Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
This pleasant seaside village (Wài'ào, Wai-ao) has in recent years become a hub for surf-
ing on the northeast coast as well as the new beach hangout for Taipei's foreign popula-
tion. The strollable black-sand beach is wide and long, and there's a new modern board-
walk running a couple of kilometres in either direction. This connects with bike lanes,
and nearby are hiking trails, hot springs, museums, dolphin- and whale-watching and a
quirky tidal pool for snorkelling.
The two most recognisable structures in the area are a humungous yellow Mr Brown
(a cafe chain shop) and what looks like a mosque but is actually the residence of a
Taiwanese who has extensive business dealings in the Middle East. These two structures
bookmark the town and beach and in between them you'll find a strip of sea-facing
houses that have been converted in recent years into B&Bs, restaurants and cafes.
Sights
Lanyang Museum
MUSEUM
(Lányáng Bówùguǎn; 9am-5pm Thu-Tue)
Designed to imitate the cuesta rock form-
ations in the area, this stunning glass and aluminum panelled structure is worth a visit
just to admire the architecture. Exhibits focus on the ecology and history of the Lanyang
Plain (or Yilan Plain), an alluvial fan formed by the Lanyang River.
The museum is just south of Wai'ao at Wushih Harbour (where there are dolphin-
watching tours as well as boats to Turtle Island). You can walk here from Wai'ao train
station in 20 minutes. Just cross the street as you exit the station and head right along the
boardwalk.
Beiguan Tidal Park
ROCK FORMATIONS
(Běiguān Hǎicháo Gōngyuán)
Just north of Wai'ao is this small seaside park with
beautiful cuesta and 'tofu' block rock formations, and lookouts down the coast. You can
snorkel here in summer.
Activities
Surfing & Swimming
Wai'ao is suitable for beginner to advanced surfers nearly all year round; the main beach
has a sand bottom. From November to March, northeast winds bring consistent 1.2m to
1.5m swells. From April to October, southerly and eastern tropical depressions bring 1m
