Taiwan · SUN MOON LAKE TOURS

The 15 Best Sun Moon Lake Tours

23 tours  ·  from $5 a head

The lake sits in the middle of the island and rewards a slow day: a boat across, a bike path along the south shore, a tea plantation up the hill. These 15 compare the day trips out of Taipei and Taichung on driving time, stops and price.

5-Day Best of Taiwan: Sun Moon Lake, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Hualien - Day 2: Dutch-era Tainan and Fo Guang Shan near Kaohsiung
5-Day Experiences, Sun Moon Lake Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Taipei

5-Day Best of Taiwan: Sun Moon Lake, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Hualien

1.5-Day Best of Taiwan: Sun Moon Lake, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Hualien

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 578 reviews · from $715Our pick

Travel around Taiwan by air-conditioned coach with a licensed guide, four hotel nights, breakfasts, entrance fees, and scenic stops included. See Sun Moon Lake, Tainan, Fo Guang Shan, Kenting, Sanxiantai, Shitiping, Kavalan Distillery, and the National Center for Traditional Arts. Guides may include Alan Chou, Ciao, Eric, or John Chan.

“We highly recommend this tour. It gave you a chance to visit many wonderful places of Taiwan. The tour was very organized, they booked all 5-star hotels for us. If you would be lucky enough to have Ciao as your tour guide and Mr. Wu Read more”

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From Taipei: Nantou and Sun Moon Lake View Day Tour - Shuishe Pier and the first look at the lake
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From Taipei: Nantou and Sun Moon Lake View Day Tour

2.Nantou and Sun Moon Lake View Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 173 reviews · 12 hours · from $63

Travel from Taipei to Nantou with a Chinese or English-speaking guide, stopping at Shuishe Pier, Xiangshan Visitor Center, Xuanguang Temple, and Ita Thao Pier Plaza. Expect a long but scenic day, plenty of walking, and time for a boat ride on the group tour. Guides such as Joseph, Peter, Jeannie, and York are praised for clear timing and local stories.

“Amazing day trip to a stunning must-see in Taiwan! Jeannie our tour guide was so lovely and informative about the history of the area. Loved it!”

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Private 3-Day Tour to Sun Moon Lake and Alishan - Day 1: Sun Moon Lake, temples, and high viewpoints
3-Day Experiences, Alishan Tours, Private, Sun Moon Lake Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Taipei

Private 3-Day Tour to Sun Moon Lake and Alishan

3.Private 3-Day Tour to Sun Moon Lake and Alishan

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 34 reviews · from $1,009

Travel privately from Taipei to Sun Moon Lake and Alishan with a guide and driver, two hotel nights, breakfasts, admission fees, and one Alishan forest train ride. Expect temples, mountain roads, tea country, giant cypress trees, and a visit to Chiayi’s Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum. Guide assignments vary, with past departures led by David, James, Michael, Jessie, and others.

“Even though we encountered some rainy conditions but our tour guide, James, made it a very pleasant experience! He went out of his way by making a dinner reservation for us at a local authentic restaurant for us to celebrate our friend’s birthday and even arranged to have a birthday cake from 85• for the occasion! Thank you, James!”

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Private 4-Day Central & Southern Taiwan Tour (Sun Moon Lake, Kaohsiung, Kenting) - Day 2: Lukang’s temples and old streets
4-Day Experiences, Kenting Tours, Private, Sun Moon Lake Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Taipei

Private 4-Day Central & Southern Taiwan Tour (Sun Moon Lake, Kaohsiung, Kenting)

4.Private 4-Day Central & Southern Taiwan Tour (Sun Moon Lake, Kaohsiung, Kenting)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 30 reviews · from $1,169

Travel south from Taipei by air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide, visiting Sun Moon Lake, Lukang, Kenting National Park, and Kaohsiung. You will stay three nights, eat breakfast each morning, and explore temples, coastal parks, old streets, and city sights. Guide assignments vary, with James, Joseph Yi, Billy Lin, Tony, and Walter among the praised names.

“David and Billy Wong are great guides, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. These guys both found small local vendors where we could really experience the Taiwan charm and goodness. Include the Bullet Train from Kaohsiung to Taipei as an item in the package. The bullet train was amazing.”

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Private 2-Day Sun Moon Lake, Puli and Lukang Tour - Ita Thao and the lake’s Indigenous connection
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Private 2-Day Sun Moon Lake, Puli and Lukang Tour

5.Private 2-Day Sun Moon Lake, Puli and Lukang Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 28 reviews · from $565

Travel privately from Taipei to Sun Moon Lake, Puli, and Lukang with a guide and driver. Visit Wenwu Temple, Ci’en Pagoda, Xuanzang Temple, Ita Thao, and Lukang’s Longshan and Tianhou temples. Your package includes transport, breakfast, one hotel night, entrance fees, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

“Thoroughly enjoyed this 2 day tour. I expected a big bus but it was just the 2 of us. The guide was knowledgeable and very friendly and his English was good.”

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Nantou Day Tour: Sun Moon Lake & Ita Thao Pier from Taipei - Shuishe Wharf gives you your first look at the lake
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Nantou Day Tour: Sun Moon Lake & Ita Thao Pier from Taipei

6.Nantou Day Tour: Sun Moon Lake & Ita Thao Pier from Taipei

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 26 reviews · from $88

Travel from Taipei to Sun Moon Lake in a small group of up to 10 people, with an English-speaking guide, transport, insurance, and a boat ticket included. Visit Shuishe Wharf, Xiangshan Visitor Center, Xuanzang Temple, and Ita Thao Pier. Guides such as Joseph, Vincent, Lyndon, and JD have helped make the day informative and easy to manage.

“It was fantastic. Our tour Joseph was awesome. He explained nicely and was very communicative. Place was very good and thrilling bike experience”

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Private Day Tour to Sun Moon Lake from Taipei - Ci’en Pagoda and its high lake view
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Private Day tour to Sun Moon Lake from Taipei

7.Private Day tour to Sun Moon Lake from Taipei

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews

Spend about 12 hours traveling from Taipei to Sun Moon Lake in a private vehicle for up to three people. Your driver-guide, which may be Ryan, Justin, Phyllis, Johnny, or another team member, can help arrange a lake cruise, bike ride, temple visit, and possible stops such as Ci En Pagoda or the gondola, depending on time. Expect a long but flexible day.

“Solo traveller, unable to get onto a tour to sun moon lake from Taipei which included the sites I wanted to see (Ci en Pagoda & Wenwu Temple, without an extended shopping break in Ita Thou). It's 3.5 to 4 hrs drive each way from Taipei sRead more”

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Sun Moon Lake 1-Day Leisure Tour from Taipei - Leaving Taipei at 9 a.m.
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Sun Moon Lake 1-Day Leisure Tour from Taipei

8.Sun Moon Lake 1-Day Leisure Tour from Taipei

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 14 reviews · from $380

This 12-hour trip takes you from Taipei to Sun Moon Lake for a scenic shuttle-boat ride, time around Ita Thao Pier, and a Taiwanese lunch. Hotel pickup may be available, and guides such as Sky, Barbie, Gordon, Jett, and Vincent have led past departures. The long road journey is the main trade-off.

“Sun Moon Lake is a stunning place to visit and the tour guide was so personal and friendly. We were able to request to ride the gondolas to get a great view of the lake from above.”

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Exclusive 3-Day Sun Moon Lake & Alishan Private Tour - Wenwu Temple and Ci’en Pagoda
3-Day Experiences, Alishan Tours, Private, Sun Moon Lake Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Taipei

Exclusive 3-Day Sun Moon Lake & Alishan Private Tour

9.Exclusive 3-Day Sun Moon Lake & Alishan Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · from $1,110

Travel from Taipei to Sun Moon Lake and Alishan in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with an English and Chinese-speaking guide. You’ll ride across Sun Moon Lake, visit temples and forest trails, take the Alishan Forest Railway, watch sunrise, and stop in Chiayi and Taichung. Guides such as An and Tony are praised for clear explanations and flexible planning.

“As a first-time visitor to Taiwan, I couldn't have chosen a better way to experience the country's natural beauty than this tour. This tour was a breathtaking journey through some of Taiwan's most stunning landscapes, and the memories I madRead more”

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Round Trip Sun Moon Lake Private Tour from Taipei - Riding or walking near Xiangshan
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Round Trip Sun Moon Lake Private Tour from Taipei

10.Round Trip Sun Moon Lake Private Tour from Taipei

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 11 reviews

Travel by private vehicle from Taipei to Sun Moon Lake for a long day of lake views, temples, and optional activities. Your driver or guide can help you visit Shueishe, Xiangshan, the cable-car station, Ci’en Pagoda, and Wen Wu Temple. Boat, bicycle, and cable-car tickets are extra, and the drive takes about 2.5 to 3 hours each way.

“We had an unforgettable day trip to Sun Moon Lake from Taipei with a private driver, and it exceeded all expectations. The 3-hour drive (one-way) was comfortable and scenic. Upon arrival, we visited three stunning spots around the lake: tRead more”

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1-day Tour to Sun Moon Lake from Taipei by High Speed Rail - Temples, pagodas, and sunset views
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1-day Tour to Sun Moon Lake from Taipei by High Speed Rail

11.1-day Tour to Sun Moon Lake from Taipei by High Speed Rail

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · from $485

Travel from Taipei to Sun Moon Lake by high-speed rail and road, then see the lake by boat, gondola, and from its temples and pagodas. Your English-speaking guide may be Eric, Kylie, Phoebe Lin, or Claire. Lunch at an indigenous restaurant is included, and groups are limited to 14 people.

“Nice scenery, good weather and overall a good experience! Our guide Eric took good care of us throughout the journey, also our driver for the trip.”

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Alishan, Sun Moon Lake, Taichung Three Days Tour from Taipei - Day two: sunrise at Zhushan, then Sun Moon Lake
3-Day Experiences, Alishan Tours, Sun Moon Lake Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Taipei

Alishan, Sun Moon Lake, Taichung Three Days Tour from Taipei

12.Alishan, Sun Moon Lake, Taichung Three Days Tour from Taipei

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 10 reviews · from $457

This three-day group trip from Taipei combines Alishan’s forest trails and sunrise train with Sun Moon Lake’s boat ride and Wen Wu Temple, then Taichung’s Miyahara, Audit Village, National Taichung Theater, and Gaomei Wetland. An English or Chinese driver-guide such as Xiao-Hei, Allan, Johnny, or Gabe handles the long road journey, while two hotel nights and breakfasts are included.

“Tour Guide Xiao-Hei did a very good job of both touring our group and providing photo opportunities throughout the travel. He kept us in the loop on what we were doing each day and ensured we were all well. No issues and would go again!”

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Nantou: Sun Moon Lake Combo - Starting with the Around-Lake Bikeway
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Nantou: Sun Moon Lake Combo

13.Sun Moon Lake Combo

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 9 reviews · 1 day · from $5Best value

You can choose a bicycle rental, boat round trip, cable car round trip, or a combination at Sun Moon Lake. Ride the CNN-listed Around-Lake Bikeway, cross the lake by sightseeing boat, or take the 1.8-kilometer ropeway from Ita Thao for mountain and forest views. This is a self-guided day with no tour guide included.

“Bus dropped us off right where we could ride the bikes. The bike shop held our luggage until we came back and took the boat to our hotel. We were able to walk to the gondola. Beautiful day”

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From Taipei: 1 Day Sun Moon Lake Private Tour - Sun Moon Lake from the shore and the water
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From Taipei: 1 Day Sun Moon Lake Private Tour

14.1 Day Sun Moon Lake Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 12 hours · from $285

Travel from Taipei to Sun Moon Lake in a private air-conditioned vehicle with a Chinese or English-speaking driver guide. The day includes a round-trip boat ride, Wenwu Temple, Ci'en Pagoda, lake viewpoints, and hotel pickup. Guides such as Berry and Sung-Ping have been praised for their stories and friendly service.

“This one day trip was really amazing, even with changing weather all day long. And many thanks to Berry, he was the greatest host on this tour with his stories and historic facts about Taiwan, the lake area and my questions along the way.”

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1 day tour Sun Moon Lake from Taichung - Lunch with Taiwanese flavors
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1 day tour Sun Moon Lake from Taichung

15.1 day tour Sun Moon Lake from Taichung

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7 reviews · from $270

Leave Taichung at 9:00 am for a private, guide-led day at Sun Moon Lake. You’ll cycle for about an hour, eat a Taiwanese lunch, cross the lake by ferry, ride the ropeway, and visit temples, villages, and Ita Thao’s shops. Guides such as Dustin, AXL, and Honda have tailored the day around guests’ interests. Extra fees cover lunch, bikes, ferry, and cable car tickets.

“The trip arrangement is beyond considerate. Wonderful and excellent. We tasted the delicious local food. The scenery places are all visited with guide’s detailed explanation of history.”

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New in Sun Moon Lake Tours

★ 5.02-Day Private Tour to Sun Moon Lake and Mount Hehuan4 reviews
★ 4.8From Taipei City: 3-Day Sun Moon Lake & Alishan Private TourFrom $1,1304 reviews

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