Yilan Family Farms by Car: Feed Capybaras and Goats, Pull Sanxing Scallions and Let the Kids Run Free – 3 Day Trips from Yilan, Luodong and Jiaoxi Stations

Yilan Family Farms by Car: Feed Capybaras and Goats, Pull Sanxing Scallions and Let the Kids Run Free – 3 Day Trips from Yilan, Luodong and Jiaoxi Stations

For families visiting Yilan (宜蘭), the highlight is often not an old street but the open-air farms and parks where kids can feed animals, get their hands dirty in a field and burn off energy. The catch: most of these places sit on country lanes in Yuanshan (員山), Sanxing (三星), Dongshan (冬山) and Toucheng (頭城). Buses are infrequent, and changing buses with a stroller and a nappy bag is hard work. This guide covers only Yilan's fine-weather outdoor family spots – animal farms, scallion-pulling, a riverside water park and big lawns – grouped into three day trips from Goodcars' three Yilan pickup points, with drive times, booking rules and tips for travelling with little ones. For rainy days, see the indoor guide linked below.

Feeding and watching sheep on a grassy slope is a classic Yilan farm activity (Unsplash, taken in Nantou, Taiwan – illustrative only, not one of the farms below)

Why You Need a Car for Yilan's Family Farms

Yilan's family farms are spread across the Lanyang Plain: Keda Leisure Goat Farm (可達休閒羊場) is in Yuanshan, Zhang Mei A-ma Farm (張美阿嬤農場) and Sinbow Scallion Farm (星寶蔥體驗農場) are among the fields of Sanxing, Yi Nong Ranch (宜農牧場) and Meihua Lake (梅花湖) are in Dongshan, and Toucheng Leisure Farm (頭城休閒農場) sits at the foot of the hills north of Toucheng. None of them is next to a train station, and they are 5–15 km apart – by public transport you would manage about one a day.

With a car:

• Door to door: pick up at the station and drive straight into the farm car park – the kids can nap on the way.
• Everything in the boot: stroller, spare clothes, water shoes, insect repellent and wet wipes for after feeding the animals.
• Your pace, not the bus timetable: stay an extra hour if the kids are having fun, or head back early when they are tired.

For Yilan sightseeing in general (coast, mountains, food), see Yilan Road Trip: 5 Routes; for family road trips across Taiwan, see Recommended Self-Drive Routes for Family Trips. This guide goes deeper on Yilan's farms and play spots.

Before You Go: Yilan's Three Pickup Points

Goodcars has three pickup points in Yilan, each with a different pickup method and bookable hours:

New to self-service pickup? Read the Self-Service Pickup and Return Guide. To compare the three stations, see Yilan Car Rental: Choosing Your Pickup Point; for how to find the Luodong store from the station, see the Luodong Station Car Rental Guide.

At a Glance: 10 Family Farms and Play Spots in Yilan

Drive times start from the nearest Goodcars pickup point and are Google Maps estimates for a weekday morning (traffic on the country roads to Sanxing and Dongshan is heavier at weekends). Opening hours and activities come from each farm's official booking page, the Ministry of Agriculture's EZGO farm-travel site, Yilan County's official tourism site and the Taiwan Tourism Administration. Hours, closing days, prices and booking rules change – always check the official notices before you go.

Route 1: From Yilan Station – Goats in Yuanshan, Capybaras and Scallions in Sanxing

The most animals of the three routes – ideal for 3–10-year-olds who can't walk past an animal. Pick up at the Yilan Station car park, head west into Yuanshan, then south to Sanxing. All three stops have parking.

① Keda Leisure Goat Farm (about 18–26 min from Yilan Station)

On Huishen 2nd Road in Yuanshan, listed on the Ministry of Agriculture's EZGO site as open 09:00–17:00 every day. The highlights are feeding the goats and trying your hand at milking, with DIY options such as shaped goat-milk buns and pizza-making. Parts of the farm are grass and dirt, so put the kids in washable shoes.

② Zhang Mei A-ma Farm (about 14–20 min from Keda)

Set among the fields of Xingjian Village in Sanxing, this is one of Yilan's most popular animal farms, where kids can feed sika deer and capybaras up close, plus countryside DIY such as three-colour taro balls, scallion pancakes, okonomiyaki and bamboo-tube rice. Note that the farm's official link page says the deer and capybara feeding package is only confirmed after you submit the form and complete a bank transfer, and DIY sessions are also booked by form. Closing days are posted on the official Facebook page – fill in the form a few days ahead for weekend visits.

③ Sinbow Scallion Farm (about 8–12 min from Zhang Mei A-ma Farm)

Sanxing is famous for its scallions, and here a guide walks you through the fields so you can pull and wash your own scallions, then make a scallion pie or pancake to take away; there are sika deer and miniature donkeys too. The official booking page lists daily hours of 09:30–17:00, children under 12 must be accompanied by a ticketed parent, and you should check in with your e-voucher 10–15 minutes before your session. Part of the car park is being renovated, with a shuttle to an overflow car park at peak times. Bring wet wipes and spare socks – pulling scallions is muddy work.

Suggested plan: morning goats at Keda → lunch in Sanxing → afternoon capybaras at Zhang Mei A-ma Farm (pre-booked slot) → scallion pie at Sinbow → drive back to Yilan Station. If you are staying in Luodong, you can return the car at Luodong Station Store instead (one-way fees are shown in the online quote; see 10 One-Way Rental Routes).

Seeing cattle and goats up close is many kids' first farm experience (Unsplash, taken at Qingtiangang grassland in Taipei – illustrative only, not one of the farms above)

Route 2: From Luodong Station Store – Dongshan Ranch, Meihua Lake and Dongshan River Water Park

The stops on this route are closest together, with lots of lawn and shallow water – great for toddlers and preschoolers. Pick up at Luodong Station Store (No. 88, Yangming Rd, rear exit); the first stop is only 10–20 minutes away. Not booked yet? Choose Luodong Station Store on the booking page.

① Yi Nong Ranch (about 10–20 min from Luodong Station)

A small ranch on Changchun Road in Dongshan focused on small-animal encounters and feeding; Dongshan Township's tourism site lists it as open 9:00–18:00 daily. It's a comfortable half-morning visit. Hours and closing days vary, so call before you go (+886-3-956-7724).

② Meihua Lake (about 12–16 min from Yi Nong Ranch)

According to Yilan County's tourism site, the lakeside road is about 2.2 km long and several bike-hire shops line the shore, so you can cycle or ride a tandem around the lake, or take a boat to look at the island in the middle. Open 09:00–17:30 with a car park on site; most of the roadside is red-line, so park in the car park.

③ Dongshan River Water Park (about 22–30 min from Meihua Lake; 9–16 min from Luodong Station)

The Taiwan Tourism Administration describes three zones: a boating area, a wading area with ankle-deep water at different levels, and a water play zone with pools. Little ones can paddle without going into a pool. Open 07:00–22:00 in summer and 08:00–22:00 in winter, with a car park on the west side and accessible spaces. Bring a towel and a full change of clothes and change before getting back in the car.

Plan B: Luodong Sports Park (about 7–12 min from Luodong Station)

The nearest play spot to Luodong Station Store – open 24 hours, free, with parking. Yilan County's tourism site highlights the covered "Bubble Forest" children's playground, Hongming Lake where you can feed small fish, the 23-metre Wangtian Hill with views as far as Guishan Island on clear days, and a wading pool in summer. An hour here before returning the car usually means a quiet drive back.

Suggested plan: morning at Yi Nong Ranch → bikes and lunch at Meihua Lake → afternoon paddling at Dongshan River Water Park → playground time at Luodong Sports Park → return to Luodong Station Store. Heading to Su'ao? Wulaokeng Scenic Area (about 14–22 min from Luodong Station) has big lawns for picnics, camping and barbecues, but the official tourism page states that water play is prohibited throughout the area to protect the environment – go to Dongshan River for paddling instead.

A playground stop after the farm makes for a sleepy ride home (Unsplash, taken in Taipei – illustrative only, not Luodong Sports Park)

Route 3: From Jiaoxi Station – Toucheng Leisure Farm and a Hot-Spring Foot Bath

If you are staying at a hot-spring hotel in Jiaoxi (礁溪), pick up at the Jiaoxi Station car park, spend the day at a farm in Toucheng to the north, and end with a foot soak back in Jiaoxi.

① Toucheng Leisure Farm (about 22–40 min from Jiaoxi Station)

Listed on the Ministry of Agriculture's EZGO site at No. 125-1, Gengxin Road, Toucheng, open 08:00–20:30 every day. The farm keeps free-range chickens, Muscovy ducks, water buffalo and goats, and offers farm-produce DIY, leaf printing, a rice-farming area (transplanting seedlings, a traditional winnowing machine), eco-tours and seasonal fruit picking (passion fruit, kumquat, citrus, pomelo, wax apple). The farm recommends calling ahead (+886-3-977-2222) – check session times if you want DIY or a guided tour. The farm sits on a slope, so a stroller with larger wheels helps.

② Tangweigou Hot Spring Park (about 24–35 min from Toucheng Leisure Farm)

On Deyang Road in central Jiaoxi, about 8 minutes' walk from Jiaoxi Station. Yilan County's tourism site describes a free semi-outdoor hot-spring foot bath, open 08:00–12:00 and 13:00–21:30. Drop the car at your hotel (or return it) and walk over.

Suggested plan: arrive at Toucheng Leisure Farm before 10 a.m. for a pre-booked DIY → lunch on the farm, animals and seasonal fruit picking → back to Jiaoxi for a foot soak at Tangweigou → return the car at Jiaoxi Station. Driving the coastal highway north of Toucheng takes you past Wai'ao Beach, where you can stop for views of Guishan (Turtle) Island on a clear day.

Guishan Island seen from the Wai'ao Beach area in Toucheng, an easy add-on to the farm day (Unsplash, location tagged by the photographer as Wai'ao Beach, Toucheng, Yilan)

Driving to Yilan's Farms with Kids: 6 Practical Tips

• Book the popular farms first: Zhang Mei A-ma Farm's feeding packages and DIY need a form plus bank transfer; book Sinbow and Toucheng DIY sessions ahead too, especially at weekends and on holidays.
• Use a child seat: add one during booking (prices on the booking page or at the store). See Taiwan Child Car Seat Regulations Explained.
• Big family or a stroller? Go for a 7–9-seater: Goodcars' 7–9-seater models are the Wish, M7 Turbo ECO Hyper, Staria, Starex and Touran; actual availability at each station is shown on the booking page. See 7-Seater and 9-Seater Rentals.
• Wash hands after feeding animals: most farms have sinks; keep wet wipes and hand sanitiser in the car, and change muddy or wet clothes before getting back in.
• Insect repellent, sun protection, water: the fields and lakes of Sanxing and Dongshan have plenty of mosquitoes, and summer sun is strong.
• Switch to the rainy-day plan if the weather turns: Yilan is wet in autumn and winter. See Yilan Rainy Day Guide: Indoor Attractions and Factory Tours, using the same three pickup points.

What It Costs: Rental + Fuel Charge + Fuel Card

• Rental: varies by model, date and pickup point. Economy cars (New Vios, New Yaris, Yaris Cross, New Colt Plus) start from NT$1,199 on weekdays and NT$1,399 at weekends; actual prices vary by location and date, so check the online quote. The longer you rent, the lower the average daily rate.
• Fuel charge: charged per kilometre actually driven, with no limit on distance, so zig-zagging between Yuanshan, Sanxing and Dongshan is no problem.
• Dedicated fuel card: every car comes with a Goodcars fuel card, and fuel is already included in the fuel charge – you don't pay for fuel and there's no need to top up when you return the car. Ask the attendant to fill up and show the fuel card (self-service pumps may not accept it). If you forget and pay for fuel yourself, keep the receipt and it will be fully credited against your fuel charge.
• ETC tolls: every car has an ETC tag; tolls on National Freeway 5 are charged at the rental-vehicle rate (NT$1.2 per km) and settled when you return the car. See the Taiwan ETC Highway Tolls Guide.
• GO Worry-Free Protection Plan: for extra peace of mind with kids on board, add the GO Worry-Free Protection Plan when booking – it lowers the amount you are responsible for in case of vehicle damage. Amounts, coverage details and exclusions are on the official website.

How the fuel charge works: Fuel Charge Explained and Fuel Charges Guide.

FAQ

Q1. Can I drive in Taiwan on my own licence?

If your country has a reciprocal agreement with Taiwan, bring a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) together with your original home licence and passport; you can drive for up to 30 days after entry, and beyond 30 days you need a visa endorsement for your IDP from a motor vehicle office. Japanese visitors instead need a Japanese licence plus an official Chinese translation (a Japan-issued IDP isn't accepted in Taiwan). Holders of a valid Hong Kong or Macau licence can rent with Goodcars; for Hong Kong visitors an IDP is recommended. Details: Taiwan IDP Guide; road rules: Taiwan Driving Rules for Foreign Drivers.

Q2. Where can kids feed animals in Yilan?

Keda Leisure Goat Farm in Yuanshan (goats, milking), Zhang Mei A-ma Farm in Sanxing (sika deer and capybaras, book by form first) and Yi Nong Ranch in Dongshan (small animals). Sinbow Scallion Farm also has sika deer and miniature donkeys, and Toucheng Leisure Farm keeps water buffalo, goats, chickens and ducks. Yilan Station is best for the first two; Luodong Station Store is closest to Yi Nong Ranch.

Q3. Which pickup point should we choose?

For the Yuanshan and Sanxing animal farms, choose Yilan Station (or Luodong Station Store – about 18–28 minutes to Zhang Mei A-ma Farm). For the Dongshan ranch, Meihua Lake, Dongshan River Water Park and Luodong Sports Park, choose Luodong Station Store. If you are staying in Jiaoxi or heading to Toucheng Leisure Farm, choose Jiaoxi Station. One route per day keeps the kids happiest.

Q4. Do the farms need advance booking?

It depends. Zhang Mei A-ma Farm's feeding packages and DIY are confirmed only after the official form and bank transfer; Sinbow asks you to check in before your session and recommends booking for larger groups; Toucheng Leisure Farm recommends calling ahead. You can turn up at Keda and Yi Nong Ranch, but please confirm opening hours before you go.

Q5. How far ahead should we book, and how do we pay?

Online bookings need to be completed 12–24 hours before pickup depending on the location; for last-minute rentals, call the store or message us on WhatsApp. International visitors need a credit card in the name of the person booking. Yilan Station and Jiaoxi Station are self-service car parks bookable 00:00–23:55; Luodong Station Store is bookable 09:00–21:00 – outside opening hours, call the store in advance and they will arrange it.

Q6. Do we have to stop for fuel before returning the car?

No. Every Goodcars car comes with a dedicated fuel card; fuel is included in the fuel charge, so there is no need to stop at a petrol station before you return the car.

Q7. Can kids play in the water at Wulaokeng?

Yilan County's official tourism page for Wulaokeng states that water play is prohibited throughout the area to protect the environment. Wulaokeng is good for picnics, camping, barbecues and walks; for paddling, go to the ankle-deep wading area at Dongshan River Water Park, or the wading pool at Luodong Sports Park in summer.