TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Yilan County's Guishan Island will reopen to the public on March 1 after suffering extensive damage from Typhoon Kong-rey in October.

Four months of repair work were required as strong winds and giant waves associated with the typhoon damaged much of the island’s tourism facilities. The typhoon was the worst disaster to strike the island since it opened to the public in 2000, per CNA.

Typically, Guishan Island is closed to the public from Dec. 1 to Feb. 28 each year to allow the island's ecology to recuperate. However, extensive typhoon damage led the Northeast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area Administration to announce its closure on Nov. 5 to conduct repairs.

Chiang Shu-jun (江舒君), deputy director of the scenic area, said major repair work included South Coast Wharf, a South Coast pavilion, Lakeshore Walk, a wooden boardwalk around Turtle’s Tail Lake, and rebuilding toilet facilities at Guishan Elementary School. Currently, all repair projects have been completed.

A Guishan Island beach cleaning and tree planting event will take place on Feb. 28, hosted by the Coast Guard Northern Branch First Coastal Patrol and the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency Yilan Branch. Organizers expect 600 participants who will prepare the island for its annual reopening to the public.

To commemorate the resumption of tourism on the island, the first 100 visitors on March 1 will receive a souvenir. The offer is made possible through the support of the Yilan Whale Watching Association.

Those interested in visiting Guishan Island are required to complete an advance application for an island landing permit at the following website. Landing times begin at 8:30 a.m. and are available every two hours with a maximum of 450 people allowed per period. Visitors are required to bring a valid photo ID when stepping foot on the island.