The Lunar New Year holiday is nearly over, and the Lantern Festival is right around the corner. Lantern displays are popping up everywhere, and every year at this time, it feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day—each lantern festival is so tempting to visit! Speaking of lantern festivals, we can’t miss Taiwan’s longest-running one. Every Lunar New Year, Taiping Old Street in Yunlin is adorned with tens of thousands of hand-painted lanterns. The vibrant colors are truly spectacular, and both daytime and nighttime offer perfect photo opportunities. This year’s festival runs until March 31st. Friends who enjoy street food and exploring old streets should definitely make the most of it.
Contents
◦ Yunlin Travel Guide
01｜Transportation in Yunlin
🚄 Taiwan High Speed Rail
🚗 Cross-city Chartered One-day Tour from Taipei
02｜Popular Attractions in Yunlin
🎫 Janfusun Fancyworld Ticket in Yunlin
🎫 Pink Castle Ticket in Yulin
🎫 Sam Siu Garden Ticket in Yunlin
🎫 Chenglin Agarwood Forest Museum
03｜Things To Do in Yunlin
🏄♀️ San Tiao Lun Beach Park SUP Experience in Yunlin
🪁 San Tiao Lun Beach Park Kitesurfing Experience in Yunlin
🛵 San Tiao Lun Beach Park Jet Ski Experience in Yunlin
◦ The Past of Douliu
The origin of Douliu’s name is quite interesting. According to legend, during the Qing Dynasty, there was a heated debate over the location of the county seat between Douliu and Zhulu (today’s Chiayi). In the end, the Qing government decided to base the decision on the fertility of the land. Each side brought an equal amount of soil to be weighed and compared. It turned out that one dou (a traditional unit of volume) of Chiayi soil weighed the same as one dou and six sheng of Douliu soil. As a result, the county seat was ultimately established in Zhulu, while the name “Douliu” has been passed down to this day. Today, Douliu stretches outward from the historic Taiping Old Street. Though not very large in area, it is rich in historical heritage.
◦ Attractions in Douliu
01｜Douliu West Market
Just a five-minute walk from Douliu Train Station, the bustling West Market comes alive every morning. The steam rising from the cooking pots around 5 or 6 a.m., along with the lively calls of vendors, serves as the most invigorating alarm clock for every home cook.
I had a simple breakfast here, but my attention was quickly drawn to a stall under Haoweixiang Foods selling ready-to-cook packs and hot pot ingredients. This is arguably the busiest spot in the market. The owner generously offered samples, and customers gathered around in a circle, creating a warm, lively scene—a kind of friendliness that’s truly unique to Taiwanese markets.
Douliu West Market Opening Hours: 0700-1200 Xingbei St., Douliu City, Yunli
02｜Taiping Old Street
Turning off from West Market onto Taiping Road, I was immediately greeted by a dazzling sea of lanterns! The Douliu Lantern Festival is the longest-running lantern festival in Taiwan. Every year, colorful hand-painted lanterns are hung around Taiping Old Street, all crafted by local elementary and middle school students. This year, the number reached an impressive 18,000 lanterns, creating a truly spectacular sight.
What makes the Douliu Lantern Festival special is that it’s striking even during the day. Flanking the lanterns are over 80 Baroque-style buildings from the Japanese colonial era, creating a grand, visually stunning effect. It’s an absolute paradise for history buffs and architecture enthusiasts!
Taiping Old Street Taiping Rd., Douliu City, Yunlin
03｜Yunzhong Street Cultural and Creative Area
Just a five-minute walk from Taiping Old Street, the Yunzhong Street Cultural and Creative Area was originally a cluster of police dormitories from the Japanese colonial era, featuring historic wooden architecture. After years of neglect, the buildings were restored by the county government and gradually transformed into a creative park, with an atmosphere full of subtle Japanese-inspired details.
Unfortunately, I visited on a weekday, and the park was mostly quiet, with only Good Things Research Institute, a specialty shop, open. On weekends or holidays, however, you can expect to see much more of the creativity and care put into the space.
Yunzhong Street Cultural and Creative Area No. 12-No. 18, Yunzhong St., Douliu City, Yunlin
04｜Douliu Xinxing Temple
Douliu Xinxing Temple is one of the four major Mazu temples in Douliu, built before the Jiaqing era—over 230 years ago. Originally, it enshrined the deity Shennong, but later it came to honor the Heavenly Holy Mother, whom locals affectionately call “Douliu Ma,” reflecting her high status in the community.
The deep reverence for Douliu Ma is tied to a remarkable story of survival. In 1937 (Showa 12), during Japan’s assimilation policies, the original Mazu temple on Douliu Street was burned down. Devotees hurriedly moved the statue to Caoling for safekeeping, preserving the sacred figure. After the war, the statue was returned and enshrined in the newly rebuilt Xinxing Temple in the East Market area. Since then, Xinxing Temple has become the spiritual center of Douliu.
Douliu Xinxing Temple Opening Hours: 0700-2100 No. 60, Zhongzheng Rd., Douliu City, Yunlin
05｜Target Touched Mille-feuille Cake Embassy
I remember a time when Target was all the rage—every month, a few colleagues would order their mille-feuille cakes together. So seeing the familiar “Duke Rabbit” mascot at the factory tour this time was such an exciting moment! From the exhibits inside, I learned that Target’s parent company, Fengxi Foods, originally started with jellies and puddings. In response to the fast-changing Taiwanese dessert market, they launched Target in 2008, creating a whole kingdom of mille-feuille cakes.
The staff at the embassy were extremely friendly and welcoming, offering guided tours. The tour route covers the factory’s layered sponge production area, egg sheet production area, and mille-feuille assembly area, ending at a separate jelly production section. While photography isn’t allowed inside the factory, just smelling the rich aroma of butter and watching the staff meticulously stack and spread the layers of cake was already a delight. I highly recommend joining this tour—it’s pure happiness! The jelly production area is separate, so photos can be taken there.
After the visit, my mind was still filled with the buttery scent of the egg sheets. I immediately ordered a seasonal strawberry mille-feuille, and the way the fruitiness and cream melted together in my mouth was simply irresistible.
Target Touched Mille-feuille Cake Embassy Opening Hours: 0930-1730 No. 118, Gongye Rd., Douliu City, Yunlin
06｜Tatung Soy Sauce Factory
Tatung Soy Sauce is the brand that most often appears in my kitchen. Their thick soy paste, in addition to the natural sweetness of black soybeans, has a subtle glutinous rice aroma and a smooth, starchy texture—perfect for dipping into sticky rice dumplings! When it comes to soy sauce origins, many people first think of Xiluo. Tatung Soy Sauce’s predecessor, Yuanfa Soy Sauce, was indeed founded there. After 1911, the third generation, responding to increased demand, introduced semi-automated equipment, transforming the business from a family-run operation into a small factory. It was during this period that the company officially adopted the name Tatung Soy Sauce, earning the reputation of the “original soy sauce.”
In recent years, Tatung has also embraced creative collaborations. One of the most notable is a limited edition partnership with Baishatun Gongtian Temple. As a devoted fan of pink supercars, this collectible set is a must-have!
Tatung Soy Sauce Factory Opening Hours: 0830-1730 No. 39, Dougong 2nd Rd., Douliu City, Yunlin
◦ Restaurants and Snacks in Douliu
01｜Old Street Bowl Rice Cake
To get straight to the point—this bowl rice cake is truly something special! Growing up, I never liked wan guo. Without soy paste, it tastes bland; with soy paste, the flavor feels way too strong. It wasn’t until I tried the one here that I realized wan guo could be so delightful. There’s no extra filling, and it doesn’t rely on heavy sauces to carry the flavor. The chewy, firm rice cake gets more fragrant with every bite, and the natural aroma of the rice completely won me over.
Besides their signature bowl rice cake and egg rice, Old Street Bowl Rice Cake is also famous for its special round hot pot filled with oden—a must-order during winter. With over 90 years of history, the shop draws long lines as soon as it opens, with many customers walking or cycling over, a true testament to its local popularity.
Old Street Bowl Rice Cake Opening Hours: 1030-1415, 1630-1915, closed on Sunday. No. 122, Taiping Rd., Douliu City, Yunlin
02｜Zhuang De Tang
After finishing the bowl rice cake at Old Street, I noticed a crowd gathered not far away. Being naturally drawn to lively spots, I went over—and discovered a century-old malt candy shop, Zhuang De Tang, established in 1906. Zhuang De Tang specializes in low-sugar malt syrup made from pure malt, slowly cooked over a gentle flame. Their products are free of added sugar, flavorings, and preservatives, making them safe for both kids and adults to enjoy.
Now in its fourth generation, Zhuang De Tang continues to innovate while honoring tradition, offering a diverse range of products. Their most famous items are malt crisps and fruit lollipops. I personally love the malt crisps—the sweet aroma of malt intertwined with the biscuit is irresistible, yet not sticky at all. Before even leaving Taiping Old Street, I had quietly eaten three pieces—perfect for both gifting and snacking. As for the fruit lollipops, I tried strawberry, lemon, and pear. They weren’t particularly surprising in flavor, but for parents looking for safe, kid-friendly treats, they’re a reliable and appealing choice.
Zhuang De Tang Opening Hours: 0930-2130 No. 101, Taiping Rd., Douliu City, Yunlin
03｜Squid Xing
Just a five-minute walk from Taiping Old Street, Squid Xing is easy to spot with its bright green sign proudly declaring “Original Founder.” Right next door is the Douliu Xinxing Temple I mentioned earlier. Squid Xing started as a small stall in front of the temple, but thanks to its locally beloved squid mouth thick soup, it gradually made a name for itself in Douliu and eventually expanded into a large shop with its own parking lot. Inside, the walls are covered with medals and newspaper and magazine clippings, a testament to the restaurant’s popularity.
Besides their must-try signature squid mouth thick soup, the dry noodles are a hidden gem I highly recommend—especially if you love garlic. The soup is slightly sweet, with a perfectly balanced thickness, and the squid mouth has a delightfully chewy texture. The broth is savory and smooth, making it incredibly comforting during winter. But what truly wowed me were the dry noodles—a dish you can find throughout the city, yet here it stood out. The restaurant doesn’t skimp on garlic paste, and the chewy noodles soak up the rich, garlicky sauce perfectly. It’s intensely flavorful without being overly salty—a simple but brilliant combination.
Squid Xing Opening Hours: 0730-1800, closed on Thursday. No. 56, Zhongzheng Rd., Douliu City, Yunlin
04｜Changxing Yuanzi Ice
After a hearty meal, a dessert is the perfect way to finish—and Changxing Yuanzi Ice is a well-known old ice shop in Douliu, now run by its fourth generation. In winter, they sell warm mochi, and in summer.
Their signature yuanzi ice—a colorful, chewy dessert made from handmade glutinous rice balls. The rice balls are paired with toppings like red beans, mung beans, taro, and peanuts, creating a rich, layered flavor that’s satisfying without being overly sweet. It’s the kind of dessert that feels just right after a meal, and I personally love it.
Changxing Yuanzi Ice Opening Hours: 1100-2130, closed on Tuesday. No. 136, Zhonghua Rd., Douliu City, Yunlin
◦ Flying Over Taiwan
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◦ Other Areas in Yunlin
➤ Huwei | The Hometown of Glove Puppetry