Foreigners in Taiwan - 外國人在臺灣
  • Home 首頁
  • Blog 部落格
  • Taiwan FAQ 常見問題
  • Blog Index 部落格指南
  • Maps 地圖
  • About 關於我們
  • Contact Us 聯絡我們
  • Privacy 隱私
  • Home 首頁
  • Blog 部落格
  • Taiwan FAQ 常見問題
  • Blog Index 部落格指南
  • Maps 地圖
  • About 關於我們
  • Contact Us 聯絡我們
  • Privacy 隱私

Blog Posts

The Ultimate Guide to Sun Moon Lake 日月潭極限指南

12/7/2018

0 Comments

 
Share

Tweet
Picture
Sun Moon Lake is a beautiful scenic area in Taiwan and a popular tourist destination. Besides the lakeside scenery, one can also enjoy boat rides, Taiwanese street food, gift shops, temples, a gondola, aborigine theme park, and more. It is for sure a must-see destination for anyone coming to vacation in Taiwan.

We have visited Sun Moon Lake a total of 6 times over 7 years, using 3 different cameras and 3 cell phone cameras, in luckily mostly good weather. In the blog below I will stitch together all of these trips in a way that hopefully makes sense. It may not be the most ultimate guide ever but it has most of the major sites in it.

Background:
Sun Moon Lake (aka Zintun in local Thao language) is the largest natural lake in Taiwan and home of the aboriginal Thao tribe. According to legend, a white deer led the tribe to the lake, and is now trapped in a marble stone on Lalu Island, which is sacred ground to them. 
The name "Sun Moon Lake" comes from the different colors of the water in the lake, some of it being murky and on other parts of the lake, clear. Another account says that the name comes from parts of the lake being round like the sun, and other parts of the lake being curved like the moon. 
The first hydroelectric plant was built on the lake in 1919 by the Japanese, which was later taken over by the ROC government. The hydroelectric power is part of a system of hdro power plants running from Wushe to Sun Moon Lake down to Shuili Township, and includes at least 8 plants.
Sun Moon Lake Scenic area was created in 2000. The lake attracts visitors from around the world from year round for its beauty and surrounding sights, and is also known for the annual Sun Moon Lake Swimming Carnival which thousands of people attend each year.

How to Get There:
Bus: There are buses (Ubus/Kbus/etc) that leave all day from Taichung Station. 
By Car: Take National Highway 6 from Taichung up to Puli, and then follow the signs on highway 21 down to Sun Moon Lake. You can also take a car/scooter up highway 21 up from Shuili Township further south. 
Boat: You can circle the lake via three spots: Shuise Pier, Xuanguang Pier, and Ita Thao Pier.

Price:
Scenic Area Entrance: Free
Parking: Around 100 NT per day for cars
Boat Ride: 300 NT per person
Gondola Ride (Ropeway): 300 NT per person
Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village: 850 NT per person

Hours:
Scenic Area: 24/7
Parking: 24/7
Boat Ride: roughly 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM every day
Gondola Ride: 10:30 AM - 4:00 PM every day
Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village: 9:30 AM- 5 PM every day

Map: Please see below:

​Our Journey:

In this guide we will cover 10 Places:
​Shuishe Pier 水社碼頭
​Xuanguang Wharf 炫光碼頭
​Ci En Pagoda 慈恩塔
Ita Thao Wharf 伊達邵碼頭

Ita Thao Old Street 伊達邵老街
Sun Moon Lake Ropeway/Gondola Ride 日月潭纜車
Jiuzu Cultural Village 九族文化村
Wenwu Temple 文武廟
Shuishe Dam 水社壩

King Garden 元首舘
Picture
On our most recent trip, we drove down from Puli to Shuishe Pier (水社碼頭), where we found a sweet deal on a boat ride tickets that included free parking.

Shuishe Pier 水社碼頭:
Picture
Above is the boat schedule. The first stop being Shuishe, then Xuanguang, and finally Ita Thao, before going back to Shuishe. 
Picture
We headed down the street looking for the boat people in blue vests. There are tons of places to eat and shop along the way.
Picture
The Shuishe Pier is also a great place for wedding photos I guess.
Picture
Walking over the the pier. There are quite a few boat companies, but most all of them offer the same price of 300 NT per head. If you go early enough in the morning theoretically you can ride the boats all day until they close after 5 PM.
Picture
A family poses for a photo in front of the lake.
Picture
Boats and Ci En pagoda in the background.
Picture
A view of Wenwu temple from the pier. 
Picture
The seating arraignments on the boat. 
Picture
Off we go!

Stop 1: Xuanguang Wharf 炫光碼頭
Picture
Our first stop was Xuanguang wharf. From here you can see the most expensive hotels on the other side of the lake. Our boat driver said one night there is about 10,000 NT.
Picture
Here you can see the beautiful turquoise color of the water in Sun Moon Lake. 
Picture
Main pavilion at Xuanguang pier. 
Picture
Some aboriginal singers at the pier. 
Picture
From above the hill you can see Lalu Island, a sacred Island to the Thao Tribe. I though the boat ride would take us there, but I guess it is off limits.
Picture
I don't know what kind of flower this is, but it made for a nice photo.

​Ci En Pagoda 慈恩塔
Picture
If you feel in the mood for a good hike, you can walk up from Xuanguang Peir up to Xuanguang Temple and Ci En Pagoda. Here are some photos I took from a previous trip, in which we drove straight to the pagoda. 

This Pagoda was built by Chiang Kai-Shek in 1971 in remembrance of his mother.  
Picture
The weather on this December day was amazing. The clouds and sunshine made for some incredible scenery.
Picture
Looking down from the top of Ci En Pagoda. There is a bell here that you can ring, but I do not have a photo.
Picture
View to the north of Ci En Pagoda. 
Picture
View to the West.
Picture
View of the mountains to the south.
Picture
Another view to the south.
Picture
Closeup on Shuishe from the top of the pagoda. 
Picture
And then we continued our journey onward. Xuanguang pier was kind of a dud, but Ci En Pagoda is worth visiting.
Picture
Closeup on Ci En Tower as seen from the lake.
Picture
Master Xuan Zang memorial hall as seen from the lake.

Master Xuanzang was a Buddhist Monk during the Tang Dynasty who visited India to learn more about Buddhism. His journey was later novelized as Journey to the West.
Picture
The entrance of Master Xuan Zang Memorial Hall.
Picture
Another view of Wenwu Temple. See below for photos of the inside.
Picture
Another boat crusing back to Shuishe Pier.
Picture
Two guys fishing on a canoe.

Stop 2: Ita Thao Wharf 伊達邵碼頭
Picture
View of Ita Thao Pier with the Ropeway (gondola) in the background.
Picture
Closeup on the gondola.
Picture
Ita Thao Visitor Center on the pier.

Ita Thao Old Street 伊達邵老街
Picture
Ita Thao Old Street (伊達邵老街) is the best place for eating and shopping at Sun Moon Lake.
Picture
Lots of people enjoying the views from Ita Thao Pier. 
Picture
Ita Thao Old Street has many restaurant and souvenir shops, definitely a must see stop for tourists.
Picture
There are many shops like this where you can buy traditional aborigine clothing and trinkets.
Picture
Also you can try out aborigine food like wild boar meat. 
Picture
More aborigine themed trinkets. 
Picture
View of Ita Thao Old Street looking toward the lake. This is one of the best old streets in Taiwan in my opinion, so make sure you give yourself lots of time to look around.
Picture
From Ita Thao old street you can walk over to the ropeway/gondola. There is a nice boardwalk along the lake connecting the two.
Here is some drone footage along the boardwalk. Flying drones is restricted near any of the three piers at Sun Moon Lake.
Picture
Tree branch in front of the lake.
Picture
The lake as seen at dusk.
Picture
You can also rent a bike and cycle around the whole lake!

Sun Moon Lake Ropeway/Gondola Ride 日月潭纜車
Picture
Ita Thao Pier as seen from the Gondola.
Picture
We went to the Gondola on a Monday, but there was still a ton of people there.
Picture
Lots of students on a field trip or graduation trip I assume.
Picture
People Mountain People Sea.
Picture
Finally after half an hour in line we made it!
Picture
Riding up the Gondola!
Picture
View from a little higher up.
Picture
View of the East Side of the lake that appears to be slowly silting in. 
​
Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village九族文化村
Picture
At the other side of the gondola you will find yourself at Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village, which is an aborigine themed theme park. 
Picture
I did go into Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village. I did pay the 850 entrance fee. Worth it? Yes!
Sorry for the blurry photos. You'll just have to go there yourself to enjoy it!
Picture
Aborigine parade down the streets.
Picture
Cherry blossoms near the parking lot.
Picture
I guess the northwest Native Americans are also part of Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village?
Picture
There are also dolphin shows! I didn't get photos, but the dolphins jumped like 20 feet out of the water.
Picture
A child playing in one of the cultural exhibitions. 
Picture
A dance show put on at night.
See above for a video of the fire dance!
There are also roller coasters in the park, but I failed to get any photographic evidence of that. If you go though, I promise you will not be disappointed.
Picture

Taking the gondola back. Please forgive the finger. 
Picture
Wetlands on the east side of the lake.
Picture
I've been on the gondola twice. In the image above, you can see the water level is way lower than at other times. Also on the top right is a fountain of water rushing up. Depending on the time of year they adjust the water levels to make sure there is stable hydro electricity production. 
Picture
Rows of gondola cars.
Picture
Ci En Pagoda as seen from the gondola.
Picture
More stuff you can buy inside after you ride the gondola.

Wenwu Temple 文武廟
Picture
On the north side of the lake is Wenwu Temple, the biggest temple in the area. You can't get there by boat, but you can walk or drive.

Wenwu temples are Chinese temples that combine deities from literature and war.
This temple has halls dedicated to the God of War, the Warrior God, the God of Literature, and Confucius.
The original temple was built in 1938, as a consolidation of two temples that were flooded after a dam was built on the lake. It was rebuilt and expanded again in 1969 as a tourist destination.
Picture
View from the front of the temple.
Picture
Buddhist images for sale in the temple.
Picture
A Chinese soldier mime inside the temple. He looked pretty much like a statue, and scared quite a few people.
Picture
Ornate decorations from the temple.
Picture
Ci En Pagoda as seen from Wenwu Temple.
Picture
Another view of the lake from Wenwu Temple.

Shuishe Dam 水社壩
Picture
On the south side of Shuishe, you can find the Shuishe Dam, which was built in 1934 along with Toushe Dam 頭社壩 to control the water level on the lake and make way for hydroelectric power.
Picture
People enjoying the bike ride along the dam.
Picture
Another photogenic rock placed in front of the lake. 
Picture
Autumn leaves near the dam.
Picture
Dusk falling on Ita Thao pier.
Picture
Night scene of Shuishe Pier.
Picture
Walking back to the car after a long day on the lake.

King Garden 元首舘
Picture
Another place we visited on the way out of Sun Moon Lake was the King Garden (元首舘) which is kind of a quirky castle meant for Taiwanese tourists, with lots of Taiwanese memorabilia in there.
Picture
Famous Taiwanese baseball players guarded by golden roman guards?
Picture
I got some delicious deep fried ice cream there, which I have not eaten before or since.
Picture
The strange hills in Caotun on the way back out of Puli.

​Places we missed:
​Youth Activity Center 青年活動中心
Xuanguang Temple 炫光寺
Xiangshan Visitor Center 向山行政暨遊客中心
Maolanshan Tea Farm 貓囒山茶業改良場
Maolanshan Trail 貓囒山步道
Neihushan Trail 內湖山步道
Nine Frogs Stone 九蛙疊像
And a ton of other places, including temples, trails, farms, restaurants, etc. You'll have to go exploring and find them yourself!


Thanks for reading! We have lots of notable places in Taiwan that we will share in this blog soon, so like and follow to stay updated!
Share
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

     Author 作家

    We are US Expats that have extensive experience living, working, and travelling in Taiwan. In our day, we had to learn many things about Taiwan the hard way. But we have come to learn that Taiwan is one of the best places in the world for Foreigners to live. ​Our blog does not represent the opinions of every foreigner in Taiwan. We are just trying to help others learn more about this beautiful country.

    ​​我們是在台灣的外國人!我們透過額部落格想要幫助外國人了解台灣生活,旅遊,和商業的環境!我們不代表所有在台灣的外國人, 我們只是想要幫助世界各地的人了解台灣美好的一切! (美國人在管理)

    Archives 檔案

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014

    Categories
    ​類目

    All
    2006120221
    Aboriginal Culture 原住民文化
    Alishan-384633732423665
    Alishan-384633732423665
    Amusement Parks 娛樂園
    Aquariums 海洋館
    Art 藝術
    Basic Info 基本資訊
    Beaches 海灘
    Blogroll 部落格名單
    Bridges 橋梁
    Buddhism 佛教
    Buddhism 佛教
    Business 商業
    Business 商業
    Camping 露營
    Car Driving Test 考汽車駕照
    Car Rental 租氣車
    Caves 山洞
    Changhua 彰化
    Chiayi 嘉義
    Children Activities 小孩活動
    Chinese Film 中文電影
    Chinese Language 中文
    Chinese Language 中文
    Chinese Literature 中文文學
    Chinese Literature 中文文學
    Chinese Pollution 中國污染
    City Parks 都市公園
    Click Bait 點擊誘餌
    Coal Mining 煤礦
    Confucius Temples 孔廟
    Cycling 騎腳踏車
    Cycling 騎腳踏車
    Daily Life 日常生活
    Daoism 道教
    Driving In Taiwan 開車
    Drone Flying 飛空拍機
    East Taiwan 東部
    Ershui 二水
    Events 活動
    Festivals 節日
    Fish Foot Massage 溫泉魚
    Floral Sea 花海
    Food
    Food 食物
    Forts 堡壘
    Fruit 水果
    Geography 地理
    Geography 地理
    Geology 地質
    Golf 高爾夫球
    Green Energy 綠色能源
    Growing Bananas 種香蕉日記
    Guest Blog Posts 客人部落格
    Hakka Culture 客家文化
    Hiking
    Hiking 爬山
    Historical Buildings 歷史建築
    Historical Buildings 歷史建築
    Hot Springs 溫泉
    Hot Springs 溫泉
    Hsinchu 新竹
    Hualien 花蓮
    Immigration/Visa 移民/簽證
    Japanese Era 日治時期
    Jiaoxi 礁溪
    Jiaoxi 礁溪
    Kaohsiung 高雄
    Keelung 基隆
    Kenting 墾丁
    Kinmen 金門
    Lakes And Reservoirs 湖及水庫
    Lighthouses 燈塔
    Longdong 龍洞
    Lukang 鹿港
    Luodong Night Market 羅東夜市
    Maolin 茂林
    Matsu Islands 馬祖列島
    Miaoli 苗栗
    Migrant Workers 外籍勞動
    Monkeys 猴子
    Monkeys 猴子
    Mountain Biking 越野
    Mountain Biking 越野
    Museums 博物館
    Nangang 南港
    Nantou 南投
    National Forest Recreation Areas 國家森林游樂區
    National Palace Museum 故宮
    National Palace Museum 故宮
    National Parks 國家公園
    Natural Scenery 自然風景
    New Taipei 新北市
    Night Market 夜市
    Northern Coast 北海岸
    Not Taiwan 台灣以外的地方
    Nuclear Power 核能
    Nuclear Power 核能
    Offroading 越野
    Old City Gates 古城門
    Old Streets 老街
    Old Trails 古道
    Orchid Island (Lanyu 蘭嶼)
    Outer Islands 外島
    Pathos And Logos 情與理
    Penghu Islands 澎湖群島
    Pingtung 屏東
    Pingxi Railway 平息火車綫
    Politics 政治
    Politics 政治
    Qing Dynasty Era 清朝時代
    Railways 鐵路
    Recreational Farms 休閑農場
    River Tracing 朔溪
    Rock Climbing 攀岩
    Sailing 帆船
    Scooter Driving Test 考機車駕照
    Scooter Rental 租機車
    Scooter Rental 租機車
    Seafood Markets 海鮮市場
    Shiding 石碇
    Shilin Night Market 士林夜市
    Shilin Night Market 士林夜市
    Shopping 購物
    Sicao Green Tunnel 四草綠色隧道
    Smokestacks 烟囪
    Snorkeling 浮潛
    Snorkeling 浮潛
    Starting A Taiwan Business 創業
    Starting A Taiwan Business 創業
    Sun Moon Lake 日月潭
    Sun Moon Lake 日月潭
    Surfing 3490928010
    Taichung 臺中
    Tainan 3327421335
    Tainan-3327421335
    Taipei 101 101
    Taipei 101 2148821271 101
    Taipei-101-2148821271-101
    Taipei 2148821271
    Taipei-2148821271
    Taipei Zoo 台北動物園
    Taipei Zoo 台北動物園
    Taipei 臺北
    Taipei 臺北
    Taitung 臺東
    Taiwanese Spouse 台灣配偶
    Taiwan FAQ 臺灣常見問題
    Taiwan History 台灣的歷史
    Taiwan History 台灣的歷史
    Taiwan's Economy 台灣經濟
    Taiwan's Economy 台灣經濟
    Taiwan Temples 臺灣的廟
    Tamsui 淡水
    Taoyuan 桃園
    Taroko Gorge 太魯閣
    Tax 稅
    Top 10 前十名
    Top 10 前十名
    Top 5 前5名
    Transportation 交通
    Tsai Yingwen 蔡英文
    Turtle Island 龜山島
    Turtle Island 龜山島
    Typhoons 颱風
    Ultimate Guide 極限指南
    Urbex 城市探險
    Waterfalls 瀑布
    Weather 天氣
    White Terror 白色恐怖
    Wildlife 野生動物
    Women In Chinese Society 女士們在中國社會
    Working In Taiwan 在台灣工作
    Working In Taiwan 在台灣工作
    Wulai Hot Springs 烏來溫泉
    Xiaoliuqiu 小琉球
    Xitou 溪頭
    Xitou 溪頭
    Xizhi 汐止
    Yangmingshan 陽明山
    Yilan 宜蘭
    Yunlin 雲林
    Yushan (Jade Mt.) 玉山
    Zhongtaishan 中台山
    Zoos 動物園

    RSS Feed



Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotels deals in Taiwan here.

Follow us on social media:


Follow @foreignersinTW