In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Taiwan
Suao
蘇澳
Spend a half‑day in Suao for the cold spring and waterfront, then head back to Yilan or Hualien; one night only if you need a base.
Suao is a small coastal town in Yilan County, known for its cold springs, seafood and sea‑view lookouts. With limited accommodation and transport, a half‑day visit is enough; add a night only if you prefer not to commute daily from Yilan.
- Country
- Taiwan
- Local name
- 蘇澳
- Best months
- Oct–Dec, Mar–Apr
- Avoid
- Jul–Sep (typhoon risk)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- TWD
- Money
- Night markets, breakfast shops and many small restaurants take cash only; carry NT$1,000–2,000 in small notes.
- Daily spend
- Budget NT$800–1,200 excl. bed · Mid NT$1,200–2,000 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile and FarEasTone sell tourist SIMs and eSIMs at TPE and KHH arrivals; a passport plus a second photo ID is required (check).
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Fire and ambulance 119 · Tourism helpline 0800-011-765
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 110 V · 60 Hz · US and Japanese plugs fit; European, UK and Australian plugs need an adapter, and 220 V-only appliances need a converter.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: No tip; a 10% service charge appears in many sit-down places and hotels.; Taxis: No tip; round up if you like.; Hotel porter: Not expected; NT$100 in luxury hotels if you want.; Private guide or driver: Not required; NT$200–500 a day or a meal is a thank-you.
- Water
- Treated at source, but locals boil or filter it. Filtered hot-and-cold dispensers are in stations, hotels and many public buildings; bottles cost NT$20–30.
- Toilets
- Free, clean toilets in every MRT station, convenience stores and department stores; paper goes in the toilet in most new buildings — follow the sign.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Cold spring entry | NT$70 |
| Seafood bowl | NT$150–300 |
| Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km)) | NT$200–250 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- TPE · Taoyuan International Airport
- Main international gateway, about 2 h by train to Su'ao
Typical fares
- Su'ao station → Nanfang'ao Lookout (taxi)
- about NT$150, 5 min (check)
- Su'ao Cold Spring (walk)
- free walk, NT$70 entry
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walking covers the town centre; taxis are the only reliable local transport.
See and do
Known for
- Cold springs
- Seafood
- Nanfang'ao Lookout
- Su'ao Fortress
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Nanfang'ao Lookout | Walk 15 min north from Su'ao station along the coastal road | ≈20 min total |
| Su'ao Cold Spring | Walk 10 min east from station to the main spring area | ≈15 min total |
| Coral Museum | Taxi 5 min (≈NT$150) or walk 20 min | ≈30 min total |
Sleep
- No major hotels in Suao
- Most visitors stay in Yilan or Hualien and travel daily; limited English‑language options.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | 不好意思bù hǎo yì si |
| Thank you | 謝謝xiè xie |
| How much is it? | 多少錢？duō shǎo qián? |
| Where is the cold spring? | 冷泉在哪裡？lěng quán zài nǎ lǐ? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: A nod or light handshake; 'nǐ hǎo'; avoid: Hugs with new acquaintances
- Handing things: Two hands for cards, gifts and money; avoid: Tossing money on the counter
- Gifts: Fruit or a boxed sweet for hosts; refuse once before accepting; avoid: Clocks, umbrellas, pears and anything in fours — they sound like death or parting
- MRT: Queue at the markings, give up priority seats; avoid: Eating, drinking or chewing gum past the gates
- Temples: Enter right, exit left; one or three sticks of incense; avoid: Stepping on thresholds; pointing at deities
- Home visit: Shoes off; slippers provided; avoid: Writing names in red ink
- Sensitive topics: Follow your host's lead; many people hold a range of views on identity and cross-strait ties; avoid: Assuming everyone thinks the same about China or the ROC's status
Scams and watch-outs
- No local bus service; plan taxis or walk.
- English signage limited; ask locals for directions.
- Cold spring entry fee NT$70 (check for updates).
Suao is generally safe for tourists; stay aware of traffic on coastal roads and keep valuables secure in busy markets.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Suao yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Cold springs
- Seafood
- Nanfang'ao Lookout
- Su'ao Fortress
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Suao, revision 5331381 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5331381
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Suao蘇澳
請到這個地址
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Tourism helpline0800-011-765
US consulate in Taipei; check for local assistance.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/suao). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.