A practical Dongshan walk-and-boat guide
Dongshan River Ecoark: how to plan the Mysterious Waterway, trains and boats
This riverside ecological park is walkable from Dongshan Station. On a first visit, you can simply walk and watch trains or separately book the inner-park electric boat. Knowing which entrance and pier you need prevents an easy wrong turn.
Dongshan River Ecoark (冬山河生態綠舟), also called Dongshan River Forest Park (冬山河森林公園), is not the downstream Dongshan River Water Park.
Last updated
First-visit essentials
- Address
- No. 172, Section 2, Dongshan Road, Dongshan Township, Yilan County, Taiwan
- Opening information
- Two government pages currently show 08:00–18:00 and 08:00–17:00. Check the latest notice or call before leaving.
- Park admission
- The environmental maintenance charge is $30 per person, with listed exemptions. Follow the latest on-site notice.
- Time to allow
- Allow about 2–3 hours for a full walk, or 60–90 minutes for the main sights.
- Walk from Dongshan Station
- The current walking route is about 550 meters and 7 minutes, beside the elevated railway.
- Inner-park boat
- Check the current sailing or book separately. If it does not run, switch to the full walking plan.
Admission, sailings, water activities and special-date operations can change. Check the latest notice before your visit.
Choose one way to visit
A 60–90 minutes walk
See the river, trains and main park landscape without taking a boat—useful when time or conditions are uncertain.
- 1
Check the day's open paths at the main entrance
- 2
Walk toward the Forest Vein and railway bridges
- 3
Continue to Hope Hill or the riverbank as energy allows
- 4
Turn back if a path is closed, wet or tiring
A 2–3 hours walk and inner-park boat
Confirm or book a sailing first, then time the walk around check-in.
- 1
Confirm the sailing, check-in point and whether it will depart
- 2
Fit in the Forest Vein, Hope Hill and riverbank
- 3
Return to the inner pier for check-in
- 4
Use the complete walking plan if the boat does not run
Canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) and water bikes are separately booked water activities; they are not guaranteed every day or year-round.
Four main highlights
01
Mysterious Waterway
The signature section of the inner-park electric boat uses the channel, cave and changing light to create an unusual ride. It is neither a walking route nor the old-channel boat route.
02
Forest Vein and railway bridge
The pedestrian bridge runs beside the railway view, letting visitors watch trains cross the river from public walking space. Keep away from the tracks and do not block the path.
03
Hope Hill and the fairytale house
A higher view across the park and a storybook-like building make a good family stop. Judge slopes, steps and wet ground against your group's mobility.
04
Riverbank, woodland and wetland
Without a boat deadline, slow down for waterside plants and birds. Stay on open paths and keep a respectful distance from the water and wildlife.
Know which boat you mean
The names sound similar, but check-in, park admission and routes are different.
Inner-park electric boat
Board after entering the Ecoark; its defining experience is the Mysterious Waterway.
- Location: an inner-park pier after admission.
- Experience: park channel and Mysterious Waterway.
- Sailings, prices, departure thresholds and booking method follow current information.
Dongshan old-channel electric boat
Its ticket booth and pier are outside the Ecoark's south-side gate; it does not enter the Mysterious Waterway.
- Location: outside the park where the old channel meets the elevated railway.
- Admission: no Ecoark ticket is required.
- There is no parking at the pier; check the township page for current sailings and fares.
Access, entrances and parking
Walk from Dongshan Station
Google Maps currently suggests about 550 meters and 7 minutes. Head north beside or beneath the elevated railway, then follow the current entrance signs near the park.
Open walking directions from the stationDriving and Ecoark parking
Navigate to the Ecoark first, then follow on-site traffic and car-park entrance signs. The car park is verified, but its centre point is not treated as the vehicle entrance.
View the park in Google MapsSouth-side gate and outside old-channel pier
The old-channel ticket booth and pier are outside the south-side gate. Take the path to the right of the main entrance without entering the park. Exact gate and booth coordinates remain unverified.
View the park in Google MapsThe main entrance and inner boat belong to the Ecoark. The old-channel pier outside the south-side gate is a separate check-in point; the park POI is not a substitute coordinate for every entrance and pier.
Children, older visitors and weather
- Keep children within close adult reach around water and piers.
- Hope Hill and some paths slope; younger children and older visitors can stay on gentler riverside sections.
- Prioritise level routes with a stroller and turn back at closures, steps or slippery ground.
- Do not assume the whole park is step-free; surfaces, gradients and temporary works need section-by-section judgement.
- Ask the current operator about boarding with a wheelchair, reduced mobility or a pet.
- Most of the visit is outdoors on paths, grass and river edges; bring sun protection, water and insect repellent.
- Rain can make grass, slopes and piers slippery and may affect sailings.
- Follow park-closure and sailing-cancellation notices during typhoons, heavy rain or abnormal water conditions; this is not an indoor wet-weather fallback.
Frequently asked questions
Are Dongshan River Ecoark and Dongshan River Forest Park the same place?
Yes. Both names refer to the same riverside ecological park in Dongshan.
Is the Ecoark the same as Dongshan River Water Park?
No. The Water Park is another attraction downstream in Wujie, and its downstream boat trip is different from both Ecoark-area boats.
What are the admission fee and opening hours?
The current environmental maintenance charge is $30 per person, with exemptions. Government pages differ between 17:00 and 18:00, so check the latest notice or call first.
Can I visit without taking a boat?
Yes. The Forest Vein, railway bridge, Hope Hill and riverbank make a complete walking visit.
Should I book the inner-park electric boat?
Check current information or book ahead. Sailings, prices, departure thresholds and check-in can change.
Where is the old-channel boat?
The ticket booth and pier are outside the Ecoark's south-side gate where the old channel meets the elevated railway. No park ticket is needed.
How do I walk from Dongshan Station?
The current route is about 550 meters and 7 minutes, heading north beside or beneath the elevated railway.
Is it suitable for children, older visitors or strollers?
Gentler walking sections can work, but adjust for water edges, slopes, steps, wet surfaces and the height difference when boarding.
Continue planning Dongshan
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Link Dongshan Station, the Ecoark and riverside paths on a half-day ride.
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Read the full guideStay by the Dongshan River
Return to a quiet base after the walk and boat ride
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