Some do Sun Moon Lake in a day trip and some do it via cycling – we did it really, really slow because we couldn’t bear to leave this beautiful place.
Before getting to our recommended itinerary, below is a short read on Sun Moon Lake that you may find it useful since it is located a distance away from the big cities.
Overview
- Getting to Sun Moon Lake
- Getting around the lake
- Where to stay?
- Grab a famous tea egg outside Xuanguang Temple
- Eat your way through the best street food
- Hop on a bus to Xiangshan Visitor Centre
- Pizza under the bridge
Getting to Sun Moon Lake
From Taipei
The fastest way you can get to Sun Moon Lake from Taipei is to take HSR to Taichung Station then transfer to a bus to Sun Moon Lake. The HSR journey is an hour and costs 700 TWD for a full fare ticket, you can get up to 35% off if you purchase early. Book your HSR ticket.
Then board Nantou bus #6670 at Taichung HSR Station which will take you to Shuishe Visitor Center 日月潭水社遊客中心 in 1 hour 30 mins. A one-way ticket cost 195 TWD while a round-trip ticket cost 360 TWD. Check bus timetable.
Total price: 895 TWD
From Alishan
There are only two buses every day from Alishan to Sun Moon Lake, operated by Yuanlin Bus Service 員林客運. You can either make a reservation as early as one month in advance or go early to purchase your tickets. The tickets are sold in the 7-eleven right outside of the scenic area, just beside the cashiers.
The bus will leave Alishan at 13:00 and 14:00 and arrive about 2 hours 50 mins later (including rest breaks) also at Shuishe Visitor Center.
Price: 350 TWD
Getting around the lake
By Ferry
This is what we opted for since it’s the easiest option. It suits travel groups with elderly and children so the below lazy guide will be based on this option.
The one-day ferry ticket can be purchased anywhere near the lake with the standard price promoted at 300 TWD per person but the thing is, no one actually buys it at this price. There are discounted tickets everywhere so you could start by asking your host if you are staying in a homestay.
Price: 200-300 TWD
By Bus
The round-the-lake bus helps to tick more attractions off the list so it is the best choice for those who want to make the most out of their trip. Click here to view the full bus route.
Price: 80 TWD
By Cycling
For the young and active, Sun Moon Lake’s cycling route is one of the most beautiful trails in the world. A full cycle loop is 29 km and should take about 7 hours. Refer to the bike routes on the official tourism website.
Price: 100 TWD/hour
Where to stay?
Homestays
Our first choice obviously! One of the most popular attractions in Taiwan, Sun Moon Lake is also a great place to get away from city life. Just 10 minutes out of the Visitor Center, there are many houses offering homestay. We can’t emphasize how lucky we felt when we found a house that was built during the Qing dynasty.
Read here for our honest review on the homestay experience.
Hotel
If you want to save time getting around the lake, you are better off staying in a hotel near the Shuishe Visitor Centre where you can easily get on the ferry and buses.
A simple and modern hostel near the lake would be Laurel Villa B&B.
Hostel
If you are looking for a cheaper alternative, we recommend perBed hostel where you can easily access to our favourite food street of all times! Ita Thao is one of the three piers the ferry docks at so it is not a problem getting around Sun Moon Lake.
Here’s what to do for 24 hours in Sun Moon Lake
7:00 AM
Wake up to homely breakfast spread
We did a lovely homestay near Sun Moon Lake and it’s the best decision ever, sharing the same home-cooked food with the host family. I am not kidding when I say this is better than a hotel’s breakfast buffet.
9:00 AM
Catch the bus to Shuishe Visitor Centre to start the one-day ferry tour
It would be more convenient if you stayed near the Shuishe Visitor Centre where the starting point of the one-day ferry tour is located. Since we chose a homestay, we need to catch the bus there. Remember to always check with your host for the bus timing as bus intervals are about an hour!
The one-day ferry will allow bring you to 3 places including back to where you set off – Xuanguang 玄光碼頭, Ita Thao 伊達邵碼頭 and back to Shuishe Visitor Centre.
10:00 AM
Grab a famous tea egg outside Xuanguang Temple
Simple but one of the best tea eggs I had, very flavourful. It could also be enough to fuel your trekking if you plan to head to the Master Xuan Zang Memorial Hall where they keep a piece of Monk Xuan Zang who is also known as Tripitaka.
金盆阿嬤的香菇茶葉蛋
Address
No. 338號, Zhongzheng Road, Yuchi Township, Nantou County, Taiwan 555
555南投縣魚池鄉中正路338號
Google Maps
Price: 13 TWD/piece
12:00 PM
Board the ferry to Ita Thao
Enjoy the busking performance by the aborigines near the ferry wharf while waiting for the next ferry to continue the tour. Ferry frequency is high so you can rest assured that you don’t have to wait long.
12:30 PM
Eat your way through the best street food
Announcing our favourite street food in Taiwan! Almost all stores exceeded our expectations and we compiled a list of them. Don’t miss out the famed Assam Oolong tea soft serve, lotus leaf buns and the other foods that are unique to Ita Thao! Read our complete food guide to Ita Thao here.
We easily spent 2 hours here and left with very satisfied bellies.
3:00 PM
Head back to Shuishe Visitor Centre and grab a coffee at the beautiful Starbucks
Get your caffeine fix at the Starbucks that oversees Sun Moon Lake! Plus, there are really cups localised mugs to bring home with you!
4:30 PM
Hop on a bus to Xiangshan Visitor Centre
Just a bus stop away lies a beautiful avant-garde building designed by a Japanese architect. You can also cycle here via the biking trail. We were there when the autumn foliage is still visible which was a sight to behold.
There is also an exhibition area where they introduce the history of Sun Moon Lake, free entry.
5:00 PM
Admire the sunset over the lake
Xiangshan Visitor Centre has one of the best views of Sun Moon Lake. Head to the rooftop garden with lawn and await the sunset over the lake.
6:30 PM
Pizza under the bridge
Apart from the cafe in the visitor centre, there are not many restaurants nearby unless you head back to the city centre. So just 5-minutes walk away, there is a unique pizza stall under the bridge. We had a local pork pizza and it was so delicious! Highly recommended.
Pizza Factory 披薩工廠
Address
No. 592, Zhongshan Road, Yuchi Township, Nantou County, Taiwan 555
No. 592, 中山路魚池鄉南投縣555
Google Maps
8:00 PM
Head back to your accommodation for a restful evening
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