(Taiwan Day 3) Relaxing Stroll and Scenic Views by Sun Moon Lake

Sun Moon Lake (日月潭) is a scenic mountain lake in central Taiwan. Its name derives from its shape, which resembles a sun and a moon.

Sun Moon Lake, nicknamed the "Switzerland of Taiwan," is the largest freshwater lake in Taiwan, surrounded by majestic mountains. Spend a full day cycling, boating, and strolling around the lake, letting nature embrace you.

For the fastest travel between Taipei (台北市) and Taichung (台中), we recommend two methods:

1. Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR): Takes approximately 1 hour but the fare is relatively high at around 700 NTD.

2. Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA): Offers various options, with the Puyuma Express (普悠瑪號) being recommended. It takes 1 hour and 37 minutes and costs only 375 NTD, the same as other TRA trains but with the fastest speed and fewest stops. It also avoids overcrowding as it only offers reserved seating, with no standing tickets available.

Traveling from Taichung to Sun Moon Lake

Transportation:

• Take the Nantou Bus from Gancheng Station, located approximately 600 meters or a 10-minute walk from Taichung TRA Station.
• Consider purchasing a bus package at Gancheng Station, which includes transportation by bus, boat, bicycle, cable car, and admission to the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village. This package offers significant savings compared to purchasing individual tickets.
• The bus journey to Sun Moon Lake takes approximately 2 hours.

**Recommendation:** To avoid excessive fatigue, it is highly advisable to spend a night in Sun Moon Lake (日月潭). This will allow for a more relaxed and enjoyable travel experience.

Upon arrival at the Shui She Visitor Center, you will be approached by representatives from various boat companies. Simply present the voucher you purchased earlier to exchange it for a physical boat ticket. This process is swift, taking less than 30 seconds, due to the competitive nature of the industry. While there are numerous companies vying for your business, the quality of their boats is comparable, so you can choose any of them. Look for the image of your boat on the ticket to identify the correct vessel to board.

Let me explain the boat situation first. The boat we will be using will stop at a total of 3 points (all companies are the same).

1. Shuishe Pier: This is the first pier you will reach after getting off the bus.

2. Xuanguang Temple Pier: This pier allows you to visit the Xuanguang Temple.

3. Ita Thao Pier: This pier offers access to a cable car that provides panoramic views of the forest and lake. The cable car's final stop is Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village Station.

Route: To reach the cable car, take a boat from Shuishe Pier to Xuanguang Temple Pier, and then to Ita Thao Pier. You do not need to change boats.

Having learned about the boat trip, we will now take you to experience the atmosphere. We rode a boat shaped like a horse.

Lalu Island, the smallest island in Taiwan's largest lake.

While sailing, you will encounter Lalu Island, a small island in the middle of the lake. Originally, Lalu Island was much larger. However, in 1919, the Japanese government, which ruled Taiwan at the time, initiated the construction of a hydroelectric power plant in the lake. This led to a rapid increase in the water level. In 1999, an earthquake struck Taiwan, causing the seabed under the lake to shift, resulting in an even higher water level. Consequently, the once large island has shrunk to become the smallest island in Taiwan.

Take a boat to Ita Thao Pier.

In the vicinity of the harbor, there are numerous Taiwanese-style restaurants. It is recommended to have lunch in this area before embarking on the Yidashao Lakeside Trial, which leads to the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway.

In stark contrast to the bustling shops, the Yidashao Lakeside Trail offers a tranquil and natural escape. This serene path is perfect for those who seek a peaceful stroll amidst the beauty of nature.

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Strolling along, we arrived at the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway.

The Sun Moon Lake Ropeway offers glass-bottom gondolas (although fewer in number than the enclosed ones). Since we visited on a weekday, there were very few people, so we were able to enjoy a private ride in the glass gondola.

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