Sun Moon Lake Introduction
Sun Moon Lake is a famous natural lake in Taiwan, situated at an altitude of 760 meters. Surrounded by lush mountains, it presents a magnificent scenery with picturesque views. The lake is rich in various fish species, known for their delicious flavors, while the beautiful landscapes around the lake are countless, offering different scenes at dawn and dusk throughout the seasons. It is the largest inland lake in the country. Sun Moon Lake has a long history and is well-known far and wide, but the real turning point came after the 921 earthquake in 2000, when the National Scenic Area Management Office was established. The first phase of its mission was to focus on "post-disaster reconstruction," reviving the beauty of Sun Moon Lake. The second phase involved preparations for the opening to Mainland Chinese tourists in 2009, including dock upgrades and renovations of the visitor center. With the strong foundation in place, the opening of National Highway 6 and the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway led to a continuous increase in tourist numbers, rising from 1.4 million visitors annually at its inception to a peak of 8 million visitors by 2011. The third phase expanded the area of the Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area from 9,000 hectares to 18,000 hectares, incorporating parts of Puli, Jiji, and Xinyi Township. At this stage, the focus shifted to pursuing sustainable development through "low-carbon tourism and smart sightseeing."
