for surreal imagery when describing the experience. The columns of steam rising from the springs — set against a backdrop of mountain forest — evoke comparisons to theatrical fog machines and misty fairyland scenery in equal measure. Many reviewers single out the educational angle as an unexpected draw: the park explains the geology underlying the geothermal activity, and the interactive cooking element transforms science into a tangible, memorable experience. The combination of natural spectacle, physical activity, and culinary novelty appears to distinguish the park from other hot spring destinations in Taiwan.
*Data source: Taiwan Tourism Administration Q1 2026 visitor statistics.
