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Voykit pocket guide · 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.
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.
- Country
- Taiwan
- Local name
- 頭城
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- Avoid
- Jun–Sep (heavy rain and typhoons), weekends and holidays (Freeway No. 5 congestion)
- Stay
- 1–2 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$1,200–2,000 excl. bed · Mid NT$2,000–3,500 excl. bed · High NT$3,500+ 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
- 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 |
|---|---|
| Scallion pancake with egg near Toucheng Station | NT$1–200 |
| Brunch or pasta main | NT$200–400 |
| Seafood meal at Wushi Harbor | NT$400–600 |
| Hot pot set | NT$400–600 |
| Sukiyaki set | NT$600–800 |
| Upscale teppanyaki set | NT$2,000+ |
| Lanyang Museum entry | NT$110 |
| Local train ride along the coast | NT$15–50 (check) |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- TPE · Taiwan Taoyuan International
- Airport MRT to Taipei Main Station, then train or bus to Toucheng; total about 2.5–3 h
Typical fares
- Tze-Chiang Limited Express, Taipei → Toucheng
- about NT$250, about 1 h (check)
- Local train, Toucheng → Jiaoxi
- about NT$23, about 10 min (check)
- Bicycle rental near Toucheng Station
- about NT$200/day; electric-assist about NT$500/day
Get 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 and do
Known for
- Toucheng Old Street
- Lanyang Museum
- Wai'ao Beach surfing
- Guishan Island boat trips
- Wushi Harbor seafood
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Jiaoxi | Local train from Toucheng, about 10 min | About 30 min |
| Yilan City | Local train or regional bus from Toucheng | About 40–50 min |
| Suao | Train south along the coast | About 1 h |
| Datong Township | Bus or car via Yilan City | 1.5–2 h |
| Nanao | Train south along the coast | About 1.5 h |
| Yuanshan | Train to Yilan City, then bus or taxi | About 1 h |
Sleep
- 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.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | 不好意思bù hǎo yì si |
| Thank you | 謝謝xiè xiè |
| This one, please | 這個，謝謝zhè ge, xiè xiè |
| How much is it? | 多少錢？duō shǎo qián |
| Can I pay by card? | 可以刷卡嗎？kě yǐ shuā kǎ ma |
| Where is the toilet? | 廁所在哪裡？cè suǒ 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
- 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.
Toucheng is a low-crime coastal township; the real risks are typhoons and heavy rain June–September, slippery rocks at Wai'ao and Honeymoon Bay, and strong currents when surfing. Swim only where others are in the water and follow lifeguard or local warnings.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Toucheng yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Toucheng Old Street
- Lanyang Museum
- Wai'ao Beach surfing
- Guishan Island boat trips
- Wushi Harbor seafood
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Northeast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area: www.necoast-nsa.gov.tw/
- Lanyang Museum: www.lym.gov.tw/ch/index.html
- Wikivoyage: Toucheng, revision 5330894 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5330894
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Toucheng頭城
請到這個地址
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
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.
Bus stop signage and route information are mostly in Chinese; save your destination in a local navigation app.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/toucheng). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.