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Aerial shot of wharf, pier and beautiful lake waters

Sun Moon Lake Tours and Vacation Packages

Ita Thao Pier, Sun Moon Lake, Yuchi, Nantou

Overview

Take a trip to Sun Moon Lake on your Taiwan Vacation

Located in the centre of Taiwan, Sun Moon Lake is a beautiful tourist attraction on Taiwan vacations featuring surrounding mountains, emerald green waters, and numerous cultural and historic sites.

Sun Moon Lake is the largest natural lake in Taiwan and is situated 748m (2,454 ft) above sea level, runs 27m (89 ft) deep, and has a surface area of approximately 7.93 sq km (3.06 sq mi). The east side of the lake resembles a round sun, and the west side resembles a crescent moon, hence its name.

Sun Moon Lake is home to the Thao tribe, one of the aboriginal tribes in Taiwan. Lalu Island, found in the middle of the lake, is a holy ground for the Thao tribe. Legend has it that as hunters chased a white deer through surrounding mountains, they came upon Sun Moon Lake, which was abundantly full of fish. The white deer had since been immortalized by a statue built on Lalu Island.

In 1978 a pavilion was built on Lalu Island and became a popular place for weddings. In 1999, the 921 Earthquake, the second deadliest in Taiwan, destroyed the pavilion and sank most of Lalu Island.

With focus given to its culture and heritage, Sun Moon Lake offers visitors on Taiwan vacation packages an opportunity to explore Ita Thao, the village of the Thao tribe, as well as Wen Wu Temple, Tse-En Pagoda, Holy Monk Shrine, and Puli, the pride of Taiwan’s eco-tourism industry.

Along with its cultural sites, Sun Moon Lake offers boat tours, bike and pedestrian paths, ideal spots for bird watching, and a mid-Autumn festival where more than ten thousand swimmers plunge into the lake to swim 3kms across. Sun Moon Lake is a favourite destination for domestic and foreign tourists on a Taiwan vacation.

At a Glance

Languages

Mandarin

Currency

New Taiwan Dollar (TWD)

What do the experts say?

Oscar Chow

Oscar Chow

Destination Specialist
Learn More About This Expert
The Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival, held during the annual Taiwan Lantern Festival, is an extraordinary tradition with nearly 150 years of tradition.
Oscar Chow

Oscar Chow

Destination Specialist
Learn More About This Expert
Taiwan is developing their national basketball and baseball leagues. Travellers looking for foreign sports experiences can enjoy these exciting events in basically every major city in Taiwan.
Anuj Kumar

Anuj Kumar

Destination Specialist
Learn More About This Expert
Taiwan isn’t just Taipei—there are many important cities worth visiting, like Tainan, which is known for its rich history and temples. Kaohsiung, a vibrant port city with modern attractions and cultural sites, is another highlight worth visiting.
Anuj Kumar

Anuj Kumar

Destination Specialist
Learn More About This Expert
I absolutely love Taiwan's amazing food, especially at night markets like Shilin in Taipei. I also really enjoy the mix of modern city life with the country's rich culture, which you can see in skyscrapers like Taipei 101.

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