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If you’re embarking on your first trip to Taiwan and have a couple of extra days to explore, I highly recommend dedicating one to two days to visit Sun Moon Lake.
Click Here for my guide to Taipei, Taiwan.
Click Here for my guide to Jiufen, Taiwan.
Click Here for my guide to for First Timers visiting Taiwan.
Click Here for my guide to Tamsui and Beitou.
Personally, I always incorporate nature into my Asian trips to experience the natural wonders alongside urban delights.
This was our detailed Itinerary
Day 1
- Taipei - Taichung via High speed rail to Taichung- 10:30 AM
- Arrived in HSR Taichung Station- take train to Taichung Station 20 min- Return to HSP Taichung Station.
- Hotel Shuttle to Sun Moon Lake
- Drive to Assam Tea Farm
- Walk to Wenwu Temple- Right next to hotel
- stay the night in Sun Moon Lake
Day 2
- Big Tree Bike Rental Follow the Bike Path
- Start at Shuishe Village bike along the lake. Bike to Moon Bay. Bike back to Bike Rental in Shuishe Village.
- Take Ferry from Shuishe Pier to Xuanguang temple. every 15 min shuttle, 10 dollars for a pass
- Hike to Cien pagoda 1 hr hike.
- Return to Shuishe Village- Took taxi to Fengchia Night Market
- Fengchia night market
- Highspeed rail back to Taipei at night.
Sun Moon Lake is renowned as one of the most beautiful places globally, with its bike trails being among the most picturesque biking spots in the world. If I were to draw a comparison, it closely resembles Lake Kawaguchiko in Japan.
During our visit, we stayed at the renowned Fleur de Chine Hotel, offering breathtaking views of Sun Moon Lake and indulgent dining experiences with their unlimited dinner and breakfast buffets. I highly recommend staying here for at least one to two nights to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of Sun Moon Lake.
Here's a detailed itinerary on how to get from Taipei to Sun Moon Lake:
Book a high-speed rail ticket to Taichung.
We purchased our tickets here . This will take about 45-60 min and cost around 600 NTD or 20 bucks USD depending what type of ticket you purchase. We purchased ours about 2 weeks in advance. You can take a MRT to this station.
Many hotels, including ours, provide shuttles to Sun Moon Lake. Ours picked us up at 2:30 from the Taichung Highspeed Rail Station, ensuring a seamless transfer. It was a 30-40 min Shuttle Ride from Taichung HSR station to our hotel.
Here is more detail on the shuttles the hotel provided.
Alternatively, you can take a Bus from Taipei to Sun Moon Lake, which will take around 3-4 hours. However, a HSR ticket to Taichung HSR station and then shuttle/bus from the HSR station is much quicker. Here is the bus that will take you from Taichung to Sun Moon Lake.
If you get to the Taichung HSR station early you can take a train to Taichung Station about 20 minutes and hang out while you wait. We went to Miyahara a famous ice cream spot and bought some pineapple cakes.
When you Arrive
Assam Tea Farm
A short drive from our hotel. This was uneventful and I would skip this attraction unless you want to buy tea. The tea room closes early in the day.
Wenwu Temple
A short walk from the hotel. There is also a cute cafe/hotel next to the temple that you can purchase drinks with a view of the lake! It's called Hotelday+ Sun Moon Lake.
Night Time
Fleur De Chine Hotel
At night take advantage of the hotel amenities, including the buffet, water park, spas, and pools. I will give a heads up that if you go swimming in their pool or partaking in the water resort they expect you to purchase and wear a swim cap during the whole experience.
The unlimited buffet can be purchased for breakfast or dinner and can be included in packaged stays if you call the hotel or have friends in Taiwan that can book for you.
These are the prices as of 2024. I would opt to eat here as there aren't many restaurants around the area.
Breakfast Buffet Prices from 2024 and their website.
Time：07:00 ~ 12:00Price：Adults NT$880+10%、Children NT$480+10% (6-12 years old or 115-150 cm)
Dinner Buffet
Time：17:00~19:00 (First serving) 、19:30~21:30 (Second serving)Price：Adults NT$1,580+10%、Children NT$880+10% (6-12 years old or 115-150 cm)
Day 2
Bike Riding
The next day, we left our luggage at the hotel and headed to Shuishe Village, the hub of Sun Moon Lake. Here, you can take water taxis to explore different areas of the lake.
My recommendation is to start by renting a bike and cycling the famous bike path around Sun Moon Lake. Opt for electric assist bikes for a more enjoyable experience. We rented ours at Big Tree Rental Shop, where they provided excellent service after i experienced a fall. They provided a map guide for where to bike and gave us passion fruit and water. I believe I paid around 30 dollars to rent the bike for 2 hours for 3 people.
Hiking to Cien Pagoda and Water Ferries!
After cycling, purchase ferry tickets at Shuishe Village Pier to visit Xuang Guang Temple. The ferry ticket costs about $10 per person and allows access to three main piers, including Ita Thao Village.
At Xuang Guang Temple, embark on a one-hour hike to Cien Pagoda for the best view of Sun Moon Lake. Remember to pack water and wear comfortable hiking shoes. To climb to the top of the Pagoda will take about 10-20 minutes.
While there are other attractions at Sun Moon Lake, we chose to skip Ita Thao Village due to its touristy vibe.
As the day progresses, be mindful of ferry schedules to avoid being stranded. Our hotel offered a shuttle back to Tai Chung station, but if you stay later like we did, you might need to arrange a taxi. The bike shop was kind enough to call us a Taxi. We could have taken a bus as well!
We took the Taichung high-speed rail back to Taipei to conclude our unforgettable trip
Things to do in Taichung before you go to Sun Moon Lake or when you return.
Fengchia Night Market
Fengchia Night Market, located in Taichung, Taiwan, is a vibrant hub of activity and excitement. As one of the largest night markets in the country, it offers a diverse array of street food stalls, shops, and entertainment options. Visitors can sample local delicacies such as stinky tofu, grilled squid, and bubble tea while browsing through an eclectic mix of clothing, accessories, and souvenirs. With its lively atmosphere and bustling energy, Fengchia Night Market provides an unforgettable experience for locals and tourists alike, showcasing the vibrant spirit of Taiwanese culture. Personally it was not my favorite night market I visited but worth a visit if you're in the area.
Here are some must eats
Fengchia Night Market
- Yixin Vegetarian Stinky Tofu (一心素食臭豆腐) Yes, some stalls use meat ingredients in their stinky tofu recipe, but not this one
- Ming Lun Dan Bing (明倫蛋餅) A breakfast favorite to enjoy at night, made from scratch, a little thicker than usual breakfast shop ones, and super popular, with two locations in the night market
- Guan Zhi-lin’s Rice Sausage Stuffed with Sausage (官芝霖大腸包小腸) You can find this across Taiwan, but locals seem to love the ones here
- Yu Pin-Yuan Binghuo Tangyuan (御品元冰火湯圓-台中逢甲店) Try their specialty of hot, gooey, sweet tangyuan atop a bowl of shaved ice with sweet osmanthus honey and lemon
- Seaside Hut (海邊小屋) Grilled shrimps and cute little whale-shaped boxes of mini clams
Miyahara
Nestled in Taichung's vibrant streets, Miyahara beckons with its historic charm and delectable treats. Housed in an old-world building, this beloved ice cream parlor is a testament to tradition and culinary excellence.
Upon stepping inside, visitors are greeted by the tantalizing aroma of freshly baked pastries and a dazzling array of ice cream flavors. While queues may form, they only add to the anticipation of Miyahara's renowned sundaes, customizable with premium ice cream scoops and irresistible toppings. A must-try is the pineapple cake sundae, perfectly capturing Taiwan's sweet and tangy flavors.
Beyond its classics, Miyahara delights with seasonal specialties and inventive creations, ensuring there's always something new to savor. The shop's vintage ambiance adds to the enchantment, transporting guests to a whimsical world.
Completing the experience are Miyahara's pineapple cakes and pastries, evoking the magic of Harry Potter's universe. These delectable treats serve as cherished souvenirs, allowing patrons to take a piece of Miyahara's charm home with them.
In essence, Miyahara is more than just an ice cream shop—it's a cultural icon and a culinary haven, promising a delightful journey through flavors and traditions. Whether you're a local or a traveler, a visit to Miyahara is an unforgettable experience filled with sweet memories and savory delights.
Click Here for my guide to Taipei, Taiwan.
Click Here for my guide to Jiufen, Taiwan.
Click Here for my guide to for First Timers visiting Taiwan.
Click Here for my guide to Tamsui and Beitou.
