In the early morning of New Year’s Day 2026, local residents of Matsu and travelers from
various places gathered at Matsu’s highest peak on the outlying islands—Bishan in Beigan—to take part in the annual “Beigan New Year’s Day Sunrise Welcome and Flag-Raising
Ceremony.”
The event was once again jointly organized by the Matsu National Scenic Area Headquarters under the Tourism Administration, Ministry of Transportation and Communications
(MOTC), together with the Beigan Township Office, the Beigan Township Representative
Council, the Beigao Garrison Battalion, and other units.
Distinguished guests attending the event included Lienchiang County Councilors Chou
Jui-kuo and Chen Yu-fa; Beigan Township Mayor Wu Chin-ping; Chairperson Lin Chia-you of the Beigan Township Representative Council; Representatives Wang Fang-yao, Wang Chang-yuan, Wang Guan-yu, and Chan Ting-yu; Battalion Commander Wei Cheng-hsiung of the Beigao Garrison Battalion; and Director Hung Chih-kuang of the Matsu National Scenic
Area Headquarters, Tourism Administration, MOTC. Together with visitors, they welcomed
the brand-new year.
Before dawn, with the cold wind biting at the skin, nearly 300 people gathered at the summit of Bishan. To help shield them from the chilly mountaintop breeze, the Matsu National
Scenic Area Headquarters thoughtfully prepared warm scarves symbolizing “warmth,
protection, and vitality.” Many participants smiled upon receiving them and said, “Thanks to this scarf—otherwise my neck would have frozen stiff!”
While waiting for the first light of dawn, the marching percussion group Drumacue opened
the event with resonant drumbeats. The rhythm rose gradually from deep and steady to
powerful and uplifting, as if keeping time for the sunlight poised beneath the horizon. The
strong, rhythmic drumming echoed like the heartbeat of the earth, instantly awakening the
crowd and infusing the crisp morning air with a sense of warmth.
As it approached 6:45 a.m., the sky gradually brightened and the clouds slowly parted.
Cheers erupted from the mountaintop as everyone lifted their phones to capture the moment, unable to hide their excitement and emotion. Couples embraced one another, and one
participant happily remarked, “The moment the light poured down, I suddenly felt that all the waiting and effort had been completely worth it.”
As the new year began, shouting out one’s dreams atop a mountain seemed far more
powerful than saying them a hundred times in everyday life. Director Hung Chih-kuang of
the Matsu National Scenic Area Headquarters loudly expressed his New Year’s wish:
“Whether in studies or career, may everything gallop toward success!” Beigan Township
Mayor Wu Chin-ping shared his hope: “Wishing everyone great fortune in the Year of the
Horse, and welcome to visit Beigan!”Many members of the public also used a megaphone to call out their wishes, such as “May my family stay healthy!” and “Peace and smooth success!” What echoed across the mountaintop were not just voices, but the very first courage and blessings of 2026.
After welcoming the first rays of dawn in 2026, many visitors seized the rare early morning hours to begin a leisurely day of hiking and slow travel. With its simple village charm,
interconnected trail system, and distinctive wartime heritage landscapes, the Matsu Islands
are ideal for savoring at a slower pace.
Whether strolling along Beigan’s coastline, wandering through the stone house alleyways of Qinbi Village, or walking the trails around Luoshan, Bangshan, and Banli to feel the sea
breeze, travelers can reconnect with nature and island life at their own comfortable rhythm.
Through the ritual of welcoming the New Year’s sunrise, the Matsu National Scenic Area
Headquarters also hopes to encourage everyone to take their first steps into the new year in a more relaxed and sustainable way—inviting travelers to step into Matsu, embrace slow
travel, and discover their own island light and stories.
