Three Days in Sun Moon Lake Taiwan & Where to Stay
Sun Moon Lake is one of the Eight Views of Taiwan. Once you see its picturesque scenery, you will understand why that is. And for that, I highly recommend adding Sun Moon Lake into your Taiwan itinerary!
This article shows you how you can plan the Sun Moon Lake itinerary for one to three days and whether it makes sense to take a day trip there. Also, see my recommendations for where to stay in Sun Moon Lake for all budgets.
Don’t forget to read my other article: 15 Epic Things to Do in Sun Moon Lake. I wrote more details of each attraction and insider tips. And you will learn about the best way to get to Sun Moon Lake.
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How Many Days to Spend in Sun Moon Lake
Can you make a day trip to Sun Moon Lake from Taichung?
Yes. Many people take a Sun Moon Lake day trip from Taichung to Sun Moon Lake. If you’re planning to spend one full day in Sun Moon Lake, this is doable. It takes about 1-1.5 hours from Taichung to Sun Moon Lake. I’d recommend arriving before 9 a.m. to fully enjoy the serene scenery before a busload of tourists get there. I think it is possible to make stops along the lake in a day.
Keep in mind that a day in Sun Moon Lake is short. Nothing opens until 9 a.m. And most shops and centers start closing down at 6 p.m. I was surprised to find nothing to do after the sunset, except eating at restaurants. Bike shops would not rent a bike after 4 p.m., either.
>> If you are making a day trip from Taichung, follow the Day 2 Sun Moon Lake Itinerary below. You can also book a Sun Moon Lake Day Tour: this or this.
>> To cover a broader area in one day, this Nantou tour from Taichung takes you to Sun Moon Lake, Cingjing Farm, and Cingjing Skyline.
Can you make a day trip to Sun Moon Lake from Taipei?
I would not recommend making a day trip from Taipei to Sun Moon Lake. But if you must, join this Sun Moon Lake Day Tour from Taipei for efficiency.
If you can, I recommend spending at least two days in Sun Moon Lake. Allow yourself enough time to enjoy what Sun Moon Lake has to offer, including cycling around the lake, enjoying an afternoon tea with the gorgeous lake view, taking some hikes, and visiting a tea farm.
For three days in Sun Moon Lake, you can also visit nearby towns such as Puli and Jiji. This article shows exactly how you can include all of that in a 3-day itinerary.
Sun Moon Lake Itinerary Summary
Day 1: Jiji > Checheng > Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area
Day 2: Sun Moon Lake Boat > Wenwu Temple > Nine Frogs Trail > Sun Moon Lake Ropeway > Ci’en Pagoda > Ita Thao (Dehuashe)
Day 3: Cycling around Sun Moon Lake > Xiangshan Visitor Center > Antique Assam Tea Farm > Puli Paper Dome > Chung Tai Chan Monastery
Continue reading for my detailed itinerary suggestions below <How to Spend Three Days in Sun Moon Lake>.
Where to Stay in Sun Moon Lake
Sun Moon Lake has two city centers: Shuishe and Ita Thao. These are the main areas I recommend looking into.
Shuishe offers many classic luxury resorts on the uncrowded uphill and tends to be slightly less touristy than Ita Thao. And the central location makes everything more accessible. I personally prefer to stay on the Shuishe side. The downside is that you need more budget.
The Lalu Sun Moon Lake [Book here] is an iconic five-star resort built on the site that once was the late President Chiang Kai-Shek’s vacation house. If you want to visit the property for the exquisite lake view without breaking the bank, see my Day 1 itinerary below for an insider tip.
Look at this breathtaking sunset view from the Wen Wan Resort rooftop swimming pool!
The Wen Wan Resort [Book: Booking, Agoda] sits on the hilltop right next to the Lalu hotel. I stayed in a suite on my first visit to Sun Moon Lake. I loved waking up to a killer lake view from my room! All experience here was so memorable, from its rooftop pool with the sunset on the lake as a backdrop to an impressive dinner to the picturesque lake from a glass-bottom Sky Deck (See the Day 1 itinerary below).
Laurel Villa B&B is a cozy, family-owned hotel right across from the Shuishe pier.
Laurel Villa B&B [Book: Booking, Agoda] is a lovely hotel right at the heart of Shuishe center with stylish rooms and friendly staff. I enjoyed staying here on my second visit to Sun Moon Lake. The convenient location made it easy to park the car, walk to restaurants, ride a boat, buy souvenirs, and rent a bike.
I also considered Doris Home [Book: Booking, Agoda]. According to reviews, the cat-themed B&B houses a cat(s) in the property. (Be aware if you have cat allergies.) Yue Lake Backpackers [Book: Booking, Agoda] is another budget-conscious lodging on the Shuishe side.
Ita Thao is another tourist village with more mid-range to budget-friendly lodging options. The area has a night market vibe with many restaurants, street food stalls, and shops. (But it is not a night market and shuts down early in the evening.) You can also find subtle hints of the Thao cultures here and there.
I like the bright and stylish rooms at Kapamumu B&B [Book: Booking, Agoda], Hu Yue Lakeview Hotel [Book: Booking, Agoda], and Shang Shan Ting Chao Hotel [Book: Booking, Agoda], which can be booked around the USD 100/night range.
More budget-friendly Light Morning [Book: Booking] and OWL Hostel [Book: Booking, Agoda] feature colorful and whimsical decor.
Insider Tip: Due to the pandemic, the demand for domestic travel has spiked up in Taiwan. I recommend booking hotels at least two months in advance. Don’t wait!
Day 1: Jiji Station – Checheng Station – Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area
Jiji Station is a historic Japanese-style train station built in 1933 using Cypress.
Jiji Station – Checheng Station
Jiji is a charming mountain village that still retains a small-town nostalgia and rustic styles from the past. During the Japanese colonial period, the Jiji train line has constructed to transport construction materials of the Sun Moon Lake Hydroelectric project. Later, the Jiji Line became Taiwan’s first tourist railway.
The Jiji Line is a 29.7km-long railway from Ershui Station to Checheng Station. I recommend first heading to the Jiji Station and hopping on a train to visit Checheng Station.
Checheng Station, dubbed as the Most Beautiful Little Station, is the final destination on the Jiji Line. Near the station, you can take a peek at a parked train, walk along the railway, look around the lumber industry exhibit center, and sip a tea.
This cute Japanese-style wooden tea house near Checheng Station overlooks a pond.
Sun Moon Lake Hotel
Now, let’s head over to Sun Moon Lake. First, check-in at your hotel. (See above <<where to stay in Sun Moon Lake>> for hotel recommendations.)