Chase the First Dawn at Sancian Island – TRA’s Dawn Cruise Train Tickets Go on Sale Dec. 17

▲The first sunrise on Taiwan proper in 2014 will rise at 6:35 AM on New Year’s Day at Sancian Island in Taitung. (Photo / Courtesy of Taitung County Tourism Bureau)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

After a night of celebration, greeting the first sunrise of the new year amid the chilly winter air is a breathtaking spectacle that many people look forward to every year. In 2014, the earliest sunrise on Taiwan proper will rise from Sancian Island in Taitung. In response, the TRA has launched the “2013 Sunset in the Harbor City, 2014 Dawn at Sancian Island” cruise train service. This special journey will first take passengers to Kaohsiung to witness the year’s final sunset in 2013, continue with a New Year’s Eve party at Dream Mall, and finally head to Sancian Island in Taitung to catch the first light of the new year.

This year, the TRA’s Dawn Cruise Train is scheduled to depart from Douliu Station at 2:05 PM on December 31, arriving in Kaohsiung at 4:15 PM. Passengers can then enjoy about nine hours of free time. The train will depart from Kaohsiung to Taitung Station at 1:30 AM on January 1, after which passengers will be transferred by bus to the Sancian Island seashore.

The last sunset of 2013 will set at 5:25 PM on December 31 at Qijin in Kaohsiung. (Photo / Courtesy ofQijin Tao Hotel’s Facebook page))

The East Coast National Scenic Area Administration will also stage a live “Light and Sea Spectacular” at Sancian Island’s seashore, using the natural landscape as a backdrop. A veteran marlin harpooner will be invited to act as the “Dawn Hunter,” setting out to sea to chase the first ray of sunlight. After welcoming the dawn, attendees will head to Sancian Island to ring the Bell of Success and make their New Year’s wishes for “Success at Sancian.”

The “2013 Sunset in the Harbor City, 2014 Dawn at Sancian Island” cruise train service will begin takingphone and online reservations starting at 9:00 AM on December 17. The full fare is NT$1,288, while concession fares (for seniors, disabled individuals, and children) are NT$888.Group tickets are not available. For more details, please visit theTRA official websitefor more information.