Toucheng Old Street
頭城老街
The earliest-developed town in Yilan, known as the 'first city of Lanyang's opening', with Qing-era Hokkien-style shophouses and Western-style facades, quiet and full of local life.
Toucheng was the starting point for Han Chinese settlement of the Lanyang Plain and is known as the 'first city opened in Lanyang'. The old street, mainly around Heping Street, is about 600 metres long and preserves Hokkien-style shophouses dating from the Qing dynasty through the Japanese occupation period, along with Western-style facades and temples. Notable buildings include the Lu Tsan-hsiang Residence (former home of Toucheng's first town mayor, a Western-style three-sided courtyard house), the historic Hsin Chang-hsing Shu-chi merchant shop, and Qingyuan Temple, which enshrines Mazu. Unlike popular old streets such as Jiufen or Tamsui, Toucheng Old Street is far less commercialised and retains more everyday local life, making it good for a slow stroll and photos. Every year at the end of the lunar seventh month, the Ghost Month, the 'Toucheng Qiang Gu' (Grabbing the Orphan) takes place, one of Taiwan's most famous Zhongyuan folk customs. Teams climb a orphan platform smeared with lard to grab a wind-favouring flag, making for a thrilling spectacle. Admission is free. Allow about 1 hour, and combine it with Lanyang Museum and Wushi Harbor for a half-day itinerary. Getting there: about 5 minutes' walk from Toucheng Station on the Taiwan Railway.
Opening hours
All day (most shops 09:00–18:00)
Nearby sights
- Lanyang Museum
- Wai'ao Beach
- Jiaoxi Hot Springs
- Beiguan Tidal Park
- Wufengqi Waterfall
- Matcha Mountain (Shengmu Mountain Villa)
- Honeymoon Bay
- Linmei Shipan Trail