Where Is Sun Moon Lake?
Sun Moon Lake sits in Yuchi Township, Nantou County, at an elevation of about 748 meters. It's roughly in the center of Taiwan, about 1–1.5 hours by car from Taichung. Nantou is Taiwan's only landlocked county, so the drive winds through scenic mountain roads — part of the charm.
Option 1: Drive (Recommended)
From Taichung
- Take Freeway 3 south → merge onto Freeway 6 toward Puli
- Exit at Ailan Interchange → Provincial Highway 14 → Highway 21
- Follow Hwy 21 for ~30 minutes to Sun Moon Lake
- Total: ~75 km, ~1–1.5 hours
From Taipei / Kaohsiung
Taipei: ~250 km, 3–3.5 hours via Freeway 1 or 3 to Freeway 6. Kaohsiung: ~260 km, 3–3.5 hours via Freeway 3 north to Freeway 6.
Parking
- Shuishe Pier: NT$30 per entry; arrive before 9 AM on weekends
- Xiangshan Visitor Center: Free, usually has space
- Ita Thao Pier: NT$30 per entry
- Wenwu Temple: Free
Option 2: High-Speed Rail + Bus
Taichung HSR → Sun Moon Lake
- Take the Nantou Bus or Taiwan Tourist Shuttle (Route 6670) from Exit 5
- Journey: ~1.5–2 hours
- Fare: ~NT$195 one-way; round trip NT$360
- Frequency: Every 15–30 minutes, first bus ~6:20 AM, last ~8:10 PM
Buy the Sun Moon Lake Shuttle Combo Ticket (~NT$660) for round-trip bus fare plus an all-day boat pass — much better value than buying separately.
Option 3: Private Car
For groups of 4–8, a private car from Taichung costs about NT$2,500–3,500 one way, with the flexibility to stop at sights along the route.
Getting Around the Lake: Boats
Three main piers — Shuishe, Xuanguang, and Ita Thao — are linked by ferry.
- Day pass: NT$300 for unlimited rides
- Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, every 20–30 minutes
Last-Mile to Our B&B
Arriving by bus? Let us know in advance and we'll arrange a free pick-up from Shuishe Pier. Driving? We'll send you a Google Maps link and tips for the final stretch of mountain road.