Why This Route?
Sun Moon Lake and Qingjing Farm are central Taiwan's two must-see spots. National Geographic named Sun Moon Lake one of the world's most beautiful cycling routes. Qingjing Farm's highland meadows have earned it the nickname "Taiwan's Little Switzerland." This 2-day trip takes you from lakeside calm to mountain grandeur, covering the best of central Taiwan.
Highlights
🌊 Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan's Treasure
At 748 meters, Sun Moon Lake is Taiwan's largest natural lake. Lalu Island splits the water into a "sun" half and a "moon" half. That's where the name comes from. Come at dawn and you'll see why photographers love it here. Mist settles over the surface and the whole lake turns into a mirror.
Ways to Explore:
- Boat Tour: Loops between three piers (Shuishe, Xuanguang, Ita Thao) with frequent departures
- Cycling: The 30km lakeside path was named one of the world's most beautiful by CNN
- SUP Paddleboarding: The trendiest way to get out on the water
📷 Photo by Imme (@imme) on UnsplashLocal Food:
- Ita Thao Food Street: Wild boar sausage, millet mochi, tea eggs. You can easily spend an hour grazing here.
- Sun Moon Lake Black Tea: Taiwan's finest Assam tea region. Try "Ruby" (Tea #18), which has a unique hint of mint and cinnamon.
- President Fish: A local species named after former President Chiang Ching-kuo, who loved it.
- Xiangshan Visitor Center: Designed by Japanese architect Dan Norihiko. The concrete building itself is a work of art.
- Sun Moon Lake Old Tea Factory: A century-old factory turned tea gallery. Free entry, tastings available.
- Maolan Mountain Trail: An easy walk through tea gardens. The summit gives you a full 360-degree lake view.
⛩️ Wenwu Temple, Lakeside Temple with a View
Wenwu Temple sits on the northern hillside of Sun Moon Lake. Step through the gate and the lake spreads out right in front of you. It's the only temple in Taiwan with a view like that. The gilded halls against the emerald water make for a stunning contrast. Out front, there are 365 steps called the "Year Ladder." Each step is marked with a date. Finding your birthday step and taking a photo is a must.
🐑 Qingjing Farm, Taiwan's Little Switzerland
Perched at 1,700 to 2,000 meters, Qingjing Farm feels like a different country. Rolling green meadows, sheep wandering around, the Central Mountain Range in the distance, and clouds drifting below you. It honestly feels like the Swiss Alps.
Must-See:
- Sheep Show (Sat-Sun 09:30/14:30): New Zealand shepherds shear sheep live. Kids and adults both love it.
- Skywalk: A 1.6km elevated walkway at 1,700m with wide-open mountain views
- Old England Manor: A Gothic castle you can visit even without staying. Great for photos.
📷 Photo by Jeremy Kwok (@jxremy) on UnsplashStargazing: With little light pollution at this altitude, Qingjing is one of Taiwan's best stargazing spots. The Milky Way in summer is incredible. Bring a jacket for the cool night air.
Photo Tips: Morning light before 10:00 AM is softest for sheep on the grassland. The Skywalk is the best spot to catch the dramatic cloud sea at sunset.
🏔️ Hehuanshan (Bonus Stop)
Got extra time? Wuling Pass is just 40 minutes up from Qingjing. At 3,275 meters, it's the highest paved road in Taiwan. From the parking lot, you look down on layers of mountains and rolling clouds. On clear days, you can see all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
Photo Tips: The Wuling Pass parking lot is the prime viewpoint. Sunrise and sunset cloud seas both make for dramatic shots. If you catch a rare winter snowfall, the white peaks against blue sky are Taiwan's most extraordinary alpine scenery.
Note: Some visitors may feel mild altitude effects like dizziness or headache. Walk slowly and drink plenty of water. In winter, check road conditions before heading up, as there may be snow.
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1 — Sun Moon Lake
- 08:00 Depart Taipei/Taichung (1.5hrs from Taichung, 3.5hrs from Taipei)
- 10:00 Xiangshan Visitor Center + lakeside cycling (~1.5hrs)
- 11:30 Boat to Xuanguang Temple (try the famous tea eggs)
- 12:30 Lunch at Ita Thao food street
- 14:00 Wenwu Temple (find your birthday on the Year Ladder)
- 15:00 Sun Moon Lake Old Tea Factory
- 16:30 Check in to lakeside hotel
- Evening Sunset stroll along the lake
Day 2 — Qingjing
- 08:30 Check out, drive to Qingjing (~1.5hrs)
- 10:00 Green Grassland — sheep interaction, sheep show
- 11:30 Skywalk with mountain views
- 12:30 Lunch (Qingjing Yunwulou or Haojipo Chicken)
- 13:30 Small Swiss Garden
- 14:30 Return trip (or add Wuling Pass +1.5hrs)
- 17:00-18:00 Arrive Taichung/Taipei
Practical Tips
- Best Season: Fall/winter (Oct-Feb) for cool weather and cloud seas; spring (Mar-Apr) for cherry blossoms at Qingjing
- Clothing: Qingjing is 10°C+ cooler than lowlands — bring warm layers. Sun Moon Lake is mild, a light jacket for morning/evening
- Avoid Weekends: Qingjing gets extremely crowded on holidays and weekends
- Bike Rental: Several shops near Xiangshan Visitor Center rent bikes; e-bikes are the easiest option
- Bonus: Add Wuling Pass (3,275m, Taiwan's highest paved road) — 40min drive from Qingjing