Located at the southernmost tip of the Lanyang Plain, Dong’ao faces the Pacific Ocean and lies against the Central Mountain Range. With fewer crowds, the sound of the waves, the ocean and tranquility make it the least traveled corner of Yilan.
登中央山脈起點 覽盡太平洋美景｜The beginning of Central Mountain Range
Located on the border of Lanyang Plain and the Central Mountain Range, Wuyanjiao has always been a place of pilgrimage for hikers. The clean blue beaches where Wuyanjiao is located have also become a secret spot for those who enjoy tranquil sea views. There are three ways to reach Wuyanjiao: by boat, canoe, or on foot. Canoes set off from Nanliao Beach to the north, or from Dongao Bay in the south. Canoers will pass through Wuyanjiao’s most famous sea caves. The current inside the cave is more acute, and the hull of the boat collides with the waves. The sound of the sea crushing against the reefs echoes one after another. For travelers who like outdoor activities, it is absolutely a fantastic adventure. After passing through the sea caves, in comes an uninhabited beach where waves return back to their original peaceful state. Visitors face the vast Pacific Ocean and enjoy the openness not found in cities.
Hidden in the local tribes, the Snake Mountain Trail overlooks Dongao Bay, Dongao Tunnel and the northern Railway. This is the spot where railway fans must not miss! Snake Mountain used to be where the Atayal people farm and hunt. The mountain is named after “Babaw Kulu” which means “farming and hunting will get a good harvest” in the Atayal language. Looking down from Dong’ao Ridge, the Snake
Mountain is shaped like a snake’s head, its trails entwined. The entrance of the main trail is located on the hillside of the tribe, not far from Dong’ao Train Station. It can be reached by going straight from the lane inbetween Dong’ao Police Station and Dong’ao Post Office. It takes approximately 30 minutes to complete the trail.
The most fascinating thing about Dong’ao Fenniaolin is its unique Tiffany blue waters and beaches filled with round stones. Travelers come here to stack the stones, which is said to be a blessing. Folklore has it that many wild pigeons inhabited the harbor in the early days. Pigeons are called “pink birds” in Taiwanese, which is the literal meaning of Fenniaolin in Mandarin. Fenniaolin is located in rather hidden location at the southern end of Dong’ao Bay, which is why it was rarely populated in the past, and has a sense of oblivion.