Sun Moon Lake (日月潭)
Sun Moon Lake (日月潭) is located in the mountains of Yuchi Township, Nantou County (南投), Taiwan. It is the second-largest lake in Taiwan, covering an area of 17 km2 and serving as a power generation reservoir. With a maximum depth of 30 meters and a maximum width of 4 kilometers, Sun Moon Lake is known for its natural beauty and scenic views.
The lake was first mentioned in 1821 in the "Haihai Diary" by Cao Shigui. In English literature, it was referred to as "Lake Candidius." However, missionaries who came to teach the Thao people in 1873 named it Sun Moon Lake due to the resemblance of its eastern and western parts to the sun and the moon, respectively. In 1970, it was designated as one of the eight scenic spots in Taiwan, and in 2010, the Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area was established.
There are many attractions around the lake, including Chinese-style temples, regional food stalls, and handicraft shops. Visitors can rent bikes to explore the area or rent boats to tour the lake and visit Lalu Island. Sun Moon Lake attracts a significant number of tourists.
Sun Moon Lake has historical significance as well. In July 1918, the construction of the Gateway Tan Power Station began, which later became the first power station of Sun Moon Lake. Despite delays due to insufficient funds, it was completed in 1934. During World War II, the power plant suffered damage from bombings by the US military. However, it was restored after the war, and the Taiwan Power Company was established in 1946.
See also: Temples of Sun Moon Lake
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| The view at Sun Moon Lake from Cien Pagoda |
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| The view at Sun Moon Lake from Cien Pagoda |
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| The view at Sun Moon Lake from WenWu Temple |
The lake is also a center of aboriginal life in Taiwan, with Lalu Island serving as an ancient settlement of the Thao tribe. In the past, the island was known as "Guanghua Island," and visitors would come to worship the Matchmaker God and seek blessings for marriage. After an earthquake in 1999, the Matchmaker God was relocated to Longfong Temple, and the island's name was changed to "Lalu Island" out of respect for the Aboriginal people.
Swimming in the lake is generally not allowed, except for the Sun Moon Lake Mass Swim event held in September. The competition offers 3 km and 5 km distances, and participants must form groups of three and pay a registration fee. However, outside of the event, swimming in the lake is prohibited.
Ita Thao is another tourist village located on the southeast shore of Sun Moon Lake. It is known for its food stalls and night market, offering popular aboriginal dishes such as boar meat, sticky rice in bamboo tubes, and millet wine.
Shuishe Dam is another scenic spot at Sun Moon Lake. Previously known as "Shuishe zhuang," it features restaurants, resorts, and rental services for bikes, scooters, and buses, providing convenient transportation options for exploring the area.
The Nine Frog Stack (九蛙疊像) is also a popular attraction, although the visibility of the frogs may vary depending on the water level. The lake's water is used for electricity generation, stored in lower pools, and then pumped back to the lake, causing the water level to fluctuate.
Lastly, visitors can take the lake ropeway to access the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, which adds to the attractions and experiences available at Sun Moon Lake.
See also: Sun Moon Lake - Ita Thao
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