Luodong Township

Luodong Township, formerly known as “Laodong,” is located in central Yilan County on the southern side of the Lanyang Plain and serves as the core town of the southern Yilan (Xinan) region. With a total area of only about 11.34 square kilometers, it is the smallest administrative township in Yilan County and also the smallest township-level administrative unit in Taiwan. Despite its small size, it has a population of approximately 69,000, with a population density exceeding 6,000 people per square kilometer. It is the second most populous and the most densely populated administrative area in Yilan County, and also ranks among the highest-density county-administered districts in Taiwan.

The development of Luodong can be traced back to the late Qing dynasty, when it was designated as a local administrative center and a hub for material transportation. During the Japanese colonial period, the town prospered due to the development of the Taipingshan forest industry. The booming timber trade stimulated commercial growth and population expansion, establishing Luodong as an important urban center on the Lanyang Plain. After the 1970s, as forest output declined and logging restrictions were imposed, the forestry industry gradually diminished. However, thanks to its strategic location between Yilan and Su’ao and the improved accessibility brought by the opening of National Freeway No. 5, Luodong’s commercial functions continued to develop, making it one of the most vibrant towns in Yilan. As the urban area remained limited in size, population growth gradually expanded into neighboring Wujie and Dongshan, forming a broader living sphere.

The name “Luodong” originates from the Kavalan (Plains Indigenous) term “Laodong,” meaning “monkey.” In earlier times, the area was covered with camphor and banyan forests where monkeys lived in large numbers. Han settlers adopted the pronunciation and gradually transformed it into “Luodong.” This evolution of the place name reflects the historical blending of Indigenous and Han cultures.

Forestry culture is the most distinctive imprint on Luodong’s urban identity. The Luodong Forestry Culture Park, located near the town center, occupies the former site of the Luodong Branch Office of the Taipingshan Forest Farm and preserves Japanese-era buildings and industrial relics. Within the park, visitors can see log ponds, remnants of forest railways, Zhulin Station, steam locomotives, timber unloading platforms, and former dormitories, collectively presenting a vivid picture of the peak era of the forestry industry. Today, the park integrates recreation, ecology, and education, and walking through it feels like stepping back into the age of timber transport and steam trains.

At night, the lively Luodong Night Market comes to life and is often regarded as one of the most visitor-friendly night markets in Taiwan. Surrounding the nearby park, it gathers a wide array of local Yilan snacks and creative foods, serving as a shared social and culinary space for both residents and tourists.

Meanwhile, the expansive Luodong Sports Park is designed around the themes of “water, greenery, and health,” blending natural landscapes with sports facilities. Lakes, lawns, and walking paths are interwoven to create a relaxing recreational environment, showcasing the openness and tranquility characteristic of the Lanyang Plain.