3 Days Sun Moon Lake Alishan Tour: Taiwan’s Nature Ace

Li Hao (Hello)! Welcome to Taipei. Upon your arrival, our guide and driver will pick you up at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) and take you to your hotel for check-in. Stretch your muscles and relax—you have two more days to discover Sun Moon Lake and Alishan.

Spare Your Free Time:

Taipei is a city that simply feels happy. You might not expect a city to be so gentle and subtle, but that's exactly what it is! Everyone in Taipei genuinely radiates a relaxed comfort; they're polite and wonderfully helpful. You can wander the streets, lose yourself staring at shop signs, or strike up conversations with passersby. These are moments of "quiet happiness."

Or savor tasty local snacks at Shilin Night Market (士林夜市). It’s Taipei's top night market – the largest and most famous. First-time visitors to Taipei usually choose this one, with over 500 food stalls.

Today, spend one day in Sun Moon Lake.

From Taipei, drive 3.2h to Sun Moon Lake (日月潭), Taiwan's largest natural freshwater lake and one of its "Eight Great Sights," as well as a sacred site for Taiwan's Thao indigenous people. At 748 meters elevation, the 116 square-kilometer lake boasts emerald green waters. Lalu Island divides it into two halves: Sun Lake (north, round like the sun) and Moon Lake (south, crescent-shaped like the moon).

Look afar, lake is surrounded by mountains adorned with beautiful trees. Pagodas peek through the foliage, and sunlight dances on water's surface. That’s "jumping sunshine"! You can take a sightseeing yacht counter-clockwise to explore all the highlights (Shuishe Pier → Xuanguang Temple Pier → Ita Thao Pier → Shuishe Pier).

Departing from Shuishe Pier by sightseeing yacht, you'll pass Lalu Island (拉鲁岛), the legendary home of the Thao ancestral spirits, which partially submerged due to an earthquake. Arrive at Xuanguang Pier to disembark and try delicious tea eggs. Follow the trail to Xuanguang Temple (玄光寺) by the lake, then proceed to Xuanzang Temple (玄奘寺) to see the relics of Master Xuanzang, and finally ascend Ci'en Pagoda (慈恩塔) for a panoramic view of Sun Moon Lake. Return to the pier to head to Ita Thao Pier, enjoy local delicacies ashore, and then return to Shuishe Pier.

Then, take a bike around lakeside. This cycling path was named one of the "World's 10 Most Beautiful Cycling Routes" by CNNGo. A full loop takes three hours, but you can choose to ride the scenic 30-minute section from Shuishe Pier to Xiangshan Visitor Center. The scenery along the way is picturesque, with a gentle breeze. If you time it right for sunset, you'll see sun cast a long shadow across lake. Stop for photos or focus on the ride!

After the tour, head to hotel in Sun Moon Lake.

Wake up in Sun Moon Lake’s mist. Then, head to Alishan, sung about by Asian superstar Teresa Teng as having "girls beautiful as water." Alishan stands alongside Sun Moon Lake as a major Taiwanese natural landmark.

You'll visit the core Alishan National Forest Recreation Area (阿里山森林游乐区), over 2,000 meters above sea level. This is Taiwan's most popular forest recreation area, famous for its forest railway, giant trees, evening glow, sunrise, and sea of clouds. The Alishan Forest Railway, one of only three high-mountain railways left globally. You’ll love red trains cut through mist, gliding past trees as they climb the mountain. Take ride and step into forest world! Choose Nature (A) route or Culture (B) route:

A Route (Zhaoping Station, Sisters Ponds, Three Brothers & Four Sisters, Golden Pig Auspice, Forever Love, Magnolia Garden, Shouzhen Temple)

Ride forest train or shuttle to Zhaoping Station. Then walk to Sisters Ponds where two sisters, loving same man but unwilling to harm each other, ended their lives. Then visit Three Brothers & Four Sisters (trees from shared roots), reach Golden Pig Auspice, a pig-typed tree stump shimmering under sun. Pass heart-shaped Forever Love tree to Magnolia Garden, and Shouzhen Temple (Alishan's largest temple dedicated to its guardian deity). Return by shuttle.

B Route (Shouzhen Temple, Three Generations of Wood, Alishan Museum, Xianglin Elementary School, Ciyun Temple, Alishan Sacred Tree Remains)

Take shuttle to start at Shouzhen Temple, visit Three Generations of Wood (three trees stubbornly growing from a single root). Explore Alishan Museum (tree specimens, indigenous culture), pass Xianglin Elementary (Taiwan's highest-altitude school), then reach cultural landmark of Alishan - Ciyun Temple (high Buddhist temple, Japanese Zen style). See Alishan Sacred Tree Remains, including the 2,300-year-old Xianglin Sacred Tree (香林神木). After gazing up at king of forest, take train back to the entrance.

Tips:

• Alishan Forest Railway tickets are populaConsult us to purchase in advance.
• Temperatures are low, even in summer, staying around 15∘C (59∘F). Bring a light down jacket.
• Pack high-calorie snacks like chocolate.

After the tour, drive back to Chiayi for your next destination. We, Asia Odyssey Travel, are so glad to accompany you for 3 Days Sun Moon Lake Alishan Tour, and are always prepared to design your destination in China and Asia. See you again!

Extend Your Travel to China Mainland: Take a flight to Beijing Forbidden City & Great Wall (3.5h), Shanghai The Bund (2h), Chengdu Panda (3.5h).