TW · Nantou County · 23.87°N 120.92°E

sun moon lake

Misty mountain lake for cycling, boat rides and a ropeway over the hills.

Best time
Spring and autumn are clear and comfortable. Weekends and holidays get crowded, and the swimming carnival around Mid-Autumn brings thousands of people.
How long
2 days, 1 night
Getting there
Fly from KL to Taipei (about 5 hours), take the High Speed Rail to Taichung (about an hour), then the direct bus from Taichung HSR station to the lake (about 1.5 hours).
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TW · Nantou Countysun moon lake23.87°N 120.92°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Misty mountain lake for cycling, boat rides and a ropeway over the hills.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingSun Moon LakeTW, Nantou County
KLsun moon lake
≈ 3,095 km from KL, as the crow flies
The 2024 Swimming Carnival of Sun Moon Lake

Photo: Isderion · CC BY-SA 3.0 de

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Taiwan's largest lake, about 750 metres up in the hills of Nantou. It's home to the Thao people, ringed by temples and trails, and best seen by bike or boat. Mornings are often misty and very still.

Makan

  1. Tea eggsThe tea eggs sold at Xuanguang pier are a famous stop on the boat loop.Map ↗
  2. Sun Moon Lake black teaThe hills around the lake grow a well-known black tea. Have a cup or take some home.Map ↗
  3. Ita Thao snacksThe Thao village's street has grilled wild boar sausage and other indigenous snacks.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Lakeside cyclingRent a bike at Shuishe and ride the lakeshore path, partly on boardwalks over the water.Map ↗
  2. Boat rideBoats hop between the Shuishe, Xuanguang and Ita Thao piers. The easiest way to see the lake.Map ↗
  3. Sun Moon Lake RopewayA cable car over the hills to the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village theme park.Map ↗
  4. Wenwu TempleA big, colourful temple on the north shore, with lake views from the back terraces.Map ↗
  5. Ci'en PagodaA short climb to a hilltop pagoda with views across the whole lake.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Swimming in the lake isn't allowed, except during the annual swimming carnival.
  • Combo tickets bundle the bus, boat and ropeway. Worth it if you plan to do all three.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.