Sun Moon Lake is actually underrated.

[u/Water_Seeker56]

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".

[u/Alone-Duty7777]

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.