Sanxing, Yilan
A Sanxing day trip: scallions, Annong River or Tiansongpi?
Sanxing Township (三星鄉) is not a single attraction. On a first visit, choose two of its three areas—the town centre, the Annong River waterfront and the Tiansongpi foothills—for a workable day.
Updated August 5, 2026
What to know before your first visit
- Best for
- Farm activities, family trips, riverside cycling and rural walks
- Time
- Choose one area for half a day or no more than two for a full day
- Getting around
- Driving is most flexible; without a car, transfer in Luodong
- Book ahead
- Scallion farms, farm workshops, rafting and some activities require advance arrangements
Which of the three areas should you choose?
Two areas are plenty for a first visit. Allow real transfer time if you cross the township.
Places from east to west
Location overview only, not navigation. Open a map for actual roads.
About 2–3 hours
Sanxing town and farming culture
Start with Sanxing scallions and local produce, then add a pre-booked farm activity nearby. The museum, shops and farms keep separate schedules.
- Sanxing Scallion Culture Museum
- Produce, food and gifts
- Pre-booked farm activity
About 2–4 hours
Annong River waterfront
Walk around the diversion weir or arrange a short out-and-back ride with a bicycle secured in advance. Rafting requires a booking and depends on water conditions and the operator.
- Annong River diversion weir
- Riverside cycle path
- Rural walking
About 3–5 hours
Tiansongpi and the foothills
The station, lake and trail are spread across the foothills, so drivers should choose one or two. The outdoor station can be visited, while the train, shops and activities keep their own hours.
- Tiansongpi Station
- Changpi Lake
- Quantoumu Nature Trail
Three useful itineraries
For a first visit, use these as flexible outlines. Confirm any booked activity first, then fit the surrounding stops around it.
Family farming half-day
- Best for
- Families seeking a relaxed introduction to local farming
- Time
- Half a day
- Transport
- Car or pre-arranged transfer
Scallion Culture Museum → booked farm activity → town meal or local gifts → Annong diversion weir
Secure the farm time first, then fit the museum and meal around it.
Classic Sanxing day
- Best for
- First-time visitors who want countryside and railway heritage
- Time
- One day
- Transport
- A car makes the cross-township route easiest
Sanxing town → Annong River → Tiansongpi Station → Changpi Lake if time allows
Do not add a trail just to increase the stop count; the three areas are not adjacent.
Annong River cycling half-day
- Best for
- Travelers who have arranged a bicycle and return plan
- Time
- Half a day
- Transport
- Reserve a bicycle and confirm where to return it
Collect bicycle → short Annong out-and-back → diversion weir → Sanxing town
There is no fixed public rental station along the path, and the roughly 15 km corridor is not a required target.
Seasons and reservations
Crops, blossoms, river conditions and activities vary each year. Use the months only as a planning window.
Ask year-round
Scallions and farm activities
Available sessions and crops depend on the farm, so reserve before traveling.
Roughly December to February
Silver willow
Check that year's growing and harvest conditions.
Roughly January to March
Shangjiang pear blossom
Temperature shifts the bloom, so flowers are never guaranteed.
Roughly June to August
Shangjiang pear harvest
Pick-your-own access depends on the orchard and that year's crop.
Usually an autumn–winter sight
Annong bald cypress
Colour change depends on weather; check recent updates.
Subject to water and operator conditions
Rafting and water activities
Book rafting. Kayak and SUP availability is inconsistent, so ask directly when reserving.
Opening times, activities and bus services can change. Check each place's latest notice before setting out.
Getting around Sanxing
The township is broad. Choose your area before choosing how to reach it.
Drive
Best for crossing between areas. Navigate separately to Sanxing town, Annong River or Tiansongpi rather than using one township-wide pin.
Bus
Routes 1792, 1793 and 1794 run from Luodong, but branches and stops differ. Use live information instead of a copied timetable.
Check live intercity bus informationTaxi or pre-booked transfer
Useful between areas or when the return bus is inconvenient. Ask for a fare using your actual origin and destination.
Practical notes
Children and older travelers
The town and diversion weir make walking time easier to control. Choose Changpi Lake or Quantoumu only after considering access, gradients and stamina.
Cycling
Arrange rental, return and transport first, and wear a helmet. You do not need to ride the full roughly 15 km corridor.
Summer and rain
Shade is limited in farm country, so carry water and sun protection. Riverbanks and trails may be slick after rain, and water activities may change.
Farm and water bookings
Confirm the meeting point, age rules, equipment, cancellation policy and whether the session will run before you arrive.
Do not mix up township boundaries
These places can work on another day, but they are not within Sanxing Township.
Datong Township: Qingshui Geothermal Park, Taipingshan, Qilan and Mingchi
Dongshan Township: Meihua Lake, Xinliao Waterfall, Sanqi Beauty Trail and Dongshan River Ecoark
Seasonal event
Sanxing Annong River Marathon
Traffic around Sanxing Sports Ground may change during the event. Allow extra transfer time even if you are visiting regular attractions.
- Runner's night
- December 5, 2026
- Race day
- December 6, 2026
- Venue
- Sanxing Sports Ground
Continue planning
Use these guides if you plan Dongshan and Sanxing on separate days.
A Dongshan and Sanxing itinerary
Choose a base around the next day's route
If you are visiting both Dongshan and Sanxing, choose your base around the next day's plan and check the actual drive on a map before booking.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sanxing a single attraction?
No. Sanxing is a broad township with sights around the town, Annong River and the Tiansongpi foothills. Choose two areas on a first visit.
Which areas fit into a Sanxing day trip?
A classic day combines Sanxing town and Annong River, then adds Tiansongpi Station or Changpi Lake if time remains. Build around any fixed booking first.
Do Sanxing scallion activities need a reservation?
Most scallion-field and farm workshops should be booked. Confirm the session, meeting place, age rules and rain plan before arranging transport.
Can I rent a bicycle along the Annong River path?
There is no fixed public rental station along the route. Arrange collection, return and onward transport in advance, or ride a short out-and-back section.
How can I visit Sanxing without a car?
Transfer in Luodong to route 1792, 1793 or 1794, noting that branches and frequencies differ. Limit a car-free day to one or two areas and use a booked transfer or taxi when needed.
Can Changpi Lake and Quantoumu Trail be paired?
They face the same foothill direction but are not next door. Check trail conditions, weather and transport before deciding whether both fit the same day.
Which area suits children or older travelers?
Sanxing town and the diversion weir are easiest for adjusting walking time. Choose farm sessions, the lake and the trail according to age, stamina and conditions on the day.
Are Qingshui Geothermal Park and Meihua Lake in Sanxing?
No. Qingshui is in Datong Township and Meihua Lake is in Dongshan Township. Treat them as separate extensions, not short hops within Sanxing.