Sun Moon Lake 日月潭

Just a short post on Sun Moon Lake, the largest lake in Taiwan. The reason why it is named that is due to the shape of the lake which resembles the sun and the moon. 

Photos are mostly taken during the ferry ride between the last stop back to the first stop. The tickets were bought together with the package that comes with the bus ride throughout the lake, tickets to the aboriginal theme park and bus ride from Taichung to the lake. 

Feng Jia Night Market @ Taichung

After Hua Lien, we moved on to Taichung and stayed at this city for the next two days. We decided to go for a day trip to Sun Moon Lake. While in Taichung, we took this opportunity to visit the famous Feng Jia night market 逢甲夜市. The night market is near to the Feng Jia University and is considered one of the largest night market in Taiwan. While in Feng Jia, we had a chance to see the filming of some Taiwanese game show and two popular host though I only know the guy. To get to Feng Jia Night Market, you can take the bus 25 or 35 near the Tai Chung railway station and stop nearby the Feng Jia University.

We also went to Yi Zhong street which is a walkable distance from our hotel, Good Ground Hotel. I would not recommend staying at the hotel as it was quite small and crowded. Yi Zhong street has a lot of street vendors selling clothes and food which were quite cheap comparatively to Taipei. In fact, some clothing and shoes were only sold here.

the famous hosts


our dinner at the night market


first taste of smelly taufu in spicy sauce




taroko balls


taufo fa with yam flavour tong yuen


our breakfast in the hotel


the famous big sausage wrap small sausage
the outer layer of the big sausage is made of glutinous rice


the stall

Stairway to Heaven at Sun Moon Lake (Wen Wu Temple)

windchimes along the stairway

Wen Wu temple 文武廟 , a very famous Confucious temple located at the bank of Sun Moon Lake whereby it's a must see attraction if you ever in Sun Moon Lake. The temple is famous for it's stairs which have a total of 366 steps from the bank which symbolises 366 days in a year. That's where the name of stairway to Heaven gotten from.

At first when we climbed the steps, we were not aware of the dates engraved on the steps. Only when we reached the top did we know about the dates and thus I went back down to snap my birth date. Thank God I was born almost towards the end of the year. We walked to the temple from the Bamboo Garden even though we bought the round the lake bus ticket as we waited too long for the bus. As with Murphy Law, once we started walking, the bus came and even honk us as though he is laughing at us..sigh...it's about 3km walk to the temple. Not advisable under the scorching hot sun!

the long way up


my birthdate & feet

Somehow the walk was worthwhile as the scenary was breathtaking along the lake. Windchimes are hanged along the stairs which signify blessings. Taken from a website:

"Visitors first go to Wunwu Temple and buy wind chimes for their specific animal of the Chinese zodiac, and then have the chimes passed through incense smoke by temple workers. Then the visitors write their names and the contents of their wishes, and go to the top of the Year of Steps to ring the chimes, and finally go down the steps and hang the chimes beside those steps that represent their birthdays, symbolizing the completion of their efforts."

more windchimes


blessings upon the wind


inside the temple


trying my fortune


view from the roof




the carvings




the entrance

Bamboo Garden @ Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan

clear blue sky


me posing

The Bamboo Garden at Sun Moon Lake itself may not be one of the must see sites when you visit Sun Moon Lake but certainly it's worth visiting. It's the first stop if you are taking the round the island hop on hop off bus from the terminal. There were less tourists, in fact we had the place to ourselves. It's also an excellent place for bridal shots. So if you had the time, spare a few hours to enjoy the garden, as well as, the bamboos.