Optional Tour

Sun Moon Lake, situated in Nantou County's Yuchi Township near the center of Taiwan, is the island's largest lake. This beautiful alpine lake is divided by tiny Lalu Island; the eastern part of the lake is round like the sun and the western side is shaped like a crescent moon, hence the name "Sun Moon Lake". The beauty of the lake, from dawn to dusk and from spring and summer to autumn and winter, exudes an aura of enchantment regardless of whether it is bathed in sunlight or shrouded in mist. Consequently, viewers never tire of looking at it admiratio n and amazement.

In the early morning the surface of the lake is covered by a thin veil of mist. When the sun rises over the mountains the obscuring mist lifts slowly to reveal the lake's true countenance, with its surface reflecting images of mountains and trees as chirping insects and singing birds lend their voices to the enchanted scene. At dusk the colors of the setting sun paint the lake a sparkling gold, transforming it into a crystal fairyland. As the curtain of night falls, the lights and reflections ripple with the waves and cooling evening breezes waft in, giving rise to fascinating illusions of spirits sprinkling fairy dust on the water.

Ita Thao Village (also known formally as Te-hua village) is the last residence of the Thao people, located on the southeast shore of Sun Moon Lake. Visitors can get to experience the traditional culture of the Thao tribe here though the singing and dancing performances available here, as well as other cultural exhibitions. The origins of Ita Thao Village is linked to the deer chasing legend believed by the Thao Aborigines.

Sun Moon Lake Station lies to the south east of Sun Moon Lake, the north of Ita Thao community, and the west of Youth Activity Center. The station is 3.74 hectares in area and is under the local government of Sun Moon village, Yuchih township. The Ropeway incorporates water, land, and air and merg es the two characteristic tourist attractions in Taiwan. It takes about 30 minutes to drive between F.A.C.V. and Sun Moon Lake; it is now shortened to 6.8 minutes by taking the Ropeway.

The Xiangshan Visitor Center is both for tourism and administration use. The uniquely designed building has wood-patterned exteriors and wings that stretch like human arms embracing the earth. In addition, the two giant canopy structures, 34 meters long and 8 meters tall each, allow people to enjoy beautiful views of the Sun Moon Lake on top.

Chung Tai Chan is a Taiwan-based Buddhist monastic order founded by the Venerable Master Wei Chueh in 1987. The monastery headquarters, Chung Tai Chan Monastery (or Chung Tai Buddhist Temple, 中台禪寺), completed in September 2001, is located in Puli, Nantou County, in central Taiwan. It is the tallest and one of the largest temples and monastery in both Taiwan and the world, having a height of 136 metres (446 ft).

The architecture of Chung Tai Chan Monastery expresses a harmony of the arts, culture, science, and the teachings of the Buddha, and is a wonderful application of the Five Modern Approaches of Buddhism. Soon after the Monastery's completion, it was awarded "The 23rd Annual Taiwan Architecture Award" in 2002, and "The 20th International Award for Lighting Design" in 2003. Having received wide acclaim and recognition, the monastery is a landmark of 21st century religious architecture