Lalu Island
Small wooded island in the middle of the lake, regarded as sacred by the Thao people. A walking path circles it, with views across the water.
Sun Moon Lake
Indigenous culture, cycling paths and boat rides are the draw at Taiwan's largest lake, which lies in the mountains of Nantou.
Attractive locations
Chung Tai Chan Monastery
Very large modern Buddhist monastery near Puli, with a tall central building. Visitors are welcome to walk its halls in a quiet manner and dress modestly.
Sun Moon Lake
Taiwan's largest lake, set in the central mountains and ringed by forested hills. Its shape is said to resemble a sun on one side and a moon on the other. Boats, cycle paths and lakeside temples add to its appeal.
Wenwu Temple
A large temple complex on the lake's north shore honouring Confucius and the martial god Guan Yu, with grand halls and stone lions. Steps lead up the hillside for views over the water.
Xuanzang Temple
A hillside Buddhist temple that houses a relic said to belong to the monk Xuanzang, who travelled from China to India. Quiet grounds look out over the lake.
Ci En Pagoda
A tall nine-storey pagoda on a hilltop above the lake, built in memory of Chiang Kai-shek's mother. Climbers get views over the lake and surrounding hills.
Ita Thao
A lakeside village that is home to the Thao indigenous people, with a waterfront walkway, market lane and pier. Stalls sell local snacks, and the village offers a look at Thao culture.
Airports
Taichung International Airport / Ching Chuang Kang Air Base RMQ
It is about 53 km in a straight line from Sun Moon Lake.
Hualien Chiashan Airport HUN
It is about 73 km in a straight line from Sun Moon Lake.
Chiayi Airport CYI
It is about 70 km in a straight line from Sun Moon Lake.
Scams and safe taxis
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan16.8 °C49 mm
- Feb18.0 °C45 mm
- Mar20.0 °C82 mm
- Apr23.0 °C115 mm
- May25.3 °C256 mm
- Jun26.3 °C312 mm
- Jul27.1 °C216 mm
- Aug27.0 °C329 mm
- Sep26.3 °C187 mm
- Oct24.5 °C60 mm
- Nov22.3 °C46 mm
- Dec18.5 °C42 mm
Driest months: Feb, Nov, Dec. Wettest months: May, Jun, Aug.
Who can help
Emergency
Police 110. Fire and ambulance 119. Tourist information hotline 0800-011-765 (English).
local government
National Police Agency (110 emergency line)
Helps with: Taiwan's national police. Call 110 if you need emergency help, see something suspicious or have a matter that needs police handling. The page does not say whether English is offered.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Taiwan, including visitors, who needs police help.
Phone: 110
Address: No.7, Sec. 1, Jhongsiao E. Rd., Jhongjheng District, Taipei City 100009
local government
Tourism Administration travel information hotline
Helps with: Taiwan's tourism authority (Tourism Bureau) toll-free travel information hotline, listed by the Taipei City Government as running 24 hours. It is for visitors needing travel information.
Who qualifies: Anyone travelling in Taiwan who needs travel information or help.
Phone: 0800-011-765
local government
Tourism Administration traveler complaints hotline
Helps with: Toll-free hotline of Taiwan's tourism authority (Tourism Bureau) for travellers to make complaints, as listed by the Taipei City Government.
Who qualifies: Travellers in Taiwan who have a complaint about a tourism service.
Phone: 0800-211-734
local government
National Immigration Agency - Foreigners in Taiwan Hotline
Helps with: Taiwan's immigration agency hotline for foreigners, dialled as 1990 inside Taiwan or +886-800-001990 from overseas. It covers help and information for people from other countries living in or visiting Taiwan.
Who qualifies: Foreign nationals in Taiwan. The page does not list its hours or languages.
Phone: 1990