2015 Taiwan: Welcome the First Sunrise & Bid Farewell to the Last Sunset of the Year – Don’t Miss These Magical Moments!

Written / Compiled and reported by the MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Team

As 2014 draws to a close, are you ready to greet the first sunrise of 2015? The Central Weather Bureau’s Astronomy Department has announced the sunrise times across Taiwan for January 1, 2015,Taiwan’s earliest sunrise is on Orchid Island, an offshore island of Taitung, which takes the lead with a sunrise at 6:32 a.m., making it the earliest on the entire main island.The earliest sunrise spot on the main island is Longpan Park in Hengchun and Sanxiantai in Taitung County, both seeing the sun rise at 6:35 a.m.; other locations such as Bitou Cape, Sandiao Cape in New Taipei City, Su’ao in Yilan, and Chongde in Hualien will see the sunrise at 6:37 a.m.

Taiwan’s earliest sunrise on the main island in 2015 happens at Sanxiantai and Longpan Park at 6:35 a.m. (Image source / Eastern Coastal National Scenic Area Administration)

Additionally, due to their higher elevation, mountain areas see the sunrise earlier than the plains. The sunrise times at Yushan (Jade Mountain), Xiuguluan Mountain, and Xinkang Mountain are all at 6:27 a.m., making them the earliest spots in Taiwan to witness the sunrise. However, these areas are not easily accessible and may be closed due to snow, making the journey more challenging.

As for the latest sunset location on the main island in 2014, it occurred at 5:25 p.m. in both Anping, Tainan, and Qijin, Kaohsiung. The very last sunset in all of Taiwan happens on Taiping Island, where the sun doesn’t set until 6:11 p.m.