CITY TO LAKE
two days in the city,
Lake overnight.
2 nights in Taichung followed by 1 night at Sun Moon Lake. Since there is no round trip to the lake in one day, there is no rush even if you include Ida-sao, the cable car, and the bike path the next day. On the last day, I had two transfers in Taichung and Taoyuan, so I took flights after 17:00 as a standard.
3 NIGHTS · 4 DAYS
Schedule to follow
From the airport to Taichung Station, only walk around the old city center on the first day.
- 01Arrive at Taoyuan Airport around 11:30, enter the country and secure baggage for 60–90 minutes.
- 0213:00 Airport MRT → A18 Taoyuan HSR Station approximately 15–20 minutes
- 0313:40 HSR Taoyuan → Taichung about 40 minutes · General reserved seat around NT$540
- 0414:40 Transfer from HSR Taichung Station to TRA Xinyur Station → Taichung Station approximately 12 minutes
- 0515:30 Hotel check-in → Miyahara/Nokcheon walk
- 0618:00 Dinner of pig's feet and lurou plate at Pudding King Jungjeong Branch
From market mornings to architecture and wetland sunsets
- 0108:00 Wangji Chaitouguo and glutinous rice sausage breakfast at the 2nd Market
- 0209:30 Simgyesinchon·Calligraphy Greenway Walk
- 0312:00 Lunch and bubble tea at Chunshudang Siwei Changshi Branch
- 0413:30 Tour the interior and rooftop garden of the National Taichung Theater
- 0515:00 Transfer to Gaomei Wetland by bus route 309 or scheduled tour · 70–100 minutes
- 06Around 17:00, return to Taichung after confirming sunset, boardwalk, tide, and strong wind control.
Go into the lake with your luggage and take the boat and cable car.
- 0108:30 Check-out → Gangan Station or HSR Taichung Station Nantou Bus Stop
- 02Around 09:20, board Sun Moon Lake Line No. 6670. Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to Suiseo.
- 0311:00 Arrive at Suiseo, store luggage at the hotel and move to the dock.
- 0411:30 Go to Xuanguang and Dasao by cruise ship · Check pass type and operation notice
- 0513:00 Indigenous lunch at Dasao Rusuan Restaurant
- 0614:20 Approximately 10–15 minutes on foot → Sun Moon Lake cable car round trip · Check maintenance date and weather control
- 0717:00 Check-in at lake accommodation, adhere to reservation time if plan includes dinner
After driving along the lakeshore, we take four easy sections to the airport.
- 0107:30 After breakfast, ride the Shuishe-Xiangshan bike path for about 2 hours round trip.
- 0210:00 Check-out and bicycle return → Suiseo bus stop
- 03Around 10:40, take bus number 6670 to HSR Taichung Station, about 1 hour and 30 minutes
- 0412:40 HSR Taichung → Taoyuan approximately 40 minutes
- 0513:40 Transfer to Airport MRT at A18 → Terminal approx. 15–20 minutes
- 06Arrive at the airport around 14:20. For international flights, departure after 17:00 is recommended.
EAT ALONG THE ROUTE
From the market morning
Even the indigenous peoples of the lake.
Prices and opening hours are approximate as of confirmation in September 2026. Please check the linked official or local information for regular closures, material shortages, and reservation conditions just before departure.
DAY 2 · Morning
Wangji Caitouguo and Nuo Mi-chang
- movement line
- Inside Taichung 2nd Market · About 10 minutes by bus from Taichung Station
- menu
- Radish rice cake, glutinous rice sausage, egg, pork intestine soup
- budget
- Approximately NT$100–200 per person
- sales
- Normally 06:30–18:00 · Check for material shortages and closures
If you add an egg to half radish rice cake and glutinous rice sausage, it's good for two people to share. Get there before 9 a.m. to avoid lines and chances of it being sold out.
Check the latest information ↗
DAY 2 · Lunch
Chunshudang Siwei Changshi Branch
- movement line
- Approximately 15 minutes walk from Simgyesinchon / Before moving to National Taichung Theater
- menu
- Zhenjunaicha, beef noodle, pork noodle and Taiwanese snacks
- budget
- Approximately NT$250–500 per person
- sales
- Normally 08:00–22:00 · Last order confirmation
Rather than just drinking bubble tea, you should have lunch together to avoid the afternoon trip to the theater and Gaomei. Please allow waiting time on weekends.
Check the latest information ↗
DAY 1 · Dinner
Pudding King Jungjeong Branch
- movement line
- Approximately 12–18 minutes walk from Miyahara/Taichung Station
- menu
- Soy sauce pig's trotters, luroufan, bamboo shoots and tofu side dishes
- budget
- Approximately NT$180–400 per person
- sales
- Normally 11:00–20:00 · Check branch closures
I put it at the end of the route on the day of arrival. Since the texture of each part of pig's trotters is different, it is best for two people to order the meat and tendon parts separately.
Check the latest information ↗
DAY 3 · Lunch
Lusuan Native Flavor Restaurant
- movement line
- Itasao Old Street · Approximately 5 minutes walk from the dock
- menu
- Chicken wings with wild boar meat, bamboo rice, wild greens and rice
- budget
- Approximately NT$300–650 per person
- sales
- Open for lunch and dinner, irregularly closed and reservation confirmation
Eat at Ida Sao before taking the cable car. There are many menus where two people share multiple plates, so if you're alone, check first how much you can order.
Check the latest information ↗MORNING ON TWO WHEELS
lake in the morning
I look back slowly.
There is a good lakeside bike path from Shuishe to Xiangshan Visitor Center. It's only about a 6-8km round trip, so you don't have to worry about checking out and getting to the airport, and the entire lake tour is long for beginners and includes car sections, so we've excluded it from this itinerary.
If it rains or has strong winds, skip the bike ride and take a walk around Shui Sheng before taking a quick bus back to Taichung.
TRANSFER CHECK
Taichung Station
There are two places.
THSR Taichung station is different from the TRA Taichung station in the city center. The journey between the two stations is approximately 12 minutes with a transfer at TRA Sinur Station, but if you include waiting time, it will take 30 minutes. Take the Sun Moon Lake bus from HSR Taichung Station or Ganjeon Station, whichever is closest to your accommodation.
WHERE TO STAY
lake Luxury Two,
Two cost-effective options in the city center.
Recommendation Conclusion
Fleur de Chine is better for hot springs and half board, and The Lalou is better for architecture and front lake view. City Inn is good for travel efficiency, and Hotel 53 is good for balance between room size and walking around Jung-gu.
Fleur De Chine Hotel Sun Moon Lake
North of Suiseo · Check in advance whether hotel shuttle is in operation
- price
- Double occupancy approximately NT$12,000–22,000+ per night
- breakfast
- Crimson Buffet and many plans including breakfast
- Dinner
- The 1 night, 2 meals plan includes dinner at Crimson Buffet or a designated restaurant.
- parking
- Parking provided for guests, check with hotel for electric car and valet conditions.
- Advantages
- The room's hot springs, lake view, swimming pool, and spa are located in one building, providing a high level of completeness for a staycation.
- Cons
- It is located away from the center of Suiseo, so it is inconvenient to go to outside restaurants, and prices rise significantly on weekends and holidays.
The Lalu Sun Moon Lake
Southern lakeside of Suiseo, about 5 minutes by car from the dock.
- price
- Double occupancy approximately NT$16,000–28,000+ per night
- breakfast
- Lakeview Restaurant Breakfast · Check availability
- Dinner
- Operates Asian, Japanese, and Western restaurants · Basic room rate not included
- parking
- Parking provided for guests · Check license plate number and valet conditions before arrival
- Advantages
- The lake front terrace, infinity pool, quiet architecture and view are the strongest among the four.
- Cons
- It is the most expensive and the policy for children and room occupancy can be strict, so you must check the reservation conditions.
Cityinn Hotel Plus Taichung Station Branch
Approximately 2–4 minutes walk from the back entrance of TRA Taichung Station
- price
- Double occupancy approximately NT$1,900–3,600 per night
- breakfast
- Buffet breakfast · Check included plans and on-site rates
- Dinner
- No restaurant for dinner · Use of shared lounge and nearby restaurants
- parking
- Limited free parking, first-come, first-served, if full, check affiliated/nearby parking
- Advantages
- It is convenient to transfer to the airport and Sun Moon Lake and access Miyahara, and has a laundry room, so it is practical.
- Cons
- The basic room is small and has no windows, so you need to check the room name on the reservation screen.
53 Hotel
Opposite Miyahara · Approximately 7 minutes walk from TRA Taichung Station
- price
- Double occupancy approximately NT$2,000–3,800 per night
- breakfast
- Buffet breakfast · Rates vary depending on inclusion
- Dinner
- Dinner not available · Use of the 2nd Market and Jung-gu restaurants
- parking
- Limited dedicated/affiliated parking · Advance inquiry recommended
- Advantages
- Good balance between the route between the station and the 2nd market, relatively spacious rooms, and price.
- Cons
- Due to the nature of the old building, there are differences in view and soundproofing for each room, and there is not enough parking space.
Rate criteria · Approximate range of 2 people per room per night searchable in September 2026. Whether tax, breakfast, dinner, and parking are included is based on the final payment screen.
BUDGET GUIDE
Estimated cost per person
This is the cost per person for a two-person trip and excludes flights and shopping. At lake hotels, the total price varies greatly depending on whether you choose 1 night and 2 meals.
GOOD
Advantages of this schedule
- See both sunset and morning by not doing a day trip to Sun Moon Lake.
- City, wetlands, and lake scenes do not overlap
- Restaurants are located along actual travel routes every day.
CHECK
Things to know
- HSR Taichung Station and City Center TRA Taichung Station are different stations.
- Gaomei Boardwalk and Cable Car are weather controlled
- If your flight is before 17:00 on the last day, your bike schedule will be deleted.
OFFICIAL SOURCES
Please check again before departure.
Taiwan High-Speed Rail · Timetable and Fares ↗Taichung Tourism Bureau · Scenic Spots and Route 309 ↗Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area · Traffic · Cruise · Control Notice ↗Nantou Bus · No. 6670 Latest timetable ↗Sun Moon Lake Cable Car · Operating days and fees ↗Times and prices are as of confirmation on September 3, 2026. For transportation and facility operations, the final standard is the official inquiry results of the travel date.
English edition of our Korean guide. Times and prices retain the source review date; they are not live booking quotes. Check eligibility for visitor fares and plan international flights separately.