Sun Moon Lake is undeniably one of the most popular tourist attractions outside of Taipei county. In fact, the beauty of the lake is so breathtaking that it’s been declared one of the 13 National Scenic Areas in Taiwan.
Despite the abundance of lakes, waterfalls and rivers in the country, Sun Moon Lake is the single largest body of water in Taiwan. With over 3 square miles of water, no other lake even comes close!
It’s not the easiest attraction to get to, especially if you’re going from Taipei or Kaohsiung. Because Taichung is the main access point, you’ll need to do a bit of traveling.
However, it’s a truly spectacular sight to see and worth the effort of going. At Sun Moon Lake, you’ll enjoy stunning views, rich aborigine culture, boat tours, hiking, great food and so much more.
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Why’s it Called Sun Moon Lake?
Perhaps the most frequently asked question is how Sun Moon Lake got its name. The lake was named by the Thao tribe – a Taiwanese aboriginal group that inhabits the surrounding areas of the lake.
The center of the lake sits a small island, called Lalu Island. Everything to the east of the island represents the “sun.” On the other hand, everything on the west represents the “moon.” Hence, Sun Moon Lake.
When Lalu Island was bigger, the island separated the two sides of the lake. The eastern part looked like a round sun, whereas the other part looked like a crescent moon.
I wish there was a more interesting and deeper meaning to the name, but there really isn’t. Regardless, it’s a beautiful name for a beautiful lake.
Legends of Sun Moon Lake
This lake has had a longer history than we know. In old English literature, Sun Moon Lake had been referenced as early as the 17th century by the Dutch.
But as the Taiwanese aboriginal folklore goes, the lake was discovered by the Thao aborigine group. This ethnic group originated from the Alishan area, bordering Nantou County wherein the lake lies.
The legend says, a few Thao hunters were tracking a white deer through the mountainous region. In their pursuit, the deer led the hunters to Sun Moon Lake.
It was one of the most beautiful lakes they had seen, with plenty of fish. It was their “promise land.” This provided an alternative food source for the Thao people. They didn’t have to hunt deers anymore.
Whether this story is true or not, the white deer is commemorated as a marble statue on the island. Boat tours always swing by the Lalu, where you get the opportunity to see the statue for yourself.
This legendary tale of the lake’s discovery will vary slightly depending on who you talk to. Asking an aborigine at the lake to tell you the story sounds like a great idea!
The Owl Folklore
If you’re walking around the Sun Moon Lake area, you’ll likely notice these random statues of owls, almost everywhere. Even in the souvenir shops, you can buy these owl figures.
So what’s the significance of owls and Sun Moon Lake? The legend goes, a young woman from the Thao tribe got pregnant without marriage. The people were furious and could not forgive her.
With a broken heart, the young woman ran way. After searching for days, the Thao people finally found her lifeless body under a tree – where an owl sat.
Days after she had passed, the owl would fly over the house where the woman had once lived. The Thao people believed that the owl was the reincarnation of the woman.
The owl figure now serves as an important reminder to the Thao people of the tragic event.
How to Get to Sun Moon Lake
Here’s the slightly tricky part. Getting to Sun Moon Lake isn’t as easy as a simple MRT ride away. Depending on your transportation of choice, it can be a little confusing.
But not to worry. I’m here to make sure you get to Sun Moon Lake in one piece!
From Taipei
From anywhere in Taiwan, the best way is to drive. This country accepts an international license and cars can be rented for a reasonable price. Driving from Taipei will take you around 3 hours, one way.
However, if you want to take public transportation from Taipei, the best way is by Bus.
For Bus, you’ll want to head to the Taipei Bus Station, situated next to Taipei Main Station. From there, take Bus 1833 (Kuo-Kuang) directly to Sun Moon Lake.
It’ll take you roughly 4 to 5 hours to travel by bus (one way), depending on the time you leave. Bus will start running at 7AM until 5PM every day. For more information, check out the official website.
From Kaohsiung
The direct bus ride from Kaohsiung takes quite a long time. For this reason, I recommend taking the High Speed Rail (HSR) and the bus to get to Sun Moon Lake from Kaohsiung.
You’ll need to head to Zuoying Train Station in Kaohsiung. From there, take the high speed rail to Taichung Train Station. Now that you’re in Taichung, head to Gancheng Bus Station (few minutes walk away).
Catch the Nantou Bus, which will take you directly to Sun Moon Lake. Buses will start running at 7:45 AM for 12 hours. This bus will take roughly 2 hours to get to the lake, depending on when you leave.
For more information on the Nantou Bus, I recommend checking out their official website.
What to Do at Sun Moon Lake?
As soon as you arrive at Sun Moon Lake, you’re met with tranquil sceneries. Surrounding the lake are layers and layers of mountains that look like an old Chinese painting.
The water is a deep blue and clouds form around the mountains. It’s great to stroll around the village, but your next step is to take the ferry to Lalu Island.
Getting to Lalu Island
Head to the small dock in Shuishe Village, where you’ll see plenty of boats and even more tourists. There will be a line for a ferry that takes you to Lalu Island, among various stops around the lake.
The boat ride is smooth as there aren’t waves in this serene lake. Most of the time, the boat operator will take you to check out Lalu Island on the way to Xuanguang Temple and/or other stops.
The ride around the lake was perfect. Views are spectacular all around and you really feel like you’re far, far away from the city at this point.
Notice the statue of the white deer, as depicted in the Thao folklore. Unfortunately, the island is too small for tourists to walk around the island. You’ll just be passing by on your ferry to take a look.
For a brief time, this island was renamed to “Jade Island” under the Japanese rule.
The Shrinking Island
Lalu Island used to be much bigger than it is today. Back then, people from the Thao tribe actually lived on this island. Now, it’s mainly just a tourist attraction.
During the 1930’s, under the Japanese rule, the government built a dam which significantly raised the water levels of Sun Moon Lake. As a result, a good chunk of the island flooded and went under water.
The infamously catastrophic 921 earthquake that happened in 1999 didn’t help either. The massive 7.6 magnitude earthquake in Nantou County caused chunks of the island to break off.
Xuanguang Wharf
As soon as you arrive at the dock of Xuanguang Wharf, you’re met with a flock of tourists and lush green trees.
For a dock built off this seclusive lake, it was pretty nicely developed. Platforms seemed well-maintained and there are even decent bathrooms for you to use.
The main tourist shop on this wharf is a tea leaf egg shop at the entrance of the dock.
It’s ran by the Thao tribe and is extremely famous within the country. It was pretty good, but the line was pretty long to get a couple of eggs.
What’s crazy is that they actually sell millions of eggs each month, according to my local friends. For that reason alone, it’s probably worth trying.
Getting to Xuanguang Wharf
Arriving at this wharf is easy. Once you get off the bus station at Shuishe (main village), head to the dock to take the ferry service.
The ferry will take you directly to this wharf. Aside from a quick stop to check out Lalu Island, Xuanguang Wharf is usually the first stop they’ll make.
Sun Moon Lake Ropeway
The Sun Moon Lake Ropeway is amazing and highly recommended if you’re at Sun Moon Lake. It’s the equivalent to Taipei’s Maokong Gondola ride to the Taipei Zoo.
It’s really difficult to fully grasp the beauty of this gorgeous lake without viewing it from a higher vantage point. So, the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway is perfect for the best view of the lake.
It’s a fairly long ride, with a 1,877 meter path above the air. Also, the gondola comes in three colors for carts: red, yellow and blue.
The red cart represents the sun. On the other hand, the yellow cart represents the moon. And of course, the blue symbolizes the lake itself.
Getting to the Ropeway
To get there, you’ll want to take the ferry over to Ita Thao, the main village surrounding the lake. The Ita Thao ropeway station is located just north of the village.
By taking the gondola from this station, it’ll take you to the entrance of the Formosa Aboriginal Cultural Village. From there, you have the option of purchasing a ticket to go check out the park.
I want to note that if you purchase a ticket for the amusement park, you get unlimited rides with the ropeway gondola. So, it might be a good idea to head to the park first if you plan to take this multiple times.
Operating hours are from 10:30 AM to 4 PM for the weekdays. On weekends and holidays, the ropeway runs from 10 AM to 4:30 PM. Plan accordingly.
Ita Thao Village
Ita Thao is one of the bigger villages near Sun Moon Lake. Other than Shuishe (the main village), it’s probably where you want to stay at if you plan to be here for more than a day.
Though small, there are a few things to do. Mostly, there are just shops and small restaurants. Even if you don’t plan on buying anything, I suggest having a look around.
Many of the shops have unique Thao-style aboriginal apparel, which makes a pretty cool souvenir for your friends and family back home.
And after a long day at the lake, it’s time to feast on some good food. The shopping street has plenty of small stalls where you can get your ethnic cuisine fix.
Expect to see a lot of chicken dishes…like a lot…
Among the delicious choices offered in Ita Thao, you may want to consider trying the “Aruzay fish.” Also known as the President’s Fish, this delicacy is what the area is known for.
The reason why it’s nicknamed the President’s Fish is because that’s what the locals served Chiang Kai Shek when he came to visit the lake.
It’s rumored that after having tried the fish at Sun Moon Lake, Chiang Kai Shek fell in love with the fish. It was supposed to be one of his favorite dishes.
I didn’t get the chance to try this fish because it’s not something you’ll likely find in a food stall. To try the late president’s favorite fish, you’ll need to find a proper sit-down restaurant.
The most famous drink in the area is the Millet Wine Slush. It’s not something you’ll be able to easily find anywhere else in Taiwan, so I suggest you try it out.
If you’re thinking about getting a buzz on, I’m sorry to say that this beverage contains a pathetically low amount of alcohol. I can’t remember the exact percentage, but it was certainly less than 1% alcohol.
The flavor is unique, but it’s not my cup of tea. You should still try it though. Maybe you’ll enjoy this much more than me (or my friends).
The Ita Thao Night Market has a lot more to offer than your aboriginal specialties. Honorable mentions include their black tea flavored beer, deep fried oyster and squid, tea ice cream and more.
Wenwu Temple
Prior to the development of the Wenwu Temple, there were actually two temples adjacent to Sun Moon Lake. But in 1919, when the Japanese government built their hydro-dam, the flooding overtook the temples.
It wasn’t until later that the higher water levels made the temples “useless.” Eventually, they had to tear both of them down. Fortunately, in 1938, a new temple was built on the current location of Wenwu Temple.
It was a combination of the two old temples (Longfeng Temple and Ihuatang Temple). However, that temple is not the temple you see today.
After Japan had lost the World War and the Republic of China relocated to Taiwan, Chiang Kai Shek made an effort to develop tourism surrounding this lake.
So in 1969, with a booming economy and increase in tourism, the new Wenwu Temple was built. It’s built with ancient Chinese styling and is a great place to visit in your near the lake.
From the higher points of the temple, you get a fantastic view of the lake. With the colorful orange roofs of the temple, it makes for a great picture (like this one!).
Getting to Wenwu Temple
The temple is located on the north-side of Sun Moon Lake. Depending on where you’re at, you can potentially walk there. If you’re in Ita Thao, it’s actually on the opposite side of the lake.
Feel free to take a taxi, rent a bike or just take the long walk. But if those transportation options don’t sound attractive to you, you can always take the local bus.
There are many bus stations along the lake that take you to various stops surrounding Sun Moon Lake. Find a stop and it’ll operate in a very straightforward manner.
But because buses make so many stops, I would highly suggest taking a taxi. It’ll save you a ton of time. Plus, it’s not far by car so you won’t spend too much money.
Cycling Sun Moon Lake
If you’re looking for more of an active trip to the beautiful lake, then cycling is a fantastic option. The lake offers an easy path for cyclists and joggers alike.
You get amazing views of the lake with a quick ride around. Plus, you’ll get to burn all those calories from the delicious food you’ll consume. It’s a win-win.
Pro-tip: If you’re staying at Sun Moon Lake for more than a few days, I recommend cycling or jogging early in the morning. This way, you’ll get to see the lake with this mysterious fog and avoid the crowds during the day.
And according to CNN Travel, this route is one of the 10 most beautiful routes to ride your bike through…in the world! If that doesn’t convince you, I don’t know what will.
Renting Bikes Near Sun Moon Lake
Fortunately, renting a bike is not difficult to find in this town. The locals know it’s a beautiful route and have conveniently made it accessible for us tourists.
The main bike rental places can be found in the main village of Shuishe. Expect to pay a few dollars USD for a couple of hours. It really shouldn’t take you more than that long unless you plan to take many stops and breaks.
If you’re feeling a little bit lazy, that’s okay. These places also offer electric bikes and scooters for those that want to enjoy the scenery without the work.
Technically you need a license to ride a scooter. But because there are so few cars and vehicles on the road, you’re likely to find a place to rent to you without a scooter license.
Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village
Opening in 1986, the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village has become one of the best and most popular attractions around Sun Moon Lake. If you’re traveling with children, this may be a great stop.
The park is known for many things, including the country’s tallest free-fall ride (UFO Adventures). Also, this amusement park has the biggest European gardens (with a cool gothic clock tower).
It’s a park where visitors can appreciate the culture, history and traditions of the aboriginals. Namely, the Thao tribe but also a look into the heritage of the other 8 aboriginal tribes of Taiwan.
Note: This park was formed when there were just 9 recognized aboriginal tribes in the country. Today, there are 16 tribes. Recently, Taiwan’s President formerly issued an apology to these tribes for generations of neglect.
You can easily spend a full day here, so I’d recommend it if you’re staying more than a couple days. Or if you want to drop in and have a quick look around, a few hours is all you need to hit up the main spots.
Pro-tip: The best time to visit the Aboriginal Culture park is during cherry blossom season. These Japanese-indigenous flowers give the park a special look that’s breathtaking.
FYI, cherry blossom season is between February and March. But definitely check to see if this aligns with what you want to do in Taiwan. Depending where you plan to visit, it may not always be the best time.
RECOMMENDED: Best Time to Visit Taiwan
Getting to the Aboriginal Culture Park
My recommended way of getting to the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village is with the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway. If you take it from Sun Moon Lake Station, it’ll take you directly to the entrance of the park.
The station is located in the Ita Thao Village. Head over to the village by taxi, bus, bike or the preferred ferry service. It’s located just north of the village – you can’t miss it.
Keep in mind that if you decide to take the ropeway to the park, you’ll need to pay for the gondola ride separately. On the other hand, an admission to the park gives you unlimited access to the ropeway.
Should you choose to go to the amusement park first, you should grab a taxi and head on over there.
Ci’en Pagoda
The Ci’en Pagoda is a massive 151-feet pagoda with 12 stories (you have access to just 9 levels, though). When seen in person, it’s as stunning as it sounds.
Upon visiting Sun Moon Lake, Chiang Kai Shek decided to built this pagoda as a memorial to his then-deceased mother. Building this pagoda was not an easy task.
Materials had to be delivered up the mountains to Sun Moon Lake for the construction. Eventually, it was completed in 1971 – years after plans had been made.
As evident, a lot of detail went into the design and construction of this pagoda. The octagonal pagoda was built with traditional Chinese style and architecture.
It sits on the very top of Mount Shabalan, so a quick hike is required to check out this amazing achievement in Chinese architecture.
Getting to Ci’en Pagoda
You’ll need to hike for this attraction, but it’s so worth it. You’ll want to start by taking the ferry to Xuanguang (from Shuishe Main Village or the closest pier to where you’re staying).
Nearby is the trailhead for the Quinglong Mountain Trail. It’s a pretty straightforward trail, as there are well-defined paved paths. Just follow the path and you will reach your destination.
Along the way, you’ll pass by other temples, such as Xuanguang and Xuanzang Temple. They’re great to look at, but the main prize (or pagoda) is at the end of the trail.
After over 700 meters (nearly half a mile), you’ll finally reach the Ci’en Pagoda.
Hotels Near Sun Moon Lake
Many tourists choose not to stay around Sun Moon Lake. But rather, they opt to stay in the nearest large city – Taichung. Getting to Sun Moon Lake from Taichung is easy and convenient.
You’ll just have to head to the Gancheng Bus Station and take the Nantou Bus directly to Sun Moon Lake. It’ll take you 2 hours, but commuting for a couple days is somewhat reasonable.
But if you don’t want to make that commute, there are plenty of hotels and accommodations near the lake for all types of travelers and budgets.
The Lalu
For a lake that’s situated in the mountains of Taiwan, there are quite a few options for luxury hotels. By far, the most iconic luxury resort here is The Lalu, affectionately named after the sacred island.
It’s located on the northern peninsula of the lake, adjacent to Shuishe Village. But if you’re trying to stay here, it’ll cost you a pretty penny. In fact, it can cost upwards of $500 USD during peak season.
But with an amazing infinity pool, villa-like rooms and 5-star service, it’s definitely worth the price if you feel like splurging a bit.
Hu Yue Lakeview
The Hu Yue is a step (or several steps) down from The Lalu. Still, it’s a very nice hotel that can get a little pricey during the peak season. But with gorgeous views, it may be worth every penny.
Furnishing is a little old, but still very nice and always clean. Plus, the 24 hour customer service is top-notch. It’s situated right on Xuanguang Wharf, so there’s plenty of things to do and see nearby.
A fantastic choice if you’re looking to enjoy attractions like, Sun Moon Lake Ropeway, Aboriginal Culture Village and the Ci’en Pagoda.
Timing House B&B
This is our top pick for budget travelers. Yes, it’s a B&B, but Taiwan has some of the nicest ones in the world. And, the Timing House is no exception.
This accommodation is located in the heart of Shuishe Village. In fact, just a few minutes to walk from the visitor center. Comes with big, clean rooms and nice furnishing.
For the great location, the price is just right. I haven’t stayed here myself, but I have had friends that can’t stop raving about this B&B.
OneLife Hostel
If you willing to live a little further from Sun Moon Lake, then you can save even more money. This place is about 4km away from the lake. However, it’s super accessible – either by bike or bus.
OneLife is the perfect hostel for the young (or young at heart). For your convenience, they rent out bikes, paddle boards and other cool equipment for recreational use around the lake.
Overall, there’s a very cool vibe about this place. There’s a reason why so many people love staying at OneLife Hostel!
Is Sun Moon Lake Worth Visiting?
It is absolutely worth visiting. As a matter of fact, it’s one of the best attractions you’ll find in Taiwan. Considering it’s far from Taipei City, or really any major city, there’s a lot less crowds than you’d expect.
Because Taichung International airport is relatively small with few long-haul international flights, it’s a bit difficult and time consuming to reach. That means, less people willing to go!
But if you’re into nature and scenic attractions, then this is the place to go. Not only do you get to learn about the interesting culture of the Thao tribe, but also get to experience the casual life outside the metropolitan areas of this country.
If you can, I highly recommend making a stop to Sun Moon Lake. It’ll be an unforgettable experience and something to cross off your Taiwan bucket list!
