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The story of Yilan Old Street is not just a fleeting landscape for tourists, but an ongoing cultural and creative renaissance movement. Unlike the glamorous transformation of Taipei's Dihua Street, Yilan Old Street has chosen a gentler path: allowing traditional industries to stand alongside emerging cultural-creative ventures, enabling local residents and visitors to find a harmonious rhythm of coexistence.
Just a five-minute walk from Yilan Train Station, you'll discover that the old streets here are not a single street, but an old street district centered on Kangle Road and Zhongshan Road. There is none of the crowding of Jiufen, nor the commercial packaging of Tamsui Old Street—what they have is a just-right sense of life. In the morning, it's a traditional market where locals buy vegetables; in the afternoon, it's a creative hub where cultural youths hunt for treasures; in the evening, it's a small tavern where young people gather.
Kangle Road Old Street Market: Modern Rebirth of a Century-Old Market
The Kangle Road Old Street Market is the most vibrant traditional space in Yilan. Most of the vendors here are local families passed down through three generations, selling the classic flavors that Yilan locals have enjoyed since childhood. However, in recent years, young entrepreneurs have started setting up handcraft workshops inside the market, transforming traditional cakes into refined souvenirs, giving grandmother's red turtle cake recipe a new lease on life. The market operates from 6 AM to 3 PM. To experience the most authentic Yilan life, it is recommended to visit before 10 AM.
Old Bookcase Humanities Tea House: A Cultural Flower Blooming from Ruins
Hidden in the alleys of Zhongshan Road, the Old Bookcase is a classic case of old house renovation. This 70-year-old house was once facing demolition, but after being taken over by a pair of returned youth, they preserved the cypress beams and terrazzo floors while adding elements of an independent bookstore and hand-pour coffee. Regular lectures by local authors and handcraft courses are held here, making it a gathering place for Yilan history and literature enthusiasts. Coffee starts at NT$120 per cup, and the books focus primarily on Yilan local chronicles and Taiwanese literature.
Area Around Zhaoying Temple: The Fusion of Faith and Creativity
Zhaoying Temple is Yilan's oldest Mazu Temple, and the old street area around the temple courtyard best embodies Yilan locals' philosophy of life. Most stores here are family-run, selling not just products but the stories of three generations. In recent years, the temple has collaborated with local cultural-creative teams to integrate modern art elements into traditional festivals, making the Mazu procession a highlight of cultural tourism. On the first and fifteenth day of each lunar month, the market features handcrafted sachets, wood carvings, and other cultural-creative products made by skilled artisans.
Guangfu Road Creative District: New Creative Energy in Old Western-Style Houses
The Japanese-style dormitory complex on Guangfu Road, after being revitalized, has become a base for creative workers. Independent designers, handmade soap workshops, ceramic studios, and more have settled here, each store having its own story and dedication. Most special is the "Time Capsule Studio," which specializes in restoring old photos and creating retro postcards, allowing visitors to bring Yilan memories home. The studio offers customization services with prices ranging from NT$200 to NT$800.
Around Yilan Distillery: Innovative Interpretation of Industrial Culture
Yilan Distillery is not just a tourist factory; the surrounding streets are the best place to understand Yilan's industrial culture. Here you can taste sake made from locally grown Yilan rice, and discover creative works from young brewers in a cultural-creative cluster transformed from old military dependents' villages. "Alley Brewing" combines local Yilan kumquats, Sanxing scallions, and other ingredients to create unique Taiwanese-style craft beer, starting at NT$180 per bottle.
Practical Information
Transportation: Take the train from Taipei to Yilan Station, which takes about 1.5 hours. After exiting the station, you can walk to each old street area. By car, take National Highway 5, which takes about 1 hour. Parking spaces in the city are ample at NT$20 per hour.
Cost Reference: Most old streets are free to visit. Cultural-creative products range from NT$50-500, and dining costs NT$150-400 per person. Some handcraft courses require advance booking at NT$300-800.
Operating Hours: Traditional markets are open from 6 AM to 3 PM. Cultural-creative shops are mostly open from 10 AM to 9 PM. Restaurants operate until 10 PM. Some shops are closed on Mondays.
Travel Tips
What makes Yilan Old Street most charming is its "slow" rhythm. It is recommended to set aside half a day for an in-depth stroll without rushing the itinerary. On rainy days, focus on visiting indoor cultural-creative spaces. On sunny days, it's perfect for treasure-hunting in the old street alleys. Before buying cultural-creative products,，不妨先與店主聊天，瞭解創作理念，會讓購物體驗更有意義。考慮到近年來國際遊客增加，部分熱門店家會有排隊情況，建議平日造訪或提早到達。
