Welcome the first light of the new year at Golden Dragon Mountain on New Year's Day, and ring the prayer bell at Chiang Kai-shek’s Former Residence

▲ First light at Golden Dragon Mountain. (Photo / Provided by the Tourism Bureau’s Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration)

Reported by Chen Ruizhong / Comprehensive report

The 2015 New Year’s Day holiday will feature a consecutive four-day golden break. The Tourism Bureau’s Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration has specially recommended an intellectual and cultural mini getaway — join the 2015 Sun Moon Lake Golden Dragon Mountain First Light event, explore a hidden gem known among photographers, then head to Qinglong Mountain to ring the prayer bell at Chiang Kai-shek’s Former Residence and the Ci’en Tower, admire the blooming plum blossoms all over the garden, and get ready to embrace the new year.

The Golden Dragon Mountain in Sun Moon Lake will kick off a Vitality Hiking activity at 5 a.m. on New Year’s Day 2015, with live music from the Puli Butterfly Symphony Orchestra and the Honggu Valley Band to accompany the public in welcoming the sunrise. Additionally, the organizers will offer a limited number of breakfast vouchers and raffle tickets, giving participants the chance to win prizes such as Sun Moon Lake accommodation vouchers and tablet computers.

Chiang Kai-shek’s Former Residence on Qinglong Mountain, which had been closed for repairs following an earthquake, will also hold an inauguration ceremony on New Year’s Day 2015 and reopen to the public. There will be exciting song and dance performances and a plum blossom tea party that day. Visitors can also climb the Ci’en Tower to ring the peace bell and may receive a lucky gift bag.

To coincide with the “2015 Golden Dragon Mountain First Light” and “Chiang Kai-shek’s Former Residence Inauguration” events, the organizers have also planned shuttle buses and traffic controls. The public can check relevant traffic information on the official event website.