Taiwan’s 3 “Pseudo-Sahara Deserts” – Step into an Otherworld Where Sand Dunes Meet the Coastline

▲ Taoyuan Guanyin’s “Caota Sand Dunes” (Photo / NetizenLin FuhongProvided. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

By Peng Huaiyu / Comprehensive Report

Step into a scene from another dimension, where mirages may even appear before your eyes — this is the boundless imagination that deserts inspire. Without having to travel all the way to the Sahara,ETtoday Travel Cloud has handpicked 3 “pseudo-Sahara” landscapes across Taiwan that can somewhat satisfy your daytime dreams of chasing golden sands.

1. Taoyuan Caota Sand Dunes
Located along the coast of Guanyin in Taoyuan, these 8-kilometer-long dunes feature wave-like patterns formed as the yellow sand shifts with the wind, transporting you to a fantastical world straight out of a movie. From the highest point of the dunes, you can gaze out at the endless seascape, while over ten massive wind turbines lined up along the coast slowly rotate in the breeze, creating an incredible and surreal scene.

▲ Caota Sand Dunes (Photo / NetizenLin FuhongProvided. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

The “Caota Sand Dunes” are land-based dunes formed over centuries as abundant river-borne sediments were transported by coastal currents and tides, accumulating in flatter areas along the shore. Photography enthusiasts recommend summer as the best time to shoot the dunes, which usually lasts through August and September. Once the windy season begins, it becomes less ideal.

Caota Sand Dunes
Location: Use GPS to locate Caota Sand Dunes

▲ Dingtou’e Sandbar. (Photo / NetizenShi Yin, Shi YingProvided. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

2. Tainan Dingtou’e Sandbar
In Tainan’s Qigu District, besides the Salt Mountain, there’s also a place next to Guosheng Lighthouse called “Dingtou’e Sandbar,” known as Taiwan’s version of the Sahara. This magical sandbar landscape makes you feel as though you’re standing in an endless desert. Stretching several kilometers, this narrow sandbar was formed over the years as sand and silt from western rivers accumulated under the influence of monsoons and terrain, lying adjacent to the Taiwan Strait. Walking quietly along the high points of the dunes while admiring the waves crashing onto the shore feels like standing at the edge of the world.

▲ Dingtou’e Sandbar. (Photo / Netizen____0822_Provided. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

Dingtou’e Sandbar
Location: No. 68, Yancheng Li, Qigu District, Tainan City (Use GPS to locate Guosheng Lighthouse)

▲ Jiupeng Desert. (Photo / Netizenjohnathan_luProvided. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

3. Pingtung Jiupeng Desert
Located in Manzhou Township, Pingtung, Jiupeng Desert, also known as Gangzi Big Desert, spans over 200 hectares and reaches heights of up to five stories — making it the largest desert in Taiwan. It was formed as coastal mud and sand were blown by the northeast monsoon and accumulated over time. It’s worth noting that although it was once a hotspot for dune bashing, current ecological conservation efforts and safety concerns have led to signs prohibiting such activities. Walking is recommended to fully appreciate the magic of the desert wilderness.

▲ Jiupeng Desert. (Photo / NetizentakashiwangProvided, please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.

Jiupeng Desert (Gangzi Desert)
Location: Gangzi Village, Manzhou Township, Pingtung County

Precautions:
1. We remind travelers to jointly protect Taiwan’s land—do not leave anything that does not belong on the sandbar. If you’re able, consider lending a hand in a beach cleanup to restore this beautiful hidden gem to its original state.
2. The dunes are sparsely populated; it is advised not to stay too late.
3. Visits are not recommended on rainy days or during extremely hot weather.