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The blue of the sky was almost too loud

To us five years from now. I hope you still feel the phantom warmth of the springs and the ache of our laughter.

Four Fragments to Remember in Five Years

The Synthetic Meadow. The emerald carpet at the Play Ground felt like a plush, electric dream under our socks. I remember the muffled thud of our arguments over the racing simulator, the air smelling faintly of ozone and victory, turning our competitive shouting into a soft, nostalgic hum.

The Earthy Tang of Sanxing. That sharp, pungent scent of scallion sauce from the gift shop clung to our clothes like a memory of the Lanyang Plain. It tasted of damp, fertile soil and salt, a rustic contrast to the polished marble of the lobby that lingered long after the MU buffet feast.

The White Silence of Yuanshan. April afternoons spent hiking through Tonghua blossoms, where the mountains were draped in a white so absolute it felt like a sudden, silent snowfall. "Are we even moving?" someone asked, as we spent more time roasting each other's hiking gear than admiring the floral haze.

The Heavy Warmth of the Water. Sinking into the private onsen at Jiaoxi Hanmu Hotel, the mineral-rich water pressed against our skin with a weight that felt like a physical erasure. The steam blurred the edges of the room, dissolving every city deadline and frantic heartbeat into a singular, liquid silence.

When This Capsule Opens in Five Years

We may forget the TOTO fixtures, but the April light turning the lobby a watery blue will remain. Staying at Jiaoxi Hanmu Hotel in total chaos was a paradox; we used the elegance as a stage for our absurdity. That gap is where the trip lives.

A single white petal resting on a damp balcony rail.

  • Savor the Sanxing scallion treats before checking out.
  • Wander the Tonghua paths in Yuanshan before the crowds arrive.

Nearby Food & Attractions

OX Yakiniku Steak Yilan Yuanshan

OX Yaxus Seared Steak (Yilan Yuanshan branch) sits at No. 202, Sec. 1, Yuanshan Road in Yuanshan Township, right beside the Yuanshan Farmers' Association. The interior is industrial-style, with blues and jazz setting a laid-back tone and walls lined with rows of motorcycle helmets. The menu centres on a self-service bar and steaks: the bar alone is just NT$109 for salad, hot dishes, toasted bread and ice cream, while steaks start from NT$309 and come with the free bar. Oden, Japanese steamed egg, spicy duck blood with stinky tofu, a chocolate fountain and corn chowder round things out, with no service charge—great for family and group dinners.

58 Eat

North Gate Green Bean Slush

Beimen Mung Bean Slush (Beimen Lvdousha Milk King) is a long-standing Yilan drink shop with more than 40 years of history. Hand-made to order, the mung bean slush milk, papaya milk and taro slush are the most popular, and the rich, smooth taste routinely draws long queues. Beyond the signature drinks, the bright, refreshed storefront also offers seasonal limited editions—an unmissable taste of Yilan for any traveller.

87 Eat

North Gate Garlic Pork Thick Soup

Beimen Garlic Meat Soup is a Beimen District, Yilan institution with more than 60 years of history, famed for its rich garlic-fragrant broth. The thickened soup features tender strips of pork shoulder, paired with garlic puree, shredded bamboo shoots and vegetables. Common choices include meat-soup noodles, rice cakes (gua zai) and rice noodles or rice, at about NT$55 a bowl—a coin-purse snack that often draws queues and a Yilan classic not to be missed.

109 Eat

City God Temple Noodle Shop

Chenghuang Temple Qie-Zi Noodle Shop at No. 27, Chenghuang Street, Yilan City, is a hidden breakfast spot locals love. Sign-less and plain-looking, it serves old-school dry and soup noodles, rice cakes and rice vermicelli, paired with handmade fish balls and small plates like pork liver, lung and cheek meat at friendly prices. Opening hours are roughly 6 to 11 (some say 12); queues are common, so driving in and parking along Zhongshan Road or near the temple is recommended. The dining area is simple and there's no air-con in summer—an authentic choice for travellers wanting a traditional Yilan breakfast.

54 Eat