The sea of clouds: Best spots in Nantou to enjoy a stunning winter view

The sea of clouds: Best spots in Nantou to enjoy a stunning winter view

2022-12-12

Photographers hare raving about one of Taiwan’s many stunning natural wonders: the sea of clouds. Mid-winter is the perfect time to enjoy this particular climate marvel. Up in Nantou, there are many tall mountains – great for gazing down on waves of clouds, like waves rolling over low land. We take a look at some of the best spots to enjoy the view, and ask a weather expert why it’s such a regular treat in winter.

The Northeast monsoon clouds swoop in like a tidal wave in this timelapse footage from 1,500 meters above sea level, at Dalunshan Lookout in Lugu Township.

Meanwhile, this is Wanggaoliao on the New Central Cross-Island Highway in Xinyi Township, 1,400 meters above sea level: another great spot to gaze down on an airy sea. Clouds roll across the mountains and valleys like this when a new weather front comes in. At nighttime, the city lights peek through the clouds like nuggets of amber in a fairy cave.

Chang Yung-cheng
Sun Moon Lake Weather Station
It’s colder in winter than in summer, so we’re more likely to see clouds condense. It’s lower here so when water vapor comes in, low-lying clouds or mist will form in higher regions. If you stand in higher areas and look down you can observe a sea of clouds.

This meteorologist explains that from later fall to early spring, or November to March, is the best time of the year to catch the sea of clouds in action. There’s a chance to enjoy a view like this from any of Taiwan’s many high-altitude peaks.

南投縣高山多冬季欣賞雲海最佳季節

2022-12-12

南投高山多，每年的秋末到初春，是欣賞雲海的最佳季節，在鹿谷鄉的大崙山，以及信義鄉新中橫公路的望高寮，經常有雲海出現，是觀賞雲海的極佳地點，透過鏡頭帶您去欣賞。

從海拔1500公尺的鹿谷鄉大崙山，透過縮時攝影，在東北季風影響之下，雲層有如海浪一般，風起雲湧。

另外，在信義鄉海拔1400公尺新中橫公路的望高寮，也是觀賞雲海的極佳位置，尤其每當天氣開始變化時，經常可以看到雲海翻騰覆蓋整個山谷，到了夜晚，山腳下的燈火透過雲層，有如琉璃光，彷彿置身仙境。

[[日月潭氣象站主任張永政]]
“冬天相較於夏天的影響來說氣溫較低，因此容易形成凝結雲，這個高度比較低，當有水氣影響進來的時候，會在比較高處形成低雲或霧(mist)，站在比較高處的地方，看下來就形成雲海的現象”

專家表示，每年的秋末到初春，也就是11月到隔年的3月，是觀賞雲海最佳時節，只要來到山上，都很有機會欣賞到雲海。

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Government draws up plans to help firms affected by China’s import suspensions

The government is launching response measures, as China continues to suspend more and more Taiwanese products from import. So far, China’s move has affected 2,409 Taiwanese companies, of which 1,800 say they won’t try to apply for import permits again. Beijing claims the companies had incorrectly filled in the relevant application forms required to comply with a new set of customs registration rules it launched earlier this year.

China has continued to suspend imports of some Taiwanese agricultural products. Critics say Taiwan’s central government had not prepared well enough for an expected shift in China’s customs rules. On Sunday, Deputy health minister Victor Wang said that Beijing not responding to Taiwan’s attempts to discuss the matter.

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We’ve been singled out, in comparison with how other countries are being treated.

Originally, China had granted import permits to more than 3,000 Taiwanese products. But with the start of China’s new customs registration rules, imports for more than 2,400 types of products were suspended. From Dec. 8 to Dec. 10 alone, the number of products allowed for import was further slashed from 1,006 to just 792. Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration says China rejected the registration applications on the grounds that the documents and production licenses submitted did not meet its specifications. A lawmaker says China is using trade to put pressure on Taiwan.

Wu Ping-jui
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It’s frustrating. China is the one who’s doing bad things, and not respecting World Trade Organization rules. But in the end, people in Taiwan just blame the government. Under these circumstances, Taiwan’s government has to work hard and do more.

Among the 2,409 companies affected, about 1,800 say they won’t try to resubmit the documentation, saying they don’t want to put their trust in China again. The central government is launching policies to market the products in Japan and Southeast Asia.

Yen Hui-hsin
Chung-hua Institution for Economic Research
Trade between Taiwan and China has fallen to just 30% of what it used to be. It’s a very clear drop. We have experience in selling seafood products in other countries. Those attempts were successful, because China is not actually Taiwan’s biggest export market for seafood. That title is actually Japan’s.

The remaining companies will be assisted by three government agencies. The Council of Agriculture will advise businesses on processing their products in Southeast Asia, sell them domestically, as well as tapping into new markets. The Ministry of Economic Affairs will assist processing firms with matters such as loans, and utilizing the internet to sell products. The Ministry of Finance, which governs alcohol sales, will try to help companies take part in international competitions, as well as hold exhibitions in Taiwan to boost sales and competitiveness.

Yen Hui-hsin
Chung-hua Institution for Economic Research
China often uses these so-called “administrative barriers” to disturb trade. The key to respond is to spread the markets of Taiwan’s exports, to sell the products in other markets. I think Taiwan has already seen some success in that. The government hopes to set up an inter-ministerial management mechanism to export and process seafood products.

Taiwan has been at the end of Chinese import bans for many years now. The government will respond as it has in previous occasions, opening up new markets both abroad and in Taiwan, as well as improving the quality of the products. That way, firms won’t be so reliant on China, and find a way for their own in other places.

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Subsidies up to NT$100,000 for the removal of authoritarian relics

Lawmakers on Monday questioned members of the Executive Yuan on a new subsidy program to remove authoritarian symbols in Taiwan. The Ministry of the Interior on Nov. 28 finalized a budget offering up to NT$100,000 for the removal of each statue of former leaders Chiang Kai-shek or Chiang Ching-kuo. It also covers things such as name changes to institutions that carry authoritarian connotations.

Statues of Chiang Kai-shek across Taiwan continue dotting the island. Back in November, the Ministry of the Interior earmarked a budget offering subsidies to local government institutions and public schools to remove authoritarian symbols. That includes up to NT$100,000 for the removal of statues of former leaders Chiang Kai-shek and Chiang Ching-kuo.

Wang Mei-hui
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A subsidy of NT$100,000, what do you think?

Lo Ping-cheng
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As you’ve mentioned, there are authoritarian symbols in schools to take care of. It’s only been half a year since the interior ministry assumed responsibility of this matter, so whether by providing subsidies or moving the statues elsewhere, all that will be undertaken at the interior ministry’s discretion.

The subsidies are available to local governments, schools and NGOs for things such as removing authoritarian relics or undergoing a name change. Currently, there are more than 1,000 statues of Chiang Kai-shek and Chiang Ching-kuo in the country, and the removal of each statue is eligible for a subsidy of up to NT$100,000. The subsidy program had been enacted Nov. 28, but not all members of the public think the statues should be removed.

Member of public
Young people today rather dislike him, so I think it’s better to remove his statues.

Member of public
They’re like antiquities, no need for removal.

Cheng Yun-peng
DPP lawmaker
The key to successfully implementing transitional justice in Taiwan is not money. Rather, it’s public opinion, whether it supports and accepts transitional justice or not. So I think this has to be done through education. Once everyone has a good understanding of democracy and Taiwan’s history with authoritarianism, then the statues celebrating autocracy will gradually disappear from our lives.

Hsu Chih-chieh
DPP lawmaker
Lowering the costs to institutions should be helpful in promoting the removal of authoritarian symbols. I hope our education can emphasize anti-authoritarianism, so that it takes root in the hearts of people. Only that can prevent an authoritarian regime from taking over again.

Taiwan’s government continues working to find ways to deal with its autocratic past and implement transitional justice.

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Chiang Wan-an appoints former New Taipei, Kaohsiung deputy mayor Taipei deputy mayor

The office of Taipei Mayor-elect Chiang Wan-an on Monday announced some of the officials that will lead the city with him. One of his deputy mayors will be Lee Shu-chuan, who has previously served as deputy mayor in New Taipei and Kaohsiung. Meanwhile, the city’s secretariat will be filled with people who previously worked in New Taipei for Hou Yu-ih’s administration. Reports say the other deputy mayor position could be filled in by lawmaker Lin Yi-hua, who declined to comment on the matter.

Taipei Mayor-elect Chiang Wan-an on Sunday joined a campaign event for the KMT’s legislative by-election candidate Wang Hung-wei. On Monday, he finally released an announcement on who will lead the capital with him.

One of the deputy mayors will be Lee Shu-chuan , who has previously been deputy mayor for Eric Chu in New Taipei and Han Kuo-yu in Kaohsiung. The position of secretary-general will be taken over by Lee Tai-hsing, who was previously head of New Taipei’s Finance Department under Hou Yu-ih.

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New Taipei would like to wholeheartedly thank all these talented individuals in the country who have worked hard for New Taipei. Everyone has worked together for this land. After all, we are all part of this country. So if all these talented people can work in different areas, that will only be for the benefit of our country. Through unity, we can let all these skilful people do what they can do.

Cheng Shih-wei
Chiang Wan-an’s spokesperson
During campaigning, Mayor Chiang Wan-an spoke with Mayor Hou about bringing close cooperation between the two cities in the future.

The Department of Transportation will be headed by Liu Ming-hung, who previously worked in the transport ministry. Wu Sheng-chung will once again lead the Department of Environmental Protection. The Department of Urban Development will be headed by Wang Yu-fen, who is currently a board member in the National Housing and Urban Regeneration Center.

Former Taipei City Councilor Chen Yung-te will take over as head of the Department of Civil Affairs. Taoyuan Metro CEO Cheng Te-fa will lead the Department of Rapid Transit Systems. And the Public Works Department and the Department of Land Administration will be headed by Huang I-ping and Chen Hsin-liang.

This first announcement of officials focuses mainly on talents in infrastructure and engineering , which Chiang has said will be a top priority in his administration.

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Chiang Wan-an’s spokesperson
Urban renewal is an important part of Mayor Chiang Wan-an’s policy plans.

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Lin declined to comment on the matter, saying that the mayor was looking everywhere to recruit officials.

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