Sun Moon Lake - Nantou County, Taiwan
I was told there was a bike path all around Sun Moon Lake, as biking is the most popular way to explore it. My accommodation even gave me a discount voucher for bike rental, but I decided to walk instead. The path was wide and scenic as I headed toward my first stop—Wenwu Temple.
From the pedestrian path, a staircase with 365 steps led up to the temple—one for each day of the year. Each step featured the name of a notable person born on that date, which made the climb more interesting. The temple itself was grand, decorated with colourful prayer bells (wind chimes) that visitors use to ask for blessings.
After the temple, I continued along the path to the Nine Frogs Stack on the Shuiwatou hiking trail. The nine frogs sculpture shows the water level of the lake—when I visited, the water nearly reached the last frog, meaning it was at about 99%. The lake water here was a stunning emerald green.
Next, I followed the path to Ita Thao Village. It was more touristy, with food and drink stalls lining the streets and boat rentals by the lakeside. After wandering around, I ordered a stone-grilled wild boar rice combo for lunch—wild boar is a popular local dish.
From the village to Xuanguang Temple, there was no pedestrian path, so I had to walk along the narrow roadside, which felt a bit risky. The walk to the temple was slightly downhill, and many visitors choose to arrive by ferry instead.
After visiting Xuanguang Temple, I planned to go to Cien Pagoda, but the trail and pagoda were closed for maintenance. A security guard confirmed it wasn’t accessible, which was disappointing since I’d heard the view from the top was incredible.
From there, I took a bus back to the Shueishe Visitor Center. Even though it was hot and humid, I’m glad I chose to walk—it gave me more flexibility to explore at my own pace.
Highlight of Sun Moon Lake:
Wenwu Temple (文武廟) – A grand temple overlooking the lake, dedicated to Confucius and military deities. It’s known for its long staircase with 365 steps, representing each day of the year.
Nine Frogs Stack (九蛙疊像) – A unique sculpture of nine frogs stacked atop one another, used as a playful yet practical water-level gauge for the lake.
Ita Thao Village (伊達邵) – A lively lakeside village home to the Thao people, offering local food stalls, shops, and cultural performances.
Xuan Zang Temple (玄奘寺) & Xuanguang Temple (玄光寺) – Twin temples dedicated to the Tang dynasty monk Xuanzang, famous for his pilgrimage to India. Both offer peaceful lake views and spiritual significance.
Cien Pagoda (慈恩塔) – Built by Chiang Kai-shek in honor of his mother, this 46-meter-tall pagoda sits atop Shabalan Mountain and provides one of the best viewpoints over Sun Moon Lake.
History & Background
Sun Moon Lake (日月潭) is Taiwan’s largest freshwater lake, located in Nantou County at an elevation of about 748 metres. Its name comes from the unique shape of the lake—one side resembles the sun, the other the moon. The area has long been home to the Thao people, one of Taiwan’s Indigenous tribes, who maintain deep cultural and spiritual ties to the lake.
During the Japanese colonial era (1895–1945), Sun Moon Lake became a major hydroelectric and tourist site, leading to the construction of trails, temples, and scenic lookouts that remain today. Modern-day Sun Moon Lake is both a sacred and recreational destination—known for its temples like Wenwu and Xuanguang, as well as its cycling route, cable car, and panoramic mountain views.
Getting There
Sun Moon Lake is most commonly accessed from Taichung. Take the High-Speed Rail (HSR) or train to Taichung Station, then transfer to a Nantou Bus bound for Sun Moon Lake. The ride takes about 90 minutes and stops at major points such as Shueishe Visitor Center and Ita Thao Village.
Route Overview
Distance: 23.05 km (Shueishe Visitors Center → Cien Pagoda)
Total elevation gain: 528 m
Duration: 4 hr 59 min (with breaks 5 hr 27 min)
Difficulty: Hard
Cost Breakdown
Food: NT$243
