Embrace the First Sunrise in Charming Taitung: Celebrate the New Year with Local and Indigenous Flavors

Dubbed “the last piece of pristine land in Taiwan,” eastern Taiwan enchants visitors with its stunning natural scenery and friendly locals. As the year comes to a close, the influx of people heading to eastern Taiwan to greet the first sunrise fills the backcountry with joyful laughter and excited cheers. This year, Taitung County Government’s New Year’s Eve gala features entertainment duo “Spicy Queen Yang Hsiu-hui” and “Taiwan’s Ayumi Hamasaki Wang Tsai-hua” co-hosting the event, with many artists and singers set to liven up the night.

To welcome 2010’s first sunrise, Taitung is a wonderful destination that balances tranquility with liveliness. In addition to the long-running Taimali Sunrise Festival, you can also join the Sunrise at Sanxiantai on the East Coast, opt for the peaceful Dawn at the Dajianshan Tunnel along the South Cross-Island Highway, or explore Green Island and Orchid Island to immerse yourself in Taitung’s beautiful mountains and waters—experiencing the charm of “Enchanting Taitung” in depth.

This year’s Taitung New Year’s Eve gala is hosted by entertainment stars Yang Hsiu-hui and Wang Tsai-hua, with performances by Fang Wen-lin, Li Lo, the Mountain Cats of Peipu, Jiwasi Dulam, Wu Yi-wei, Hu Hsiao-fang, and rock queen Lin Xiao-pei. The program includes a celebration with performers, indigenous song and dance from Taitung, dazzling acrobatics, and spectacular countdown fireworks to ring in 2010 together.

The New Year’s sunrise event in Taimali will showcase the resilience after natural disasters and the beauty of diverse cultural traditions. This year’s event takes place at Taimali Starlight Beach, where all participants will hold small lanterns for blessings, facing the rising sun while waving red lanterns symbolizing good fortune for the Year of the Tiger. The Taimali New Year’s celebration also invites numerous artists, a Mexican heavy metal band, the Philippine all-girl band Angels, and features vibrant indigenous dance performances, culminating in a traditional lion dance performance for good luck as the new year arrives.

Taitung New Year's Eve Events
Event Time: 8:00 PM on December 31, 2009 – 12:30 AM on January 1, 2010
Venue: Taitung Seaside Park
Event Website: http://2009taitung.emmm.tw/

Taimali New Year's Eve Events
Event Time: 7:00 PM on December 31, 2009 – 7:00 AM on January 1, 2010
Venue: Taimali Sunrise Park

Read More: Kawasaki Daishi is One of the Must-Visit Temples for the New Year (Provided by Tripass Scenic Spots)