Latitude & Daylight at Taipei

Taipei sits at latitude 25.0°. At this latitude, daylight varies from approximately 13.6h in summer (solstice) to 13.6h in winter — a seasonal swing of 0.0h. The sun reaches a maximum altitude of 88.4° at summer solstice and a minimum of 41.5° at winter solstice. This mid-latitude profile is what shapes Taipei's unique sunrise, sunset, and golden hour patterns year-round.

Taipei sits near the Tropic of Cancer at 25°N — the latitude where the Sun reaches exactly 90° altitude at the June solstice, casting no shadow at solar noon. The city's National Museum of Natural Science operates a dedicated solar observatory that tracks the Sun's zenith passage, and the Tropic of Cancer landmark in Chiayi draws thousands of visitors each June to witness the 'no shadow day' phenomenon.

Golden Hour Photography at Taipei

Golden hour at Taipei occurs when the sun sits between −4° and 6° above the horizon, producing soft, warm, directional light ideal for portrait and landscape photography. At Taipei's latitude, morning golden hour typically starts in the hour after sunrise and lasts approximately 28–40 minutes. Evening golden hour mirrors this before sunset. The longer twilight at this latitude gives photographers more time to capture the 'magic hour' compared to equatorial locations where the sun sets more steeply.

Taipei at 25°N experiences a relatively modest 3.5-hour seasonal daylight swing between summer and winter — the smallest among East Asian capitals. This equatorial proximity means the city's golden hours are more consistent year-round than at higher latitudes, with the Sun rising and setting at steeper angles that create crisp, dramatic shadows in Taipei's narrow alleyway culture.

UV Exposure & Sun Safety at Taipei

UV radiation at Taipei peaks when the sun is highest in the sky — around solar noon. At 25.0° latitude, peak UV levels vary significantly by season: summer months see UV indices of 6–9 (high), while winter months typically register 1–3 (low). The World Health Organization recommends sun protection when UV index exceeds 3. At Taipei's latitude, this threshold is exceeded for approximately 6–8 months per year, making sun awareness a year-round consideration for outdoor workers and athletes.

How We Calculate Solar Data for Taipei

All solar calculations for Taipei use the Jean Meeus Chapter 25 solar position algorithm with bisection iteration, accurate to ±1 minute for dates between 1901–2099. Sunrise and sunset times define the moment the upper limb of the sun appears on the horizon, accounting for atmospheric refraction. Daily data is calculated client-side from Taipei's coordinates (25.0°, 121.6°) — zero server processing means your location data never leaves your device.