Sun Moon Lake

Sun Moon Lake offers myriad opportunities for outdoor recreation, making it a popular day trip from Taipei. A biking and hiking trail encircles the lake, while boat tours afford views of the many temples, pagodas, and indigenous villages on its shores. The Sun Moon Lake Ropeway, the longest and highest aerial tramway in Taiwan, gives visitors a bird’s-eye view of the area while transporting them across the lake.

To get a taste of the area’s ancient indigenous culture, catch a performance at the Naruwan Theater or Culture Square. Multi-day tours around Taiwan often stop at the lake, as well as Taroko Gorge, Kaohsiung, and Puli.

• Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area is a must-visit for outdoor enthusiasts, adventure travelers, and day-trippers.

• Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to protect yourself from the bright sun out on the water.

• It’s a good idea to bring an umbrella or rain jacket, particularly during the rainy season (May to September).

• Sun Moon Lake day trips from Taipei generally last upwards of nine hours. Multi-day tours range from two to five days.

• Most guided tours include hotel pickup and drop-off in Taipei.

The easiest and most convenient way to get to Sun Moon Lake is on a guided tour from Taipei. The nearest major train station to Sun Moon Lake is Taichung Station. To get to the lake independently, you’ll need to take a bus or taxi from Taipei, Taichung, Alishan, or Puli.

As one of the most popular day trips from Taipei, Sun Moon Lake gets very busy on weekends and national holidays. For the best balance of good weather and fewer crowds, plan to visit on a weekday between September and April.

Sun Moon Lake is the site of several notable attractions, many of them included on boat tours. Wenwu Temple, one of the largest temples in the area, sits on the northern bank of the lake and provides an excellent example of Chinese palace architecture. The 151-foot-tall (46-meter-tall) Chinese-style Ci-en Pagoda, built by Chiang Kai-shek, sits atop a hill just southwest of the lake. Those interested in indigenous culture should visit Ita Thao to learn more about the Thao culture.

Sun Moon Lake is the largest alpine and natural lake in Taiwan and a popular tourist destination. Named for its shape—its eastern portion is said to resemble a sun while its southwest looks like a crescent moon—the lake is located in the foothills of Taiwan’s Central Range.

You can visit Sun Moon Lake year-round. For the most pleasant outdoor weather, visit in spring or fall. The annual cherry blossom festival is held in February, while the firefly season runs from April through May. Visit in September for the Swimming Carnival—the only time swimming is allowed.

Yes, boat tours are a popular way to get around Sun Moon Lake. The lake has three main piers: Shuishe Pier, Xuanguang Temple, and Ita Thao Pier. Boats depart every 30 minutes, with more departures when it's busy. Visitors can bring a bicycle onboard for an extra charge.

Yes, you can rent bicycles, e-bikes, and scooters to explore Sun Moon Lake. The path that winds around the lake's 22-mile (35-kilometer) shoreline is considered one of the most scenic cycling trails in the world. Rental options can be found in Shuishe town, which also provides access to the trail.

Some of the most popular attractions and cultural sites around Sun Moon Lake include Wenwu Temple (guarded by Asia’s largest stone lions), Sun Moon Lake Ropeway, Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village, Ita Thao Town, Ci'en Pagoda (which offers fantastic views of the lake), Xuanzang Temple, and Xuanguang Temple.

Local delicacies near Sun Moon Lake include tea eggs—look near the Xuanguang Pier. Street food is popular around the lake, and there's a street food market in Ita Thao, where you can try specialties, including the president fish roll, cabbage buns, boar sausage, millet mochi, and millet wine.