Sun Moon Lake Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Sun Moon Lake. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• 5-Day Best of Taiwan: Sun Moon Lake, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Hualien

• Private 3-Day Tour from Taipei: Sun Moon Lake, Alishan, Lukang

• Private 4-Day Central & Southern Taiwan Tour (Sun Moon Lake, Kaohsiung, Kenting)

• Private Day tour to Sun Moon Lake from Taipei

• Private 2-Day Sun Moon Lake, Puli, and Lukang Tour

Sun Moon Lake is typically explored on multi-day tours or 1-day trips from Taipei, the capital. 5-day Taiwan tours that combine Sun Moon Lake with highlights such as Tainan and Hualien start at US$790, while private day trips that include convenient round-trip transfers start at US$299 per group.

Yes, Sun Moon Lake is worth visiting. Not only is it Taiwan's largest freshwater lake, but its turquoise waters and forested trails also offer respite from the bustle of Taipei. You can explore it on foot, by bike, on the cable car, or by boat, making it ideal for all fitness levels, too.

Per one customer who booked the Exclusive 3-Day Sun Moon Lake and Alishan Private Tour, "This was a once-in-a-lifetime curated experience from our tour guide, An. She tweaked the trip towards more of the things we preferred to do. Sun Moon Lake and Alishan were amazing. ... We highly recommend this tour and our tour guide, An!"

Sun Moon Lake is the largest alpine and natural lake in Taiwan and a popular tourist destination. Named for its shape—its eastern portion is said to resemble a sun while its southwest looks like a crescent moon—the lake is located in the foothills of Taiwan’s Central Range.

You can visit Sun Moon Lake year-round. For the most pleasant outdoor weather, visit in spring or fall. The annual cherry blossom festival is held in February, while the firefly season runs from April through May. Visit in September for the Swimming Carnival—the only time swimming is allowed.

Yes, boat tours are a popular way to get around Sun Moon Lake. The lake has three main piers: Shuishe Pier, Xuanguang Temple, and Ita Thao Pier. Boats depart every 30 minutes, with more departures when it's busy. Visitors can bring a bicycle onboard for an extra charge.

Yes, you can rent bicycles, e-bikes, and scooters to explore Sun Moon Lake. The path that winds around the lake's 22-mile (35-kilometer) shoreline is considered one of the most scenic cycling trails in the world. Rental options can be found in Shuishe town, which also provides access to the trail.

Some of the most popular attractions and cultural sites around Sun Moon Lake include Wenwu Temple (guarded by Asia’s largest stone lions), Sun Moon Lake Ropeway, Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village, Ita Thao Town, Ci'en Pagoda (which offers fantastic views of the lake), Xuanzang Temple, and Xuanguang Temple.

Local delicacies near Sun Moon Lake include tea eggs—look near the Xuanguang Pier. Street food is popular around the lake, and there's a street food market in Ita Thao, where you can try specialties, including the president fish roll, cabbage buns, boar sausage, millet mochi, and millet wine.

There are tons of things to do when you're done visiting Sun Moon Lake. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Taiwan:

• Shifen Waterfall

• Yehliu Geopark

• Taroko National Park

• Taipei 101

• Pingxi Branch Rail Line

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Taiwan.