17 Best Things to Do in Nantou

Sun Moon Lake offers many scenic spots, but the Bamboo Rock Garden is one place you have to visit. The garden’s many trees offer a shady respite from the sun and a place to rest. Ardent photographers can attempt to capture the beauty of the towering bamboo plants.

There is a butterfly garden and a hotel within the grounds. The Tea Research and Extension Station is a short stroll away, too, so be sure to visit it if you have a thirst and time to spare.

Carp Lake is a very scenic tourist spot, and though it may be located near the outskirts of the township, there’s plenty to see and do here. It’s an especially good spot if you like outdoors activities since you can go boating, camping, picnicking and hiking. The shoreline is fairly well developed, so don't go expecting beautiful natural scenery. However, that development means that there's a good choice of restaurants and hotels immediately around the water.

The Ci En Pagoda was erected by the former President Chiang Kai-shek as a tribute to his late mother. Standing at 1,046 meters above sea level, with Shabalan Mountain as a stunning backdrop, the pagoda is 9 storeys high. Travelers can climb up all nine levels and enjoy splendid views of the lake.

The Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village is a fun and informative way to learn about the early cultures of Taiwan. You’ll be enthralled with the range of shows specially performed by the Yamei, Puwan and Yen tribes. Dinner is also served and you can taste authentic dishes exquisitely prepared by master chefs from these tribes.

Ita Thao is a village populated by the Thao people – an aboriginal Taiwanese community. The Thao locals were originally from Alishan, but based on legend, they were enticed to settle down at Sun Moon Lake instead. Today, what was previously known as Dehua Village is now the official Thao settlement in Nantou.

Travelers can watch numerous cultural performances here while shopping at the marketplace, which offers many a souvenir as well as arts and crafts lovingly produced by the Thao natives.

Located by the shore of Sun Moon Lake, the name Meihe Garden derives from the phrase ‘plum and water lily’. This used to be the site of a military police station but today it’s one of the most scenic spots in Nantou.

The Mu Sheng Insect Museum in Puli boasts a wonderful variety of butterflies. Both kids and adults alike will love spending a day here learning about butterflies and other insects. Entrance costs about NT$120 for adults and NT$100 for children.

The museum has a children’s play area and a petting zoo, populated with bunnies and birds instead of beetles and bugs. Nearby cafés serve cool refreshments and visitors are also welcome to pack their own lunches and picnic on the park benches around the museum.

Thanks to its fresh air and warm summers, Nantou County is home to premium Taiwanese wine. One such quality wine can be found at the Puli Winery, where exquisite Shaohsing wine is made. The wine is unlike rice wine, being a vibrant yellow in color. Many travelers choose to visit Puli – also known as the ‘Hometown of Shaohsing Wine’ – where they can sample this delectable concoction and bring home a bottle or 2 as souvenirs.

Wenwu Temple is the result of 2 post-Japanese-era temples being combined as a single entity. The locals here had Wenwu Temple built in place of two temples when rising lake waters threatened to submerge the buildings.

At first glance, the temple looks every bit like a traditional Confucius temple reminiscent to those found in Northern China. The structure is majestic and a sight to behold. With so many travelers visiting each day, officials thought it would be wiser to leave the main gates open for tourists’ convenience, so it is accessible throughout the day.

The Batongguan Historic Trail was established by soldiers in 1875, during the rule of the Qing dynasty. Along the trail, you will find numerous stone inscriptions that act as milestones in the history on the area as well as distance. These include the “Wan Nian Heng Cyu” stone inscription made on a gargantuan boulder. When translated, it reads: “The opening of the roads expedites trade and travel to the benefit of future generations”.

Besides learning about the deep-rooted history of Nantou, you can also bask in the beauty of the Central Mountain Range.

The Hanbi Hiking Trail is perfect for travelers who want to tour Sun Moon Lake at their own leisurely pace. The red-brick-paved trail is 1.5 km long. As you stroll down the trail, you’re treated to sights of Lalu Island and the Ci’en pagoda rising majestically against the mountainous backdrop.

Previously known as Guanghua Island, Lalu Island in Sun Moon Lake is one of the most scenic in all of Taiwan. People from around Taiwan flock to the island’s ‘matchmaker shrine’ to have their prayers answered so that they may find their soul mates and enjoy a perfect marriage.

If having English tea in Nantou sounds odd, wait till you visit The Old England Manor. This well-known hotel was established by a man so enamored with all things English that he spent a whopping NT$800 million to bring back a slice of England to central Taiwan.

The sculptures, gardens, furnishing and every single element reflect the old English charms that many experience during their stay in Nantou. Be sure to try the authentic English afternoon tea.

The Nantou County Culture Park houses the County History Hall, the Nantou Pottery Exhibition Hall, Art Archive Hall and County History Reference Hall. It’s a goldmine for those keen to learn about the area’s history.

You may also want to visit the Wu-De Temple, an old structure which was first built in 1937. During the height of the Japanese occupation, the vast temple was being used as a sparring ground for police personnel to hone their kendo and judo skills. Today, the temple is a favorite spot for both locals and visitors alike.

Nantou was the natural choice as the home of the first Global Tea Expo because of its rich history of tea growing. While the global conference has moved on, Nantou continues to hold an annual festival of tea.

The mountainous terrain in Nantou makes it ideal for the tea plants and the Nantou Global Tea Expo shows visitors just how sought-after the teas from this part of the world are. Generally held around October, you shouldn’t miss this opportunity to try out the vast array of fragrant teas produced in the Nantou region.