Yunlin’s Chinese name (雲林) means “cloud forest” in English, but there was hardly a cloud in the sky when I visited. Its vegetation was pretty lush though, I’ll admit that.
Not that a place’s name dictates its worth, let alone its identity. Yunlin, in spite of being somewhere most foreign tourists (and even many Taiwanese) have never heard of, is one of the most captivating destinations in the entire country.
It’s also somewhat difficult to get there and around, however. So while my answer to the question “is Yunlin worth visiting?” is yes, there is an asterisk behind it.
Why I Finally Visited Yunlin
I had a feeling that Yunlin was worth visiting before I even got there. And to be fair, I had tentative plans to visit before I firmed them up. In late 2024, I thought I might go in February 2025; at the time, I was almost certain I’d be attending the Pingxi Lantern Festival. Unfortunately, that trip never ended up happening, and so Yunlin had to wait for some point in the future.
Later in 2025, when I was considering a trip to Beigan island in the Matsu archipelago to see the “blue tears,” adding on a few days in the mainland (and, finally, visiting Yunlin) was part of what put me over the edge in terms of taking the trip at all. While it was disappointing that I didn’t end up seeing the tears, the transcendence of my time in Yunlin more than made up for it.
What to Do in Yunlin
Kick things off in Douliu
As I’ve mentioned elsewhere on this site, the Douliu Old Street (sadly) is nothing to write home about, certainly not compared to other “old street” attractions in Taiwan. However, starting in Douliu (whose periphery is surrounded by pineapple and banana fields) positions you well for the rest of your way.
(But make Gukeng the centerpiece of your day)
Indeed, you’ll find most of my favorite things to do in Yunlin in Gukeng, an agricultural region just east of Douliu, via the aforementioned fields. Its most famous crop is coffee, but unfortunately you can’t really traipse amid coffee plants. (Though I do recommend a visit to Baden Coffee Shop, whose pork chop is to die for).
(And don’t miss the Honey Museum)
Gukeng is also a city, whose most famous attraction is the Gukeng Green Tunnel. However, like the Old Street in Douliu, this is not as spectacular as tunnels elsewhere in Taiwan (namely, the one in nearby Tainan). Thankfully, the Honey Museum (which is wonderful) is just a short walk from the tunnel.
Cool off in Huwei
Next, your Yunlin itinerary will take you westward. The first step is Huwei, whose main attraction is the Yunlin Hand Puppet Museum. Even if you don’t time your visit so that you can watch a performance, the story of the art (which served not only as a point of culture pride, but as residence to kominka) is compelling. Plus, Huwei Tianhou Temple is fabulous.
End the day in Beigang
Last but not least is Beigang (not to be confused with Beigan), whose Chaotian Temple is maybe my favorite temple in Taiwan. I was lucky enough to be there when there was some kind of local celebration going on (you can see the fireworks above); there’s also plenty of street food and lots of great people-watching, even on a day with no special events.
How Long Do You Need in Yunlin?
As I mentioned in my main Yunlin travel guide, I visited the county on a very long day trip from Taipei. While I found this sufficient for a first visit, I’m intrigued by the idea of returning in the future and staying longer. In particular, I think an eco-focused trip that deeply explores Gukeng, or a cultural journey through Huwei and Beigan could be even more satisfying on a more relaxed timetable.
At the same time, part of what makes Yunlin worth visiting is the simple fact that you can see it on a day trip, if a day is all you have. For ambitious travels who are willing to wake up early, sleep late and rent a car, Yunlin can be an attractive day trip choice compared to more typical options like Jiufen or Keelung (which I love, but are as close to “tourist traps” as you can get in Taiwan.
Other FAQ About Visiting Yunlin, Taiwan
Is Yunlin worth visiting?
Yunlin is absolutely worth visiting! This is true both because you are unlikely to encounter any other tourists, but also because of how intrinsically interesting it is as a destination, from the shops of Douliu Old Street, to the natural beauty of the Gukeng coffee country, to cultural attractions in Huwei and Beigang.
How do you get to Yunlin?
The fastest way to reach Yunlin from Taipei is to ride a Taiwan HSR train from Taipei Main Station or Banqiao to Yunlin Station, and rent a car there to explore the county. Conversely, if you plan to get around using public transport (which I don’t at all recommend), it might make more sense to ride a slower TRA train to a more local station.
Where is Yunlin?
Yunlin is located in south-central Taiwan, wedged between Changhua and Chiayi counties, which are also definitely not typical tourist destinations. In spite of being far south of Taipei, you can visit Yunlin on a day trip from Taipei if you organize it well.
The Bottom Line
Is Yunlin worth visiting? Yes, in spite of not actually being cloudy or much of a forest, and presuming that you are willing both to make the journey there to begin with, and also to rent a car in order to get around once you arrive. In spite of its low profile (and low population density), Yunlin offers an impressive array of destinations and experiences, whether you sip freshly-harvested coffee in Gukeng, learn about shadow puppetry in Huwai or say a prayer at Beigang Chaotian Temple, which is one of the most architecturally impressive in all of Taiwan. Need personalized help integrating Yunlin into your Taiwan trip? Consider hiring me to plan a custom Taiwan itinerary!
