The Stargazing Festival is the most iconic tourism celebration in Nantou County. Centered around Hehuan Mountain, it includes popular stargazing spots like Qingjing, Monkey Exploration Well, Sun Moon Lake, Shanlinxi, and Xitou. These locations are listed as national-level events in the biennial calendar by the Tourism Bureau, promoting Taiwan’s unique tourism to both domestic and international travelers. Each year, the Nantou County Government collaborates with various stargazing sites to launch a series of events aimed at promoting the nighttime economy and continuously marketing Nantou’s starry sky as a non-coastal city attraction.
The 2024 Nantou Stargazing Festival commenced its first event today (May 25) at the Monkey Exploration Well in Songboling, Nantou City. The event combined astronomical education with local ecological features of Bagua Mountain and Nantou pottery. In collaboration with the Taipei Astronomical Association, a stargazing tour was offered, alongside a Nantou pottery handcraft activity with the Zhishan Cultural Care Association. Local communities showcased their diverse talents, and there was a local specialty starlight market. Visitors could also participate in a DIY pineapple cake activity using Nantou’s famous pineapples, enjoying stargazing while experiencing local specialties. Additionally, there were astronomy-related interactive activities for deeper exploration of the stargazing field.
County Magistrate Hsu Shu-hua stated that this year’s Stargazing Festival is focused on ecology and sustainability. In partnership with National Chi Nan University, the county plans to recruit 100 stargazing-friendly businesses by the end of the year and organize training for stargazing tour guides. Four sustainable stargazing tours will be launched, inviting everyone to explore Nantou deeply. The future goal is to establish and cultivate stargazing resources in Nantou, making “stargazing in Nantou” a popular and regular choice.
Director of the Tourism Department, Chen Chih-hsien, added that the event is just the beginning. The aim is to link local agricultural products and ecological features, creating unique tourism characteristics for each township. Nantou City boasts the historic Nantou pottery and famous pineapple cakes. The second stargazing festival event will be held in Lugu Township on August 3, featuring a romantic starlight tea session with local tea businesses. On June 15, the Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area will host the Yushan Stargazing Concert, followed by a symphony concert in Qingjing on September 21, and an evening party in Xinyi Township on October 12. Participants who complete designated activities will receive a local agricultural association’s plum essence gold foil mask experience. By integrating local features with stargazing experiences, the aim is to establish a unique stargazing brand.
In addition to the evening events, the “Stargazing Ambassador” activity on the Facebook page “Nantou Tourism” has already begun and will continue until June 8. Visitors to Nantou who take the most unique stargazing photos will have a chance to win astronomical gifts like starlight projectors and telescopes.
※ For more event details, please visit: 2024 Nantou Stargazing Festival Official Website or the Nantou Tourism Facebook Page.
