No need to go abroad to see deserts — Taiwan has some amazing desert-like landscapes too

By MOOK Scenic Spots / Chen Wenlin, compiled and reported
 
Envious of your friends abroad who get to see magnificent desert scenery and experience a totally different environment? Now you don’t have to be jealous — there’s no need to go abroad or even take a flight. You can find some truly incredible desert-like sights right here in Taiwan, including lesser-known alternative spots where you can easily snap stunning desert photos!

Qigu Desert Beach in Tainan

Qigu Desert Beach, also known as the Dingtou’e Sandbar in Tainan, is a common coastal sandbar formation found along the southwest coast. Formed over time by the deposition of silt carried by gentle rivers and ocean waves, combined with the blowing of seasonal winds, thick layers of sand have accumulated here, creating views that resemble being in a real desert — giving off that out-of-the-country desert vibe.

【Info】
Dingtou’e Sandbar
Address: No. 52, Yancheng Li, Qigu District, Tainan City
 

Guanyin Caota Sand Dunes

The Caota Sand Dunes are located along the coast of Guanyin in Taoyuan, featuring an 8-kilometer stretch of dune landscape. This hidden gem is not widely known. The yellow sands, shaped by the wind into wavy patterns, make you feel as if you’ve stepped into an alternate world from a movie. Standing at the highest point along the trail atop the dunes, you can gaze out at the vast seascape — even more spectacular than places like Kenting’s Fengchui Sand or Jiupeng Desert. A row of over ten giant wind turbines slowly turn in the wind, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene.