Travel Guide: Honglai Homestay (宏來民宿), Jiaoxi Township

Nestled in the quiet, tree-lined residential neighborhood of Shiliujie, Yilan’s Jiaoxi Township, Honglai Homestay is the perfect home base for travelers seeking a relaxed, low-key escape from Taipei’s bustle. Jiaoxi is famous across Taiwan for its warm, mineral-rich hot springs, and this family-run guesthouse puts you within easy reach of the town’s top attractions while offering a peaceful retreat far from the crowded main tourist strip.

Hotel Overview

Honglai Homestay is located at No. 39-11, Shiliujie Road, Jiaoxi Township, a 10-minute drive from Jiaoxi Train Station and a 15-minute walk from the nearest bus stop. This cozy property caters to all types of travelers, with accessible ground-floor rooms and upper-floor units served by a central elevator, making it suitable for guests with limited mobility. All rooms come with air conditioning, heating, flat-screen cable TVs, free WiFi across the entire property, and private balconies with views of the surrounding countryside or nearby mountains. In-room amenities include crisp linens, bedside charging outlets, hanging racks, and full private bathrooms with standing showers, free toiletries, a hair dryer, towels, and slippers. Guests have access to a shared fully equipped common kitchen with cleaning supplies, a public lounge with comfortable sofas, and free pre-booked private parking nearby. The entire property is non-smoking, with 24/7 external security cameras and key access for added peace of mind.

Nearby Attractions

Three standout local attractions are just a short drive or bus ride from the homestay:

• Tangweigou Hot Spring Park: A 10-minute drive away, this public park is centered around a free outdoor hot spring foot bath, where you can soak your legs while wandering lush, landscaped gardens. The park also hosts seasonal night markets and cherry blossom displays in early spring, making it a favorite spot for both locals and visitors.
• Jiaoxi Hot Spring Spring onion experience: 15 minutes away by car, this hands-on farm experience lets you dig up Jiaoxi’s famous sweet, plump spring onions, then cook your harvest into scallion pancakes. It’s a fun activity for families and food lovers alike.
• Wufengqi Scenic Area: A 15-minute drive up the mountains, this natural area features a cascading waterfall, shaded hiking trails, and cool mountain air. The easy 1-hour loop trail is accessible for casual walkers and ends at a viewing platform overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Travel Tips

While the homestay’s hosts only speak Chinese, booking through major international platforms is straightforward, and check-in instructions are clear for non-Chinese speakers. Remember to reserve your free parking spot in advance when booking, as spaces are limited. If you don’t have a car, you can catch a local YouBike from Jiaoxi Train Station to the homestay, or take a 5-minute NT$100 taxi ride. Pack light layers: Jiaoxi is warm year-round, but mountain trails at Wufengqi are significantly cooler than the town center. Don’t leave without trying a bowl of Jiaoxi fish head hot pot from one of the local restaurants on nearby Zhongshan Road, a 10-minute walk from the homestay.