Written and compiled by Wei Ruyu
The first ray of sunlight in 2012 will first appear at the Sanxiantai Recreation Area on the East Coast. The Eastern Coast National Scenic Area Administration, Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, has specially arranged a program full of “indigenous” charm, featuring ancient Amis chants and the Dance of the Sun, as well as a giant LED pipe light display forming the number “101” on the beach. On-site, visitors were invited to lie within the 101 formation while listening to the powerful beats of the Amis Pao-pao drums, welcoming together the first ray of sunlight of 2012. A total of 200 free two-hour ecological bike tours around Sanxiantai were offered, allowing visitors to take in the beautiful scenery of the area.
The first ray of sunlight on Taiwan’s main island in 2012 will be seen at Sanxiantai!(Photo provided by Eastern Coast National Scenic Area Administration, Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications)
Currently, both trains and airlines are offering special package deals. The TRA Sunrise Cruise Train departs from Tainan on the evening of December 31st, arriving in Taitung via the South-Link Line, where shuttle buses are available to Sanxiantai for the sunrise event. Mandarin Airlines offers a two-day, one-night Taitung-Green Island “Sunrise in Taitung” tour starting December 31st, priced from NT$5,990 per person. Uni Air has launched special New Year’s Eve packages for December 29–31, including a Green Island 101 Sunrise two-day tour from NT$5,690 per person, and a Kenting Zhiben Laoye Free & Easy two-day tour from NT$3,999 per person.
Download the APP for a chance to win prizes too!(Photo provided by Eastern Coast National Scenic Area Administration, Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications)
Additionally, the Eastern Coast National Scenic Area Administration has launched the “Mobile East Coast – Pearl Route Green Backpack Tour,” producing 3,000 backpacker travel guides and offering a free smartphone download of the “Mobile East Coast APP.” With just a mobile device, travelers can explore 15 pearl route itineraries across Eastern and Central Taiwan. From now until the end of June 2012, those who successfully download the Mobile East Coast APP and travel along any of the pearl routes will receive triple rewards: First reward: a chance to win a NT$500 7-ELEVEN gift voucher; Second reward: certification for one route on the [2nd East Coast Traveler Elite] list; Third reward: complete check-ins at five pearl points via the APP or collect two pearl point stamps from the guidebook to enter a lucky draw for prizes such as Mandarin Airlines tickets, iPads, and iPhones.
For more details on related events, please visit the Eastern Coast National Scenic Area Administration’s website at www.eastcoast-nsa.gov.tw/.