Sun Moon Lake

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Lake in Yuchi, Nantou County, Taiwan

title: "Sun Moon Lake" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["lakes-of-taiwan", "landforms-of-nantou-county", "tourist-attractions-in-nantou-county", "national-scenic-areas-of-taiwan"] description: "Lake in Yuchi, Nantou County, Taiwan" topic_path: "general/lakes-of-taiwan" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Moon_Lake" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Lake in Yuchi, Nantou County, Taiwan ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox body of water"]

FieldValue
nameSun Moon Lake
native_namezh
other_nameZintun
Lake Candidius
imageSun Moon Lake Sentinel-2B MSI 2024-04-04.jpg
captionSun Moon Lake captured by Sentinel-2 satellite in 2024
locationYuchi, Nantou County, Taiwan
coordinates
typeLake
outflowShueili River
date-built
date-flooded
area7.93 km2
max-depth27 m
elevation748 m
pushpin_mapNantou County
pushpin_label_position
::

| name = Sun Moon Lake | native_name =zh | other_name = Zintun Lake Candidius | image = Sun Moon Lake Sentinel-2B MSI 2024-04-04.jpg | alt = | caption = Sun Moon Lake captured by Sentinel-2 satellite in 2024 | image_bathymetry = | alt_bathymetry = | caption_bathymetry = | location = Yuchi, Nantou County, Taiwan | group = | coordinates = | type = Lake | etymology = | part_of = | inflow = | rivers = | outflow = Shueili River | oceans = | catchment = | basin_countries = | agency = | designation = | date-built = | engineer = | date-flooded = | length = | width = | area = 7.93 km2 | depth = | max-depth = 27 m | volume = | residence_time = | salinity = | shore = | elevation = 748 m | temperature_high = | temperature_low = | frozen = | islands = | islands_category = | sections = | trenches = | benches = | cities = | pushpin_map = Nantou County | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = | website = | reference =

| image = File:日月潭環潭自行車道.JPG

| plant_operator = Taiwan Power Company | plant_commission = | plant_decommission = | plant_type = | plant_hydraulic_head = | plant_turbines = 5 x 22 MW Pelton wheels 6 x 267 MW Francis pump-turbines 4 x 250 MW Francis pump-turbines | plant_pumpgenerators = | plant_pumps = | plant_capacity = 2712 MW

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/07/Swimming_Carnival_of_Sun_Moon_Lake_9.jpg" caption="The 2024 Swimming Carnival of Sun Moon Lake"] ::

|pic=Ri yue tan (Chinese characters).svg |piccap="Sun Moon Lake" in Chinese characters |picsize=130px |c=日月潭 |l="Sun Moon Pool" |p=Rìyuè tán |w=Jih4-yüeh4 t'an2 |mi= |j=Jat6-jyut6 taam4 |y=Yaht-yuht tàahm |poj=Ji̍t-goa̍t-thâm

Sun Moon Lake (; Thao: Zintun) is a lake in Yuchi Township, Nantou County, Taiwan. It is the largest body of water in Taiwan. The area around the lake is home to the Thao people, one of Taiwan's indigenous ethnic groups. Sun Moon Lake surrounds a tiny island called Lalu. The east side of the lake resembles a sun while the west side resembles a moon, hence the name.

Sun Moon Lake is located 748 m above sea level. It is 27 m deep and has a surface area of approximately 7.93 km2. The area surrounding the lake has many trails for hiking.

While swimming in Sun Moon Lake is usually not permitted, there is an annual 3-km race called the Swimming Carnival of Sun Moon Lake held around the Mid-Autumn Festival each year. The Sun Moon Lake Swimming Carnival was launched in 1983 and is listed among the Top 50 Open Water Swims in Asia and the Top 100 Open Water Swims of the World. Everyone over 10 years old and with the ability to swim long distances can join, regardless of nationality. In recent years, the participants have numbered in the tens of thousands. Other festivities held at the same time include fireworks, laser shows, and concerts.

The lake and its surrounding countryside have been designated one of thirteen national scenic areas in Taiwan. Wen Wu Temple was built after rising water levels from building a dam forced several smaller temples to be removed. Tzu-En Pagoda () was ordered constructed by late President Chiang Kai-shek in 1971 in memory of his mother. Other temples of note include Jianjing Temple, Syuentzang Temple () and Syuanguang Temple ().

History

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/SavageTribesOfFormosa1926_04.jpg" caption="Taiwanese aborigines at Sun Moon Lake, photo from a 1926 brochure of the Government of Formosa"] ::

In older English literature, it was commonly referred to as Lake Candidius after the 17th-century Dutch missionary Georgius Candidius. In the middle of the lake is the Lalu Island, which is considered holy ground by the Thao tribe. In legend, Thao hunters discovered Sun Moon Lake while chasing a white deer through the surrounding mountains. The deer eventually led them to the lake, which they found to be not only beautiful, but abundant with fish. Today, the white deer of legends is immortalized as a marble statue on Lalu Island.

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/Txu-pclmaps-oclc-6550512-hori-2218-i.jpg" caption="Map including Sun Moon Lake (labeled as Jitsugetsu-tan) (1944)"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d4/Txu-oclc-6557994-index-453.jpg" caption="日月潭}}) (1951)"] ::

Under Japanese rule, the island was renamed "Jade Island". After Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist Government moved to Taiwan, the island was renamed Kwanghwa Island () and in 1978 the local government built a pavilion where annual weddings took place. In 1999, the 921 earthquake destroyed the pavilion and sank most of the island. In recent years, due to increasing social and political awareness, more deference and recognition are being given to Taiwanese aborigines. As a result, after the 921 earthquake, the island was renamed in the Thao language as "Lalu".

The Moon lake was dammed in 1919 by the Tosha Dam at the southern end of the original 'crescent' shape lake. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/76/Taiwan_formosa_vintage_history_other_places_dams_taipics019.jpg" caption="Postcard Tosha Dam Moon Lake (1930s)"] ::

Power Plants

Several hydroelectric power plants have been built in the Sun Moon Lake since 1919, including Mingtan Pumped Storage Hydro Power Plant and Minhu Pumped Storage Hydro Power Station. When the first hydroelectric plant was finished in 1934, it was considered to be one of the most important infrastructure constructions of the time. Wujie Dam, also completed in 1934, diverts water from the Zhuoshui River to increase hydroelectric generation at the lake. The Jiji Line railroad was built to facilitate the construction. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d4/Nichigettan_Daiichi_Hatsudensho.jpg" caption="Sun Moon Lake's first power station, opened in 1934"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/50/Ming-Tan_Power_Station_Pumped_Storage_Power_Plant01.jpg" caption="Mingtan Pumped Storage Power Station underground powerhouse entrance tunnel"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c1/Minhu_Pumped_Storage_Hydro_Power_Station01.jpg" caption="Minhu Pumped Storage Hydro Power Station"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/52/Minhu_Pumped_Storage_Hydro_Power_Station07.jpg" caption="Nameplate of generator No. 1 of Minhu Pumped Storage Power Station"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1f/Minhu_Pumped_Storage_Hydro_Power_Station05.jpg" caption="Water turbine No.2"] ::

Transportation

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/69/Sun-Moon-Lake-Taiwan.jpg" caption="[[Shuishe Pier"] ::

There are three ferry piers on the lake to serve ferries on the lake; they are Shuishe Pier, Xuanguang Pier and Ita Thao Pier. There is also a local bus service that goes around the lake with stops at major points along the perimeter of the lake.

The lake is accessible by bus from Taichung HSR station or Taichung TRA station. It is also accessible by bus from near Checheng railway station on the Jiji branch line.

The Sun Moon Lake Ropeway, located at the edge of the lake, connects it with the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village.

Tourism

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a2/Sun_Moon_Lake_(Jan_14,_2025).jpg" caption="Sun Moon Lake (Jan 14, 2025)"] ::

The lake is a popular tourist destination for visitors in Taiwan. In 2020, the number of annual tourist visits was 4.65 million people which then dropped to 3.03 million in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, the number of tourists increased to 5.3 million.

Surrounding the lake are biking and hiking trails for visitors. The Xiangshan Visitor Center is located adjacent to the lake, allowing visitors an upward view of the water.

Wildlife

The lake is a productive aquatic ecosystem. Introduced giant snakehead pose a challenge to the ecological balance of the lake and are a threat to native fish and shrimp species. The Nantou County Bureau of Agricultural Affairs has in place an eradication program for the species which attempts to electrofish schools of juvenile fish.

PRC passport

The depiction of Sun Moon Lake is featured in the newly-issued People's Republic of China passport in 2012, a move that has triggered protest from Taipei to Beijing.

Climate

|metric first = y |single line = y |collapsed = Y |location = Sun Moon Lake, elevation 1015 m, (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1941–present） |Jan record high C = 29.2 |Feb record high C = 30.0 |Mar record high C = 31.2 |Apr record high C = 32.8 |May record high C = 32.8 |Jun record high C = 33.3 |Jul record high C = 34.0 |Aug record high C = 33.5 |Sep record high C = 33.3 |Oct record high C = 32.5 |Nov record high C = 30.7 |Dec record high C = 29.4 |year record high C = | Jan high C = 19.4 | Feb high C = 20.3 | Mar high C = 22.1 | Apr high C = 24.2 | May high C = 26.0 | Jun high C = 27.2 | Jul high C = 28.3 | Aug high C = 27.8 | Sep high C = 27.2 | Oct high C = 25.6 | Nov high C = 23.6 | Dec high C = 20.5 | year high C = | Jan mean C = 14.4 | Feb mean C = 15.2 | Mar mean C = 16.9 | Apr mean C = 19.2 | May mean C = 21.1 | Jun mean C = 22.3 | Jul mean C = 22.9 | Aug mean C = 22.7 | Sep mean C = 22.2 | Oct mean C = 20.6 | Nov mean C = 18.6 | Dec mean C = 15.6 | year mean C = | Jan low C = 11.3 | Feb low C = 12.1 | Mar low C = 13.9 | Apr low C = 16.3 | May low C = 18.5 | Jun low C = 19.7 | Jul low C = 20.1 | Aug low C = 20.0 | Sep low C = 19.5 | Oct low C = 17.9 | Nov low C = 15.7 | Dec low C = 12.7 | year low C = |Jan record low C = -0.3 |Feb record low C = -0.1 |Mar record low C = 1.0 |Apr record low C = 6.3 |May record low C = 12.4 |Jun record low C = 13.9 |Jul record low C = 16.2 |Aug record low C = 15.8 |Sep record low C = 12.9 |Oct record low C = 11.2 |Nov record low C = 5.9 |Dec record low C = 1.5 |year record low C = |precipitation colour = green | Jan precipitation mm = 56.7 | Feb precipitation mm = 72.0 | Mar precipitation mm = 103.1 | Apr precipitation mm = 174.6 | May precipitation mm = 354.6 | Jun precipitation mm = 441.6 | Jul precipitation mm = 394.5 | Aug precipitation mm = 422.9 | Sep precipitation mm = 192.1 | Oct precipitation mm = 50.3 | Nov precipitation mm = 38.4 | Dec precipitation mm = 42.2 |precipitation mm= | Jan humidity = 76.9 | Feb humidity = 78.4 | Mar humidity = 80.4 | Apr humidity = 82.3 | May humidity = 84.4 | Jun humidity = 85.1 | Jul humidity = 84.5 | Aug humidity = 85.5 | Sep humidity = 84.1 | Oct humidity = 81.9 | Nov humidity = 79.2 | Dec humidity = 77.3 |year humidity = |unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm | Jan precipitation days = 7.9 | Feb precipitation days = 8.2 | Mar precipitation days = 10.6 | Apr precipitation days = 13.4 | May precipitation days = 18.3 | Jun precipitation days = 20.0 | Jul precipitation days = 18.3 | Aug precipitation days = 19.0 | Sep precipitation days = 12.0 | Oct precipitation days = 5.9 | Nov precipitation days = 5.3 | Dec precipitation days = 6.4 |year precipitation days = | Jan sun = 159.4 | Feb sun = 136.9 | Mar sun = 128.5 | Apr sun = 109.5 | May sun = 109.2 | Jun sun = 111.3 | Jul sun = 140.6 | Aug sun = 125.2 | Sep sun = 123.6 | Oct sun = 147.6 | Nov sun = 160.2 | Dec sun = 157.0 |year sun = |source 1 = Central Weather Bureau

|metric first=y |single line=y |collapsed = Y |location = Sun Moon Lake (Maolan Mountain Tea Research and Extension Station), elevation 850 m, (2016–2023, extremes 1995–present） |Jan high C = 20.5 |Feb high C = 21.1 |Mar high C = 22.9 |Apr high C = 24.8 |May high C = 26.7 |Jun high C = 27.6 |Jul high C = 28.6 |Aug high C = 28.1 |Sep high C = 28.0 |Oct high C = 26.7 |Nov high C = 25.2 |Dec high C = 22.0 |year high C = |Jan mean C = 15.0 |Feb mean C = 15.5 |Mar mean C = 17.4 |Apr mean C = 19.6 |May mean C = 21.8 |Jun mean C = 22.8 |Jul mean C = 23.4 |Aug mean C = 23.2 |Sep mean C = 22.9 |Oct mean C = 21.6 |Nov mean C = 19.6 |Dec mean C = 16.4 |year mean C = |Jan low C = 11.6 |Feb low C = 12.0 |Mar low C = 13.9 |Apr low C = 16.2 |May low C = 18.8 |Jun low C = 19.8 |Jul low C = 20.2 |Aug low C = 20.2 |Sep low C = 19.8 |Oct low C = 18.5 |Nov low C = 16.3 |Dec low C = 13.2 |year low C = |Jan record high C = 27.6 |Jan record low C = 1.1 |Feb record high C = 30.8 |Feb record low C = 3.8 |Mar record high C = 32.5 |Mar record low C = 2.9 |Apr record high C = 30.8 |Apr record low C = 7.5 |May record high C = 32.2 |May record low C = 14.7 |Jun record high C = 33.8 |Jun record low C = 17.2 |Jul record high C = 34.2 |Jul record low C = 17.9 |Aug record high C = 32.8 |Aug record low C = 18.0 |Sep record high C = 33.4 |Sep record low C = 15.9 |Oct record high C = 33.1 |Oct record low C = 12.5 |Nov record high C = 30.4 |Nov record low C = 5.7 |Dec record high C = 29.5 |Dec record low C = 2.8 |year record high C = |year record low C = |precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation mm = 39.4 |Feb precipitation mm = 60.8 |Mar precipitation mm = 90.5 |Apr precipitation mm = 159.4 |May precipitation mm = 359.0 |Jun precipitation mm = 451.5 |Jul precipitation mm = 415.6 |Aug precipitation mm = 374.8 |Sep precipitation mm = 197.7 |Oct precipitation mm = 48.6 |Nov precipitation mm = 38.1 |Dec precipitation mm = 42.7 |year precipitation mm = |source 1 = Central Weather Administration (precipitation 1995–2023){{cite web |url = https://agr.cwa.gov.tw/NAGR/history/station_day | title = 農業氣象觀測網監測系統: 茶改中部分場(82H320) | publisher= Central Weather Administration |access-date = 21 April 2024 }}

References

References

  1. "Pumped-Storage Hydroelectric Plants - Asia-Pacific". IndustCards.
  2. (2007-12-27). "Sun Moon Lake has it all for tourists". The China Post.
  3. "Lalu Island". Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration.
  4. "Jioulongkou". Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration.
  5. (2009-09-20). "Cross-Sun Moon Lake swim draws record number of participants". Central News Agency.
  6. (2007-09-12). "Race at Sun Moon Lake attracts 20,000 applicants". Taipei Times.
  7. "Sun Moon Lake Swimming Carnival". Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration.
  8. "Sun Moon Lake International Swimming Carnival". Open Water Swimming Race Calendar.
  9. "Sun Moon Lake Swimming Carnival". rove.me.
  10. "Wenwu Temple". Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration.
  11. "Ci En Pagoda". Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration.
  12. "Syuentzang Temple". Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration.
  13. "Syuanguang Temple". Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration.
  14. "Oops!! 您輸入的網址不存在喔!!".
  15. "Sun Moon Lake - la Lu Isle".
  16. "Timetable-Sun Moon Lake Route Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Bus Info".
  17. "Sun Moon Lake Ropeway - Nantou County List of Attractions - Taiwan Travel - Tourguide | TravelKing".
  18. Jou, Rong-Chang. (2024-09-01). "Parking preferences of tourists in Sun Moon Lake scenic area". Case Studies on Transport Policy.
  19. "Xiangshang Visitor Center".
  20. "Nantou urges action on giant snakeheads". Taipei Times.
  21. (2012-11-24). "Taipei protests China's new passports". Taipei Times.
  22. "Monthly Mean". [[Central Weather Bureau]].
  23. "氣象站各月份最高氣溫統計". Central Weather Bureau.
  24. "氣象站各月份最高氣溫統計(續)". Central Weather Bureau.
  25. "氣象站各月份最低氣溫統計". Central Weather Bureau.
  26. "氣象站各月份最低氣溫統計(續)". Central Weather Bureau.

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lakes-of-taiwanlandforms-of-nantou-countytourist-attractions-in-nantou-countynational-scenic-areas-of-taiwan