F-16 fighter jets roar over Qixingtan to welcome the first dawn of 2016 on the East Coast

▲ New Year’s Day F-16 fighter jet flyover and dawn-welcoming event in Hualien. (Photo / Provided byHualien County Government)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

To celebrate the most stunning dawn on the East Coast,Hualien County Government organized a fighter jet flyover event at the Star-Gazing Square in Qixingtan, Xincheng District, Hualien, on New Year’s Day.As the first light of dawn emerged on the eastern horizon, the Air Force’s impressive F-16 fighter jets flew in formation, their awe-inspiring sonic booms creating a spectacular show.

Due to the overwhelming response to previous dawn-welcoming events featuring fighter jet flyovers,it has become the highlight of Hualien County’s New Year’s Day celebrations.Many people even traveled overnight from Taipei, Kaohsiung, and other cities to Hualien just to witness the thrilling sight of jets greeting the dawn.

▲ The New Year’s Day F-16 fighter jet flyover and dawn-welcoming event has become the highlight of Hualien County’s New Year’s Day celebrations.

To accommodate visitors and locals heading to Qixingtan and avoid overcrowding, free shuttle buses were arranged on New Year’s Day. Pick-up points were set up at the intersection in front of the County Government. Visitors could park nearby, queue up at the pick-up point, and board the bus for free on a first-come, first-served basis. Each passenger also received a souvenir and a hand warmer.

After the event, shuttle buses transported attendees from the Qixingtan drop-off point back to the pick-up station in front of the County Government, where they could also join the New Year’s Day flag-raising ceremony in Hualien.

New Year’s Day F-16 Fighter Jet Dawn Welcoming Event at Qixingtan, Hualien
Event Date: 2016/01/01 06:00
Event Location: Qixingtan
Shuttle Bus Route: Hualien County Government Front ~ Qixingtan Star-Gazing Square
Shuttle Bus Schedule: Buses are expected to depart from Fufeng Road from 4:30 AM to 6:30 AM, with return buses running from 7:00 AM to 8:30 AM from the Star-Gazing Square.