3-Day Nantou Itinerary | Things to Do at Sun Moon Lake & Qingjing Farm

The most popular things to do in Nantou County are visiting Sun Moon Lake and Qingjing Farm. The two destinations are just an hour and a half apart, and the region contains dozens of activities that can easily fill a 2- or 3-day Nantou itinerary. Nantou County is best known for its scenic biking and hiking trails, but visitors will want to explore the amazing culture in the area as well. Sightseers will be well satisfied with tours of working farms, the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village and Wenwu Temple, and that’s just the start!

Best Time to Visit Sun Moon Lake

There is no bad time of year to visit Sun Moon Lake and Qingjing Farm. The two attractions feature unique qualities and annual celebrations in each season. In spring, the area is covered with cherry blossoms, and fireflies are the highlight of summer in Nantou County. Fall brings festivals and exquisite foliage, and winter is when families gather for New Year’s Eve fireworks and sunrise services.

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Nantou Itinerary Day 1: Explore nature on top biking & hiking trails

One of the best ways to see Sun Moon Lake and the Nantou County countryside is on bike. Bicycle rental stations are available in the Shuishe area on the north side of the lake, on the west side of the lake near Xiangshan Bike Path and on the south side of Sun Moon Lake near Ita Thao Shopping District.

Popular biking & hiking trails at Sun Moon Lake

• Huantan Bikeway – the only bikeway that circles Sun Moon Lake completely, Huantan Bikeway is more than 30 kilometers long and features an astounding amount of scenery.
• Xiangshan Bike Path – this scenic bike trail takes outdoor enthusiasts by Shuishe Dam, The Yongjie Bridge and Xiangshan Scenic Outlook.
• Shuiwatou Trail – a short walking trail perfect for families, Shuiwatou Trail features a bamboo forest and promises butterfly and amphibian sightings.
• Hanbi Trail – visitors are invited to follow the red-brick path of this one-mile long walking course that offers views of Lalu Island and Ci’en Pagoda. Hanbi Trail is near Shuishe Pier.
• Yidashao Lakeside Trail (Ita Thao Waterfront Trail) – this trail stretches along the southeast bank of Sun Moon Lake for about 1.5 miles and features a mangrove forest. It also passes by the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway.

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Nantou Itinerary Day 2: Take a culture tour through temples & villages

Charming countryside might be the most obvious reason to love Nantou County, but the region also is filled with culture and history. Travelers wanting to learn more about the natives who occupy the lands around the lake and the religious beliefs of the region will want to stop by these three attractions near Sun Moon Lake.

Cultural attractions near Sun Moon Lake

• Wenwu Temple – at one time, the only way to access Wenwu Temple was to travel by boat and climb the 366 steps required to get there. Nowadays, tourists can walk to the temple on the northeast side of the lake via Neihu Mountain Trail. Wenwu Temple is open 24 hours a day.
• Ci’en Pagoda – sitting atop a mountain overlooking the south side of Sun Moon Lake, Ci’en Pagoda stands nine stories tall. Tourists are invited to climb to the top and enjoy the view. Ci’en Pagoda is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.
• Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village – on the northeast side of Sun Moon Lake visitors will find Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, where guests can learn about local culture in five themed parks.

Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets: 850 TWD (29 USD) for adults and 750 TWD (26 USD) for students.

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Nantou Itinerary Day 3: Enjoy a farmstay experience at Qingjing Farm

Qingjing Farm in northern Nantou County is a popular place to visit for families and travelers looking for fun outdoor activities and breathtaking landscape. Guests can book a stay with Qingjing Farm Hotel or in a nearby villa or guesthouse. Much of the territory in the farmland can be covered on foot, and paths like Guangshan Trail and Cingjing High-altitude Observation Trail help to capture the best views. Other can’t-miss attractions at Qingjing Farm are the Swiss Garden and Green Green Grasslands.

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Discover more hotels & places to stay in Nantou County

Sun Moon Lake Fuli Hot Spring Resort

Harbor Resort Hotel

Liching Garden Villa