Reservoirs and Lakes - Taiwan Travel Blog

Lalu Island 拉魯島: Sun Moon Lake’s Sacred Island

Byforeignersintw November 7, 2025November 7, 2025

Lalu Island on Sun Moon Lake is a sacred island to the indigenous people here, who believe that a deer showed their ancestors the way to the lake. Before a dam was built, the island was larger and shaped like a crescent moon. Even though tourists can no longer visit the island, it is one…

Nantou Travel Guide: Taiwan’s Most Stunning Mountain Getaway 南投縣懶人包

Byforeignersintw November 5, 2025November 5, 2025

Nantou lies at the heart of Taiwan and is its only landlocked county. It is known for its rugged natural landscapes and mountains, and includes the highest mountain in East Asia. If you come to Taiwan, you should definitely pass through this place and stop by some of the sights we will mention below. 🛥️…

Sun Moon Lake Travel Guide: Taiwan’s Most Beautiful Lake 日月潭旅游指南

Byforeignersintw November 5, 2025November 7, 2025

Sun Moon Lake is a beautiful scenic area in Taiwan and a popular tourist destination. Besides the lakeside scenery, one can also enjoy boat rides, Taiwanese street food, gift shops, temples, a gondola, an Aborigine theme park, and more. It is a must-see destination for anyone who is coming on vacation in Taiwan. Here is…

Qingjing Skywalk 清境高空觀景步道

Byforeignersintw November 5, 2025November 5, 2025

Qingjing Skywalk is an amazing feast for the eyes, with breathtaking views of Qingjing Farm, the central mountain range, and Ren’ai District’s sweeping valleys. For a small fee, you can enjoy some of the best views of Nantou on this raised walkway. It is definitely an experience you shouldn’t miss. 🛥️ Planning your trip to…

Sun Moon Lake Ferry Guide 日月潭渡輪指南

Byforeignersintw November 5, 2025November 5, 2025

Sun Moon Lake is a beautiful scenic area in Taiwan and a popular tourist destination that is best enjoyed via a ferry boat ride. By taking the ferry to the three main piers around the lake, you can enjoy Taiwanese street food, gift shops, temples, a gondola, an Aborigine theme park, and more. Here is…

Sun Moon Lake Ropeway (Gondola) Guide 日月潭纜車指南

Byforeignersintw November 4, 2025November 5, 2025

The Sun Moon Lake Ropeway or Gondola has perhaps the best views of Sun Moon Lake. Currently, the ride takes you from Ita Thao Pier to Aboriginal Cultural Village Amusement Park. Check out this blog for a virtual tour. 🛥️ Planning your trip to Sun Moon Lake? ⛰️ Here are some top travel tips for…

Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village 九族文化村: Have a Blast at Taiwan’s Indegenious Theme Park

Byforeignersintw November 4, 2025November 6, 2025

Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village is Taiwan’s only large Indigenous-themed amusement park. Here you can find roller coasters, dolphin shows, indigenous dances, museums, and more. You can also visit Sun Moon Lake via the Ropeway/Gondola. It is definitely an experience you don’t want to miss. 🛥️ Planning your trip to Sun Moon Lake? ⛰️ Here are…

Sun Moon Lake Xiangshan Visitor Center 日月潭向山行政暨遊客中心

Byforeignersintw November 4, 2025November 5, 2025

Sun Moon Lake’s Xiangshan Visitor Center is a beautiful piece of architecture, with great views of Sun Moon Lake. With curves and pools inspired by the lake itself, it is a combination of nature and engineering. Lately, it has become a popular tourist destination for Instagrammers. 🛥️ Planning your trip to Sun Moon Lake? ⛰️…

Ita Thao Old Street 伊達邵老街

Byforeignersintw November 4, 2025November 5, 2025

Ita Thao Old Street (伊達邵老街) is the best place for eating and shopping at Sun Moon Lake. The street includes endless shops and restaurants, with many indigenous Thao themes. At the end of the Old Street, you can find Ita Thao Pier, which includes Ferry rides, SUP and paddle boat experiences, bike rentals, and a…

Ita Thao Wharf 伊達邵碼頭

Byforeignersintw November 4, 2025November 5, 2025

Ita Thao Old Wharf (aka Ita Thao Pier 伊達邵碼頭) is the best place for water sports and cycling at Sun Moon Lake. Here you can find Ferry rides, SUP and paddle boat experiences, bike rentals, and a bike path that goes to the Statue of Nine Frogs. There is also an Old Street with endless…

Shuishe Dam 水社壩

Byforeignersintw November 4, 2025November 5, 2025

Even though Sun Moon Lake was originally a natural lake, its surface area has been greatly increased by the construction the the Shuishe and Toushe Dams, which were completed in 1934. The Shuishe Dam is now a popular scenic area along the lake, including a bike path and road that runs across it. It is…

Ci En Pagoda 慈恩塔: Enjoy the Best Views of Sun Moon Lake

Byforeignersintw November 3, 2025November 5, 2025

Cien Pagoda is an iconic landmark at Sun Moon Lake that provides amazing views of the surrounding area. The pagoda is just a short hike from the main road. It is a must-see destination for anyone who is coming to Sun Moon Lake. 🛥️ Planning your trip to Sun Moon Lake? ⛰️ Here are some…

Statue of Nine Frogs 九蛙疊像

Byforeignersintw November 3, 2025November 5, 2025

The Statue of Nine Frogs at Sun Moon Lake （aka Nine Frogs Stack or Nine Frog Acrobats) is a water level marker and a popular tourist destination. One can enjoy the lakeside scenery here by walking or cycling to the frogs. It is a must-see destination for anyone who is coming to Sun Moon Lake….

Checheng Railway Station and Old Street 車程車站及老街

Byforeignersintw November 1, 2025November 1, 2025

Checheng is the last stop along the Jiji Railway Line in Nantou, and includes a large old street and shopping area, including restored historical Japanese buildings, hearkening back to the historical importance of the town as a logging hub. Here you can find museums, snacks, and beautiful scenery. It is definitely worth a stop. 🛥️…

Aowanda 奧萬大: Explore Taiwan’s High Mountain Forest Wonderland

Byforeignersintw October 31, 2025October 31, 2025

Aowanda (aka Aowanda National Forest Recreation Area) was an ancient hunting ground for the Atayal Tribe and was an area for Japanese hydroelectric power development. Now it has been converted into a nature preserve with an easy hiking trail for the public to enjoy, and is now famous for its maple trees and cherry blossoms….

Wushe Reservoir 霧社水庫

Byforeignersintw October 27, 2025November 5, 2025

Wushe Reservoir, also known as Wanda Reservoir or Bihu, is formed by the Wushe Dam along the Wushe Creek in Ren’ai Township of Nantou County. The main function of the reservoir is to provide hydroelectric power. The area is a beautiful scenic location that is well worth a visit. 🛥️ Planning your trip to Nantou?…

What to See and Do in Hualien Besides Taroko Gorge

Byforeignersintw July 9, 2025September 30, 2025

Sadly, due to a recent earthquake, much of Taroko Gorge, Hualien’s most famous landmark, is no longer accessible to the public. However, there are plenty of other places to check out in Hualien. In this blog, we will share a list of other places to visit in Hualien besides Taroko Gorge. Hualien is the largest…

Ultimate Taroko National Park Travel Guide: Explore the Deepest Marble Gorge on Earth 太魯閣國家公園懶人包

Byforeignersintw July 9, 2025July 9, 2025

If you only have a few days in Taiwan and you want to go somewhere outside of Taipei, you should definitely go to Taroko National Park. On an island full of mountains, rain forests, beaches, and abounding natural beauty, Taroko might just take the top spot as the most beautiful scenic area in Taiwan. Taroko…

Taiwan Firefly Spotting Guide 台灣賞螢火蟲指南

Byforeignersintw June 4, 2025October 31, 2025

In April and May every year, in Taiwan, you can spot lots of fireflies (lightning bugs) in northern Taiwan as well as in mountainous areas in central and southern Taiwan. Checking out these mystical bugs can be a magical experience, especially if you have never seen them before. If you happen to be in Taiwan…

Taipei City Hiking Guide: The Best Hikes in Taipei 台灣爬山指南

Byforeignersintw April 29, 2025June 19, 2025

Taipei is full of amazing and beautiful hikes, many of which are easily accessible from the city center via public transportation. The mountains and hills around the Taipei Basin provide amazing views, interesting geological features, and a great way to connect with nature. In this blog, we will list the best hikes we know of…

Children and Parent’s Travel Guide to Taipei 小孩及家長台北旅遊指南

Byforeignersintw April 23, 2025April 29, 2025

Taipei is full of fun places and activities for kids. In the past few years, more and more fun parks, restaurants, museums, and theme parks have opened. In this blog, we will show you some of the most fun activities and places around Taipei that are enjoyable for kids. 🏯 Planning your trip to Taipei?…

Our Travel Guide to Wulai: Taipei’s Amazing Mountain Paradise (烏來旅遊指南)

Byforeignersintw April 17, 2025June 19, 2025

Wulai District of New Taipei includes some of Taiwan’s most amazing waterfalls, hot springs, aboriginal culture, an old street with snacks and restaurants, a gondola, a train, an amusement park, hiking trails, camp sites, wildlife, and endless mountain scenery to explore. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Taipei. 🏞️ Planning…

Taoyuan Travel Guide: More Than Just an Airport City 桃園旅游懶人包

Byforeignersintw February 25, 2025June 19, 2025

Taoyuan is a large, bustling city in northern Taiwan, known for having Taiwan’s largest airport. But Taoyuan also has hidden treasures such as one of the best historical old streets in Taiwan, interesting cultural sites, amazing seafood markets, and mountain areas to explore. 🏯 Planning your trip to Taoyuan? ✈️ Here are some top travel…

Taipingshan Travel Guide 太平山 – Discover Yilan’s Amazing Mountain Scenery

Byforeignersintw February 21, 2025February 21, 2025

Taipingshan (aka Taipingshan National Forest Recreational Area 太平山國家森林游樂區) is a magical mountain paradise in Datong Township of Yilan County in Taiwan. It has an old Japanese-era logging railroad track which has mostly been abandoned, but part of it has been restored with a working train. In addition, there are hot springs, Taiwan’s largest alpine lake,…

Miaoli Travel Guide: Discover this Amazing Mountainous Backwater 苗栗旅遊懶人包

Byforeignersintw February 18, 2025June 19, 2025

For you expats or foreigners who have never left Taipei, Miaoli is a large rural county in central Taiwan. From the ocean to hills, to mountains, and more mountains, Miaoli is an outdoor paradise. There are also many interesting cultural and historical sites here. Below I will list out some of the best places in…