TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Highway Bureau (公路局) issued travel advisories on Friday (Jan. 17) for popular tourist destinations such as Hehuanshan (合歡山), Sun Moon Lake (日月潭), and Zhushan Zinan Temple (竹山紫南宮), anticipating a surge in visitors during the Lunar New Year holiday.
In a press release, the bureau's Central Region Branch Office (公路局中區養護工程分局) suggested travelers arrive early or late to avoid traffic congestion, predicting heavy tourist traffic at Cingjing Farm (清境農場) and Hehuanshan in Ren'ai Township, Nantou County. They recommend visitors aiming for a day trip arrive before 9 a.m., while those staying overnight should enter after 3 p.m. to sidestep the expected congestion.
Sun Moon Lake is also expected to draw significant crowds, particularly on Provincial Highway 21 (台21線), where traffic jams are likely from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Officials advise day-trippers to reach the area before 10 a.m. and overnight visitors to enter after 4 p.m.
Zhushan Zinan Temple, a favored spot for New Year prayers, may experience traffic backups extending to Provincial Highway 3. The office notes peak congestion typically occurs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the first five days of the New Year. In response, they plan to manage traffic flow, but may cancel lane adjustments if parking lots are full and congestion reaches the provincial highway.