population: 0.45 million

extension: 2,144.0 square kilometers

Museums

If you are in Yilan and interested in museums, a great place to visit would be the National Center for Traditional Arts. It's located in Wujie Township, which is about a 20-minute drive from central Yilan City. The center features a variety of exhibits that showcase traditional Taiwanese art, crafts, and performances.

If you're interested in similar types of museums, you might want to check out the Yilan Distillery Chia Chi Lan Wine Museum or the Yilan Cake Museum. Both are also located in Yilan County and offer unique insights into local culture and history.

Food

Yilan is known for its delicious cuisine, particularly its fresh seafood and indigenous dishes. Here are some of the most recommended, popular, and typical dishes to eat according to local people in Yilan:

1. Luodong Night Market Snacks: The Luodong Night Market is a famous destination for foodies, and there are many snacks you can try here, such as fried chicken cutlets, stinky tofu, grilled squid, and more.

2. Three-Cup Chicken (San Bei Ji): This is a traditional Taiwanese dish that is popular all over Taiwan. It's made with chicken cooked in equal parts of soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice wine, along with ginger, garlic, and basil.

3. Oyster Vermicelli Soup (O-A-Mi-Sua): This is a local specialty in Yilan, made with vermicelli noodles, oysters, and a savory broth mixed with vinegar and garlic.

4. Stir-Fried River Eel (Shan-Yu): This dish features sliced river eel stir-fried with garlic, scallions, and chili peppers. It's a popular dish in many Taiwanese restaurants.

5. Dongshan Goat Meat: This is a type of indigenous cuisine, where goat meat is marinated with spices and then slow-cooked until tender.

6. Fried Rice Noodle Roll (Hsien Tsai Fen): This dish features fried rice noodle rolls stuffed with pork and vegetables, and served with sweet and sour sauce.

These are just some of the many delicious dishes you can try in Yilan, so be sure to explore and taste all the local flavors during your visit!

Activities

Sure, here are a few fun activities that locals enjoy in Yilan:

1. Hot springs: Yilan is famous for its hot springs, and there are several hot spring resorts in the area where you can relax and unwind.

2. Night markets: The night markets in Yilan are popular with locals and visitors alike, offering a variety of local street food, games, and shopping.

3. Water sports: Yilan's beautiful coastline is perfect for water sports such as surfing, kayaking, and paddleboarding.

4. Hiking: Yilan has many beautiful hiking trails that offer stunning views of the countryside, including the Taiping Mountain Trail and the Caoling Historic Trail.

5. Cycling: With its flat terrain and scenic routes, Yilan is a great place for cycling. You can rent a bike and explore the county at your own pace.

6. Fruit picking: Yilan is known for its fruit orchards, and many farms offer visitors the opportunity to pick their own fruit, such as strawberries, peaches, and grapes.

7. Traditional arts and crafts: Yilan is home to many artisans who specialize in traditional crafts such as pottery, weaving, and woodcarving. You can visit workshops and studios to learn more about these crafts and even try your hand at making something yourself.