There are a million and one things to do and see in Taiwan. Whether you’re a hardcore foodie, and you can’t get enough of the island’s amazing eateries and street vendors, or someone who adores cultural treasures like those displayed in the National Palace Museum, you’ll never lack for ways to fill your mornings, afternoons, and evenings during a Taiwan visit.
But sometimes you just want to hit pause, stand or sit still, and absorb your surroundings. You’re on holiday, after all. Watching the sun go down is a great way to destress, whether you’re with your family, holding hands with your significant other, or all by yourself. Several locations in Taiwan are renowned for their sunsets, and here are some of the best.
A thousand miles of coastline
Different sources give different numbers, but Taiwan has around 1,570 km or just under 1,000 miles of coastline. The west coast facing the Taiwan Strait has a number of sunset-viewing locations; in the north these include the mouth of the Tamsui River and Zhuwei Fishing Harbour in Taoyuan. The former can be reached by public transport (take the Taipei Metro to Hongshulin on the Red Line, then the Danhai Light Rail to Fisherman’s Wharf) while the latter isn’t far from Taiwan’s main international airport.
Zhuwei’s two main sundown vantage points are Rainbow Bridge, a steel arch landmark, and Pig-Nose Beach. At low tide, this oddly-named expanse of flat sand creates a mirror effect, reflecting the lovely colours of sunset. Some regular visitors combine sunset watching with a fresh-fish feast, as the seafood market here has restaurants expert at cooking the day’s catch.
Qingkunshen Fan-Shaped Salt Field in Tainan
Taichung is a growing and dynamic city, and a highlight of its coastline is Gaomei Wetland. When dusk approaches and conditions are just right, the mudflats take on brilliant hues of orange, red, and purple. From the long wooden boardwalk, you’ll see fiddler crabs and mudskippers scuttle and flip across the surface — this is after all a wildlife sanctuary, noted for its rich birdlife.
Sunsets in the south
The ancient former capital of Tainan is surrounded on three sides by farmland. Northwest of the city centre, the landscape still bears the imprint of the saltmaking industry which existed from the 1600s until 2002. Some of the old saltpans now serve as fish farms; others have been incorporated into Taijiang National Park (one of the best places in Taiwan for winter birdwatching). The Fan-Shaped Salt Field at Qingkunshen has emerged as a popular sunset-viewing location, thanks to the sense of vast space visitors enjoy and the landscape-enhancing public art.
When approaching or leaving Kenting National Park, consider making a short detour to Guanshan, 152-m-high (499 ft) ridge from which sightseers can take in delightful panoramic views of the Hengchun Peninsula and the ocean. Getting here by public transport is very tricky indeed, even if you’re willing to walk a fair bit. It’s one of many reasons why, if you’re planning to visit Taiwan, you’ll see a lot more if you arrange a private tour with your own driver-guide.
Alishan sunset
The famous mountain town of Alishan is perfectly located for sublime sunsets. One of Life of Taiwan’s favourite spots is just in front of Ciyun Temple, a Buddhist shrine that dates from the 1895-1945 period of Japanese colonial rule. Check out the temple before it closes for the day, then linger as the golden orb sinks into the lowlands way below.
For planning purposes…
If witnessing the sunset is a key goal when heading to one of these places, check the Central Weather Administration’s bilingual website (www.cwa.gov.tw) and click on ‘Outreach’. Then go to ‘Sunrise Sunset & Moonrise Sunset’ where you can select the city/county and the date.
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