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Ci'en Pagoda
Best time to visit
Early morning around sunrise, when the lake lies mirror-still and tour groups have yet to arrive. Clear winter days offer the sharpest visibility across the basin.
Budget tips
Entry to the pagoda and grounds is free. Parking in the Sun Moon Lake lot costs around NT$50-100 for the day, or take the shuttle bus from nearby towns for around NT$80 round trip.
Recommended for
Photography enthusiasts, Nature lovers, Solo travelers seeking quiet viewpoints, History buffs
Plan your visit
1-2 hours
About
Quick facts: Chiang Kai-shek ordered this pagoda built as a tribute to his mother. Climbing its 300-plus steps rewards visitors with a 360-degree panorama of Sun Moon Lake from the top floor.
Highlights: At dawn, the pagoda's 12 distinct levels cast a perfect reflection across the calm lake surface below. Each floor reveals a wider slice of the surrounding mountains, with the top offering the lake's sun and moon shapes in full view simultaneously.
Insider tips
- Arrive before 8 AM to climb the steps in cool morning air with hardly anyone around.
- Count the floors as you ascend, each one offers a different angle worth a short break and a photo.
- Bring a small flashlight if visiting near sunset, the stairwell lighting is dim on the way back down.
- Skip the lower floors quickly and save your energy for the top three levels where the view fully opens up.
Where to Stay in Nantou
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