Sun Moon Lake is one of Taiwan’s most misunderstood destinations. Travelers tend to assume it’s much more complicated to reach than it is, and also that it’s deep in the wilderness (it’s not).
In fact, you can easily visit the lake on a day trip from Taichung. While this is a more cumbersome feat if you’re originating in Taipei, it is technically possible. But more on that in a second—I don’t want to get ahead of myself.
I’ve created (and refined) this Sun Moon Lake travel guide will a simple, two-fold goal: First, in order to clear up misconceptions about the place; and secondly, so that you can easily plan your trip there.
How to Get to (and Around) Sun Moon Lake
Technically speaking, you can travel from Taipei to Sun Moon Lake. Kuo-Kuang Bus Company runs direct buses from Taipei to the lake, which take around four hours each way. However, when you do the math on this, it quickly becomes clear that you will almost certainly need to spend the night here—more on that in a minute. Conversely, Taichung is only about two hours each way by bus, which means you can do a day trip from there.
Well, assuming you take a bus—you could rent a car (ideally in Taichung, but also possible in Taipei). This also serves the purpose of taking care of your transport at and around the lake. If you don’t, then you have two options for how to get around once you arrive. One option is biking around Sun Moon Lake, which requires renting bikes near the bus station. Alternatively, you can ride local buses to all the stops I’m about to list.
What to Do at Sun Moon Lake
Start at Wenwu Temple
Beginning your day in the vicinity of the Sun Moon Lake bus station, even if you stay overnight (and again, more on that in a second), your first stop will be Wenwu Temple. In addition to being huge and having truly impressive architecture, this will be your first opportunity to get views of the lake, which is especially impressive if it happens to be a sunny day.
Have lunch in Ita Thao
Heading clockwise, next up on your Sun Moon Lake itinerary is Ita Thao. If the name of this town doesn’t sound Taiwanese, that’s wrong: It is Taiwanese, specifically Taiwanese aboriginal, just like the people who live here. And the food, which runs a wide gamut, but is most delicious if you taste the famous “bamboo rice” that basically any restaurant in town will serve.
(And explore the town)
In spite of having aboriginal residents and foods, Ita Thao town certainly feels Taiwanese (or, rather, culturally Chinese), which creates a bit of cognitive dissonance. I actually wish that the aboriginal character of the place was a bit more apparent! Still, it’s a great place to walk off your lunch, and to take in creature comforts before the next destination on your list.
Enjoy the view from Ci’en Pagoda
Specifically, I’m talking about Ci’en Pagoda, scaling which is one of my very favorite things to do in Sun Moon Lake. The pagoda is not only perched on a high hill overlooking the lack, but is itself several stories tall. This not only guarantees an amazing view from the top, but also means that you can objectively geek out over the incredible architecture.
Eat tea eggs at Xuanguang Temple
As you look down at the lakeshore from Ci’en Pagoda, you might noticed another temple just on the water. While Xuangguang Temple itself isn’t really as impressive as the other sacred sites I’ve listed, it is very good for one thing. Namely, cha ji dan, or tea eggs. This convenience store staple might not seem like something worth getting excited over, but…well, just trust me.
Is it Worth Staying Overnight at Sun Moon Lake?
Although you can do all your Sun Moon Lake sightseeing in a single day without issue, the question becomes time in transit. The reality if that even if you’re coming from Taichung, you are looking at four hours on a bus (or three hours in a car, which is a little more doable). Coming from Taipei? Then you can more or less forget about coming here without staying overnight.
Now, there are some cute hotels at the lake, which you obviously wouldn’t be able to avail on a Sun Moon Lake day trip. These include higher-end properties such as Han Yan Design Hotel (and super high-end properties like Fleur de Chine Hotel), but also simpler ones like Blue Sky Bay B&B. The latter of these is actually one of the cutest places I’ve ever stayed at, anywhere in Taiwan!
Other FAQ About Your Sun Moon Lake Itinerary
How much time do you need at Sun Moon Lake?
On one hand, you can easily see all of Sun Moon Lake’s core attractions in a single day. On the other hand, because of how far it is from major cities (two hours one-way from Taichung; four hours one-way from Taipei), it’s very difficult to see Sun Moon Lake on a day trip.
How long does it take to ride around Sun Moon Lake?
You can ride all the way around Sun Moon Lake, without stopping, in a couple of hours. However, given that you’ll want to stop at least 4-5 places as you explore the area, you can plan on it taking the better part of one full day to cycle around Sun Moon Lake.
Why can’t I swim at Sun Moon Lake?
Apart from the Sun Moon Lake Swimming Carnival, which takes place every year during September’s Mid-Autumn Festival, swimming is forbidden at Sun Moon Lake. This is basically due to how polluted the lake is (both by humans, as well as by natural silt deposits), but also in the interest of not polluting the lake further.
The Bottom Line
I hope (and trust) that you’ve found my Sun Moon Lake travel guide helpful. Some of you will take a day trip to Sun Moon Lake, be that from Taichung (which is the easier option) or from Taipei. Others will spend a night or two here, ideally on the way from Alishan over to Hualien on Taiwan’s underrated east coast. Do keep in mind that if you choose to reach the lake by public transport, you’ll either need to rent bikes upon arrival or use the bus that circles around the lake—it’s too large to navigate completely by foot. Need personalized help putting your Taiwan trip together? Consider hiring me to plan it!
