A concierge that already knows Sun Moon Lake
NUM holds 406 places in and around Sun Moon Lake. Text it what you want, in any language. It finds three real places that fit, open now, and books the one you pick.
Two of us at Sun Moon Lake tomorrow. Lunch near the Ita Thao pier?
Three places near the pier that fit. Want me to book one?
What is in the Sun Moon Lake directory
Built from open map data, kept current, and never ranked by who paid, because nobody can pay. Placement is not for sale on NUM. Counted October 10, 2026.
Sun Moon Lake at a glance
A mountain lake at 748 m in Yuchi Township, enlarged by hydropower works begun in 1919 and now ringed by temples, piers and cycle paths. It is the home of the Thao people, whose village Ita Thao sits on the shore, and of a black-tea industry started from Assam plants in the Japanese era.
Known for
Ita Thao and Lalu Island 伊達邵・拉魯島
Thao lakeside village and boat pier; Lalu Island offshore is Thao sacred ground and was given its Thao name after the 1999 earthquake.
Ci'en Pagoda 慈恩塔
Hilltop pagoda built in 1971 on Chiang Kai-shek's order in memory of his mother; a stop on the round-the-lake bus.
Wenwu Temple 文武廟
Large lakeside temple built after the dam raised the water and flooded the original temples.
Sun Moon Lake black tea 日月潭紅茶
Assam tea was brought to Taiwan for trials in 1925, and a black-tea station opened in Yuchi in 1941; Taiwan Tea No. 18 'Ruby' (紅玉) is one of the local teas.
Lakeside cycle paths 日月潭自行車道
Paved paths along the western shore; about 1.5 h out and back at an easy pace.
Sun Moon Lake International Swim 日月潭國際萬人泳渡
A mass swim across the lake held every year since 1983, around the Mid-Autumn Festival (usually September).
Getting there
Take THSR to Taichung (about 1 h from Taipei), then the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Sun Moon Lake line from Exit 5 of HSR Taichung, about 1 to 1.5 h to the lake; it also picks up near TRA Taichung Station. From Taoyuan Airport, ride the Airport MRT to HSR Taoyuan (12 to 19 min) and the HSR to Taichung (36 to 45 min). Kuo-Kuang runs direct buses from Taipei in about 4 h.
Getting around
Boats link the Shuishe, Xuanguang and Ita Thao piers every 15 to 20 min, and the round-the-lake bus (route 6669) runs about hourly to 13 stops including Ci'en Pagoda, Wenwu Temple and Ita Thao, paid by EasyCard. Rental bikes cover the western shore paths, and a ropeway climbs from the lake to the hills above Ita Thao.
When to go
At 748 m the lake is cooler than the lowlands. Autumn is event season: the Sun Moon Lake Fireworks Music Carnival is usually held on several nights between September and November, and the swim falls around the Mid-Autumn Festival. Weekends and holidays are crowded, and typhoons are possible roughly July to October.
Local tip
Come on a weekday or start early: weekend shuttles from Taichung and the lake boats fill up. Carry an EasyCard for the round-the-lake bus.
Facts checked October 3, 2026. Transport and openings change, so NUM checks them again.
Where NUM looks in Sun Moon Lake
Districts NUM covers here.
- Yuchi Township 魚池鄉
How NUM works in Sun Moon Lake
- 1
Text NUM what you want
A table, a massage, a driver, a pharmacy. In your words, in your language.
- 2
Get three real places
Checked, open now, and close to where you are. Nobody paid to be on the list.
- 3
It books the one you pick
The confirmation stays in your thread. A real person is one message away.
Questions about NUM in Sun Moon Lake
How many restaurants does NUM know in Sun Moon Lake?
39 in and around Sun Moon Lake, from the open map data NUM builds its directory on. NUM does not list all of them at you. It picks three that fit what you asked for, and says why.
Does NUM cover street food and markets in Sun Moon Lake?
Yes: 2 street-food spots and 2 markets. Ask it what is open now and it will answer for the hour you are actually in.
Can NUM help me find a hotel in Sun Moon Lake?
NUM knows 52 places to stay here. It finds the one that fits and hands you to the licensed partner who books it, so you always know who you are booking with.
Do I need a car to see the lake?
No. Boats link the Shuishe, Xuanguang and Ita Thao piers, the 6669 round-the-lake bus covers 13 stops including Ci'en Pagoda and Wenwu Temple, and the western shore has bike paths. A car only helps for places beyond the lake, such as Checheng or Puli.
When is the Sun Moon Lake swim?
Once a year, around the Mid-Autumn Festival, usually in September; it has been held since 1983. The Nantou County Government organizes it with the ROC Adult Swimming Association and the Puli Four Seasons swimming club, and entries go through the organizers.
What language can I message NUM in for Sun Moon Lake?
Whatever you write in. NUM answers in the language of your message, and in the script you used, which for Chinese means Traditional stays Traditional.
Does it cost anything?
Not for travelers. Booking through NUM is free and nothing is added to your bill. NUM Plus and NUM Pro are optional and only add room.
For businesses in Sun Moon Lake
If you run somewhere here, list it free. No account needed: add your place or update its details, and NUM checks them before they go live. Taking bookings through NUM is a separate, optional sign-up.
- Free to list, no account needed
- NUM checks every listing before it goes live
- Nobody can pay to be recommended