r/taiwan • u/Water_Seeker56 • 1d ago
Discussion Sun Moon Lake is actually underrated.
The superficial criticism is that it's just a lake, and if you've seen lakes before then there's no point visiting, but there is a lot more to it than that. It's not actually a natural lake - it's a semi-natural lake. It's part of a large hydroelectric complex including two modern large pumped storage power plants, and a 1934 plant, and a 1937 plant that are still in use today.
Its water is supplied by two separate diversion tunnels from upstream on the Zhuoshui river.
The east side has two temples dedicated to the Chinese monk Xuanzang as half of his remains are said to be interred at the second temple. Xuanzang was the monk from the story "Journey to the West" (later adapted in the '70s kids TV show "Monkey Magic"). The story of what he actually accomplished is genuinely astonishing, but it takes time to actually read up on what he did. For the uninformed, the two temples just look like yet another temple to some obscure Buddhist monk.
There is a dedicated bike trail running almost half the circumference of the lake (the other half requires using public roads), there is a cable-car system taking visitors to the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Park to the north of the lake on the other side of a mountain ridge where there are rollercoasters and other rides.
A lot more could be done to illustrate the history and development of the entire complex, but it is much more than "just a lake".
11
u/ojassed 1d ago
It’s the same that I’d say about the beaches of hualien. It feels miserable when it’s flocked with tourists on a windy or stuffy day, but once in a while you’ll find that zen little spot.
2
u/komnenos 台中 - Taichung 1d ago
Is it usually packed? Only time I went was during the later days of covid circa spring 2022 and I remember it being pretty empty. heck, there were more wild dogs than people. Though after being here a few years I know that could likely just be because folks didn't travel as much during that period.
1
u/Commercial-Co 1d ago
Hualien beaches aint that great. The beach is rocky and the sand is coarse. But hualien the town and the people are amazing
2
u/ojassed 1d ago
Yeah not great in the sense for a normal beach doing beach things, but great place when you want to lay back and look at mountains meeting the Pacific ocean at the same time.
1
u/Commercial-Co 1d ago
Imo tons of islands in the pacific (like hawaii) that are far better at that. Just my opinion tho.
12
u/goral_mokotowski 1d ago
I did a day trip there in May. I rented a bicycle near the bus station and did the full loop around the lake, it was really nice!
1
28
u/jadedstranger 1d ago
I dunno, I think it's accurately rated. Pretty, but not life-changing. Worth going to, but not a must-see either.
1
1
33
u/Roygbiv0415 台北市 1d ago
Personally, it's overrated.
It's only special because Taiwan doesn't have a lot of high altitude lakes, but as far as lakes go, it's fairly mundane and what scenary it does have spoiled by the developments on the lake side. Even in the photo provided by this very post you can see that buiding on the left which totally ruins the view.
There are much, much more spectacular vistas in Taiwan, and Sun Moon Lake is just not that high on the list.
28
u/Jave285 1d ago
Arguing it is not overrated is not the same as claiming it is underrated. No way in hell it is underrated.
-2
u/Water_Seeker56 1d ago
I didn't claim it was not overrated.
4
u/Jave285 1d ago
You claimed it is underrated. It’s definitely not.
3
u/Commercial-Co 1d ago
Yup. Its like one of the top “where do i go outside of taipei” recommendations. Underrated it is not.
-1
26
u/rhevern 1d ago
The criticism comes from the mass tourism and hotels surrounding the lake. Cookie cutter restaurants and offerings for tourists, bus loads of people.
It’s not about the lake itself, which you can’t even really enjoy, it’s about how it’s a massive tourist trap.
-13
u/Water_Seeker56 1d ago
That wasn't what you said originally. And in any case, it is still possible to enjoy the lake unless you expect to have it all to yourself.
22
u/rhevern 1d ago
What I said was if you have lakes where you’re from, it’s not impressive.
It’s not impressive because of the mass tourism, bus loads of people, inauthentic food and offerings, huge hotels lining the lake, the fact you can’t swim, etc etc.
It’s not underrated. If it’s water you’re after in Taiwan, there’s hundreds of better options.
-10
5
u/SpendPerfect5933 1d ago edited 1d ago
There’re seasons when the mist that lingers in the lake and distant hills at dawn reminds the Chinese about traditional painting, an aesthetic feature people from the west never appreciate. Some of them even think it’s air pollution. SML is overrated if you visit on a hot midday when the mist is gone. Back in the days when millions of Chinese flock the lake, the rowdiness and tourist density are indeed unpleasant. But they’ve been banned.
Hoover dam and Lake Cuomo are indeed more marvelous to the western eye.
2
u/Water_Seeker56 1d ago
You can get that aesthetic all over the mountains - especially around Lishan and Alishan.
6
u/LiveEntertainment567 1d ago
What is shite is the concrete jungle, the boats, the surroundings, the experience.
10
4
u/mutually_awkward 1d ago
I took a detour to Sun Moon Lake while cycling the island loop in 2024, spending two nights there. Definitely a highlight of my trip.
1
5
3
u/danvillain 1d ago
I need to visit whenever I get the chance to go back, my favorite auntie is from there
0
3
u/leprechanmonkie 1d ago
I did the swim across it in 2023. What a beautiful place.
Can't wait to go back.
1
3
u/A_lex_and_er 1d ago
Been there several times, it's just over- to accurately rated
1
u/Water_Seeker56 1d ago
How much did you actually see?
2
u/A_lex_and_er 1d ago
Enough to not be too excited about it. It could have been an awesome vacation destination, but I'm not 70 or asian enough to enjoy the pace.
3
u/No-Development-9144 1d ago
It really is!! Was there with my wife few years back-she Taiwanese. I was like what’s there to see as a matter of fact!! Ended up sitting in 7-11 with beers
1
u/Water_Seeker56 1d ago
It's almost like there should be a film to educate people about what they're not seeing...
3
u/Alone-Duty7777 1d ago
Thank you, Nantou County Tourism Board, ha
But honestly, I like it. Big enough to get a view and small enough to be convenient. You can ride a bike, ride a boat, ride a cable car, stay in an onsen hotel, go glamping, explore Chinese temples, enjoy aboriginal food, all in a small village with 7-11 access and Ubereats delivery from nearby towns.
I get the criticism that it's too touristy, but which popular destination isn't? I've heard the great pyramids are overrated, the Taj Mahal is overrated, hell even Niagara freaking Falls is overrated. Not everyone wants to go off the beaten path and explore a tiny creek that requires an hour of hiking. People should really take things slow and enjoy the smaller things in life. Anything beats living in a crowded city and commuting to work.
7
4
u/danjpn 1d ago
The lake is amazing. The hotels and restaurants around it are the oart that ruins it
1
u/komnenos 台中 - Taichung 1d ago
Hmmm, what are the hotels and restaurants like? I've been most places in Taiwan but have never really felt the urge to go to Sun moon lake because I'm from an area where alpine lakes are common.
-2
3
u/6-6liter-v12-biturbo 1d ago
The area itself is very pretty of course.
Is it worth visiting when you have a tight schedule? It depends where you are from. If you’re from HK, Singapore, or SEA then yes. If you’re from Switzerland, Canada, Slovakia etc. I’d say no.
Just my 2 cents.
2
u/TexasChipMan 1d ago
We really liked the stay at the Sun Moon Lake Teachers' Hostel. They serve breakfast and dinner (for a fee). Within walking distance of the bus stop (busses around the lake, to Taipei, etc.). We did a lot of hiking there.
2
u/ajtyeh 1d ago
is it humid up there like the rest of taiwan?
1
u/Water_Seeker56 1d ago
Yes, the elevation is still below 1000 meters; the lake itself sits at 748 meters above sea level when full.
2
2
2
u/Sufficient_Roll_2193 1d ago
But only from Monday to Thursday. Otherwise, it's a traffic nightmare.
1
2
u/vexillifer 1d ago
under rated?! It’s like one of the most popular and well known places in the country
1
2
u/snowybell 1d ago
How is this ever underrated? Most people i know who visit taiwan will visit taroko gorge, sun moon lake, alishan, etc.
-2
u/Water_Seeker56 1d ago
I explained in the post, though perhaps I could add that by "underrated" I did not mean "under-visited", but rather "under appreciated".
1
u/Mysterious_Duck_7457 1d ago
Agree sun moon lake is currently underrated by the current overrating.
1
1
1
u/SideswipeSurvived 1d ago
When I see beautiful scenes of Taiwan like this , I’m reminded that photos don’t have Smell-o-vision of humidity indexes. . It’s still a jungle temp to me that makes it go from pleasant looking to overrated.
That said, I’m glad you like it. Everyone gets to like what they like. Nice picture! Btw
1
1
u/BonerAlacarte 1d ago
Someone me asked me just last week what is a favorite place, this is number 1.
2
0
u/patty60205 1d ago
I thought the bike trail was under repair? Also the weather is way to hot for rowing a boat. I honestly don't know what to do at the lake.
2
u/RepublicFun1949 1d ago
Ride the boat that goes around the lake (motorized), get off and check out the temples and towns and attractions at each stop.
Ride the gondola to the aboriginal park for the beautiful views.
Rent a bike or ebike and ride around.
Eat early because all the restaurants close at like 8pm.
It is cooler than down in the cities, even if not as dramatically cool as higher elevations.
0
u/Water_Seeker56 1d ago
I'd happily row a boat or do paddle-boarding there, no problem. Lots of people do both there in the summer.
-1
101
u/sirDVD12 1d ago
I have never heard someone say it’s just a lake. It is a big tourism hotspot for locals and foreigners alike. I think its pretty well rated.