
Nantou Day Tour: Sun Moon Lake & Ita Thao Pier from Taipei
Traveler rating
4.3/5
Based on 35 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Nantou Day Tour: Sun Moon Lake & Ita Thao Pier from Taipei worth booking?
Nantou Day Tour: Sun Moon Lake & Ita Thao Pier from Taipei is a 12.5-hour experience in Taipei, Taiwan, from $88 per person. It scores 66 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 35 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 66 / 100
- Rating
- 4.3/5 (35)
- Duration
- 12.5 hours
- From
- $88 per person
Operated by MyProGuide Taiwan, with licensed local guides. Discover the beauty of Sun Moon Lake, one of Taiwan’s most scenic mountain lakes, on a relaxing day tour with a professional guide. Spend four hours exploring the lake’s stunning scenery, local culture, and iconic attractions. Begin at Shuishe Pier with a relaxing boat ride across the lake, surrounded by peaceful mountain views. At Xuanguang Pier, try the famous A-Po Tea Eggs, a beloved local specialty, before heading up to Xuanguang Temple for panoramic views of Sun Moon Lake. Next, visit Ita Thao Pier and explore its lively shopping street, where you can sample local specialties such as Assam black tea, wild boar dishes, and millet desserts. For a more active experience, rent a bicycle at your own expense and ride along the scenic lakeside cycling route toward Xiangshan Visitor Center. Enjoy a hassle-free journey with comfortable transportation and a professional guide.
What you get
About this experience
Operated by MyProGuide Taiwan, with licensed local guides. Discover the beauty of Sun Moon Lake, one of Taiwan’s most scenic mountain lakes, on a relaxing day tour with a professional guide. Spend four hours exploring the lake’s stunning scenery, local culture, and iconic attractions. Begin at Shuishe Pier with a relaxing boat ride across the lake, surrounded by peaceful mountain views. At Xuanguang Pier, try the famous A-Po Tea Eggs, a beloved local specialty, before heading up to Xuanguang Temple for panoramic views of Sun Moon Lake. Next, visit Ita Thao Pier and explore its lively shopping street, where you can sample local specialties such as Assam black tea, wild boar dishes, and millet desserts. For a more active experience, rent a bicycle at your own expense and ride along the scenic lakeside cycling route toward Xiangshan Visitor Center. Enjoy a hassle-free journey with comfortable transportation and a professional guide.
What's included
Included
- Boat Ticket (NT$100)
- Licensed tour guide
- Insurance
- Transportation
Not included
- Meals
- Bicycle Rental Fee
What you'll see and do
Sun Moon Lake Shuishe Wharf
Sun Moon Lake is one of Taiwan’s most famous mountain lakes, surrounded by lush mountains and beautiful scenery. The lake changes its appearance with the weather and light, making it a perfect place to enjoy nature and relax. Total duration is approx. 4 hours (including boat rides across Shuishe Pier, Xuanguang Temple, and Ita Thao Pier). Time spent at each site is an estimate and may be adjusted on-site.
Pass by without stopping
Shuishe Pier is one of the main piers at Sun Moon Lake and a popular starting point for exploring the lake by boat. From here, you can enjoy a relaxing cruise while taking in the surrounding mountains and lake views.
20 minutes here · Admission included
Xuanguang Temple is a popular lakeside attraction offering beautiful views of Sun Moon Lake. From the higher areas around the temple, you can enjoy a scenic view of the lake and surrounding mountains, and try the famous A-Po Tea Egg nearby.
45 minutes here · Admission included
Ita Thao Shopping District
Ita Thao Shopping Street is a lively area filled with local food stalls, shops, and traditional flavors. Try local specialties such as Assam black tea, wild boar meat, and millet desserts while experiencing the local atmosphere and Thao indigenous culture.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Taipei
If you choose to meet at MRT Ximen Station Exit 4 (in front of Hi-Life), please arrive by 07:45 and look for your guide wearing a yellow uniform. The tour will depart promptly at 08:00.
Meeting point
Taipei
If you choose to meet at Taipei Main Station M3 Exit, please arrive by 07:15 and look for your guide wearing a yellow uniform. The tour will depart promptly at 07:30.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
All guests will be dropped off at Taipei Main Station at the end of the tour.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- zh-TW, cmn, ja, en, zh-CN
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- MyProGuide Inc.
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Late Arrival / Cancellation: Latecomers or No-Shows will not be refunded. Booking changes within 24 hours may not be accepted.
- Per Taiwan law, children under 4 years old must use a child safety seat. Please notify us in advance if needed (An additional fee of TWD 300 per seat applies).
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 35 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
35 verified traveler reviews for Nantou Day Tour: Sun Moon Lake & Ita Thao Pier from Taipei. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great Tour to Sun Moon Lake
Jimmy was our guide during the Nantou-Sun Moon Lake tour. Everything was very well organized, from the meeting point to the breaks, as well as the activities Sun Moon Lake has to offer and what we could do in our free time. Everything was really great; the lake is a beautiful attraction and invites you to explore it in many different ways (e.g., by bike, e-bike, ferry, or on foot). I highly recommend it!
via Tripadvisor
We were very disappointed...
We were very disappointed in this tour. Our guide, Joseph, treated us like 5-year-olds. He told us about toilets so often that we nicknamed this tbe Toilet Tour. He threatened to make us take a taxi if we were late coming back from the toilet. We spent a very boring hour at a visitor center when we could have stayed at the shopping area.
via Viator
Ken
Due to weather the experience was not well taken and the host should have let us spend more time at shops.
via Viator
Great location, weird experience
The trip in itself if great, scenary beautiful, and interesting places, apart from the 3 hour bus ride each way, which I knew about, so no complaints there. However, the reason for the 3 stars is the tour guide, which can make or break a trip. In a nutshell, not going into too many details, he treated us like children, ordering us around, evading direct answers to reasonable question (for example: it was raining all day and he was talking about a bike ride around the Moon Lake. We asked him what is the alternative since it's raining, he said: "I'll tell you when we get there" I insisted and he won't give us a straight answer) . One of the major topics was bathroom breaks , he talked incessvely about them, drilling the 10 minutes allotted time, mentioning not only once, that if we don't comply we can take a cab. We called this tour, the "toilet tour". Also, we got one hour lunch break in a lovely village and there was much more to look around there, but he said no, and took us to a Visitor center, not to far from the village where we had to spend an hour doing nothing. I believe that as a tour guide one has to adapt and be flexible if possible. And in this situation, it was possible. Not sure why he didn't make the right call. We really felt (and this is not only my opinion, we were at least 6 people, not traveling together) treated like little kids being ordered around. We made the best of it, but not exactly what I had in mind.
via Viator
Good experience
The tour guide, Vincent was very good at explaining things about Taiwan and some historical facts. It is a must see place in Taiwan.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 12.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 12
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by MyProGuide Inc., who run 63 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 58.3.
See everything MyProGuide Inc. runsWhy this scores 66
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Nantou Day Tour: Sun Moon Lake & Ita Thao Pier from Taipei: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Taipei.
How much does Nantou Day Tour: Sun Moon Lake & Ita Thao Pier from Taipei cost?
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Prices start at $88 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Taipei usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Nantou Day Tour: Sun Moon Lake & Ita Thao Pier from Taipei take?
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Plan for about 12.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Taipei is not rushed.
Is Nantou Day Tour: Sun Moon Lake & Ita Thao Pier from Taipei worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 66 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 35 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Taipei, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Nantou Day Tour: Sun Moon Lake & Ita Thao Pier from Taipei?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Nantou Day Tour: Sun Moon Lake & Ita Thao Pier from Taipei suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 12.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Nantou Day Tour: Sun Moon Lake & Ita Thao Pier from Taipei?
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Around 12 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Taipei can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Taipei and add a light layer if any part of the 12.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Nantou Day Tour: Sun Moon Lake & Ita Thao Pier from Taipei start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Taipei within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Taipei?
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On Outty we rank every Taipei experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Small-Group: Yehliu, Jiufen & Pingxi Day Tour from Taipei, Full-Day Private Custom Taipei City Tour, Private Taroko Gorge National Park Day Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Taipei?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Taipei?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Nantou Day Tour: Sun Moon Lake & Ita Thao Pier from Taipei?
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Included: Boat Ticket (NT$100); Licensed tour guide; Insurance; and Transportation. Not included: Meals; and Bicycle Rental Fee. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Nantou Day Tour: Sun Moon Lake & Ita Thao Pier from Taipei?
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If you choose to meet at MRT Ximen Station Exit 4 (in front of Hi-Life), please arrive by 07:45 and look for your guide wearing a yellow uniform. The tour will depart promptly at 08:00. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Nantou Day Tour: Sun Moon Lake & Ita Thao Pier from Taipei offered in?
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It is offered in Chinese, Japanese and English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Nantou Day Tour: Sun Moon Lake & Ita Thao Pier from Taipei?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Nantou Day Tour: Sun Moon Lake & Ita Thao Pier from Taipei wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Specialized infant seats are available; and Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Nantou Day Tour: Sun Moon Lake & Ita Thao Pier from Taipei if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Nantou Day Tour: Sun Moon Lake & Ita Thao Pier from Taipei?
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Across 35 reviews averaging 4.3 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, food and drink. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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