Toucheng Old Street | Yilan Attraction

Toucheng is the first place in Yilan County to have developed into a market town. In the first year of the Qing Jiaqing reign (1796), Wu Sha led settlers into Yilan and established Toucheng — then called 'Touwei' — as the first base. Heping Street preserves shophouse façades that span from the Qing dynasty through the Japanese colonial period. At a time when most towns in Yilan have already been renovated, this street retains a relatively intact outline of old buildings.

Highlights of Toucheng Old Street

The shophouse architecture along Heping Street reflects the traditional Taiwanese Han merchant street layout with arcade walkways ('tingzijiao'); some buildings still retain their gable walls, brick details, and timber structures. Among these, 'Jinshi Di' is the residence of the Lu Zuanxiang family — a Qing dynasty Yilan jinshi — and its architectural form is relatively well preserved, allowing visitors to discern the courtyard layout of an official household. The street is not long; walking the main section takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

There is a temple at each end — north and south — of Heping Street, marking the boundary of the market town, which is a common feature of traditional Taiwanese market-street planning. The old street still has some residents living in it and is not a purely commercial tourist strip. If you encounter private buildings that are clearly in use, please be mindful not to disturb the occupants. There are a few local shops on the street, but dining options are limited; it is recommended to arrange a meal elsewhere.

How to make the most of your visit

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Pay attention to gable walls and brick detailsThe brickwork techniques of Yilan's old shophouses can be compared with traditional Minnan craft; observing gable forms, washed stone decorations, and timber arcade façades is the detail focus of this street.

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Read up on Yilan's Kailan settlement historyLearning about the historical background of Wu Sha's settlement in Yilan in advance will give you a more concrete sense of each building's historical context as you walk along Heping Street.

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Weekday visits are more relaxedSome sections are difficult to park on weekends, and tourists are more concentrated; visiting on a weekday allows a quieter pace for observing architectural details.

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Plan together with other Toucheng attractionsToucheng Township also has Wushi Harbor, Waiao Beach, and other attractions; a half-day itinerary can be arranged with the old street as one stop in the morning or afternoon.

Practical information

Getting there and travel time

Take the Taiwan Railways to Toucheng Station and walk about 10 minutes to Heping Street — the most convenient way to reach Toucheng Old Street.
By car, take the North-South Freeway to the Toucheng Interchange and look for roadside parking in the Toucheng town area; parking is harder on weekends.

Nearby connections

Wushi Harbor is about 5 km from Toucheng Old Street; whale-watching boats and Guishan Island landing reservations all depart from Wushi Harbor pier.
Heading south along the coast connects to Zhuangwei Sand Dune Tourism Service Park; a half-day Toucheng-to-Zhuangwei coastal itinerary can be planned.

Sources: Cultural Heritage Bureau, Ministry of Culture; Wikipedia entry on 'Toucheng Old Street.' Photos to be replaced with Dio's own shots.

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