Where to stay in Sun Moon Lake — pick the right hotel, book in 3 clicks
Sun Moon Lake is the largest and most beautiful freshwater lake in Taiwan — emerald-green water ringed by mountains, a world-ranked lakeside cycling path, a cable car, the Wenwu Temple and Cien Pagoda, and boat cruises. The atmosphere is calm and cool, up in Nantou.
Why stay in Sun Moon Lake
World-class cycling path
Cycle along the lake with mountain views, ranked among the most beautiful routes in the world.
Boat cruises
Ferries between the piers and temples, with views of the emerald water.
Cable car
Ride the cable car for lake views from above, on to a cultural village.
Lakeside temples
The Wenwu Temple and Cien Pagoda on the hills, with lovely views.
Ranked reviews — find your ideal stay in Sun Moon Lake
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then explore food and sights
Find the right Sun Moon Lake hotel for you
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Local dishes to try in Sun Moon Lake
- 1🍵
Sun Moon Lake black tea
Assam black tea grown by the lake, a famous Nantou product.
📍 Local - 2🥟
Ita Thao pier snacks
President chicken legs, meatballs, and Thao tribal dishes.
📍 Ita Thao - 3🍄
Mushrooms and local vegetables
Nantou mountain fare, with fresh mushrooms and highland greens.
📍 Local - 4🍡
Tea-leaf eggs
Eggs boiled in Assam tea leaves, a snack eaten by the lake.
📍 Local
- 1🚲
Lakeside Bike Path
Cycle along the water with mountain views, one of the most beautiful routes in the world.
📍 Around the lake - 2⛩️
Wenwu Temple
A large temple by the lake with twin stone lions and a panoramic view.
📍 North shore - 3🚡
Ropeway
A cable car with lake views, on to the Nine Tribes cultural village.
📍 Ita Thao - 4🗼
Cien Pagoda
A pagoda atop a hill, the highest viewpoint over the lake.
📍 South shore - 5⛵
Ita Thao
A Thao tribal village with a food market and a boat pier.
📍 South shore
Things to do in Sun Moon Lake
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Sun Moon Lake — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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3 Sun Moon Lake hotels our team picked for you
Selected from real reviews — one per budget tier, each with a score and instant 3-site price comparison
★ 9.2ValueMing Yue Hu Hotel
#4 Lakefront boutique · Ita Thao panoramic views
★ 9.1Upper-midThe Richforest Hotel - Sun Moon Lake
#5 Cypress-wood 4-star · Ita Thao lakeside
★ 9.1Valueโรงแรมแนะนำทั้งหมดในSun Moon Lake
ครบทุกระดับงบ — คัดจากคะแนนรีวิวจริง พร้อมเทียบราคา 3 เว็บ
Sun Moon Lake Hotel
#7 Lakefront 4-star · on the water, Shuishe side
Harbor Resort Hotel
#10 3-star · easy-to-reach price near the pier
Tanhui Modern Hotel
#9 design boutique · steps from a 7-Eleven on the Shuishe side
Haven't found the one? Search all 3 sites yourself
Compare real-time room availability for your Sun Moon Lake dates
🚆 Getting around Sun Moon Lake
Bus from Taichung
Take the THSR to Taichung, then a bus to the lake, about 1.5 hours.
Ferry
Ferries link the Shuishe, Xuanguang and Ita Thao piers, with a one-day ticket.
Rent a bicycle
Rent a bike to ride along the lake; rental points are around the piers.
Cable car
Ride the cable car from Ita Thao for views from above.
Where to go next near Sun Moon Lake
TaipeiA welcoming capital — Taipei 101, night markets, Ximending, temples, and the Beitou hot springs.
See this city's guide →
JiufenA hillside village of red-lantern lanes — teahouses with sea views and a retro atmosphere said to have inspired Ghibli.
See this city's guide →
AlishanA mountain scenic area — a vintage forest railway, sunrise above a sea of clouds, and thousand-year-old cypress forest.
See this city's guide →
HualienAn east-coast city — the gateway to Taroko National Park, the Qingshui Cliff, and grand natural scenery.
See this city's guide →Frequently asked — where to stay in Sun Moon Lake
How do you get to Sun Moon Lake?+
Take the THSR to Taichung, then a direct bus, about 1.5 hours, or charter a car. It's often paired with Taichung.
How many days do you need at Sun Moon Lake?+
One to two days — cycle, take a boat cruise, ride the cable car, and visit the temples. Stay overnight for a beautiful morning atmosphere.
What can you do at the lake?+
Cycle along the water, take a ferry across, ride the cable car, visit the Wenwu Temple and Cien Pagoda, and try the black tea.
Ready to book your Sun Moon Lake stay?
Start with the 3 hotels our team picked, or search all 3 sites — always compare before booking