Taiwan is a small country, and Sun Moon Lake is right in the center of it. As a result, many people (especially those from huge countries like the US, Canada and Australia) assume that the lake is easy to visit on a day trip.
This is not entirely wrongheaded. If you’re starting your travels in Taichung, for example, then yes: You can visit Sun Moon Lake for the day pretty easily. It’s also possible to do this from Taipei, though I wouldn’t necessarily characterize it as being “easy.”
In most cases, however—even if you’re coming from Taichung, frankly—I do think it’s best stay overnight at Sun Moon Lake. Here’s why.
How to Visit Sun Moon Lake on a Day Trip
As I foreshadow in the intro to this piece, you can technically visit Sun Moon Lake from Taipei and go back the same day, though there are some caveats. First, I’d suggest renting a car—but not in Taipei. Rather, the most efficient way to go about this is riding a high-speed train from Taipei to Taichung, and then picking up your car at the Taichung HSR Station, which is also known as Xinwuri Station.
Alternatively, if you are starting in Taichung (i.e. you spent the night there, or are an expat who’s living there), you could ride an early bus from Taichung Main Station to Sun Moon Lake, rent a bike or e-bike at the Sun Moon Lake Visitor’s Center, and return it in time to get one of the final buses from there back to Taichung. Still, as I’m about to outline below, the advantages of staying overnight often negate the flexibility of taking a day trip.
5 Reasons to Stay the Night at Sun Moon Lake
Sunrises (and sometimes, sunrises) are worth the trouble
I’ll start by saying that Sun Moon Lake is often misty, though not as much so as Alishan. This is particularly acute in the morning, rather than the evening. Still, even the possibility of enjoying sunset (I like watching from Wen Wu Temple) or sunrise (ideally from your accommodation) justifies staying overnight.
The lake is more magical when day trippers leave
Let’s say the “worst” happens, and weather conditions mean that neither a sunrise nor a sunset happens. In spite of this, you’ll still be able to enjoy quiet mornings and evenings at the lake, free of day-tripping interlopers. Whether this means a nice uncrowded dinner, or a tranquil walk to start the day, it’s priceless.
Accommodation is plentiful and affordable
Speaking of Sun Moon Lake hotels, they tend to be affordable, with a couple of exceptions (namely, The Lalu and the Fleur de Chine), it is extremely affordable and has good availability throughout the year. So as long as you can spare a day in your itinerary, finding a place to stay shouldn’t be a heavy lift.
You can take your time sightseeing
As I mentioned earlier in this article, not every stay at Sun Moon Lake guarantees a sunrise or sunset. What is does guarantee is a sightseeing period stretched over two days instead of one, which simply gives you more space and flexibility. Some travelers will use this to build in relaxation, while others will want to see and do more.
It’s an insurance policy against bad weather
Sunrise and sunset notwithstanding, weather in central Taiwan (well, in Taiwan in general) can be unpredictable. By not limited yourself to just a few hours at Sun Moon Lake, you increase the likelihood that at least part of your time here will take place under clear, sunny skies.
Should You Combine Sun Moon Lake with Alishan?
If you’re going to go to the trouble of staying the night at Sun Moon Lake, there’s an argument that you should visit Alishan as well. And not just because Alishan is another destination that’s worth an overnight stay, but that many people see (or want to see) on a day trip. For starters, Alishan is only about a 1-2 hours from Sun Moon Lake, assuming you have a car. And you should, if you want to see both these places as part of a single trip.
Now, this is not to say that you can’t get from Sun Moon Lake to Alishan via public transport—there is a single, daily direct bus. But given that Alishan is even more difficult to navigate without your own set of wheels than Sun Moon Lake is, I think it’s a good idea to plan on having a car anyway. If you do, then it’s easy to plan a 2-3 day trip exploring exciting central Taiwan, ideally starting and ending in Taichung.
Other FAQ About Staying Overnight at Sun Moon Lake
Should I stay overnight in Sun Moon Lake?
I recommend staying at least one night at Sun Moon Lake, if you have time in your Taiwan itinerary. Doing so allows you to take you time exploring the various sights around the lake, but also gives you the possibility of enjoying sunset and/or sunrise, either of which is alone worth the effort.
Where to sleep at Sun Moon Lake?
It should go without saying, but you should sleep as close to the lakeshore of Sun Moon Lake as possible. However, try to be mindful of where exactly you stay—not all areas are created equally. In particularly, I like staying either up on a hillside, or at least on a place that has high floors, in order to make sure I have a view of lakes and mountains, rather than of passing tourists.
Which side of Sun Moon Lake to stay on?
The vast majority of accommodations in Sun Moon Lake area located along the northwestern shore of the lake near the visitor center. If you can afford higher-end hotels here—such as The Lalu—then this is a good choice. If not, then I personally prefer the northeastern area close to Wen Wu Temple, at places such as the Hotelday Sun Moon Lake.
The Bottom Line
Once you stay overnight at Sun Moon Lake, you’ll never go back to day trips. And not just because sleeping at the lake unlocks the potential for sunrises and sunsets, although these can be thrilling. Not having to rush back to Taipei or Taichung allows you to fully explore the attractions of Sun Moon Lake during daylight hours, whether or not this ends up entailing a visit to the controversial Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, or if you continue onward to Alishan or Yushan. Need personalized help incorporating Sun Moon Lake into your Taiwan trip? Commission a custom Taiwan itinerary, and let me sweat the details!
