Sun Moon Lake

Sun Moon Lake (日月潭) is the largest freshwater lake on the island of Taiwan, with an elevation of about 750 meters above sea level. It consists of two small lakes, a round one and a crescent one. Sun Moon Lake has pleasant scenery and is rated as one of the top eight scenic spots in Taiwan.

Sun Lake and Moon Lake

Sun Moon Lake is bounded by Lalu Island (拉魯島 – Gwanghwa Island 光華島) in the center of the lake and is divided into north and south parts. The north side of the lake is round, like the rising sun, called Sun Lake. The south side of the lake is like the crescent moon, called Moon Lake. Unfortunately, the shape of the lake has been different in recent years due to the change of the water depth of Sun Moon Lake.

Beautiful Sun Moon Lake

Sun Moon Lake is surrounded by mountains on all sides, which embrace this stunning lake view. Every morning there will be a layer of mist on the surface of the lake, with the rising of the sun, the mist will gradually faded, as if unveiling the beauty. The lake and the mountain are intertwined, just like a fairyland. In quiet night, the lake is like a child sleeping in the cradle, waiting for the dawn.

Temples and Pagodas by the Lake

Sun Moon Lake has many temples, Xuanguang Temple (玄光寺), Xuanzang Temple (玄奘寺), Wenwu Temple (文武廟) and Longfeng Temple (Dragon and Phoenix Palace 龍鳳宮) are the most famous. Xuanguang Temple and Xuanzang Temple are the places where the relics of the Venerable Xuanzang are placed. Wenwu Temple is dedicated to Guandi and Confucius. Longfeng Temple is famous for its Matchmaker Deity, Yue Lao. In the 1970s, to commemorate his mother, Chiang Kai-shek built a nine-stage pagoda at Sun Moon Lake named Ci En Pagoda (慈恩塔), the top of which is exactly 1,000 meters above sea level.