Hehuanshan

Hehuanshan, a mountain peak reaching over 3,400 metres on the border of Nantou and Hualien counties in central Taiwan, is home to Taiwan's first and only International Dark Sky Park, set within Taroko National Park.

Why Hehuanshan is a top stargazing spot

The International Dark-Sky Association certified Hehuanshan in August 2019, making it only the third dark sky park in Asia to receive the designation. Its high altitude keeps it far from the glow of urban areas, and conditions are suitable for stargazing throughout the year, though autumn through early spring, roughly October to March, brings the driest, coldest and clearest air of all, with the least cloud cover.

What you can see

From the mountain's stargazing platforms visitors get an open, largely light-pollution-free view of the Milky Way and the wider night sky, a rare sight so close to Taiwan's cities.

Visiting Hehuanshan at night

Five main stargazing locations run along the mountain: Yuanfeng, Kunyang, Wuling, Songxuelou and Xiaofengkou. The Yuanfeng Stargazing Platform was purpose-built for astronomy and offers a 360-degree view free of light pollution, and there is a spherical screen theatre nearby that functions as a planetarium. Guides, including photography specialists, run starry sky tours on the mountain. Because the summit sits well above 3,000 metres, temperatures drop sharply after dark even in summer, so warm layers, a hat, gloves and comfortable, non-slip shoes are essential for anyone staying out to watch the stars.

Best time to go

October through March is the window locals and guides recommend, when the air over the mountain is at its driest, coldest and clearest, giving the sharpest views of the Milky Way and winter constellations. The Perseid meteor shower in August and the Geminids in December are both worth planning around if the timing works, and the Quadrantids follow in early January. As anywhere, a new Moon night gives the darkest sky, so it's worth checking the lunar calendar alongside the mountain weather forecast, and giving your eyes twenty to thirty minutes to adjust once you arrive.

Getting there

Hehuanshan can be reached by public bus 6658A from Cingjing Farm, a roughly one-hour ride with three departures a day; seats are in high demand, so reservations should be booked online up to seven days in advance and at least one business day ahead of travel. Drivers can instead take Highway 14 via Puli and Wushe (Renai), or from Qingjing Farm toward Wuling, with rental cars available in the area for those without their own vehicle.

See your named star from here

Hehuanshan's altitude and dark sky certification make it one of the best places in East Asia to look for a star you have named. Bring the coordinates from your certificate and a stargazing app, and use one of the mountain's dedicated platforms to find it. Browse the star catalogue, or check observatories near other dark sky destinations for your next trip.