Major city · Taiwan
Toucheng頭城
Base in Toucheng for 1–2 nights only if you want surf, the Lanyang Museum and Guishan Island; otherwise it is a half-day stop between Taipei and Jiaoxi.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- TWD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jun–Sep (heavy rain and typhoons), weekends and holidays (Freeway No. 5 congestion)
- Airport
- TPE
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Taiwan ↗Check visa-exemption length, passport validity and the online arrival card (TWAC) on the official sites before you fly.
- Taiwan ↗An EasyCard (or iPASS) covers MRT, buses, local trains and many convenience-store purchases; buy one at the airport or a station.
- Taiwan ↗When a local government declares a typhoon day, transport and sights can close for the day; follow the official notice, not the forecast alone.
Toucheng is the northern gateway to Yilan County, about an hour from Taipei by Tze-Chiang Limited Express. It has seven rail stations, a surf beach at Wai'ao, the Lanyang Museum, and boat access to Guishan Island from March to November. Most travellers use it as a coastal stop or a quiet two-night base rather than a destination in itself.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Toucheng, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Night markets, breakfast shops and many small restaurants take cash only; carry NT$1,000–2,000 (≈ US$35–70) in small notes.Taiwan-wide
- SIM or eSIMChunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile and FarEasTone sell tourist SIMs and eSIMs at TPE and KHH arrivals…Taiwan-wide
- Tap waterTreated at source, but locals boil or filter it.Taiwan-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; a 10% service charge appears in many sit-down places and hotels.Taiwan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 110 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Taiwan-wide
- SafetyToucheng is a low-crime coastal township; the real risks are typhoons and heavy rain June–September, slippery rocks at Wai'ao and Honeymoon Bay…
- RestroomsFree, clean toilets in every MRT station, convenience stores and department stores; paper goes in the toilet in most new buildings — follow the sign.Taiwan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close on Monday (the National Palace Museum opens daily).Taiwan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTPE Taiwan Taoyuan International (Airport MRT to Taipei Main Station, then train or bus to Toucheng; total about 2.5–3 h).
- Getting aroundLocal trains link the seven stations along the coast; regional buses connect Toucheng with Jiaoxi, Yilan City and Luodong.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Metro or bus rideLocal train ride along the coastNT$15–50 (≈ US$1–2) (check)
- Museum or sight ticketLanyang Museum entryNT$110 (≈ US$4)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personNT$700 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, guesthouse or small hotel, a night, per roomNT$2,800 (≈ US$95)
- High-end bedDouble room, guesthouse or small hotel, a night, per roomNT$5,500 (≈ US$190)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget NT$1,200 (≈ US$40) · Mid NT$2,500 (≈ US$85) · High NT$4,500 (≈ US$150)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TPE Taiwan Taoyuan International (Airport MRT to Taipei Main Station, then train or bus to Toucheng; total about 2.5–3 h)
Weather and climate
Toucheng: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
19°C66°F
13°C55°F
15 rd
Feb
19°C66°F
13°C55°F
15 rd
Mar
22°C72°F
15°C59°F
16 rd
Apr
25°C77°F
18°C64°F
15 rd
May
28°C82°F
21°C70°F
16 rd
Jun
31°C88°F
24°C75°F
15 rd
Jul
33°C91°F
26°C79°F
12 rd
Aug
33°C91°F
26°C79°F
13 rd
Sep
30°C86°F
24°C75°F
15 rd
Oct
27°C81°F
22°C72°F
15 rd
Nov
24°C75°F
19°C66°F
15 rd
Dec
21°C70°F
15°C59°F
14 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Local trains link the seven stations along the coast; regional buses connect Toucheng with Jiaoxi, Yilan City and Luodong. Bicycles rent near Toucheng Station (about NT$200/day, electric-assist about NT$500/day). A car or scooter helps for Honeymoon Bay and the northern coast.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Jiaoxi
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Local train from Toucheng, about 10 min
Hot-spring town; rent a bike at the station (about NT$300/24 h) and ride Highway No. 2 back to Toucheng.
Yilan City
goDoor to door: About 40–50 min
Local train or regional bus from Toucheng
County capital for markets and food; a half-day is enough.
Suao
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Train south along the coast
Seafood and the coastal road; combine with Dong'ao if you have a car.
Datong Township
overnightDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
Bus or car via Yilan City
Mountain hot springs and forest; too far for a comfortable return day.
Nanao
overnightDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Train south along the coast
Quiet coastal township; sleep one night rather than rush back.
Yuanshan
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Train to Yilan City, then bus or taxi
Orchards and the Erjie area; easiest with a car.
Wujie
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Train to Luodong, then local bus
Mostly residential and farmland; only worth it if you are already in Luodong.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Toucheng town centre
Walk to the old street, station and Lanyang Museum; best for a car-free stay.
Wai'ao
Surf beach and cafés; 2 stops by local train from Toucheng, quieter at night.
Wushi Harbor area
Seafood market and whale-watching boats; useful if you have an early Guishan Island departure.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- NT$1,200–2,000 (≈ US$40–70) excl. bed
- Mid
- NT$2,000–3,500 (≈ US$70–120) excl. bed
- High
- NT$3,500 (≈ US$120)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, guesthouse or small hotel1 × 2 nights × NT$2,800 | NT$5,600 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × NT$2,500 | NT$10,000 |
| Tze-Chiang Limited Express, Taipei → Toucheng, one way2 × NT$250 · check | NT$500 |
| Local train, Toucheng → Jiaoxi, one way2 × NT$20 · check | NT$50 |
| Bicycle rental, one day2 × NT$200 | NT$400 |
| Guishan Island entry fee2 × NT$100 · Boat and agency fees are extra; check | NT$200 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × NT$300 | NT$600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | NT$1,740 |
| Trip total≈ NT$4,770 per person per day, bed included | NT$19,090≈ US$650 |
2026 estimate in New Taiwan dollars; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Scallion pancake with egg near Toucheng Station | NT$1–200 (≈ US$1–7) |
| Brunch or pasta main | NT$200–400 (≈ US$7–14) |
| Seafood meal at Wushi Harbor | NT$400–600 (≈ US$14–20) |
| Hot pot set | NT$400–600 (≈ US$14–20) |
| Sukiyaki set | NT$600–800 (≈ US$20–30) |
| Upscale teppanyaki set | NT$2,000 (≈ US$70)+ |
| Lanyang Museum entry | NT$110 (≈ US$4) |
| Local train ride along the coast | NT$15–50 (≈ US$1–2) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Freeway No. 5 and the Hsueshan Tunnel jam on weekends and holidays; allow extra time or take the train.
- Heavy rain and typhoons are common June–September; check forecasts before coastal walks.
- Bus stop signage and route information are mostly in Chinese; use a local navigation app.
- Guishan Island is open 1 March–30 November only, with a daily visitor cap and advance application; bring your passport.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Toucheng頭城
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
請到這個地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
Embassy
No embassies in Toucheng; most are in Taipei. The US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand all have offices in Taipei — check addresses before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Tze-Chiang Limited Express, Taipei → Toucheng: about NT$250 (≈ US$9), about 1 h (check)
- Local train, Toucheng → Jiaoxi: about NT$23 (≈ under US$1), about 10 min (check)
- Bicycle rental near Toucheng Station: about NT$200 (≈ US$7)/day; electric-assist about NT$500 (≈ US$17)/day
Say or show
- 不好意思 — Excuse me / Sorry (bù hǎo yì si)
- 謝謝 — Thank you (xiè xiè)
- 這個，謝謝 — This one, please (zhè ge, xiè xiè)
- 多少錢？ — How much is it? (duō shǎo qián)
- 可以刷卡嗎？ — Can I pay by card? (kě yǐ shuā kǎ ma)
- 廁所在哪裡？ — Where is the toilet? (cè suǒ zài nǎ lǐ)
Bus stop signage and route information are mostly in Chinese; save your destination in a local navigation app.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Toucheng. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jun–Sep (heavy rain and typhoons), weekends and holidays (Freeway No. 5 congestion) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for TPE: last train and bus departures to Toucheng field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Toucheng Station and old street, Lanyang Museum and Wushi Harbor, Wai'ao beach, the northern coast at Shicheng.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Lanyang Museum, Lee Rong-chun Literary Museum, Old Caoling Tunnel, Guishan Island) and eat pages with last orders.
- Typhoon and heavy-rain fixtures so coastal and boat days can go green or be swapped.