3-Day Sun Moon Lake & Alishan Private Tour from Taipei

Boat across Sun Moon Lake, ride the forest train through mist, watch sunrise paint Alishan's peaks

A 3-day private tour from Taipei to Sun Moon Lake and Alishan National Scenic Area with a Chinese or English-speaking guide, air-conditioned vehicle, and 2 nights' accommodation. Day one brings boat rides on the lake and visits to Wenwu Temple and Xiangshan Visitor Center. Day two includes the Alishan Forest Railway and a walk through the forest. Day three features an early sunrise at Alishan before returning via Hinoki Village and Taichung.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Taipei transfers to Sun Moon Lake

• Travel from Taipei to Sun Moon Lake
• Explore Sun Moon Lake scenic area
• Boat ride at Shuishe Pier
• Visit Wenwu Temple
• Visit Ci'en Pagoda or rent bicycles
• Explore Xiangshan Visitor Center

Day 2: Sun Moon Lake transfers to Alishan

• Visit Alishan Forest Railway
• Train ride through forest
• Explore Alishan National Scenic Area
• Walk Alishan Forest Trail

Day 3: Alishan to Taichung and Taipei

• Watch Alishan sunrise
• Visit Hinoki Village
• Stop for lunch in Taichung
• Return to Taipei

The experience

The drive from Taipei takes 2.5 to 3 hours, and your guide picks you up from your hotel to start the journey. Sun Moon Lake unfolds across day one: you'll take a boat ride on the water, stop at Wenwu Temple on the shore, and climb to Ci'en Pagoda for views across the lake. The Xiangshan Visitor Center sits on a peninsula and holds interactive exhibits about the area's ecology and indigenous culture, with an observation deck looking back over the water. Overnight accommodation is at a 4-star hotel on the lake itself.

Day two moves inland to Alishan National Scenic Area, where you board the Alishan Forest Railway for a scenic train ride through dense forest. The area is known for ancient cypress trees, a sea of clouds that rolls through the valleys, and steep mountain terrain. You'll walk the Alishan Forest Trail at a leisurely pace, moving through the quiet of the high forest. Accommodation that night is in an Airbnb-style lodge within the scenic area.

The third day starts before dawn so you can reach the viewing platform for sunrise: the moment when light first touches the peaks and mist-filled valleys below. After sunrise, you visit Hinoki Village, a small settlement built in Japanese style with narrow lanes lined by hinoki cypress trees and local shops. The drive back to Taipei includes a lunch stop in Taichung, where you can eat on your own before returning to your hotel. A moderate amount of walking is involved across all three days, and the itinerary may shift due to weather or traffic.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from your Taipei accommodation.
• transportation in an air-conditioned private vehicle for all three days.
• admission to the Sun Moon Lake boat ride and the Alishan Forest Railway.
• 2 nights' accommodation (one at a 4-star hotel on Sun Moon Lake, one at an Airbnb-style lodge in Alishan).
• a Chinese or English-speaking driver guide.
• travel insurance for all participants.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 10:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (3 and older) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 72 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availableInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Justaiwantour

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're traveling as a couple or small group and want a private vehicle and guide for the full three days. The fixed itinerary moves through Sun Moon Lake, the forest railway, and Alishan's sunrise in sequence, so you don't need to coordinate separate bookings or manage your own transport between regions.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

16 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 72 h before the start.

What is the Alishan Forest Railway like?

The Alishan Forest Railway is a scenic train ride that winds through dense, lush forest in the mountains. The route passes through the towering cypress trees and misty terrain that define the national scenic area.

Can I see the sunrise at Alishan?

Yes. Day three includes an early wake-up to reach the viewing platform before dawn, so you witness the sunrise as it lights up the peaks and valleys below the Alishan plateau.

What happens on the boat ride at Sun Moon Lake?

The boat ride takes you out on the water itself, where you see the lake from the center and the mountains rising around it. The ride is part of day one and lets you experience the lake rather than view it only from shore.

How long is the drive from Taipei to Sun Moon Lake?

The drive takes about 2.5 to 3 hours in an air-conditioned private vehicle. Your guide drives and can answer questions about the landscape and stops along the way.

What kind of walking is involved?

A moderate amount of walking is built into all three days. You'll stroll the Alishan Forest Trail, walk through Hinoki Village's narrow lanes, and move around the lake area at Sun Moon Lake. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Do I need to arrange meals?

Breakfast and most meals are your own cost. The itinerary includes a lunch stop in Taichung on day three, where you eat independently before the return drive to Taipei.