By MOOK Travel & Lifestyle’s Chen Guanxin, compiled and reported
The sunrise at Erliao has long been a hidden gem among photographers, with many iconic sunrise photos taken here. Since the Siraya National Scenic Area Administration hosted its first Dawn Welcome event at Erliao this year, it has received an enthusiastic response from the public. Drawing on this year’s experience, the administration is inviting everyone to welcome the most dazzling and romantic dawn in southern Taiwan in 2014. A series of exciting activities and gifts have been specially planned, along with expanded transport shuttles and safety measures to accommodate up to 4,000 people, ensuring visitors can enjoy the Erliao sunrise safely and beautifully.
The Siraya National Scenic Area Administration has planned numerous gifts and exciting content for the upcoming New Year’s Day Dawn Welcome event. (Image source / Taken from the official website of Tainan City Government Tourism Bureau)
To allow the public to experience the Erliao sunrise firsthand and reduce waiting time for those descending the mountain after the event, the Siraya National Scenic Area Administration has carefully arranged crowd control measures. On January 1st, lottery tickets or energy-boosting vouchers will be distributed to the first 1,200 visitors at the Ganglin Control Station service desk. Visitors can choose to receive either a lottery ticket or an energy-boosting voucher. Those who receive a lottery ticket can participate in a lucky draw at the main stage around 7:30 AM, with chances to win prizes such as tickets to the Tiger Head Pond Scenic Area, Zouma La Farm, Wushantou Reservoir, and hot spring bath coupons at the Guanzi Ridge Hot Spring Resort, totaling 140 prizes. Those who opt for the energy-boosting voucher can exchange it for a free local delicacy at the event stalls.
Liao Yuanlong, Director of the Siraya Scenic Area Administration, stated that to ensure the smooth running of the event, road traffic control will be implemented along a total stretch of about 25 kilometers, and arrangements for vehicle parking and shuttle services have been planned. This includes: full closure of Provincial Highway South 162 from 7:00 PM on December 31st to 10:00 AM on January 1st, and full closure of the area from the intersection of South 175 & 168 to the intersection of South 171 from midnight to 10:00 AM on January 1st — no vehicles will be allowed to enter. For vehicle parking, cars should be parked at the “Huju Campsite” opposite the north parking lot of Tiger Head Pond Scenic Area, while motorcycles should be parked in the “Tiger Head Pond Scenic Area North Parking Lot.” As for shuttle buses, pick-up points are located at the “Huju Campsite” for the outbound journey from midnight to 5:00 AM on January 1st, and at the “Ganglin Police Station” for the return journey, with shuttle times at 7:15 AM, 8:15 AM, 9:15 AM, and 10:00 AM — adjustments may be made on-site based on conditions. Additionally, visitors are reminded not to enter from the “Longqi District” direction (the intersection of Route 182 and South 162), as this section will be completely closed. The walking distance from the “Ganglin Police Station” within the controlled area to the “Erliao Sunrise Pavilion” is about 2 kilometers and takes approximately 30–40 minutes. The sunrise is expected around 6:40 AM, and a capacity control measure will limit the number of sunrise viewers to 4,000 people. For more details on the event, please check the Siraya National Scenic Area’s Facebook fan page.
● Further Reading:
Taiwan’s Countdown to New Year Coverage – 365 Taiwan Leisure & Travel Calendar
http://goo.gl/rjIoWB