Toucheng Township, located at the northernmost tip of Yilan County, Taiwan, is a coastal town that blends history, nature, and culture. Its jurisdiction includes the well-known Guishan Island and the Diaoyutai Islands, which are not only geographically significant but also historically meaningful. Toucheng is celebrated as the “First Gateway to Lanyang” and the “First City of Lanyang,” as it was here in 1796, the first year of Emperor Jiaqing’s reign, that pioneer Wu Sha began developing the Yilan area, marking the starting point of eastern Taiwan’s growth.
The township has an elongated terrain, bordered by mountains on the west and facing the vast Pacific Ocean on the east. Whether arriving via the Northern Cross-Island Highway or the Coastal Highway, Toucheng is the first stop when entering the Lanyang Plain. For this reason, it has the highest number of railway stations of any administrative district in Taiwan, with seven in total. These geographical conditions have made Toucheng a vital hub of transportation and commerce since ancient times. During the Qing dynasty, the advantages of Wushi Harbor and the Tamsui–Lanyang Historic Trail helped the town flourish as a commercial center. Today, historic structures such as the “Shisan Hang Archaeological Site” and old residences are still preserved along Heping Street, bearing witness to its once-prosperous past.
With the silting of Wushi Harbor, Toucheng fell into decline for a time. However, the completion of the Wushi Harbor Deep-Sea Fishing Port Project in 1998 revitalized the township, with the old harbor area redeveloped into parks and historical attractions, giving the town a new lease on life.
In terms of natural scenery, the winding “Nine Turns and Eighteen Bends” road from Shipai into Yilan offers sweeping views of the Lanyang Plain and the Pacific Ocean, making it a favorite spot for photography and sightseeing. Further south along the Coastal Highway, one can find diverse sea-eroded landforms and graceful coastlines. Honeymoon Bay, famous for its fine sandy beach, is a popular destination for swimming and surfing, while fishing ports such as Daxi and Gengfang provide excellent places to enjoy fresh seafood.
