By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team
With its millennia-old history, Mid-Autumn moon viewing is no longer solely a Chinese cultural tradition. With the advancement of information, this custom has gone global. Here are five unique global moon-viewing spots, including Australia’s one-of-a-kind Staircase to the Moon, Chile’s Moon Valley, China’s West Lake moon scenery, and more—among them, a famous Taiwanese attraction also makes the list, highly recommended by international tourists.
Night view from Hushan Trail in Xinyi District (Photo / Taipei City Government Department of Civil Affairs)
1. Australia – Western Australia’s Staircase to the Moon
The dreamlike Western Australia “Staircase to the Moon,” a globally unique moon-viewing phenomenon, occurs from March to October each year. For two to three days after the full moon, the bright moonlight reflects off the muddy tidal flats, creating shimmering golden ridges that look like steps leading to the moon.
Staircase to the Moon (Photo / Broome Visitor Centre)
2. China – West Lake Moon Scenery
China boasts the most classic and nostalgic moon-viewing culture. Hangzhou’s West Lake, a historic moon-gazing destination, features three of its Ten Scenes as iconic moon-viewing spots: “Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake,” “Three Pools Mirroring the Moon,” and “Moon Rock Moon Viewing.” These have also served as major inspirations for ancient poets’ verses.
3. Chile – Moon Valley
Located in Chile, Moon Valley offers the sensation of viewing the moon on a lunar-like landscape. Valle de la Luna in Chile’s Atacama Desert, shaped by unique erosion that created dramatic steep terrain, features vast salt flats, mysterious caves, and a moon-like expansive surface. With the bright moon hanging high above the endless canyon, it’s a must-visit spot for backpackers traveling in South America.
Chile’s Moon Valley (Photo / Chile Travel)
4. Japan – Arashiyama, Kyoto
Kyoto’s Arashiyama offers different charms throughout the seasons. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, it preserves the moon-viewing tradition of Japan’s Heian period, including moonlit boat cruises. Boarding a boat at night immerses you in an indescribable lunar ambiance, and the nearby “Moon-Viewing Evening” near Daikaku-ji Temple is also one of the region’s famous moon-viewing festivals.
5. Taipei – Taipei 101
Taipei 101 is also an excellent spot for moon viewing (Photo / Taipei City Government Department of Civil Affairs)
In bustling Taipei’s Xinyi District, the iconic Taipei 101 offers stunning night views. From the 89th-floor observation deck, you can gaze at the glittering urban lights while the moon peeks through the clouds, offering a moment of being “closest to the moon.”
7Giant Moon Installation Debuts as New Mid-Autumn Attraction
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