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 boasts a magnificent landscape, with picturesque views of the lake and the mountains. The lake is abundant in various fish species known for their delicious taste, and the scenic beauty around the lake is numerous, offering different views throughout the day and across seasons. It is the largest inland lake in Taiwan. Sun Moon Lake has a long and storied history, becoming well-known far and wide, but its transformation truly began after the 921 earthquake in 1999. The establishment of the National Scenic Area Administration marked the first phase of recovery, focusing on post-disaster reconstruction to restore the lake's beauty. The second phase involved preparations for the opening to mainland Chinese tourists in 2009, including updates to the docks and renovations of the visitor center. This solid foundation paid off alongside the opening of National Highway No. 6 and the Sun Moon Lake Gondola, leading to a continuous increase in tourist numbers—from 1.4 million annually at the beginning to a peak of 8 million visitors per year 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 villages from Puli, Jiji, and Xinyi Township. At this point, the focus shifted towards "low-carbon tourism and smart travel," aiming for the sustainable development of Sun Moon Lake.
