By MOOK Scenic Spots Family (compiled and reported)
Taiwan has many great spots to watch the sunrise. As the first light of dawn breaks across the sky, soft rays shine through gaps in the clouds, painting the mountains and sea in hues of a colorful silk. Here are four top “first light” spots where you can head straight after New Year’s Eve to greet 2019 with breathtaking scenery.
Welcoming the 2019 dawn at Er Liao. (Photo / Tainan City Government)
1.Tainan Er Liao
On the evening of the last day of the year, you can start by watching the final sunset of 2018 over the salt fields in Tainan and enjoy the beautiful evening glow, then head to Er Liao in Tainan — the lowest-altitude sunrise spot in all of Taiwan — to catch the first light of 2019. After that, explore the alleys of downtown Tainan for some delicious food and begin a hopeful new year.
The sunrise at Sun Moon Lake, paired with the sea of clouds and mountain peaks, is truly breathtaking. (Photo / Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area)
2.Nantou Jinxin Mountain at Sun Moon Lake
Visitors can first join the New Year’s Eve fireworks party at Sun Moon Lake, then head to Jinxin Mountain to prepare for the stunning 2019 sunrise, where they can enjoy sights such as sea of clouds, ethereal light, and morning glow.
Watching the first light of dawn in Taiwan at Sancian Terrace in Taitung. (Photo / Taiwan Tourism Bureau)
3.Taitung Sancian Terrace
The first light of dawn on Taiwan’s plains is typically seen at Sancian Terrace in Taitung, where events such as a Dawn & Ocean Music Festival and an Amateur Dream Stage performance are organized. Visitors can also stroll through special sunrise markets, or give back to nature by joining beach cleanup activities.
The Sunrise Impression Concert held at Alishan. (Photo / Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Tourism Bureau)
4.Chiayi Alishan
Besides enjoying evening performances and fireworks during New Year’s Eve, you can also plan a nature-filled trip to chase the sunrise. The Alishan sunrise is an annual highlight, and visitors can even experience a moment of spiritual peace and emotion amid the melodious music of the Sunrise Impression Concert as they greet the first light of the new year.