Su’ao might be a popular pit stop for cold spring bathers, but did you know there’s also a gorgeous black sand beach just outside the main town? Welcome to Neipi Beach.
Neipi Beach is one of Taiwan’s lesser-known beaches, and if you’ve never been to Yilan County, you’ve probably never even heard of it.
That’s a shame because Neipi Beach is absolutely stunning and a HUGE must on any Yilan to-do list!
Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Neipi Beach in Yilan, Taiwan.
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Before You Go to Neipi Beach
Whether you’re visiting Neipi Beach on a day trip from Taipei or staying a bit longer to explore Yilan County, here are a few tips to make your visit all the easier.
- Download the Taiwan Railways App to check train schedules, delays, and prices easily. Having Google Maps and Google Translate (set to Traditional Chinese) downloaded on your phone are other musts.
- Get an Easy Card so you can tap-and-go on buses and local trains.
- Bring your favorite beach gear (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a beach towel).
- It rains a lot on Taiwan’s east coast, and summers can be scorching hot. Don’t forget to check the weather forecast before your trip.
How to Get to Neipi Beach
Neipi Beach is pretty easy to reach from Su’ao or Yilan and even Taipei if you have time to tackle a somewhat long journey.
The easiest way to get to Neipi Beach is by scooter. And if you’re spending a few days in Yilan, I highly recommend renting a scooter to make getting around Yilan County a little easier. If that’s not an option, you can still get to Neipi Beach by public transport.
- From Suao Station: The buses in Yilan are comfy and cheap, but they don’t run that often. To get from Su’ao Station to Neipi Beach, you can take a taxi or catch bus 1766 to Nan Fang Ao. Then walk about 10 minutes to the beach. The bus ride costs TWD26 and the first bus leaves at 7:45 am.
- From Yilan: Catch a local train to Su’ao, then hop in a taxi or bus 1766 to Nan Fang Ao. From there, it’s a 10-minute walk to the beach.
- From Taipei via Luodong: Catch a fast train (Fast Local, Puyuma, or TZE Chiang) to Luodong Train Station and then transfer to bus 1766 to Nan Fang Ao. You could also catch a local train directly to Su’ao Train Station from Taipei, but the journey will take considerably longer.
Where to Stay
There aren’t too many accommodation choices in Su’ao, But if you must stay here, both Lakeshore Hotel and RSL Cold & Hot Spring Resort are popular options.
If you’re planning on spending a few days in Yilan, you’re better off basing yourself in one of the bigger towns like Yilan City, Luodong or Jiaoxi. Here are my top picks for where to stay.
- Yilan City: Hangkhau Hotel | Silks Place Yilan
- Jiaoxi: Just Sleep Jiaoxi | Evergreen Resort | Hotel MU Jiaoxi Hotel
- Luodong: Artch Inn | Hive Hotel | Kavalan Hotel
What to do at Neipi Beach in Yilan
Relax at the beach
Similar to other beaches on Taiwan’s east coast, the sand at Neipi Beach is not white or even golden. Instead, this 1km long Yilan beach is covered in soft black sand.
Neipi Beach is a popular hangout spot among couples, and for this reason, it’s also called Lover’s Bay. The setting here is really romantic, with dreamy blue water and lush mountains creating the perfect backdrop.
Swimming is not really a thing at Neipi Beach, as it’s considered a somewhat dangerous beach with strong undercurrents and a steep beach surface. Added to that, there are no lifeguards at Neipi Beach. So if you’re looking for a safe swimming spot, this might not be the place for you.
Even though swimming is not recommended here, that shouldn’t stop you from visiting because there is plenty of room to bake in the sun. A lovely walkway with breezy lookout decks and peculiar statues also runs along the beach.
Chill at the cozy cafes
Towards the northern edge of the beach, you’ll find a cluster of cozy cafes perfect for grabbing a bite or something to drink.
We Cafe is an Insta hotspot with quirky and colorful decor. But if you’re after some fancy specialty brewed coffee, freshly baked desserts, and great ocean scenery, definitely pop in at Poseidon Cafe.
If you still feel like exploring, follow the trail to its end. There you’ll find a tiny secluded bay with pretty views.
Wander around Nanfang’ao Harbor
Located just south of the Su’Ao Harbor, Nanfang’ao might seem like a humble fishing village, but it’s one of Taiwan’s most important fishing towns.
For the best glimpse into local life, you’ll want to head to the Nanfang’ao Fishing Harbor – a bustling place full of sights, sounds, and smells.
Buy fresh fish at the fish market, attend a fish auction or browse the many stores selling an array of specialty snacks. There are also tons of seafood restaurants along Yugang Road where you can grab a bite before heading back home.
Admire the Views from the Nanfang’ao Lookout Point
If you’re into sweeping views, you’ll want to get yourself to the Nanfang’ao Observation Deck.
Nanfang’ao Lookout sits right next to the Suao-Hualien Highway and is roughly 140 meters above sea level. It offers terrific views over the beach, Tofu Cape, the entire harbor, and Turtle Island in the distance.
The easiest way to get there is to drive. Alternatively, there’s also a hiking trail behind Zhen An Temple on Xuefu Road for the more adventurous.
Well, there you have it – my mini guide to Neipi Beach! If you think I missed anything, let me know in the comments below!
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