The world’s most beautiful sunrise spot: Taiwan’s hidden gem reopens after years of closure

ByMOOKCompiled and reported by the Scenic Spot Home Editorial Team

Taiwan boasts many natural wonders, but sites rich in mysterious history are few and far between. The Alabao Bay in Keelung’s Heping Island Park, composed of sandstone, was prone to rockfalls and landslides during heavy rain or typhoon seasons, leading to its closure for safety reasons, which has lasted for6years. The North Coast and Guanyinshan National Scenic Area Administration recently decided to reopen it in mid-2018, bringing this beautiful hidden wonder back to public view.

Alabao Bay not only features uniquely shaped tofu rocks, but was also selected by foreign media as one of the world’s 21 best spots to watch the sunrise. In addition, it boasts distinctive erosional landforms, such as the “leopard” patterns that appear only during low tide.

When sunlight shines over the tofu rocks of Alabao Bay at sunrise, the scenery instantly transforms into golden-hued, otherworldly rock formations. Many visitors and photography enthusiasts have called it a mysterious hidden gem. For years, Alabao Bay at the back east gate of Heping Island Park was closed due to safety concerns like falling rocks, turning this wonder into a restricted area—a great pity for many tourists.

After expert evaluation, the North Coast and Guanyinshan National Scenic Area Administration decided to open the site in a way that coexists with nature. They plan to implement managed access, including aerial monitoring and guided tours, and will require visitors to wear helmets—similar to the regulations at Taroko Gorge in Hualien.