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Forecast predicts Taipei’s version of ‘Manhattanhenge’

CWB recommends spectators to wear sunglasses to protect their eyes

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Taipei's version of Manhattanhenge on Zhongxiao West Road (Photographer唐榮國 Facebook photo)

Taipei's version of Manhattanhenge on Zhongxiao West Road (Photographer唐榮國 Facebook photo)

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – After providing a first-ever “Manhattanhenge” forecast for Chiayi City in mid-March, Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau (CWB) on Friday also made a forecast of the same nature for downtown Taipei, predicting when and where sunsets will be spectacular against the cityscape, according to a CWB news release.

The CWB forecast said that if no clouds block the sun, people in Taipei will have a good chance of viewing the sunset similar to Manhattanhenge on Emei Street (west of Xining South Road) in the Ximending shopping district and on Zhongxiao East and West Roads (west of the Xinsheng Elevated Expressway), on the evenings of May 2 - 6, and April 29 – May 3, respectively.

The bureau said the optimum times for watching the sunset on the two Taipei streets are forecast below, and the sun will be positioned at the center of each street at the midpoint of each forecast time span, which will differ slightly depending on where spectators stand on the street. Please note that the bureau has revised the times for Emei Street.

For Emei Street (峨眉街)

5/2 18:00~18:20

5/3 17:58~18:18

5/4 17:56~18:16

5/5 17:53~18:13

5/6 17:50~18:10

For Zhongxiao East and West Roads (忠孝東西路)

4/29 17:59~18:19

4/30 17:56~18:16

5/1 17:53~18:13

5/2 17:50~18:10

5/3 17:47~18:07

The bureau said ten minutes before and after the forecast time when the sun will be positioned at the center of the street are suitable for viewing the "Manhattanhenge” spectacle.

CWB reminds spectators that even though the view of "Manhattanhenge" is beautiful, the sunlight is still strong, and that they should wear sunglasses to protect their eyes if they plan on watching for an extended period of time.

The bureau also urges spectators to obey traffic rules and watch out for their own safety, adding that the next “Manhattanhenge” forecast will be made in mid-May for Jingguo Road in Taichung’s Dajia District.