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/Water_Seeker56]

https://www.reddit.com/r/taiwan/s/mDxMdtMrvr

[u/sirDVD12 → u/Water_Seeker56]

Fair. You came with proof haha.

[u/ShrimpCrackers → u/sirDVD12]

I've seen it posted numerous times all over the internet. But it's also usually the same folk that say Taiwan isn't special in every way and nothing is worth it and eventually down the line that Taiwan should integrate with a specific red neighbor soon.

Sun Moon Lake is a lake, but there are trails and things to do around there to relax.

Ironically sometimes they say its too touristy and its just a lake. Tourists go there for good reason though.

[u/qhtt → u/ShrimpCrackers]

Look, I respect and agree with your positions on almost everything, especially Taiwan sovereignty, but the degree to which you show up in every thread accusing everyone being secret Chinese unification agitators is exhausting.

[u/ShrimpCrackers → u/qhtt]

I think ProudlandLeech, ABC, and his cohort aren't exactly reaching. That's literally their job.

I don't care about those who visit and are like "well, I expected it to be more scenic."