For anybody heading down the northeastern coast of Taiwan, Nanfang’ao 南方澳 looks like only a nondescript small port city in Yilan‘s southern area, a handy stopover viewpoint on the Suhua Freeway en route from Yilan to Hualien. However for many who take that little detour to Nanfang’ao will discover themselves in an enthralling fishing centre with a scenic coastal view and the right spot for a calming day journey. I put collectively this little information on issues to do in Nanfang’ao, easy methods to get there and all the ins and outs I’ve picked up from my varied visits.
If you’re planning a visit to Yilan, Nanfang’ao is only one small city throughout the Su’ao township in Yilan’s southern half. I’ve put collectively a extra detailed information on issues to do in Yilan that additionally consists of Luodong, Wujie and Dongshan. Or try my different information for the northern half the place Yilan Metropolis is situated.
Right here’s a helpful menu that will help you navigate this text rapidly:
Why go to Nanfang’ao?
I first explored Nanfang’ao again in 2016 as a handy stopover after I had a soak within the Su’ao Chilly Springs. I truly walked to Nanfang’ao from Su’ao 蘇澳 (right here’s a tip: Don’t.) and acquired caught in an enormous downpour that day, however I needed to search out out extra about this cute little city, and I returned two extra instances in 2018 to unearth extra uncommon issues to do in Taiwan throughout the summer season.
Nanfang’ao is likely one of the villages within the bigger Su’ao Township and recognized for its harbour. Whereas it might look small, Nanfang’ao is likely one of the high three main coastal fishing villages in Taiwan and well-known for glorious seafood that individuals flock right here to purchase and eat. With all of the boat exercise, there may be a variety of shipbuilding as nicely.
Particularly, Nanfang’ao is thought for mackerel 鯖魚 (zhēng yú)and provides greater than 90% of Taiwan’s native mackerel wants. Mackerel is often in season from September to February, however Nanfang’ao is especially busy in early October once they host the annual Mackerel Tradition Competition. With over 20 years historical past, this pageant entails parades, cooking demonstrations and particular fish auctions all within the title of celebrating mackerel.
The place is Nanfang’ao?
Nanfang’ao is situated within the southeastern nook of Yilan County, which is on the northeastern coast of Taiwan. It’s about an hour away from Taipei by driving. Right here’s a Google Map with all of the locations that I discuss on this article marked for you.
Learn how to get to Nanfang’ao
By Bus
Use TaiwanBus to seek for bus routes and knowledge in English. It even provides you up to date and stay bus arrival timings.
From Taipei to Nanfang’ao: You possibly can take a bus instantly from Taipei right down to Nanfang’ao in case you are based mostly in Taipei and plan to do that as a day journey.
- Kuokuang Bus #1879 begins from Yuanshan MRT station, takes Freeway #1 straight to Luodong passes via Su’ao and ends at Nanfang’ao. This route takes about 2hrs and prices 190 NTD. Buses run each 1-2 hours. [Details and Timetable at Kuokuang website]
- Kuokuang Bus #1812 begins from Taipei Primary Station. I wouldn’t advocate this until you actually have a variety of time to kill as a result of this route takes about 3hrs 20 minutes because it goes out to Keelung first, after which follows the shoreline south to get to Nanfang’ao. Additionally, it runs as soon as a day at 2.20pm and prices 345 NTD. [Details at Kuokuang website]
From Luodong to Nanfang’ao: I based mostly myself in Luodong for my Yilan travels, first I took an specific bus from Taipei Primary Station to Luodong Bus station that took about an hour. From Luodong bus station you’ll be able to take Kuokuang Buses #1766 and #1791 that terminate at Nanfang’ao and are available a number of instances a day and prices 58 NTD.
From Yilan Metropolis to Nanfang’ao:
- Kuokuang Bus #1766 additionally passes via Yilan switch Station (It comes all the best way down from Toucheng) and prices 92 NTD.
- Kuokuang Bus Red2 from Yilan Bus Station to Nanfang’ao (Saturdays and Sundays solely and prices simply 20 NTD)
By Practice
Try the Taiwan Rail web site for costs and schedules. You possibly can ebook on-line or on the practice station as nicely.
The closest practice station to Nanfang’ao is Su’ao Station. Whilst you can take the practice instantly from Taipei to Su’ao, it should nonetheless take you about 2.5-3 hours (relying on whether or not you’re taking the native or specific practice). It should price about 173-207 NTD.
I solely advocate taking the practice when you plan to discover Su’ao first. If you happen to plan to move on to Nanfang’ao, take the bus as an alternative so that you don’t need to take one other bus or stroll.
A be aware: You possibly can stroll from Su’ao to Nanfang’ao, however I wouldn’t advocate it. I did it in about 45 minutes as a result of it didn’t look that far on the map, however simply be aware that the roads aren’t actually made for pedestrians so it isn’t the most secure choice, and there isn’t very a lot to see alongside the best way. I personally wouldn’t advocate strolling – you’re higher off taking a bus/taxi when you ask me.
By Scooter/Automotive
Driving your self provides you probably the most flexibility, which you do want in Nanfang’ao to get round rapidly and simply, and particularly if you wish to stand up to the Viewpoint simply. You possibly can reap the benefits of the #5 Freeway (vehicles/buses solely, no scooters allowed) to attach from Su’ao to Luodong rapidly.
If you happen to can trip, I personally advocate renting a scooter from Luodong station and driving down the #2 freeway nearer to the coast on to Nanfang’ao. Nanfang’ao is fairly small so site visitors isn’t actually a problem when driving round right here.
Issues to do in Nanfang’ao
You might in all probability see most of Nanfang’ao in a day, making it an excellent day journey choice from Yilan or Taipei. I recommend beginning off on the Nanfang’ao Customer Centre to choose up any maps or bus schedules that you just would possibly want, after which begin your exploration from there.
Nanfang’ao Observatory 南方澳观景台
The most effective view of all of Nanfang’ao is from an commentary deck that’s truly situated exterior the city space. It is advisable to head out in the direction of the 108km marking of Suhua Freeway 蘇花公路 (Freeway #9), drive up the winding roads of the hillside and visit this picket deck that gives a panoramic view of the shoreline.
I wrote a scooter as much as the perspective – be conscious of winding roads and site visitors. If you happen to don’t drive, take a taxi or you’ll be able to truly hike up a steep staircase behind the Zhaoan Temple 昭安宮. That’s how I first acquired to this viewpoint again in 2016, although driving up was undoubtedly method much less taxing.
The perspective faces east, good for many who need to catch the dawn, however when you can’t get up, arising on a transparent afternoon nonetheless provides you a extremely clear view of the encompassing space, so I feel it’s an excellent place to begin your exploration of Nanfang’ao because it’s exterior the primary city space or finish your day when you plan to maneuver right down to Nan’ao or Hualien subsequent.
Jinan 進安宮 and Nantian 南天宮
I didn’t truly get round to trying out the insides of Nanfang’ao’s temples that are purported to be a number of the must-sees on this space. Listed here are a number of the notable ones:
Jinan Temple 進安宮 is subsequent to the customer centre. Devoted to Mazu, it’s residence to a coral Mazu statue and one other Mazu statue that’s over 200 years outdated – Learn extra in regards to the statues right here. Be aware that there’s one other Jinan Temple that’s higher generally known as Chang Gong that’s the oldest in all of Su’ao.
Nantian Temple 南天宮 can be devoted to Mazu and has a number of Mazu statues in its 3-storey complicated – an enormous gold one, a jade one and 5 that got here from Meizhou Island which is the birthplace of Mazu. Learn extra about how the Mazu statues got here to Nanfang’ao on the Taipei Occasions.
Chuncheng Seafood 春成海鮮
It’s important to eat seafood when in Nanfang’ao as a result of the fish right here is tremendous recent. The eating places are nicely provided by the each day catch from the market, however I used to be beneficial to take a look at Chuncheng Seafood 春成海鮮, a small restaurant that has its personal fishing boat and their very own stash of stay seafood every single day.
One other advice I used to be given was Fumei Dwell Seafood Restaurant 富美活海鮮餐廳 however I didn’t have the prospect to test it out.
They shut at 7pm so have an early dinner when you plan to go there after all of your exploration, or take into account having lunch right here as an alternative. The restaurant woman helped me to select my meals: I had a freshly steamed Honghou fish and a soup with 2 handmade fishballs topped off with my favorite braised minced meat rice or Luroufan. All for simply 350 NTD (~S$15).
Chuncheng Seafood 春成海鮮 42 Yugang Highway 漁港路42號 [Google Maps] Open 10am – 7pm
Pure 天然手作
One of many extra uncommon finds on this fishing city is Pure 天然手作, a bit store that serves up some scrumptious natural handmade ice cream and drinks. I had a fairly superb wanting and tasting Dragonfruit tender serve ice cream there.
However on weekends and holidays, they’ve the weird Squid Ink ice cream which is all black, and the jelly bits on the backside that you just assume are nata de coco are actually gelatin made up of Mola Mola aka the Sunfish! It’s not as gross as you may think – you’ll be able to style the squid ink and it does stain your tongue black, nevertheless it’s good when you don’t like your ice cream too candy.
Pure 天然手作 129 Haibian Highway 海邊路129號 [Google Maps] Open 10am – 6pm (Closed on Wednesdays)
Nanning Fish Market 南宁鱼市场
The Nanning Fish Market 南宁鱼市场 alongside Neipi Highway is probably the centre of Nanfang’ao fishing tradition. It’s an excellent spot to get a really feel for native life.
The most effective and busiest time to go to is at round 3pm within the afternoon. Fishing boats often are available in at about 2pm to unload their catch and there are rowdy stay fish auctions the place the fishermen unload their catch to fishmongers. After that, that’s when most people heads to Nanning Fish Market to choose up recent seafood.
For these on the lookout for a fully recent meal, there’s a restaurant proper available in the market itself that may prepare dinner your freshly purchased fish there after which for you simply 100 NTD.
Nanning Fish Market 南寧魚市場 185 Neipi Highway 內埤路185號 [Google Maps] Open 8am – 6pm
Neipi Seashore 內埤海灘
Neipi Seashore is a gray pebbly seashore, a gently curving arc of about 1km that’s also referred to as Lovers Bay. It’s a really picturesque seashore with mountains on both facet, and when you don’t like sand you’ll be able to stroll via Beibin Park 北濱公園 proper subsequent to it
Whereas the water right here appears to be like fairly inviting, be fairly cautious when you plan to swim at Neipi Seashore as there have been a number of incidents of rogue waves showing or unusually robust undercurrents dragging swimmers beneath and leading to deaths.
If you’re feeling adventurous, strive on the lookout for the Glass Seashore 玻璃海灘 close by the place you could discover glass beads which were floor down by the waves into easy pebbles. This submit from Synapticism has some nice pix and particulars on easy methods to get there.
Tofu Cape 豆腐岬
If you happen to maintain driving alongside Neipi Highway, you’ll find yourself alongside Zaochuan Highway and eventually at Tofu Cape 豆腐岬, a fairly quirkily named bay as a result of the rocks round right here supposedly appear to be Tofu because of the wave erosion. It’s a pleasant spot for a stroll and you’ll spot rock fishermen, snorkelers and little sailboats round right here.
On the best way out and again to the Nanfang’ao bus cease space, you’ll be able to cross over considered one of Nanfang’ao’s most iconic sights: the Nanfang’ao bridge, Taiwan’s solely single metal arch bridge inbuilt 1998 and a surprisingly fashionable sight in a sleepy fishing city.
Across the space
Nanfang’ao is a part of the Su’ao District, so it is smart to go to the neighbouring Su’ao city as nicely. Try the well-known Su’ao chilly spring for one thing refreshing throughout the sizzling summer season, or take a hike up the Qixingling or Seven Stars Peak proper subsequent to the Chilly Springs.
Head additional south to Nan’ao and Dong’ao for extra pure sights and wild coastlines. There’s a Dongyue Chilly Spring right here and whereas it doesn’t have minerals or carbonation just like the Su’ao Chilly Springs, the water right here originated from the close by mountain and is perpetually hovering round 15ºC all year long. I haven’t been to this space but and hope to take action finally, however try this text
Probably the most handy and accessible bases in Yilan will be present in Luodong (southern half) or Yilan Metropolis (northern half). I’ve in some way spent extra time in Luodong than Yilan Metropolis – try my Yilan information which covers Luodong, Wujie, Dongshan in addition to Su’ao, my Yilan north information or see all my posts on Yilan.
The place to remain in Su’ao
Nanfang’ao itself is fairly small and targeted on fishing so there aren’t that many lodge choices. You’re in all probability higher off staying in close by Su’ao as an alternative.
- Brighthouse [booking.com affiliate link] is situated close to Tofu Cape and all their rooms appear to be they’ve actually good coastal views, nevertheless it’s pricier. Sea Forest Homestay [booking.com affiliate link] simply behind Neipi Seashore is cheaper however the rooms are catered for bigger teams so could also be dear for the solo traveller.
- The Chilih Lodge [booking.com affiliate link] subsequent to the Su’ao practice station appeared like an excellent funds lodge choice with an excellent location, affordable costs and fairly a contemporary and clear wanting room
- Among the larger rated and fancy wanting resorts within the Su’ao space look fairly superb if you’d like a serene getaway, however be ready to fork out extra. Lakeshore Lodge [booking.com affiliate link] in Su’ao has this superb wanting infinity pool with a view of the coast.
Alternatively, base your self in Luodong or Yilan Metropolis that are probably the most accessible hubs in Yilan – try some choices in my Luodong article or my Yilan metropolis article.
Have you ever been to Nanfang’ao or the Su’ao space? Inform me what I missed within the feedback.
On the lookout for extra issues to do in Yilan? See my detailed information to the southern half of Yilan or try all my different Taiwan articles.
