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 deserves a spot on any list of things to do in Yilan!
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. If you need more tips on which apps to use during your Taiwan trip, here’s my guide on the best travel apps for Taiwan.
- Get an Easy Card so you can tap-and-go on buses and local trains. You can buy it at any convenience stores across the island, or pre-order it here for pick-up at the airport.
- 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 Nanfang’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 (TRA) to Su’ao, then hop in a taxi or bus 1766 to Nanfang’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 Nanfang’ao. You could also catch a local train directly to Su’ao Train Station from Taipei, but the journey will take considerably longer. Another option is to take bus 1570 from Taipei City Hall Bus Station to Luodong Transfer Station. From there hop on bus 1766, and follow the same steps as above.
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
Neipi Beach, often referred to as Lover’s Bay, is a stunning 1km long crescent-shaped beach. It boasts crystal-clear water and is flanked by lush mountains, creating a picturesque backdrop along its coastline.
Like other beaches on Taiwan’s east coast, this beach doesn’t have white or even golden sand. Instead, it features beautiful black sand adorned with interesting pebbles of all shapes, sizes, and colors, making it a truly unique place to visit. Thanks to its interesting landscapes and romantic setting, it’s a popular hangout spot for couples.
Swimming is not allowed at Neipi Beach, and I wouldn’t recommend even taking a chance. It’s considered quite a dangerous beach with strong undercurrents and a steep beach surface. Moreover, there are no lifeguards at Neipi Beach. So, if you’re looking for a safe swimming beach, there are better spots than this one.
Even though you can’t swim here, that shouldn’t stop you from visiting because there is plenty of room to bake in the sun. I spent a few hours lazing on the beach with my toes in the sand and absolutely loved it! If you’ve had your fill of sun and sand, there is a lovely walkway with breezy lookout decks and peculiar statues running along the coast, too.
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. Just keep in mind that many of the cafes here only open around noon.
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 A Temple on Xuefu Road for the more adventurous.
Neipei Beach in Conclusion
Although Neipi Beach may not be suitable for swimming, it still deserves a place on your Taiwan bucket list. The beach is really pretty, and it’s a great spot to spend a few hours beachcombing, chilling in a cozy cafe, or exploring the surroundings.
Well, there you have it – my mini guide to Neipi Beach! If you think I missed anything, let me know in the comments below!
If you liked this guide, don’t forget to pin it to your favorite Taiwan travel board!
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