About Sun Moon Lake
It is the largest body of water in Nantou County, Taiwan. The lake surrounds a tiny island called Lalu. Eastside of the lake corresponds to the sun while the west side is the moon.
Where to Stay
Mei Jen House is located at Zhongshan road, Sun Moon Lake. Walking distance to Shueishe Visitor Center Bus Station. The room is clean and has nice wall art. The host is friendly and hospitable.
Getting around the lake
- Rent a bicycle.
- Ride ferry boat.
- Ride a bus. (better get a one day pass to Round-the-lake bus). Click here for the timetable.
Places to Visit
Sheishui Pier
Sheishui Pier is a nice area to visit in Sun Moon lake. You can have a nice view of the sunrise in this area if the weather is good. You can ride a ferry boat here going to Ita Thao Pier or Xuanguang Pier.
Xuanzang Temple
Xuanzang Temple is a Buddhist temple located at Yuchi Township. The temple was built in 1965 in memory of Xuanzang, who made a seventeen-year overland journey to India during the Tang dynasty.
Ita Thao Village
Ita Thao is a small group of Taiwanese aborigines who live near the Sun Moon lake. Ita Thao means “we are the people”.
The attraction you will find in Ita Thao Village are the Visitor Center, Ita Thao Pier, lakeside trail, and the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway (cable car going to Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village)
Visiting Ita Thao is not complete without a food trip. Bubble tea drinks, rice cooked inside a bamboo, barbeque, and deer meat.
Wenwu Temple
The largest temple in the Sun Moon lake area. There are two temples before in the Sun Moon Lake area. When the Japanese colonial government built the Dam for hydroelectric the water level rises and the two temples are rebuilt in the location today of the temple.
The temple consists of three halls. The first hall, located on the second floor of the front hall, is a shrine devoted to the First Ancestor Kaiji and the God of Literature. The central hall is devoted to Guan Gong, the God of War, and the warrior-God Yue Fei. The rear hall is dedicated to Confucius.
Dragons are usually found in the wall carvings at the temple which represents power, prosperity, luck, and protection from evil.
The rooftop side of the temple where there is a platform overseeing the view of sun moon lake. Nice spot for Instagram. 🙂
Other things to do in Taiwan
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Colossians 3:15
Nathaniel Amoyen is co-founder of Joanathx. Full-time ex-pat worker at day and writer at night.
OMG it looks gorgeous! I wish I could travel there.
I absolutely cannot wait to be able to visit there. Post covid dream:)
When I visited Taiwan for the first time, I heard about the Sun Moon Lake but wasn’t able to visit! Next time, I am planning to make this a stop, especially because of this beautiful Wenwu Temple!
Once when I was in high school, a teacher told me that china had very similar weather to the New England region. And those photos, landscape and weather, remind me so much of Massachusetts. So badly want to visit! My husband is heading over there for work, but wont be able to explore!