Get away from the cities and see Sun Moon Lake in Taiwan, a semi-natural lake surrounded by mountains. The beauty of Sun Moon Lake is created by the combination of mountains and water, like a natural and beautiful landscape painting. It is also one of the eight scenic spots of Taiwan.
專題大綱
- A Guide to Exploring Sun Moon Lake in Nantou with a Relaxing Way
- Recommended itinerary and route
- 5:00 a.m. Morning SUP tour in Moon Lake
- 9:00 a.m. Nomad day café Brunch
- 11:00 p.m. Wenwu Temple
- 12:00 p.m. Ita Thao Pier
- 14:00 p.m. Xiangshang Bikeway
- 15:30 p.m. Xiangshang Visitor Center
- 16:30 p.m. Hanbi Trail
- 18:00 p.m. Hsin.Shan.Wei Thao Restaurant
A Guide to Exploring Sun Moon Lake in Nantou with a Relaxing Way
Sun Moon Lake is one of the most famous tourist spots in Taiwan, Nantou. There are also many attractions, temples, trails, boats, cable cars, and the culture of the Thao aboriginal people.
It is divided into Sun Lake and Moon Lake by Lalu Island. You can take powered boats on Sun Lake and non-powered water activities on Moon Lake, such as paddle boards and canoes. You can also circle the lake by hiking, cycling, snacking, drinking tea, picnicking, and chatting along the lakeside trail.
Recommended itinerary and route
Morning: Morning SUP tour in Moon Lake > Nomad day café Brunch > Wenwu Temple > Ita Thao Pier
Afternoon: Xiangshang Bikeway > Xiangshang Visitor Center > Hanbi Trail > Hsin.Shan.Wei Thao Restaurant
南投日月潭｜月牙灣立槳、茶香咖啡湖畔散策、極簡風格民宿住一晚的靜謐小旅行 | CJ夫人愛度假 @ Funliday 旅遊回憶、遊記攻略、行程規劃
5:00 a.m. Morning SUP tour in Moon Lake
See the most beautiful moment of Sun Moon Lake in the early morning by joining the SUP stand-up paddle sunrise group. SUP stand-up paddle is a popular water activity in Sun Moon Lake. You will learn how to paddle on the water surface with the coach’s guidance, and enjoy the fun of stand-up paddle. You can also feel the waves and see the misty mountains and forests in the center of Sun Moon Lake.
The warm sunlight will brighten up the new day for you and the people on Sun Moon Lake. The registration includes all the equipment, life jacket, coach teaching and photography, and the whole process takes about 2.5-3 hours.
9:00 a.m. Nomad day café Brunch
Near the Sun Moon Lake Shuishe Pier, Sun Moon Lake Nomad Day Cafe is run by a pair of sisters who have lived abroad for many years. They make their own heart-pounding breakfast plates, hand-brewed coffee, Sun Moon Lake old tea, pound cake, cinnamon rolls, etc. You will see the home-style recipe flavor in nomadic meals make you feel a longing joy.
11:00 p.m. Wenwu Temple
Wenwu Temple faces the lake with a wide view, and is one of the high points that must be visited on the Sun Moon Lake round-the-lake trip. It is the center of faith for the residents of Sun Moon Lake, and has a Chinese Northern Dynasty style architecture.
It stands tall and majestic, and exudes an ancient Chinese flavor. You can also get a panoramic view of the lake and mountain scenery of Sun Moon Lake from the huge red stone lions on the square in front of the temple.
12:00 p.m. Ita Thao Pier
Ita Thao means “we are human” in the language of the Thao aboriginal people of Sun Moon Lake, expressing that humans can also have a place among the lake and mountain scenery.
The Ita Thao Pier is a lively pier settlement, with a well-established Thao-style restaurant, snack stalls, art shops and style hotels. Many Sun Moon Lake round-the-lake travelers will enjoy lunch here.
14:00 p.m. Xiangshang Bikeway
Voted by CNN’s travel website as one of the “10 most beautiful bike trails in the world” – the Sun Moon Lake round-the-lake bike trail and road, the most beautiful section of the road is from Chaowu Pier to Xiangshan Visitor Center.
Along the way, you will pass Shuishe Pier, Japanese Cedar, Shuishe Dam, and arrive at Xiangshang Visitor Center for a rest. You can stand on the viewing platform and look at the opposite Ita Thao Pier and Jiulongkou, and look at the distant Ci’en Pagoda.
15:30 p.m. Xiangshang Visitor Center
Xiangshang Visitor Center is a modern and natural building that adds a humanistic touch to Sun Moon Lake. It offers travelers a chance to explore the local attractions of Sun Moon Lake, such as pottery, paper art, wine, black tea and farm products.
The building is made of natural materials like water, grass and concrete, creating a space that blends architecture and landscape, where you can find a cozy spot to talk with Sun Moon Lake.
16:30 p.m. Hanbi Trail
The Hanbi Literary Trail is adorned with iron plaques or books of poetry or short essays by domestic literary masters, creating a poetic and aesthetic mood for Sun Moon Lake. The trail is shady, flat, and close to the lake, with pavilions for resting. The literary works enhance the trail, making you feel the charm of ancient poetry.
18:00 p.m. Hsin.Shan.Wei Thao Restaurant
At Sun Moon Lake Shuishe Pier, a Thao family runs this restaurant. They serve traditional Thao food with fresh lake fish, wild meat, and vegetables. Their signature dishes are pepper salt crispy Buddha’s hand, Thao-style barbecue, handmade stone buckwheat, and steamed president fish. They also have cold dishes, stir-fried dishes, iron plate dishes, crispy fried dishes, hot pot dishes, live fish dishes, etc. You can get more soup and rice for free, from single, double set meals, signature dishes, to Thao-style flavor 10 dishes from 3500 yuan.
Sun Moon Lake is best described by the idiom “lake and mountain scenery”. Walking among them, you can feel the earth energy from the natural elements. Every corner can cleanse your mind and thoughts.
