Sun Moon Lake sits in the mountains of Nantou County in central Taiwan, about 736 meters above sea level. That elevation makes it cooler than the coast in summer, which is one reason people come for a night or two. The most common plan is two days and one night, with the lake as a calm stop between Taipei and Alishan or Taroko.
| Elevation | about 736 m above sea level |
|---|---|
| Size | about 7.93 km² at normal level; maximum depth 27 m |
| Status | second-largest lake on Taiwan’s main island, and the largest semi-natural lake and reservoir |
| Scenic area | Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area, set up in January 2000 |
| Thao name | Zintun; the lake is part of the Thao people’s traditional territory |
| Swimming | banned except at the annual crossing event |
What the lake is
Sun Moon Lake is a semi-natural lake: a natural lake raised by the hydroelectric works of the 1930s, which lifted the water level and grew its surface from about 4.55 to 7.73 square kilometers. The name appears in a text of 1821, which says the lake’s water is divided into two colors. A later story says the island on the east and north side is round like the sun and the southwest side is curved like the moon. Lalu Island, formerly called Pearl Island, sits in the middle and is sacred to the Thao.
What to do
- Walk or cycle the lakeside. Shuishe is the transport hub and has bike rental, a visitor information desk, restaurants and a 24-hour luggage storage service. Ita Thao, across the water, is the Thao village and the other main area, with piers linking the two.
- Take the cable car. The Sun Moon Lake Ropeway links the Youth Activity Center with the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, opened around the turn of 2010, and gives a view over the lake.
- Visit the temples and the visitor center. Xuanzang Temple and the Xiangshan Visitor Center, whose building is itself a sight, all lie on the lake road.
- See the Lalu Hotel site. The hotel stands where a 1916 villa once was. That villa was later used by Chiang Kai-shek, and the old building was almost entirely flattened by the 1999 earthquake. The Meihe garden by the Hanbi trail was a guard post for Chiang’s escort.
- Look for the nine frogs. A stack of nine frog figures only shows in full when the water is very low.
Getting there from Taipei
Travelers ask this more than anything else. The usual route is high-speed rail to Taichung, then a bus to Shuishe. A tourist bus from Taichung’s Gancheng Station and Taichung HSR station has also run day trips to the lake, so check the current schedule. A private car and driver is the simplest option if you are also continuing to Alishan or Taroko.
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive at Shuishe, boat or walk around the lake, cable car in the afternoon, sunset at the lakeside |
| 2 | Early morning mist at the water, Ita Thao and the Thao culture, then onward to Alishan, Taichung or Taipei |
When to go
The lake’s elevation makes summer more comfortable than the lowlands. The weather station used for climate data stands at Maolan Mountain, about 1,015 meters up, so check forecasts for the lakeside rather than relying on the city. Our Taipei guide, Alishan page and Taroko page show how the lake fits into a longer Taiwan trip.
Planning Sun Moon Lake with Absolute Asia Tours
Absolute Asia Tours has planned private trips in Asia since 1989. For Sun Moon Lake that means a lakeside room, a driver for the transfers and a guide who can explain Thao culture. We’re rated 4.8 out of 5 across about 900 traveler reviews. See our Taiwan tours or tell us your dates.
Sources (read in Chinese, Chinese Wikipedia): 日月潭. Itinerary and transport compared with the questions travelers put to AI search (“sun moon lake trip”, “how can I get to Sun Moon Lake from Taipei”). Last checked November 2026.
Sun Moon Lake: FAQ
How many days do you need at Sun Moon Lake?
Two days and one night is the usual plan.
How do you get to Sun Moon Lake from Taipei?
Take high-speed rail to Taichung and a bus to Shuishe, or hire a private car. Check the current bus schedule.
How big is Sun Moon Lake?
About 7.93 square kilometers at normal water level, with a maximum depth of 27 meters.
Can you swim in Sun Moon Lake?
No, except at the annual crossing event.
Why is it called Sun Moon Lake?
One account says the water shows two colors; a later one says the lake has a round sun side and a curved moon side.
Who are the Thao?
The Indigenous people whose traditional territory includes the lake. They call it Zintun.
Photo: Photnart, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Sun Moon Lake from a hillside viewpoint.
