We went to Movenpick cafe at Citylink mall, which was connected to our hotel for breakfast. We chose this cafe as it was beside the toy shop and Hengboi said that he needs to choose a gift for his cousin and he conveniently chooses one more toy for himself and another for his younger brother. The food at Movenpick was good, and I enjoyed the grilled squid. There’s a kid meal as well.
We checked out from Courtyard Taipei at noon time to start our road trip – Yilan, Cingjing, and Taichung!
Our Driver Uncle Jin picked us up in his spacious Mercedes that fitted 6 of us and all our luggages comfortably. It took us about an hour from Taipei to Yilan on a Friday afternoon. Uncle Jin told us to avoid the weekend as locals from Taipei love to visit Yilan, and there might be a traffic jam.
Lunch – Weng Yao Chicken 甕窯雞 @ Jiaoxi Road, Yilan, Taiwan
Weng Yao Chicken 台灣古早味甕窯雞
No 7, Section 7, Jiaoxi Road Jiaoxi Township
Yilan County, Taiwan 宜蘭縣礁溪鄉礁溪路七段7號
Opening hours 營業時間 ： Monday – Friday 一-五 10am – 10pm
Sat & Sunday 六-日: – 9am – 11pm
Tel 電話： (+886) 0918-717-288
Our first stop was, of course, lunch at the popular Wen Yao Ji 甕窯雞 . They roasted supreme about-130-to-150-day-old grass-fed chicken in a huge earthen jar using their special recipe, which is very labour intensive. Though the meal was yummy, i find that it’s quite costly, probably given that it also caters to tourists.
Afternoon – Meihua Hu 梅花湖
Yilan Meihua Lake, also known as Meihua Lake or Plum Blossom Lake, is a scenic reservoir located in Yilan County, Taiwan. It is renowned for its tranquil surroundings, lush greenery, and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The lake is named after the plum blossoms that bloom in abundance during the spring season, adding a splash of color to the landscape.
Meihua Lake offers a range of recreational activities for visitors to enjoy, including cycling along the lakeside paths, boating on the serene waters, and picnicking amidst the natural beauty. The area surrounding the lake is also home to several hiking trails, allowing outdoor enthusiasts to explore the rich biodiversity of the region. We rented a cute robocar poli family electric bicycle that took the 6 of us around the lake. We purchased fish feeds from the same shop and the boys enjoyed feeding the fishes at the various photo points around the lake. These moments were perfect opportunities to capture gorgeous photos. Our driver turned out to be an awesome photographer as well!
One of the highlights of Meihua Lake is the iconic suspension bridge that spans across the water, offering panoramic views of the lake and its surroundings. This bridge has become a popular spot for visitors to take photos and soak in the scenic beauty of the area.
Our entire adventure around Meihua Lake lasted approximately 1.5 hours. It’s essential to remember to apply mosquito repellent. Do purchase the repellent from any local shops like 7-11. Our repellent is not as effective against their species – 小黑文. After you return the bicycle, do try out their popular popiah ice cream as well!
It was about 5 pm, and we decided to head straight to Luodong Night Market 羅東夜市.
We will spend three nights in Yilan. Our check-in at Westin Yilan took place around 8 pm. We’ve planned to spend the first two nights at Westin Yilan and the last night at Silks Place Yilan before we make our way to Cingjing. Originally, I had reservations for all three nights at Silks Place Yilan. However, upon discovering that Westin Yilan offers in-room hot springs, I decided to treat my parents to a bit of pampering as well.
See here for our review on Westin Yilan.
