The first light of the New Year！ Taiwan’s Top 10 Spots to Welcome the Sunrise

By the MOOK Scenic Spots Travel Life Network Editorial Team
 
As 2015 draws to a close, there are only two months left until the countdown to welcome the new year’s first light. Have you decided yet where you plan to welcome the arrival of the new year? To help everyone plan their trips in advance, Scenic Spots has specially compiled the following ten popular sunrise-welcoming spots in Taiwan for fans’ reference.

● Taipei | Datun Mountain Main Peak
Getting to Datun Mountain Main Peak is very convenient, with roads leading directly to the viewing platform. It’s a great spot for both welcoming the sunrise and watching the sunset.

● Nantou | Wucheng Golden Dragon Mountain
Golden Dragon Mountain is a small hill located beside County Highway 131. Although not particularly high in altitude, it offers excellent views. From here, you can take in the entire Yuchi Basin, and on clear days, catch sight of the Hehuan Mountain Range and Sun Moon Lake — a breathtaking scene. Most famously known as the “Golden Dragon Sunrise,” when the sun rises, its dazzling rays shine upon the surging sea of clouds, creating an amazing spectacle.

● Nantou | Hehuanshan
Each year on New Year’s Eve, temperatures at Hehuanshan often drop to minus five degrees Celsius, but it still attracts nearly 10,000 visitors to join the countdown party, watch the sunrise, and welcome the first light. It’s a highly popular New Year's destination.

● Chiayi | Alishan
The sunrise at Alishan is famous far and wide. Every year, an Impression of Sunrise concert is also held, adding a romantic atmosphere for visitors enjoying the sunrise.

● Tainan | Erliau
The Erliau sunrise is known for its unique geographical features such as “the lowest-altitude sea of clouds view,” “closest to the city,” and “longest sunrise viewing line.” Among them, the most popular viewing spot is the “Sun Viewing Pavilion” built by the management office. This all-wood pavilion is the highest point in the area. In addition to seeing the sunrise, you can also overlook the badland terrain and feel the dynamic flow of the sea of clouds.

● Taitung | Taimali
In the Paiwan language, it means “the place where the sun rises,” so Taimali Township is also known as the “Hometown of the Sun.” Miles of coastline coupled with brilliant sunshine make for a stunning view.

● Taitung | Sanxiantai
At dawn, the eight-arch ocean-crossing bridge and the sea are bathed in golden sunrise light, and the clouds instantly take on various forms. The beautiful elements complement each other. Welcoming Taiwan’s first ray of sunlight at Sanxiantai is a blissful experience.