Best Sun Moon Lake One-Day and Two-Day Tour: Transportation, Attractions, and Itinerary Tips (Including Renting a Car with Driver Information)

Located in Nantou County, Sun Moon Lake is one of Taiwan's largest natural lakes and is renowned as the "Twin Lakes with Autumn Moon." Surrounded by mountains, the shimmering reflections on the lake surface create a captivating scenery, making Sun Moon Lake a must-visit destination for many travelers.

If you are planning a one-day or two-day trip to Sun Moon Lake to experience its beauty, I highly recommend taking a boat tour around the lake. Along the way, you will encounter attractions such as Xuanzang Temple, Wenwu Temple, and Ita Thao, allowing you to gain a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural significance of this beautiful scenic area.

Whether you are traveling independently or with a tour group, be sure to include Sun Moon Lake in your itinerary to immerse yourself in the beauty of its lakes and mountains.

One-day Trip Guide to Sun Moon Lake | Popular Must-Visit Attractions

When you arrive in Yuchi Township, Nantou, don't miss out on Taiwan's largest alpine lake - Sun Moon Lake!

This lake, which sits at an elevation of 750 meters and covers an area of approximately 1160 hectares, is surrounded by layers of mountains and is renowned for its stunning reflections on the water's surface. How many more breathtaking attractions are there for a one-day trip to Sun Moon Lake? Let's explore together with the help of this guide!

Sun Moon Lake Day Trip Attractions: Xiangshan Visitor Center

If you are visiting Sun Moon Lake for the first time, the visitor center is a must-visit place! This building is designed by the internationally renowned Japanese architect "Tadao Ando" and is made of clear water molds, which will definitely surprise you during your journey.

Located on the west side of Sun Moon Lake, the visitor center is almost a mandatory attraction for every visitor. Here, you can gain a deeper understanding of the scenery of Sun Moon Lake through multimedia audiovisual information and better plan your subsequent itinerary.

In addition, you can enjoy delicious food and coffee here, and there are beautiful views for taking memorable photos. Come and experience the beauty of Sun Moon Lake!

Opening Hours: 09:00-17:00
Multimedia Audiovisual Showtimes: 10:00, 10:30, 14:00, 14:30
Address: No. 599, Zhongshan Road, Yuchi Township, Nantou County

Sun Moon Lake One-Day Tour Attraction: Sun Moon Lake Ropeway

There is a special lake transportation in Sun Moon Lake, which was built in 2009. It is 1,877 meters long and connects Idashao and Formosa Aboriginal Culture Village at Sun Moon Lake.

This lake-view cable car, rated three stars by Michelin, allows you to enjoy the magnificent scenery of Sun Moon Lake, Fish Pond, and Puli Highlands from the air in just 10 minutes. This unique Sun Moon Lake Ropeway experience will surely leave you with lasting memories!

Opening Hours: Weekdays - 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Weekends - 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Ticket Sales Hours: Weekdays - 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM, Weekends - 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Parking Lot Hours: 9:00~18:00
Ticket Information: Full fare is 350 NT$, and discounted fare is 280 NT$. For more details, please refer to the official website of Sun Moon Lake Ropeway for ticket prices.
Please note that the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway ticket is valid for a round trip on the same day only.
Address: No. 102, Zhongzheng Road, Riyue Village, Yuchi Township, Nantou County.

Sun Moon Lake Day Trip Attraction: Ci'en Pagoda

Built by Chiang Kai-shek to commemorate his mother, Ci'en Pagoda is located at an altitude of 954 meters. The tower stands at a height of 48 meters, precisely at an elevation of 1,000 meters. From the high point of the tower, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the beautiful scenery of Sun Moon Lake, including a 360-degree unobstructed view of Guanghua Island.
Opening Hours: 09:00 AM - 04:30 PM

Sun Moon Lake Day Tour: Wenwu Temple

Located by the Sun Moon Lake, Wenwu Temple is the only Confucian temple in Taiwan that enshrines sacred statues. The main hall, known as Dacheng Hall, is the only Confucian temple in Taiwan that opens its central door. It is a popular place of worship and a spiritual center for the nearby residents. In addition, the rear hall of the Wenwu Temple features an observation deck that offers a panoramic view of the beautiful Sun Moon Lake. With its rich cultural heritage and significant tourist value, this is definitely a must-visit attraction!

Opening hours: Open all day (after 8 PM, please enter through the side entrance)
Ticket information: Free admission, but it is recommended to bring incense money.
Address: No. 63, Zhongzheng Road, Yuchi Township, Nantou County, Taiwan

One-day Tourist Spot at Sun Moon Lake: Xuan Guang Temple

Located on the mountainside of Sun Moon Lake, there is a serene and pleasant Tang-style building, also one of the largest Buddhist temples in Taiwan - Xuan Guang Temple. Initially built as a temporary shrine to enshrine the skull relic of Master Xuanzang, the architecture is simple yet modest and elegant. From here, you can enjoy the most beautiful scenery of Sun Moon Lake. In front of the temple, there are two large stones inscribed with the words "Sun Moon Lake" and "Xuan Guang Temple." On holidays, tourists line up to take photos here, making it a highly popular tourist attraction in the area.

Ticket Information: Free admission
Opening Hours: 05:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Address: No. 338, Zhongzheng Road, Riyue Village, Yuchi Township, Nantou County.

Sun Moon Lake Day Trip Attraction: Longfeng Temple

If you are a single dog yearning to get rid of your single status, it is said that the Moon God here is famous in the "top harbor" and even more renowned in the "lower harbor." It is believed that after paying respects to him, you will meet your desired person in "as fast as one month, or as slow as half a year." If you happen to be traveling at Sun Moon Lake, don't forget to visit the Moon God Shrine on Lalu Island and bring some snacks for the Moon God. Who knows, today next year might be your anniversary!

Opening hours: 06:00 AM to 09:00 PM
Attraction address: No. 292, Zhongshan Road, Shuishe Village, Yuchi Township, Nantou County, Taiwan

Sun Moon Lake Day Trip Attractions: Shuishe Pier

If you visit Sun Moon Lake, then the area around Shuishe is a must-visit destination! Here, you can find a variety of hotels, guesthouses, and shops to meet your accommodation, dining, and souvenir shopping needs. It is also an important transportation hub for Sun Moon Lake. From here, you can take Taiwan Tourist Shuttle buses or purchase boat tickets to take a lake tour to Ita Thao, or take a bus to nearby Xitou or Checheng. Of course, if you want to rent a bicycle to explore Sun Moon Lake, you can do it all here! I highly recommend visiting Shuishe Pier in the afternoon. Enjoy the gentle sea breeze and the beautiful scenery of the lake and mountains. It will definitely bring you a sense of tranquility! No wonder Shuishe Pier has always been one of the liveliest and most popular attractions in Sun Moon Lake.

Sun Moon Lake Day Trip: Idaosao

Idaosao is more than just an ordinary village! This place used to be called "Dehua Village" and is now the most populated area in Sun Moon Lake. It is home to various ethnic groups such as the Thao, Atayal, and Han, making Idaosao an important settlement for indigenous cultures. When you visit here, you can experience the diverse cultural atmosphere and explore the local traditions and customs. It is definitely a must-visit tourist destination!

Opening hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (open year-round)
Address: No. 127, Wenhua Street, Riyue Village, Yuchi Township, Nantou County

Sun Moon Lake One-Day Tour: Cycling Trail

Also known as the "Cycling Trail of Moon Lake," it is built along the Sun Moon Lake. It was once selected as one of the top ten cycling trails in the world by CNN's travel program in 2013. Not only is it a globally renowned cycling trail, but it is also a world-class one. Rent a bicycle and enjoy the beauty of Sun Moon Lake in a unique way, accompanied by a gentle breeze.

Opening Hours: Open all day
Location: Turn left at 67.5km on Provincial Highway 21, passing through the Mingtan Tunnel

The above is a one-day tour guide to Sun Moon Lake that our editor has prepared for you. If time permits, we strongly recommend that you also visit other nearby attractions such as Formosa Aboriginal Culture Village, Jiji, and Checheng. These are excellent attractions that should not be missed. Whether you are planning a one-day tour or a two-day tour, Sun Moon Lake is the best choice for Central Taiwan travel!

Sun Moon Lake Formosa Aboriginal Culture Village Two-Day Tour | Attractions and Itinerary

If you visit Sun Moon Lake but don't want to spend the entire weekend there or have had your fill of its beautiful scenery, why not take a ride on the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway to the Formosa Aboriginal Culture Village, which is themed around indigenous cultures? This park offers exciting amusement facilities and various themed areas for you to explore. Whether you're an adult or a child, one day is definitely not enough to fully enjoy it!

Here's a suggested itinerary for a two-day tour of Sun Moon Lake and Formosa Aboriginal Culture Village:

Day 1:

Sun Moon Lake→Xiangshan Visitor Center→Longfeng Palace→Shuishe Pier→Xuanguang Temple→Ci'en Pagoda→Ita Thao Pier/Boat tour on the lake

Day 2:

Take the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway→Formosa Aboriginal Culture Village.

Formosa Aboriginal Culture Village

In this museum, you can see various exhibits of early indigenous cultural artifacts, such as musical instruments, textiles, and bamboo crafts. Through these exhibits, you can gain a deeper understanding and experience the lives of indigenous people. If you have children accompanying you, it's a great learning opportunity.

Indigenous Tribes

Don't think that Formosa Aboriginal Culture Village only has amusement facilities. The park also has a special tribal landscape area. Utilizing the terrain, it features ten cultural display areas representing different indigenous tribes' traditional dwellings. This allows visitors to experience the lifestyle of indigenous people. Additionally, you can take a cable car up to the Shamao Mountain Tower and then stroll down the trail, enjoying the scenery. It's truly a wonderful place for a leisurely visit!

Tribal Landscape Area

In this landscape area, you can admire the beauty of nature. For example, the Sakura Lake, located next to the Atayal tribe, was selected as one of the "New Eight Wonders of Sun Moon Lake" in 2018. It is definitely a place not to be missed. Furthermore, the Wanshan Divine Stone/Water Source Temple, located at the heart of the Formosa Aboriginal Culture Village, is also a very popular attraction. It replicates the rock carvings and totems from the deep mountains of Wanshan Tribe in Kaohsiung, possessing legendary powers. It is definitely a must-see sight.

Joyful World

Next up is a series of thrilling amusement rides loved by both adults and children. Whether it's sitting on a circular boat drifting along a winding river, experiencing the exhilarating adventure of being suddenly sucked into a huge whirlpool, or trying out the thrilling water roller coaster called Invincible Fleet, where you first go backward and then rush down from a height of 30 meters, creating enormous splashes of water that will make your blood boil! These amusement rides are highly recommended and definitely worth a try!

Water and Sand Europe Garden

Do you think that in the Formosa Aboriginal Culture Village, you can only see indigenous culture? NO NO NO! Within the park, there is also a Europe Garden occupying an area of approximately six hectares, making it the largest European-style garden in Taiwan. This romantic place is not only a filming location for many idol dramas but also offers breathtaking scenery that will make you marvel. When you come here, you will discover that every photo you take turns out beautiful!

Sun Moon Lake Day Trip Transportation | Renting a Car with Driver, Public Transportation Options

Below, our editor has compiled transportation options for a day trip to Sun Moon Lake. You can choose according to your needs:

Renting a Car with Driver

By choosing to hire a private driver, you can save a lot of time on transfers and waiting. You can make a reservation directly on the Tripool website. Tripool offers the following advantages: instant price calculation with transparency and openness, no hidden fees, guaranteed cancellation with a full refund if done before 6:00 AM the day before the scheduled service, and flexible options for "one-way transfers" or "hourly ride." The earlier you book, the cheaper it can be!

Rent a car

If you want to start a journey without constraints, renting a car is a good choice. Here are the routes from different locations:

Departing from Taipei:

Route A: National Highway 3 → Wufeng Interchange (National Highway 6) → Ailan Interchange (Provincial Highway 14 towards Puli) → Puli (Connect to Provincial Highway 21) → Yuchi → Sun Moon Lake

Route B: National Highway 1 → Changhua System (Southbound on National Highway 3) → Wufeng Interchange (National Highway 6) → Ailan Interchange (Provincial Highway 14 towards Puli) → Puli (Connect to Provincial Highway 21) → Yuchi → Sun Moon Lake

Route C: National Highway 3 → Caotun Interchange (Provincial Highway 14 towards Puli) → Puli (Connect to Provincial Highway 21) → Yuchi → Sun Moon Lake
Departing from Taichung:

Route A: Taichung → Zhongtou Expressway → Zhongtou Interchange (Southbound on National Highway 3) → Wufeng Interchange (National Highway 6) → Ailan Interchange (Provincial Highway 14 towards Puli) → Puli (Connect to Provincial Highway 21) → Yuchi → Sun Moon Lake

Route B: Taichung → Taichung Road → Dali → Guoguang Road → Wufeng → (Connect to Provincial Highway 14) → Caotun → (Connect to Provincial Highway 14) → Puli (Connect to Provincial Highway 21) → Yuchi → Sun Moon Lake
Departing from Kaohsiung:

Route A: National Highway 1 → Tai 78 Expressway → National Highway 3 → Zhushan Interchange → Jiji (Switch to Provincial Highway 16 via Provincial Highway 3) → Shuili (Connect to Provincial Highway 16) → Sun Moon Lake (Connect to Provincial Highway 21)

Route B: National Highway 3 → Zhushan Interchange → Jiji (Switch to Provincial Highway 16 via Provincial Highway 3) → Shuili (Connect to Provincial Highway 16) → Sun Moon Lake (Connect to Provincial Highway 21)

Public Transportation

Departing from Northern Counties and Cities:
If you're coming from the northern counties and cities, you have a couple of options. First, you can take the high-speed rail or Taiwan Railways to Taipei Transfer Station. From there, transfer to Guoguang Bus 1833, which will take you directly to Sun Moon Lake Station. This bus service offers regular accessible services. Alternatively, you can choose to get off at Taichung Station instead. From Taichung, you can take the high-speed rail or Taiwan Railways and then transfer to Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 6670 (Sun Moon Lake Route), which will bring you to Sun Moon Lake Station. For ticket prices and schedules, please refer to Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 6670 (Sun Moon Lake Route) and Guoguang Bus 1833.

Departing from Central Counties and Cities:
For travelers departing from the central counties and cities, your best option is to transfer at Puli Transfer Station. From there, you can take Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 6670 (Sun Moon Lake Route) directly to Sun Moon Lake Station. This shuttle service offers regular accessible services. If you're traveling from Checheng Station, you can take Taiwan Railways and then transfer to Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 6671 (Checheng Route) to reach Sun Moon Lake Station. Please note that accessible services on this route require a reservation. Another option is to start from Taichung High-Speed Rail Station or Taichung TRA Station. From either of these stations, you can transfer to Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 6670 (Sun Moon Lake Route) and reach Sun Moon Lake Station. Ticket prices and schedules can be found on the websites of Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 6670 (Sun Moon Lake Route) and Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 6671 (Checheng Route).

Departing from Other Counties and Cities:
If you're departing from other counties and cities, you can take the high-speed rail or Taiwan Railways to Taichung Station. From Taichung Station, you can then transfer to Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 6670 (Sun Moon Lake Route) to reach Sun Moon Lake Station. For ticket prices and schedules, please refer to Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 6670 (Sun Moon Lake Route).

Sun Moon Lake Day Trip: Common Questions on Dcard and PTT

Q1: Which accommodations do you recommend for a two-day trip to Sun Moon Lake?

A: There are many hotels and guesthouses of various sizes around Sun Moon Lake. I suggest doing some research online to avoid any unpleasant surprises and look for hotels with good reviews. For example, YUNPIN Hotel, Sun Moon Lake Hotel, and Lalu The Chateau are all well-regarded options at Sun Moon Lake. Choosing the right accommodation will make your journey even more enjoyable!

Q2: How can I get to Sun Moon Lake? Are there parking lots available?

A: When traveling to Sun Moon Lake, you can consider the following three transportation options:

1.Public transportation: You can take Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Bus 6670 from Taichung High-Speed Rail Station, Taichung Railway Station, or Nantou Bus Terminal and get off at Sun Moon Lake. Alternatively, you can take Kuo-Kuang Bus or Taiwan Railway to Sun Moon Lake, with a travel time of approximately 2-3 hours.

2.Rent a car: Take Exit Zhonggang on National Highway 1 and then follow Provincial Highway 14 towards Sun Moon Lake.

3.Private drivers: You can directly book private drivers on the Tripool official website. https://www.tripool.app/en/search

Sun Moon Lake Surrounding Parking Lots

Xiangshan Parking Lot (including the first and second parking lots)

• Large vehicle parking spaces: 10
• Small vehicle parking spaces: 104
• Motorcycle parking spaces: 56
• Payment method: Free

Wenwu Temple Parking Lot

• Large vehicle parking spaces: 4
• Small vehicle parking spaces: 30
• Payment method: Free

Xuanguang Temple Parking Lot

• Large vehicle parking spaces: 2
• Small vehicle parking spaces: 23
• Payment method: Free

Dahua Visitor Center Parking Lot

• Small vehicle parking spaces: 38
• Payment method: Weekdays: NT$40 per hour, with a maximum daily charge of NT$100. Weekends: NT$40 per hour, no maximum daily charge.

For other parking lot information, please refer to the Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area parking lot information.

Q3: What is the general price range for a one-day tour package at Sun Moon Lake?

A: The ticket prices for one-day tour packages at Sun Moon Lake vary depending on the different tour combinations, ranging from $560 to $1250. You can choose according to your personal needs. For more details, please refer to the explanation of Sun Moon Lake tour packages.

Q4: How much does a one-day private driver tour to Sun Moon Lake cost?

A: Taking the example of a group of eight people traveling from Taichung High-Speed Rail to Sun Moon Lake, with a nine-seater private driver for eight hours, the cost for the private driver service is $5580.

Q5: For a one-day tour at Sun Moon Lake that includes visits to the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village and the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway, is it recommended to hire a private driver or drive by oneself?

A: I would suggest considering the number of people in your group and your specific needs:

For budget travelers: You can make smart use of the "Sun Moon Lake one-day tour package."
For family travel: If there are elderly or children in your group, I strongly recommend choosing "private drivers" or "Rent a car" for convenience.

Sun Moon Lake two-day tour, one-day tour transportation first choice, tripool door-to-door car rental service

If you want to have a pleasant trip to Sun Moon Lake and Formosa Aboriginal Culture Village, transportation is very important. If you want a worry-free journey, I recommend considering using tripool's private hire driver service. tripool is a professional car rental platform that offers various vehicle types and options to meet different needs.

When using tripool's car rental service, you can also enjoy the following advantages:

Convenience: You can easily book a car rental service on tripool's website without spending time searching for different transportation options.
Comfort: tripool's vehicles are carefully selected and well-maintained, ensuring a comfortable experience during your journey.
Safety: All tripool drivers undergo strict screening and training, providing a sense of safety during your trip.
On tripool's website, you can find car rental routes to Sun Moon Lake and choose the vehicle type and options that suit you. Visit the tripool official website and enjoy a pleasant journey to Sun Moon Lake!

 https://www.tripool.app/en/search