Sunset at Yantian Salt Pans, Sunrise at Erliau, Countdown Concert — New Ways to Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Tainan

By MOOK Travel Life Network, Li Xinyi, compiled and reported

 

This year, New Year’s Eve events are being held across Taiwan, and Tainan City has launched a three-part celebration: bidding farewell to the sunset at Yantian Salt Pans, attending the “Love to Tainan Countdown Concert,” and welcoming the sunrise at Erliau. The Tainan City Tourism Bureau recommends a 3-day itinerary, where visitors on the first day head to Beimen to visit the Michelin Green Guide’s highly recommended three-star attraction “Nankunshen Daitian Temple,” the grand shrine of all the Kings in Taiwan. The newly built Lingxiao Palace was constructed with an investment of 600 million NTD, featuring a pure gold imperial edict of the Jade Emperor. Nearby attractions such as the “Blackfoot Disease Memorial Museum,” “Qianlaiye Grocery Store,” and “Beimen Visitor Center” are also great places to explore.

The highlight is watching the sunset at Jingzijiao Salt Pans, the oldest and most well-preserved salt pans in Taiwan, during dusk. As the sun sets, the colorful afterglow reflects on the pristine white tile salt fields, creating a mosaic-like patchwork on the earth, resembling a natural work of art that is truly breathtaking. In addition, you can travel south along the coastline toward Jiangjun and Qigu, enjoying fresh seafood, exploring lagoons, and viewing salt mountains, extending your experience into a deep cultural and natural journey along the west coast.

 

On the second day, explore the mountainous backyard gardens of Tainan — Yujing and Xinhua. From the top of Yujing’s Hutou Mountain, enjoy sweeping views, sample dried mangoes and mango beer, then stroll through the baroque-style Xinhua Old Street and visit the scenic Hu Tou Pi Reservoir, known as one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Southern Taiwan. Prepare to head to Erliau in Zuozhen to watch the sunrise. The badland terrain of Caoshan Moon World in Zuozhen connects with the mudstone badlands of Neimen, Tianliao, and Yanchao in Kaohsiung, forming a unique chalk landscape known as the Cretaceous landform — a striking and famously rugged terrain that showcases the wonders of nature. It's worth noting that starting at midnight on December 31st, vehicle and pedestrian access to Erliau will be limited due to traffic control, so it’s best to arrive early.

On the third morning, you can take the No. 88 or 99 “Taiwan Tourist Shuttle” buses in the city area to visit Chihkan Tower, Confucius Temple, Anping Fort, and Yi Zai Jin Cheng to explore historic sites and savor the delicacies of Tainan. Or, embark on a Michelin-recommended walking tour such as the “Anping Old Street Stroll” or “Tainan Historical Walk.” In the evening, head to Tainan High-Speed Rail Station to join Taiwan’s only low-carbon New Year’s Eve concert without fireworks, counting down with various artists and joyfully welcoming 2013 together. Beyond the concert, you can spend the night in Tainan exploring specialty art shops or old-house-turned cafes and bars in Haian Road and Shennong Street for a drink; or visit popular night markets like Garden Night Market, Dadong Night Market, and Wusheng Night Market to experience Tainan’s vibrant night market culture. Alternatively, take a walk along Anping Harbor or the canal to enjoy the night scenery and a different side of Tainan by night. If time permits, you can even stay overnight in Guanziling to experience one of the world’s three major mud hot springs, then the next day head to Houbi Jingliao — the hometown of the “No Rice, No Problem” movement — or the Orchid Biotech Park for a relaxing rural escape. For more detailed event information, please visit tour.tainan.gov.tw.

 

● Read More: Welcome the New Year by Hot Air Balloon — Zhang Zhenyue and Wan Fang Perform at Taitung’s Countdown Event

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