Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan: A 2024 Visitors' Guide - Spiritual Travels (2024)

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Sun Moon Lake‭ in Nantou ‬is Taiwan’s largest lake‭ ‬and‭,‬. With 6‭ ‬million visitors a year‭, ‬also‭ ‬one of Taiwan’s‭ ‬most popular scenic attractions‭, ‬along with Alishan and Taroko Gorge‭.

What is Sun Moon Lake famous for? Sun Moon Lake‭ ‬attractions‭ such as‭ the views from ‬Wenwu Temple‭ and Sun Moon Lake Ropeway‭, cherry blossom viewing in February‬‭ ‬at Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, local aboriginal culture, and locally grown black tea are the big draws. Sun Moon Lake can feel crowded and touristy, but it’s also easy enough to avoid that with a bit of planning.

Below‭ ‬I’ll tell you my favorite places to stay and things to do at Sun Moon‭ ‬Lake‭, ‬and help you plan your Sun Moon Lake itinerary‭.‬‭ ‬I’ve been to Sun Moon Lake six‭ ‬times in my 10‭ ‬years in Taiwan‭, ‬so apparently I have a soft spot for it‭. Several of these visits were with my kids! ‬‭ ‬

There is so much information that I want to share here that I’ve written separate articles for Sun Moon Lake’s famous teas‭, the best ‬Sun Moon Lake tours‭, ‬and how to decide whether you should get the Sun Moon Lake pass‭.‬

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Taichung City is the main access point to Sun Moon Lake, and people often associate Taichung with Sun Moon Lake, although SML is actually located in neighboring Nantou County.

Many people visit Sun Moon Lake as a day trip from Taichung, but to really appreciate Sun Moon Lake, I strongly recommend spending at least one, of not two nights there. The lake is especially beautiful in the early morning and early evening.

If you plan to stay in Taichung, make sure to check out my articles on the top Taichung attractions, the best Taichung itinerary, and other day trip ideas from Taichung.

Although it is possible to do Sun Moon Lake as a long day trip from Taipei, I wouldn’t personally recommend doing this.

Sun Moon Lake is also included on this 2-day tour from Taipei‭, this ‬best of Taiwan 5-day tour‭, ‬or you can visit Sun Moon Lake on a day tour from Taichung‭. ‬

Table of Contents

Is Sun Moon Lake Worth Visiting?

I know people in Taipei who detest Sun Moon Lake or write it off as an overtouristed attraction.

However, my answer to the above question is that yes, Sun Moon Lake is incredibly beautiful and worth visiting‭, whether you visit during winter or summer in Taiwan. ‬Surrounded by the western foothills of the Central Mountain Range‭,‬‭ ‬the 748‭ ‬m lake is like a gem on the side of‭ ‬Taiwan’s‭ ‬mountainous‭ ‬crown‭.‬‭ ‬

The first time I stood‭ ‬on the shore of the lake‭, ‬I didn’t quite see what the hype was all about‭. ‬It wasn’t until I admired the lake from higher vantage points‭, ‬like Wenwu Temple‭, ‬Ci En Pagoda‭, ‬and the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway‭, ‬that I finally got it‭. ‬

True, a few of the main sites at Sun Moon Lake can be crowded with tour buses, and if you are not a big fan of touristy places, you may want to steer clear of Sun Moon Lake, but I think that even for people like that, it is still easy to avoid the crowds at SML and have an enjoyable trip there.

The Aboriginal People of Sun Moon Lake

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The Sun Moon Lake shore has been inhabited by the Thao aboriginal‭ ‬tribe‭ (‬邵族‭) ‬since the Qing Dynasty‭. ‬Today‭, ‬the Thao‭, ‬who mostly live in the lakeside village of Ita Thao‭, ‬number less than 1000‭ (‬only 828‭ ‬according to Wikipedia in 2020‭), ‬making them one of the smallest of Taiwan’s officially recognized aboriginal tribes‭. ‬

According to Thao mythology, Thao hunters spotted a white deer in the mountains and chased it to the shore of Sun Moon Lake. They were so impressed by the lake that they decided to settle there.

As a visitor‭, ‬you can observe authentic Thao dance performances and make donations at Kalapaw鹿臺教室, an aboriginal performance center in Ita Thao, one of the two main villages on Sun Moon Lake. However, you shouldn’t expect authenticity at the more famous Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village Theme Park. I’ll cover both locations in detail below.

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Like saving money? Try using Klook while planning your trip to Taiwan. The website offers all kinds of activities, train passes, entrance tickets and more at discount prices. If you register with my referral link, you’ll get NT$100 off your first activity booking.

The Sun Moon Lake Mass Swim

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There are no beaches‭, ‬and swimming is not allowed in Sun Moon Lake‭, ‬except at the annual Sun Moon Lake Mass Swim (泳渡日月潭) in September in Taiwan‭, ‬one of the largest in the world‭.

To participate in the mass swim‭, ‬you need a group of at least five people‭ before you register here‭. ‬Then you pay NT1000‭/‬person at 7-11‭. ‬Registration usually opens in July.

The 3km swim takes a few hours‭, ‬and a flotation device is required‭. ‬There are safety rest stations along the way‭. ‬You will also definitely need waterproof sunscreen‭. ‬In recent years‭, ‬3km and 5km competitive races have also been added the day before‭. ‬

On a personal note‭, ‬I actually joined a busload of expats to do the swim many years ago‭,‬‭ ‬but couldn’t swim in the end, embarrassingly, because I got diarrhea that day‭. ‬Also‭, ‬I‭ ‬once‭ ‬snuck a swim at Sun Moon Lake on another trip by jumping off a boat dock when nobody was looking‭: )

Orientation

Sun Moon Lake is‭ (‬sort of…‭) ‬shaped like a sun on the eastern side and moon on the western side‭, ‬hence the name‭. ‬Shuishe‭, ‬on the northwest ‬shore of the lake‭, ‬is the main tourist village where most people arrive‭, ‬and location of the Sun Moon Lake visitor center‭.‬

The eastern and southern sides of the‭ ‬“sun”‭ ‬part of the lake are where most of the popular‭ ‬Sun Moon Lake‭ ‬attractions and best views are found‭. ‬Much of this shoreline is also lined with‭ ‬wooden walkways‭, ‬and cycling Sun Moon Lake along the main road around the lake is a popular activity‭.

The lake’s second tourist village, Ita Thao, is located on the southeast shore. I’ll explain below why I think it is the best place to stay at Sun Moon Lake.‬

The western‭, ‬or‭ ‬“moon”‭ ‬side of the lake sees less tourists‭, ‬and much of the road is not right along the lake until meets up with the spread of resorts on the north shore‭.‬‭ ‬You can cycle around the lake in a full day‭, ‬or ride a scooter around it in about one hour‭ (‬with no stops‭). ‬‭

The easiest and cheapest way to get around Sun Moon Lake is the round-the-lake bus, which actually doesn’t travel all the way around the lake, but from Shuishe to Xuanguang Temple. For other ways to get around the lake, including boats and cycling, see below.

See how to fit Sun Moon Lake into your Taiwan trip itinerary, and here’s my article covering general Taiwan travel information.

Shuishe: The Main Tourist Village

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Shuishe‭ ‬‭(‬水社‭)‬‭ ‬is collection of‭ ‬tourist oriented restaurants‭, ‬resorts and other facilities‭. ‬Personally‭, ‬I consider it a transportation hub and place to rent your bike‭,‬‭ ‬scooter‭ ‬or hop on a bus‭ ‬to get out of‭.‬‭ ‬

On‭ ‬the plus side‭, ‬you may choose to stay in Shuishe‭ ‬due to its‭ ‬convenience and some of the great mid-range and‭ ‬high-end hotels in town‭.‬‭ ‬To be fair, it’s not a terrible place to stay‭, ‬with nice paths and lake views on the shore‭. ‬‭ ‬

Most buses arrive at and depart from just in front of the Shuishe Visitor’s Center‭.‬‭ ‬Last time I visited‭,‬‭ ‬there was no ticket window there‭; ‬you just show up and get in line at the right time‭. ‬The bus around Sun Moon Lake also begins here‭. ‬

The Starbucks in Shuishe‭ ‬offers decent lake views from its patio‭, ‬and you‭ ‬can also appreciate the lake from Meihe Park or the Shuishe Pier‭.‬‭ ‬There are many restaurants in town‭, ‬especially on the main road and near the Shuishe Pier‭, ‬with an emphasis on Taiwanese and seafood‭. ‬‭ ‬‭ ‬For vegetarians, there’s a great, quiet vegetarian restaurant a few minutes drive from Shuishe in the direction of Puli called White Deer Cafe and Pizzeria (日月潭白鹿窯木燒麵包).

If you feel like going for a private hot spring soak, check out this Spa package with buffet lunch or dinner set meal at Fuli Resort in Shuishe.

Shuishe is also the starting point of the annual Sun‭ ‬Moon Lake Mass Swim‭.‬

Where to Stay in Shuishe

For hostel dorms in Shuishe, try Deer Traveler Hostel (see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor).

Some of the cheapest private rooms can be found at Tanxiang Resort Hotel (see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor) near the Shuishe Pier‭, but the reviews for it are pretty bad. ‬I’m‭ ‬not aware of any hostels in Shuishe‭.‬‭ ‬There are better budget choices in Ita Thao‭.‬‭ ‬‭ ‬Yue Lake Backpackers (see on Booking/ Agoda / TripAdvisor) west of town offers‭ ‬reasonably priced‭ ‬rooms considering they have good‭ ‬lake views‭. ‬

In the mid-range‭, ‬Shaoguang 188‭ (see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor), Blue Sky Bay B&B (see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor), and‭ ‬Doris Home (see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor) are all excellent choices.

The Lalu (see on Agoda / TripAdvisor) in Shuishe is the most opulent resort at Sun Moon lake, while Fleur de Chine (see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor) east of town is a close second.

Ita Thao: My Personal Favorite

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Ita Thao‭ (‬Yida Shao‭ or ‬伊達邵‭) ‬is the other main tourist village on Sun Moon Lake and located on the southeast shore of the‭ ‬“sun”‭. ‬The actual aboriginal village‭, ‬which you probably won’t even see or notice‭, ‬is located just above the tourist village‭, on the other side of the highway.

Personally‭, ‬I prefer the vibe at Ita Thao to Shuishe‭, ‬even though it is still entirely tourist oriented‭. ‬There are more guesthouses than resorts‭, ‬the feeling is more local and aboriginal‭, ‬and there is greater access to the waterfront‭, ‬with‭ ‬a nice collections of‭ ‬boat‭ ‬docks that you can walk on‭.‬‭ ‬‭ ‬

Oh, and the best part: the chance to taste all kinds of aboriginal and local Taiwanese street foods in the Ita Thao streey food market!

Other great places to experience aboriginal culture in Taiwan are in Wulai, New Taipei City, in Hualien County on the east coast, and on remote Orchid Island in Taitung County.

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Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan: A 2024 Visitors' Guide - Spiritual Travels (8)

The best place to experience Thao culture is at the Kalapaw鹿臺教室 Thao Tribe Performance Center‭ (‬see‭ #‬6‭ ‬on my list of things to do at Sun Moon Lake below‭). ‬The performances here are the real deal‭, ‬as opposed to some of the shows put in‭ ‬big hotels‭, ‬on the Shuishe pier‭, ‬or other tourist centers in Taiwan‭, ‬which often have a‭ ‬fake feel to them‭. ‬‭‬

Ita Thao is the end point of the Sun Moon Lake Mass Swim‭, ‬and it is within walking distance of‭ ‬the Sun Moon Lake ropeway‭ (#4 below).

What to Eat in Ita Thao

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The best part about Itathao is the many food stalls in its afternoon and early evening market‭. ‬From the bus stop‭, ‬follow‭ ‬the main street‭ ‬all the way down to the pier‭. ‬The street is packed with shops and restaurants and becomes an atmospheric night market in the early evening (most stalls close around 7 PM)‭. ‬

This is one of the‭ ‬most‭ ‬accessible places in Taiwan to try aboriginal specialties like boar meat‭ (‬山豬肉‭),‬‭ ‬bamboo tubes of sticky rice‭ (‬竹筒飯‭), ‬and millet wine‭ (‬小米酒‭).

Related: See my guide to the best night markets in Taipei.

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Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan: A 2024 Visitors' Guide - Spiritual Travels (12)

Something I’ve never seen elsewhere in Taiwan is millet wine slushy drinks‭, ‬though the alcohol concentration was disappointingly low‭ (‬0.4%‭ ‬according to the vendor‭). ‬

Food lovers: There are also some great cooking classes in Taiwan!

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Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan: A 2024 Visitors' Guide - Spiritual Travels (14)

Besides aboriginal fare‭, ‬there are lots of‭ ‬other great Taiwanese snacks to find on the Ita Thao food market‭. ‬Some personal favorites were grilled mochi‭, ‬deep fried oyster‭ & ‬egg balls (a Chiayi specialty)‭, Sun Moon Lake black tea flavored ice cream and beer‭, ‬and marinated dou gan‭ (‬tofu cubes‭). ‬

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If you love traditional Taiwanese snacks, then also check out my introduction to Jiufen Old Street in New Taipei City.

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Where to Stay in Ita Thao

As we usually stay in Ita Thao‭, ‬I can speak from personal experience here‭. ‬My absolute favorite place to stay in Ita Thao is these cabins on Sun Moon Lake (see Booking) located five minutes’ walk up a small road from the Ita Thao bus stop‭. ‬

I brought my kids here on a father-daughter-son trip and we loved it‭. ‬It’s in a quiet‭, ‬totally natural setting‭, ‬so‭ ‬you completely forget you are right by‭ ‬one of the most popular tourist centers in Taiwan‭, ‬but it’s only a five-minute walk to Ita Thao‭, ‬where you can enjoy the food market‭, ‬restaurants‭, ‬or walk to the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway‭. ‬

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On our most recent visit‭, ‬we were looking for the cheapest possible‭ (‬but family friendly‭) ‬room to crash‭ ‬in Ita Thao‭ ‬for the night‭, ‬and chose at Itathao Vacation Hotel (see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvsior) on the main road around the lake‭. ‬Our expectations were low‭, ‬but we were pleasantly surprised‭! ‬The room seemed very new‭ (‬not normal in Taiwan for this price‭ ‬range‭), ‬beds were comfy‭, ‬and our 5th‭ ‬floor balcony had a view of the lake‭. ‬Not the best view‭, ‬but better than nothing‭!‬

The only hostel option is,‬perBed hostel (see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor).‬‭ ‬

There are several properties right on or directly facing the pier in Ita Thao that have incredible views of the lake through full-wall windows‭. ‬We almost considered staying in one of these as they are quite reasonably priced for what you get‭. ‬

I also almost booked ShuiYang Boatel Hotel‭ (see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor), ‬with full wall lake views from a very quiet end of town‭, ‬while Shuian Lakeside Hotel (see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor)‭, ‬Hu Yue Lakeside Hotel‭ (see on TripAdvisor / Booking), ‬Ming Yue Hu (see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor)‭, ‬and Crystal Resort (see on Booking / Agoda / TripAdvisor) are all enticing options‭.

Planning Your Sun Moon Lake Itinerary

When planning your Sun Moon Lake itinerary, I feel that one night is sufficient, two tops, to experience the best of the lake. If you hire a scooter, ride a bike, or use the bus, you could see most of the sites below in one full day. Taking boats only, you won’t be able to see everything of course. Make sure to buy a Sun Moon Lake Pass to save some money.

The best way would probably be to arrive as early as possible on your first day, do some exploring that afternoon, visit the night market in Ita Thao that evening (get there before the stalls close around 7!), and then see anything else you missed the next day.

The sights below are roughly in clockwise order around the lake, starting in Shuishe.

Things to Do at Sun Moon Lake

Below are some of the essential things to consider doing during your Sun Moon Lake visit, including the most popular attractions and a few lesser known ones.

Take a Boat Across Sun Moon Lake

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Riding a boat across the lake is one of the most popular things to do at Sun Moon Lake. The boats conveniently start at Shuishe village, where most people arrive at Sun Moon Lake. They cross the lake to Xuanguang Temple and Ita Thao, the two places you probably want to go.

I recommend taking the boat from Shuishe to Xuanguang Temple, then from Xuanguang Temple to Ita Thao village (from where you can also walk to Sun Moon Lake Cable Car and/or take the bus to Wenwu Temple), and finally, from Ita Thao back to Shuishe.

‬Boat rides are included in most Sun Moon Lake passes and only this one-day Sun Moon Lake tour from Taichung.

Alternatively, can buy an all-day boat pass on Klook for NT300‭ ‬that gives you unlimited rides between the three main piers‭ (‬Shuishe‭, ‬Ita Thao‭, ‬Xuanguan‭) ‬on an eco-friendly electric boat‭. ‬There is also an option to include a bike rental in the deal‭.‬

Wenwu Temple (日月潭文武廟)

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The view from‭ ‬just above Wenwu temple‭, ‬with the temple’s orange roofs in the foreground and lake in the background‭, ‬is the most iconic‭ ‬view of Sun Moon Lake‭. I would say that this is easily one of the prettiest temples in Taiwan. ‬

This large‭, ‬imposing structure is built in the palace style of northern China and‭ ‬is guarded by two enormous‭ ‬vermilion‭ ‬lions‭. ‬In Chinese culture‭, ‬Wenwu temples house gods related to both civil and marital affairs‭. ‬

Originally two temples stood at the side of Sun Moon Lake but were torn down when dam projects caused the lake level to rise in 1919‭. ‬The new temple was built in its present location in 1938‭, ‬and then rebuilt and expanded in 1969‭. ‬

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Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan: A 2024 Visitors' Guide - Spiritual Travels (23)

Come early for a better chance of clear‭ ‬lake views and to beat tour bus crowds‭. ‬Also‭, ‬make sure to go up the rows of stairs outside the back of the temple for the classic view‭. ‬

Across the road from the front of the temple‭, ‬you can also walk down 366‭ ‬steps‭ (‬one for each day of the year plus one for leap year‭) ‬to the shore of the lake‭, ‬once the only way to access the temple‭. ‬‭

See more incredible temples at Lion’s Head Mountain in Miaoli, central Taiwan, or read my introduction to the top Taiwanese temples in Northern Taiwan.

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Nine Frogs Stack (九蛙疊像)

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Halfway between Wenwu Temple and Ita Thao‭, ‬there’s a pullover on the lake side of the road for Water Frog Head Trail‭ (‬水蛙頭步道‭)‭, ‬an easy boarded trail through bamboo forests to a dock on the lake where you can spot Nine Frogs Stack‭ (‬九蛙疊像‭), ‬a statue in the water that is used to measure the lake’s level‭. ‬

Tour buses don’t usually stop here‭, ‬so it’s a good place on Sun Moon Lake for a quiet‭, ‬scenic stroll with no crowds‭. ‬Note that in recent years, the water level at Sun Moon Lake has been very low, so the statue was totally exposed, with dry mud all around it.

Sun Moon Lake Ropeway (日月潭纜車)

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The Sun Moon Lake Ropeway is probably the most popular Sun Moon Lake attraction‭, ‬but that doesn’t mean you should skip it‭. ‬Even with a large number of visitors‭, ‬the Sun Moon Lake cable car lines move‭ ‬quickly‭. ‬When we visited on a weekday‭, ‬arriving the moment they opened‭, ‬and there was hardly a line‭. ‬

The views over Sun Moon Lake during‭ ‬the ride are nothing short of‭ ‬breathtaking‭. ‬There’s no view once you arrive at the top‭, ‬so you can either head right back‭ ‬down‭, ‬or continue on another ropeway down into the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village (see below)‭.‬

A round trip on the Sun Moon Lake gondola costs NT300‭, ‬and rides are included if you buy an entrance ticket to the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village‭. ‬Operating times are 10:30-4‭ (‬weekdays‭) ‬and 10‭:‬00-4:30‭ (‬weekends and holidays‭). ‬The Sun Moon Lake Ropeway is included on some Sun Moon Lake passes.

Here’s a great deal on Klook that includes a bike, boat rides, and Sun Moon Lake ropeway ticket.This deal covers the cable car and Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village (see next entry).

You can walk from the pier in Ita Thao to the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway along a pretty lakeside path in about 15‭ ‬minutes‭. The round-the-lake-bus has a dedicated stop for the Cable Car Station.

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Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan: A 2024 Visitors' Guide - Spiritual Travels (28)

Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village (九族文化村)

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I’m not going to lie here…the combination of aboriginal culture center and theme/amusement park‭ (‬complete‭ with ‬”European garden‭ & ‬Mansion”‭, ‬a popular theme at many of Taiwan’s theme parks built in the 80s‭)‬‭ ‬at Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village‭ unsettling‭. ‬This is‭ ‬cultural appropriation at its finest‭.

The Chinese name‭ ‬“9‭ ‬Tribes Culture Village”‭ (‬九族文化村‭) ‬harks back to a time when only nine aboriginal tribes were officially recognized in Taiwan‭ (‬today‭ ‬there are 16‭). ‬

I honestly wouldn’t really recommend coming here‭.‬‭ ‬We went because I though it might be fun for my kids‭. ‬The amusement park section is nothing special‭. ‬We saw one crazy looking waterslide‭ (‬picture below‭), ‬but overall the park is really spread out‭ ‬and requires tons of walking‭, ‬but doesn’t have many facilities‭.‬ If you do decide to go, though, this deal on entrance tickets includes a ride on the cable car, which I do recommend.

If you’re looking for a better theme park experience in Taiwan, here are the best and worst amusement parks in taiwan.

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Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan: A 2024 Visitors' Guide - Spiritual Travels (31)

The aboriginal section covers a large hill and also takes quite some time to walk through‭. ‬It does however offer a chance to photograph aboriginals dressed in traditional costumes and watch‭ ‬song and dance performances‭. ‬

If you really want to experience aboriginal culture‭, ‬I’d suggest the more humble‭ (‬and legitimate‭) ‬Thao‭ ‬Tribe Performance Center‭ (‬see‭ #‬6‭), ‬and if you want rides‭, ‬there are many better amusement parks in Taiwan‭.‬

The one reason I would recommend coming to Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, though, is to see the beautiful cherry blossom festival there in February; they are said to be a variety that is pinker than elsewhere. Read about other festivals in Taiwan here.

If you still want to visit‭, ‬this Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village day trip deal includes transportation to and from Taichung‭, ‬ropeway tickets‭, ‬park admission‭, ‬and a guide‭. ‬Regular admission to the park also includes ropeway tickets‭.‬

‬The Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village is included on one of the Sun Moon Lake pass.‬

Kalapaw鹿臺教室 Thao Tribe Performance Center

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A small center in Ita Thao village is trying hard to preserve and promote the customs of the‭ ‬Thao people‭ (‬邵族‭)‬‭, ‬one of Taiwan’s smallest tribes‭. ‬Only a few elders still speak the Thao language‭, ‬and their customs are in danger of dying out‭. What’s more, this small center is in danger of dying out due to the total lack of foreign tourists for 2.5 years during COVID. ‬

One of the special features of Thao culture is a kind of music called chu yin‭ (‬杵音‭) ‬or‭ ‬’pestle sounds’‭, ‬made‭ ‬by pounding large pestles into mortars‭. ‬The Thao discovered it in past times when they found that pounding different materials produced different sounds‭. ‬

You can watch performances of the music at the center today‭. ‬The center also features‭ ‬songs and dance from the Bunun‭ ‬tribe‭ (‬布農族‭)‬‭, ‬another tribe which lives in the greater Sun Moon Lake area‭. ‬

The pestle music performances take place on the wooden docks outside (good weather) or inside the center from 11 AM to 11:20 AM and 4 PM to 4:20 PM on Thursday to Sunday. They also explain their traditional costumes from 4:30 to 5:20 PM on Thursday to Sunday and explain more about their culture from 1:30 to 3:30 PM on Sundays. There’s little to no English. Donations are appreciated‭. Here’s their new Facebook page.

The center is sometimes poorly translated as the “Sun Moon Lake Chasing Deer Market” on Sun Moon Lake and Taiwan tourism websites, without any explanation provided of where or what it is.

Ci En Pagoda (慈恩塔)

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Continuing past Ita Thao village‭, ‬the next point of interest‭, ‬and another of Sun Moon Lake’s most iconic sights‭, ‬is‭ ‬towering Ci En Pagoda‭, ‬visible from many points on the lake‭. ‬

The 43-meter pagoda was commissioned by former president Chiang Kai-shek for his late mother in 1971‭. ‬It’s a 570-meter walk up stairs to reach the pagoda‭. ‬It’s definitely worth coming for the incredible‭, ‬panoramic view of Sun Moon Lake from the top of the pagoda‭. ‬The top of the pagoda is a great spot to watch sunrise or sunset over the lake.

Just before reaching the temple, there’s another one called Xuan Zang Temple (日月潭玄奘寺) on the main road around the lake, which you may want to stop and take a look at.

Xuanguang Temple (玄光寺) & Wharf (玄光碼頭)

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The furthest you’ll likely get from Shuishe‭ (‬unless you cycle or ride all the way around the lake‭) ‬is Xuanguang Temple‭ & ‬Wharf‭. ‬It’s one of three piers you can take a boat to‭.

The highlight for me was being able to see Lalu Island‭, ‬which is just off shore‭. ‬There is also a famous tea egg vendor‭ ‬called‭ ‬金盆阿嬤的香菇茶葉蛋‭ ‬by the pier‭. ‬Sun Moon Lake is known for having really good tea eggs‭, ‬which are‭ ‬stewed with‭ ‬giant mushrooms, local Sun Moon Lake tea leaves, and spices‭, ‬and this stall apparently has the best ones‭.

Besides Xuanguang Temple, you can also walk up a staircase to another temple, with a similar name, Xuanzang Temple (日月潭玄奘寺). This one is more serene (because fewer tourists walk up the stairs to it) and has a better view of the lake due to its higher position.

The temple’s name comes from a monk in the famous Chinese novel Journey to the West. Although the text is fictional, there was an actual monk in China with this name, and a relic from his scull is actually enshrined in this temple.

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Try SUP (Stand Up Paddleboarding)

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To make up for not being able to swim‭ ‬at Sun Moon Lake‭ (‬unless you come for the annual mass swim‭), ‬perhaps you can try stand up paddleboarding on Sun Moon Lake‭! ‬

No experience is required‭, ‬kids can even do it‭, ‬and there are morning or afternoon options‭. ‬But for the most serene experience‭, ‬go for the dawn paddleboarding option‭, ‬when the lake is at its calmest and no tourists are out yet‭.‬

The package even comes with the option to have photos taken on you from above by drone. The activity starts here next to the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway station.

Learn about other paddle board locations and fun outdoors activities in Taiwan here.

Scootering or Cycling around Sun Moon Lake

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The road around Sun Moon Lake has been called one of the top 10‭ ‬most beautiful cycling routes in the world‭. ‬

There are multiple places in Shuishe town where you can rent bicycles‭ (‬expect to pay about NT200‭ ‬for two hours‭, ‬or double that for a high quality Giant bike), ‬e-bikes‭, ‬or scooters‭ (‬around NT400‭ ‬per day‭, IDP or Taiwanese scooter license needed). For bicycles, they even have children’s sized ones or adult bikes with toddler seats.

You can also arrange a bike rental and all day boat combination pass in advance‭, or get the Sun Moon Lake Bike pass.

The easiest cycling path is going west from Shuishe, on the dedicated lakeside cycling boardwalk towards Xiangshan. The more difficult way is going east (clockwise) around the lake from Shuishe, towards Wenwu Temple, Sun Moon Lake Ropeway, and Ita Thao.

This way has more hills and sometimes you need to cycle on the same road as the cars. The furthest most people would go is Xuanguang Temple. After that, the road around the lake toward Xiangshan is less scenic and often not right beside the lake.

Learn more in my guide to cycling in Taiwan.

Sunrise and Sunset Spots

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Pretty much anywhere around the lake can be lovely at sunrise or sunset time, as long as the weather cooperates. However, more serious sunrise/sunset chasers can seek out some better spots, but it won’t be easy.

Some people report being able to watch the sunset from the top of Ci’en Pagoda, and I’ve seen beautiful pictures they’ve taken of it. However, others have reported that it was closed before sunset time.

If you’re willing to hike for your view, hike from Shuishe Village up to Mount Maolan (貓囒山) for sunrise or sunset looking over the lake. It takes about an hour to reach the top and you’ll also see some tea farms on the way.

Another option, but further from the lake and ideally you need to drive, is Jinlongshan Trail and Lookout (金龍山三亭). You can’t see Sun Moon Lake from here, but it’s possible to see the “Sea of Clouds” phenomenon here at sunrise.

Other Things to Do Near Sun Moon Lake

The greater Sun Moon Lake region, known for its tea farms, is great for exploring, especially by bicycle, scooter, or car. Puli is the main transportation hub but also has a few sights.

South of Sun Moon Lake, there are a few more unique attractions. Some people combine their Sun Moon Lake visit with an overnight or day-trip to Cingjing Farm in the high mountains.

Things to Do in Puli

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Puli, ‬a town 30‭ ‬minutes north of Sun Moon Lake‭, is a transportation hub for Sun Moon Lake and Cingjing Farm, as all buses to these two famous destinations pass through town. Puli itself has a few places worth seeing, so some travelers even base themselves here for visiting Cingjing and Sun Moon Lake. For more info than I’ll provide here, see my Puli travel guide.

The enormous Chung Tai Chan Monastery‭ is ‬the world’s tallest Buddhist Monastery and Puli’s most famous attraction‭. The monastery is fascinating to visit, and you can see that a lot of money has been spent on the many statues and other decorations in and around the temple.

‬Chung Tai Chan is one of Taiwan’s four major Buddhist orders (see here to read about another one of them, Fo Guang Shan Monastery, one of the most famous places to visit in Kaohsiung).

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Just outside of Puli‭, ‬Paper Dome‭, ‬a church made out of paper‭, ‬is another popular attraction‭. You can stop here with the Sun Moon Lake pass. ‬Puli has a bit of a paper making industry, which is best experienced at Guang Xing Paper Mill here on the west side of town.

Nearby, Nina’s Chocolate Factory (buy tickets) is a fun place to dress up for photo shooting in a castle-like building, watch chocolate being made, and eat crazy ice cream (note – this is meant to be an entertainment facility – the chocolate itself looks cool, but quality/taste is not so great).

Another fun thing to do in Puli is this paragliding experience.

Tea Tourism

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Sun Moon Lake is famous for its black teas‭, ‬which are mostly produced north of the lake in Yuchi township‭. The best place to visit is Antique Assam Tea Farm (日月老茶廠). There you can explore an old tea processing facility, see a working tea farm, and taste the region’s rare and very delicious black teas.

Another option nearby is Hohocha (喝喝茶), a beautiful tea center with small entry fee which can be used for tea tasting, extremely delicious tea eggs, tea ice cream, and so on.

‬See my full article on Sun Moon Lake Tea for other tea-related places to visit around Sun Moon Lake. ‬

Shuanglong Rainbow Bridge

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Going south from Sun Moon Lake, the Shuanglong Rainbow Suspension Bridge (雙龍七彩吊橋), also called Shuiyuan Suspension Bridge, has been a hot new attraction since it opened in 2020 and was subsequently painted in rainbow colors. This is Taiwan’s longest (342 m) and tallest (110 m) suspension bridge. By crossing it, you can get to a viewpoint of Shuangong Waterfall (雙龍瀑布).

You need to budget a full hour for walking down to and crossing the bridge, seeing the waterfall, and coming back. Getting there from Sun Moon Lake is also not easy. It’s a 30-40 minute drive from Sun Moon Lake and there are no direct buses. You can try asking your hotel in Sun Moon Lake to arrange a driver for you.

Jiji Wuchang Temple

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A 40-minute drive west of Sun Moon Lake‭, ‬Wuchang Temple in Jiji is an interesting‭, ‬if unusual‭, ‬local attraction‭. ‬The temple here completely caved in during the disastrous 921‭ ‬Earthquake in 1999‭, ‬in which 2415‭ ‬people died‭, ‬and has been left that way since‭. ‬A lavish new temple commemorating the incident has been built right in front of it‭.‬

See more information about Wuchang Temple here.

Other attractions in the Jiji area, including the Hotanjing Sky Bridge, can be visited on this day tour from Taichung.

Xitou Monster Village

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Another 45 minutes’ drive past Jiji, you can reach the Xitou Monster Village, a popular Japanese-themed village. Click the above link for information on getting there by bus from Sun Moon Lake.

Getting to Sun Moon Lake

Generally‭, ‬you can budget about three hours to get‭ ‬from Taipei to Sun Moon Lake‭,‬‭ ‬1.5‭ ‬hours ‬from Taichung to Sun Moon lake‭, ‬and three hours from‭ ‬Alishan to Sun‭ ‬Moon Lake‭. ‬If you want to travel from Hualien to Sun Moon Lake, you’ll have to go via Taipei.

Taipei to Sun Moon Lake

The simplest way is to take the bus from Taipei to Sun Moon Lake‭. ‬Buses in Taipei depart from Taipei Bus Station‭‭.‬‭ ‬A one-way adult ticket costs NT465‭. ‬You can find the complete timetable here for bus 1833‭ ‬from Taipei to Sun Moon Lake. ‬The bus usually takes 3-3.5‭ ‬hours and includes a stop in‭ ‬Puli‭.‬

Buying your return ticket is a good idea‭, ‬to avoid uncertainty about getting a seat on the way back‭. ‬It’s also smart to buy your ticket a day or two in advance‭, ‬especially for weekend or holiday departures‭, ‬but it’s often possible to just show up‭ ‬a little early and get a ticket‭.‬

If you don’t want to take a three-hour bus ride‭, ‬you can take the HSR from Taipei to Taichung and then the shuttle bus from Taichung to Sun‭ ‬Moon Lake‭ (‬see below‭). ‬This‭ ‬costs more and you might only save 30‭ ‬minutes‭, ‬but I’ve done this before because a three hour bus ride is difficult for my kids‭. ‬

If you buy a discounted HSR ticket‭ ‬from Taipei‭ ‬to Taichung in advance on Klook‭, ‬the cost of going by HSR and shuttle bus is almost the same as taking the bus all the way from Taipei‭. ‬Find all the details covering how to buy HSR tickets here.

It is also possible to arrange a private car from Taipei to Sun Moon Lake.

If you’re coming from Taipei, check out my Taipei 4-day itinerary and guide to where to stay in Taipei!

Taichung to Sun Moon Lake

Tourist Shuttle Bus A runs from Central Taichung to Sun Moon Lake in about 90‭ ‬minutes‭. ‬You can board at Gancheng Station (a bus stop a few blocks north of Taichung Station)‭, ‬Taichung Station (the main regular TRA station)‭, ‬Daqing Station‭, ‬Taichung Airport‭, ‬or‭ ‬Taichung HSR Station‭. ‬The bus also stops in Puli and at Paper Dome‭. ‬

Here are the bus times. There’s often a long line for the bus, so it’s recommended to book your Taichung to Sun Moon Lake bus tickets online. If you just swipe EasyCard or buy a Klook voucher for the bus, the seats will be first-come-first-serve. Bus tickets are included in most Sun Moon Lake passes, but again you will need to line up.

The bus costs NT190‭ ‬or less‭ (‬depending where you get on‭), ‬and runs roughly every 30‭ ‬minutes‭. ‬The first bus is at 7:45am from Taichung Gancheng station and 7:25‭ ‬am from Sun Moon Lake‭. ‬

It is also possible to arrange a private car from Taichung to Sun Moon Lake.

Here is a complete map of all the bus routes to and from the greater Sun Moon Lake area‭. ‬

If you are in Taichung, make sure to check out the Rainbow Village!

Alishan to Sun Moon Lake

There is only bus per day from Alishan to Sun Moon Lake and from Sun Moon Lake to Alishan‭. ‬The bus from Alishan‭ ‬departs at 1‭ ‬‬pm‭, ‬and the‭ ‬one from Sun Moon Lake departs at 8‭ ‬am‭, costing NT$295 each way. The bus is #6739, run by Yuanlin bus company.

While you can simply line up and swipe EasyCard to ride the bus between Alishan and Sun Moon Lake, demand for it can be very high. Therefore, I recommend that you reserve your bus ticket from Alishan to Sun Moon Lake online. During cherry blossoms season (February at SML and March-April at Alishan) the bus is sometimes sold out days in advance.

The trip from Alishan to Sun Moon Lake should take less than three hours‭, ‬but going uphill‭ ‬from Sun Moon Lake to Alishan might take a little more than three hours‭. ‬To save money on bus tickets for Taichung-Sun Moon Lake-Alishan, you can get the Sun Moon Lake Alishan pass.

Here’s my complete guide to getting to Alishan‭. ‬

Cingjing Farm to Sun Moon Lake

Sun Moon Lake is 1.5 hours from Cingjing Farm, a famous high mountain resort and European style farm.

There is a shared shuttle from Sun Moon Lake to Cingjing Farm or you can charter a private vehicle. You can also visit Sun Moon Lake, Alishan, and Cingjing Farm on this 3-day tour!

By public transportation, you can take a bus from Sun Moon Lake to Puli, where you can transfer onto a Cingjing-bound bus. Learn more in my guide to getting from Taichung & Sun Moon Lake to Cingjing Farm.

Well, thanks for making it this far! I hope that you’ve found some useful information here. Please let me know below if you have any comments or questions, and how your trip to Sun Moon Lake goes!

Related Posts

  • Sun Moon Lake Pass: Is it Worth the Money? (updated 2024)

  • Quirky Xitou Monster Village in Nantou, Taiwan

  • The Best Sun Moon Lake Tours According to Taiwan Travel Expert

Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan: A 2024 Visitors' Guide - Spiritual Travels (2024)
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