Where to ring in the New Year? A grand collection of countdown events at scenic areas across Taiwan

Written/Compiled and Reported by Li Xinyi

Countdowns and welcoming the first sunrise are among the hottest and most romantic activities of the season. Where should you go to catch the last sunset of the centennial year of the Republic of China and welcome the first sunrise of 2011? Six national scenic areas in Taiwan are hosting events such as sunset send-offs, New Year’s Eve parties, and sunrise welcoming ceremonies. These include “Century Sunset at Yan-Tian Salt Fields” in Beitou Salt Fields, “Sunrise Music Concert” at Fulong Beach in Northeast Coast, “New Year’s Eve Party” in Guguan, “New Year’s Eve Series Events” at Sun Moon Lake, “Sunrise Impression Concert” in Alishan, and “Sunrise Welcoming” at Sanxiantai in Taitung. Consider planning a farewell-to-the-old-and-welcome-to-the-new trip during this New Year holiday.

The northernmost event, the Sunrise Music Concert in Northeast Coast, is complemented by additional train services operated by Taiwan Railways and shuttle bus services on the “Taiwan Tourist Shuttle – Golden Fulong Line.” The stage performances will officially kick off at 3:40 AM, featuring an all-star lineup including versatile idol S131, musical group Music Ironman, ultra-healing singer Lan Youshi, chart-topping artist Chen Shian, rising goddess Amber An, and Golden Melody Award-winning talent A-Lin. The Guguan New Year’s Eve party centers around the theme “Love Song of Lishan,” with a finale performance of “Lishan Passionate Flower” by idol singer Zhang Xinjie, who was born in Lishan. Also performing are the Atayal aboriginal band Police Flying Squirrels, Three Feathers Band, and the Swiss Alpine Band, which has made a special trip to Taiwan. Together, they present the beauty of Lishan’s indigenous music through a “relay singing” format.

The Sun Moon Lake event kicks off at 8 PM at Yida Shoal Pier, hosted by celebrity Honduras. Performers include two-time Golden Melody Award-nominated band Totem, only Wen from S.Joyce, the stylish boy band UNIKing, and various groups of the nine indigenous tribes. There will also be dazzling fireworks over the lake, a classic New Year’s Eve highlight, as everyone counts down together to welcome 2011.

The “Alishan Sunrise Impression Concert” will continue its tradition by inviting numerous well-known singers and musical groups. Together, they will welcome the first light of dawn in an atmosphere of “gratitude,” “dancing with nature,” and “a high-mountain musical feast.” In Beitou, the southern part of Taiwan, the nation’s oldest “Jingzijiao Salt Fields” offer a chance to witness one of Taiwan’s most beautiful sunset cities. As night falls, there will be a “fire dance” performance, along with the lighting of a 25-meter-long “Dragon Leaping Over Beitou” sculpture made of salt, ushering in the Year of the Dragon ahead of time.

In the east, Sanxiantai will host a New Year’s Day sunrise welcoming event alongside the second Eastern Coast Tourism Influencers Gathering. This comes with the support of Taiwan Railways’ Dawn Cruise Train, airline packages, and accommodation deals, offering diverse options for multi-day travelers and connections to related activities in Kenting.

Tourism Bureau Information Network: taiwan.net.tw