TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's latest sunset of 2025 will occur at 5:25 p.m. on Dec. 31 on the Qigu embankment (七股海堤) in Tainan City, Taiwan's southern coastal city. The Central Weather Administration (CWA, 中央氣象署), Taiwan's meteorological agency, announced on Tuesday (Dec. 23) the timing for the year's final sunset on the western side of Taijiang National Park. Locals and tourists will gather at the location to witness the year's closing daylight.
Taitung County, Taiwan's southeastern region, will welcome 2026 with the earliest sunrise at 6:33 a.m. on Orchid Island (蘭嶼), the CWA announced Tuesday. The earliest sunrise on Taiwan's main island will occur at 6:35 a.m. in the Longkeng Ecological Reserve (龍坑生態保護區) in Pingtung County, Taiwan's southernmost county. Early risers can experience the first light of 2026 at these prime viewing locations.
Notable sunrise viewing locations include Keelung Islet (基隆嶼) from the Jinshan jump-stone Coast (金山跳石海岸) in New Taipei City, Taiwan's northern municipality. Guishan Island (龜山島) offers views from Shuangshi Beach (雙獅海灘) near Wai'ao Train Station (外澳火車站) in Yilan County, Taiwan's northeastern county. The CWA determines sunrise and sunset times when the sun's upper edge meets the horizon under average atmospheric conditions.
The administration highlighted the twilight phenomenon, which occurs when sunlight reflects off the upper atmosphere before sunrise or after sunset Tuesday (Dec. 23). These moments create striking displays of dawn and dusk across Taiwan's coastal regions and mountainous areas. Photographers and nature enthusiasts often gather at designated viewing locations to capture the atmospheric phenomenon. ◼