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 some top travel tips for you:
- Best time to visit: Winter or Autumn when it is less rainy
- How to get there: Taiwan Railway and Inter-City Bus
- Best place to stay: Kirin Villa or Jenq Yang Hotspring Hotel
- Buy entrance tickets for a discount on Klook here
- Stay connected with a local SIM
- Rent a car to explore distant sights
Background:
Sun Moon Lake (aka Zintun in the local Thao language) is the largest natural lake in Taiwan and the home of the aboriginal Thao tribe. According to legend, a white deer led the tribe to the lake and is now trapped in a marble stone on Lalu Island, which is sacred ground to them.
The name “Sun Moon Lake” comes from the different colors of the water in the lake, some of it being murky, and in other parts of the lake, clear. Another account says that the name comes from parts of the lake being round like the sun, and other parts of the lake being curved like the moon.
The first hydroelectric plant was built on the lake in 1919 by the Japanese, and it was later taken over by the ROC government. The hydroelectric power is part of a system of hydropower plants running from Wushe to Sun Moon Lake down to Shuili Township and includes at least 8 plants.
Sun Moon Lake Scenic Area was created in 2000. The lake attracts visitors from around the world year-round for its beauty and surrounding sights, and is also known for the annual Sun Moon Lake Swimming Carnival, which thousands of people attend each year.
The Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, located in Yuchi Township, Nantou County, near Sun Moon Lake, is a major Taiwanese theme park dedicated to celebrating the island’s indigenous cultures. Founded by Chang Jung-yi and opened in 1986, it blends cultural preservation with modern entertainment, featuring reconstructed tribal villages that showcase the traditional lifestyles, crafts, and performances of Taiwan’s indigenous peoples. Over time, the park expanded to include major attractions such as Taiwan’s first suspended roller coaster, the “Maya Adventure,” and its tallest free-fall ride, “UFO Adventure.” In 2001, it launched the now-famous Cherry Blossom Festival, which draws thousands of visitors each spring for both day and night viewing, and the scenic Sun Moon Lake Cable Car, built in 2009, connects the park directly to the lake area. The park has received multiple honors, including certification as an environmental education site, a two-star rating in the Michelin Green Guide, and recognition from Japan’s Cherry Blossom Association as the only overseas certified sakura viewing site.
Price:
Scenic Area Entrance: Free
Parking: Around 100 NT per day for cars
Ferry Ride (starting at Shuitou Pier): 300 NT per person. You can book tickets for a discount on Klook here.
Paddle Boat Ride: 300 NT per person
Gondola Ride (Ropeway): 500 NT per person
Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village: 980 NT per person. You can book tickets for a discount on Klook here.
Hours:
Scenic Area: 24/7
Parking: 24/7
Boat Ride: roughly 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM every day
Gondola Ride: 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM every day
Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village: 9:30 AM- 5 PM every day
Tours:
There are many tours and activities available at Sun Moon Lake such as SUP / standup Paddleboarding, Electric Boating, Canoeing, and Paddle Boarding, Water bike experience, Ebike Rental, and Kayaking
You can find more tours of Nantou on Klook here or KKday here.
Cherry Blossom Season:
Cherry Blossoms can be seen in the park from February to late March. Check out our full guide to Cherry Blossom Season in Taiwan here.
Check out the Cherry Blossom Map above.
Firefly Season
Firefly season at Sun Moon Lake is from May to June. Check out our firefly season guide here.
Where to Stay:
We have stayed at and recommend Kirin Villa (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here), a mountain resort in Puli near Sun Moon Lake.
Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands.
How to get there:
Bus: There are buses (Ubus/Kbus/etc) that leave all day from Taichung Station. You can book tickets to travel to Nantou via inter-city bus on Klook here.
You can book tickets to Taichung via high-speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here, or book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here, then switch to a bus to Nantou.
By Car/Scooter: Take National Highway 6 from Taichung up to Puli, and then follow the signs on Highway 21 down to Sun Moon Lake. You can also take a car/scooter up Highway 21 from Shuili Township further south. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Looking for scooter rental in Nantou? Search Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here.
Boat: You can circle the lake via three spots: Shuise Pier, Xuanguang Pier, and Ita Thao Pier.
Bicycle Rental: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan’s landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here.
Map:
Check out the map above.
Check out a map of the park above, taken from their website: https://www.nine.com.tw/page/about/index.aspx?kind=204&lang=US
Show Times:
- Culture Square: 16:20
- Formosa Square Theater: 13:30、15:50
- Bunun Tribe “Move the location to the Puyuma area.” 15:30
- Pestle Music Stage: 13:00、15:50
Attraction Operating Times (weekday and weekend times):
- Armada Invencible
10:00-12:00 、12:30-16:00
10:00-12:00 、12:30-17:00 - UFO
10:00-12:30 、13:00-17:00
10:00-12:30 、13:00-17:00 - Maya Adventure
10:30-17:00
10:00-17:00 - Gold Mine Adventure
10:30-17:00
10:00-17:00 - Wild Raft Ride
10:30-12:30 、13:00-16:00
10:00-12:30 、13:00-17:00 - SLL Train
09:30~16:50
09:30~17:15 - All other Attractions
09:30-17:00
09:30-17:30
Theme Park Bus:
- Operates from 9:30 AM to 4:45 PM, runs every 20 minutes
Food Options:
- Indigenous Style
- Ritz Palace, Bamboo Rice, and Bunun BBQ
- Chinese dishes
- Ritz Palace restaurant at Europe garden offers you table dishes costing from NT$2000 every table.
- Please call for a reservation 049-2898835
- Light meals
- Ritz Palace, Maya Restaurant, Gold Mine Restaurant, Aladdin Cafeteria, Spanish Restaurant, Crystal Restaurant at SML
- Vegetarian Meals
- Ritz Palace Restaurant, Maya Restaurant, Gold Mine Restaurant, Aladdin Cafeteria, Spanish Restaurant, Crystal Restaurant at SML
- Fast Food
- Lupit Burgers Shop, Aladdin Cafeteria
- Ramen
- Oponohu Rock Pavilion
- Snacks
- Halfway Shop at ropeway station, Crystal Restaurant at SML station, Aladdin Cafeteria
- Muslin friendly
- Maya Restaurant. Prayer room and dedicated tables are available
Restaurant Map:
Visitor Center Services:
- Free Guide Map
- Strollers for rent and wheelchairs for loan
- Battery for lending
- Lockers
- First Aid/ AED
- Nursing room / Drinking water
- Stamp & post
- Inquiry
- Pet friendly
Service Map:
Our Journey:
I have been to Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village once, and I did not take as many photos there as I would have liked for this blog. It was definitely worth it. From the dolphin shows, roller coasters, aboriginal dances, and museums, it was a great experience overall. I highly recommend checking it out.
I have traveled to Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village both via car and the Gondola or Ropeway from Sun Moon Lake. Obviously, the ropeway is more fun.
View of the entrance from the Gondola.
On the other side of the gondola, you will find yourself at Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village, which is an aborigine-themed theme park.
Scenic Area Entrance: Free
Parking: Around 100 NT per day for cars
Boat Ride: 380 NT per person
Gondola Ride (Ropeway): 300 NT per person
Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village: 980 NT per person. You can book tickets for a discount on Klook here.
I did go to the Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village. I did pay the 980 NT entrance fee. Worth it? Yes!
Sorry for the blurry photos. You’ll just have to go there yourself to enjoy it!
You can book tickets for a discount on Klook here.
Aborigines parade down the streets.
Cherry blossoms near the parking lot.
I guess the northwest Native Americans are also part of the Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village?
There are also dolphin shows! I didn’t get photos, but the dolphins jumped like 20 feet out of the water.
A child playing in one of the cultural exhibitions.
A dance show put on at night.
View of the East Side of the lake that appears to be slowly silting in.
Scenic Area Entrance: Free
Parking: Around 100 NT per day for cars
Boat Ride: 380 NT per person
Gondola Ride (Ropeway): 300 NT per person
Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village: 980 NT per person. You can book tickets for a discount on Klook here.
Check out our full guide to Sun Moon Lake here.
Check out our full guide to Nantou County here.
Check out our guide to Taiwan here.
