Cih’en Pagoda Introduction
The Cien Pagoda is a famous landmark at Sun Moon Lake, located on Provincial Highway 21甲, approximately 300 meters from Xuanzang Temple. The walk from the parking lot to the end of the trail is about 570 meters, lined with tall ancient trees and lush greenery. Even in the hot summer, walking along the spacious path doesn't feel oppressive. The design of the stone path is ergonomic, allowing for an easy ascent as if walking on flat ground, and it doesn’t feel strenuous. Every 100 meters, numbers are engraved on the stone steps, providing a thoughtful indication of how far it is to reach the destination. The sound of cicadas along the way seems to cheer on visitors. As you raise your head and sweat, clusters of bright red hibiscus flowers greet you at the end. At the turning point, you can see a pagoda soaring into the clouds, with a large area of fine white pebbles below, creating an illusion of entering a fairyland. Situated at an altitude of 954 meters on Shabalanshan (also known as Erlong Mountain), the Cien Pagoda stands 46 meters tall, with its peak at exactly 1000 meters. It was built by Chiang Kai-shek in 1969 in memory of his mother, Wang Tai-furen, and completed in 1971. From the top of the pagoda, the view is vast; looking towards the lake, Lalu Island divides the view—wider to the northeast resembling the sun and narrower to the southwest like a crescent moon, illustrating the origin of the name Sun Moon Lake. After enjoying a 360-degree scenic tour along the railing and facing west to find Lalu Island on the lake surface, you can notice a pavilion on the opposite bank at Hanbi Peninsula, aligned with Lalu Island, Xuanguang Temple, Xuanzang Temple, and our Cien Pagoda, forming a "happiness connection." Legend has it that wishing for happiness along this axis often leads to fulfillment. Across from the Cien Pagoda is the two-story Wang Tai-furen Memorial Hall; the first floor features Mr. Chiang Kai-shek's rest area with an image of Wang Tai-furen and simple furnishings, while the basement displays photos and design drafts of the Cien Pagoda project, along with Mr. Chiang's handwritten revisions, demonstrating his emphasis on this project. The area surrounding the hall is planted with plum trees, which bloom every year at the end of the year, filling the air with their clear fragrance. A walk along the Cien Pagoda trail brings you closer to nature, exercises your muscles, offers splendid views of Sun Moon Lake's landscape, and recounts the origins and legends of the Cien Pagoda—a truly enriching experience.
