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The way the light hits the carpet at 4 PM

The Quiet Echoes of Sofun Hotel: Five Things We Experienced Together

The Ribbed Walls. A rhythmic, corrugated texture that felt like a giant, architectural sketchbook under the fingertips; the air around them held a heavy, velvet softness, smelling of damp concrete and November rain. The eldest noticed the patterns first, tracing the ridges as if reading a secret code of the building's soul.

The Song Qing Pool. The sudden, enveloping warmth of the water against a biting Yilan chill, while the horizon blurred into a seamless wash of slate grey and pale gold. The youngest noticed the edge first, convinced she could swim right off the rooftop and merge with the distant, mist-shrouded mountains.

A Small Plush Rabbit. The frantic, breathless energy of a lost toy, followed by the humbling sight of a manager retrieving it with a look of genuine, quiet devotion. The youngest noticed the rabbit's return first, clutching the damp fur to her chest as if it were a rescued treasure from a great odyssey.

The Indoor Grass Slope. The synthetic, springy scent of the Song Er Le zone and the rhythmic, thumping heartbeat of children sprinting across a green expanse. The kids noticed the climbing wall first, their laughter echoing through the 12th-floor entertainment room like a sudden burst of sunlight in a quiet gallery.

The Steam of the Morning Brew. A pearlescent, muted light filtering through the windows of Xiang Café, accompanied by the bitter, grounding aroma of dark roast and the silence of a house not yet awake. I noticed the mist clinging to the peaks first, feeling a rare, fragile peace settle between us in the space between dreams and the day.

A single wet footprint on the cool tiled floor.

  • Visit the Song Er Le playground early to let the children exhaust themselves before dinner.
  • Spend an hour at the Song Qing Pool during sunset to see the city lights flicker on.

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