New Year's Eve at Sun Moon Lake was a sleepless night, with spectacular fireworks displays for three consecutive evenings.

As 2010 approaches, New Year's Eve celebrations across Taiwan are becoming even more anticipated. In the serene setting of Sun Moon Lake in Nantou, not only has the “Sun Moon Lake Happiness 99 New Year Art Festival” kicked off, but on New Year’s Eve itself, you can also enjoy performances by Matthew Lien, Chang Zhongli, Ye Shuhhan, and various famous groups, with musicians at Ita Thao Pier and fireworks over the water creating a dazzling spectacle. Various shaped fireworks will bloom across the night sky and over the lake surface in a breathtaking display.

The “Sun Moon Lake Happiness 99 New Year Art Festival” kicks off with a train station concert in Checheng. Spanning nearly two months of art and music, the festival covers the Checheng Railway Cultural Park, Shuishe, and Ita Thao areas. Activities include the Checheng Town Railway Concert, the 2nd Sun Moon Lake Street Performers Audition, the National Top 10 Street Performers Competition, and creative dance drama performances—making the entire Sun Moon Lake area vibrant with performances every day.

For the New Year’s Eve gala, Sun Moon Lake takes a cultural and artistic approach, inviting major music performance groups to play at Ita Thao Pier. To celebrate the upcoming opening of the Sun Moon Lake Gondola, and with the enthusiastic sponsorship of the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village and the Sun Moon Lake Wenchang Temple, fireworks will be launched for three consecutive nights from December 31 to January 2, 2010. The Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration has specially developed an “owl”-shaped firework that will make its debut, along with fireworks forming the characters for “sun” and “moon” representing Sun Moon Lake, as well as shapes like the president fish and yachts. In total, over 30,000 low-, medium-, and high-altitude fireworks will light up the night, making Sun Moon Lake truly enchanting.

The Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration has also prepared six special gifts for visitors, including an exquisite “Year of the Tiger 3D Photo Frame Blessing Card,” blessing ornaments made by the Shuili Snake Kiln called “Sun Moon Good God Blessing Charms,” and a “Map Magic Headscarf” featuring 14 walking trails of Sun Moon Lake. To collect these beautiful souvenirs, visitors first need to pick up a “Rediscover Sun Moon Lake Travel Passport” at the Shuishe Visitor Center. By using the stamp pages included in the passport to visit trails, pray at temples, or make purchases to collect stamps, they can redeem souvenirs.

From December 31 to January 3, there will also be a “Taiwan Quality Agricultural and Fishery Products Promotion and Sales Exhibition” at Ita Thao Pier, where visitors can sample products and order beautifully packaged gifts—perfect as Lunar New Year presents. More details about the “Sun Moon Lake Happiness 99 New Year Art Festival” can be found on the official scenic area administration website.

Read more: The Hidden Gem of Northeastern Japan, Bandai (Provided by Tripass Scenic Spots)