Tag: Sun Moon Lake

Mirror of Sun Moon Lake
I tried in vain to wake up earlier next day to capture the sunrise at the roof of Sun Moon Lake Teachers Hostel. While I didnâ€™t exactly catch the sunrise moments, the marvellous weather that morning was my consolation prize. So even though itâ€™s rather chilling on the rooftop, I stayed on to marvel at the crystal clear lake. The charming and reflective water just kept beckoning at me â€“ the Mirror of Sun Moon Lake is so damn beautiful! Wouldnâ€™t you agree?
Mesmerized by what I saw, I asked my uncle whether itâ€™s possible to spend a little more time at Sun Moon Lake and he suggested a hike up to Ci En Pagoda (æ…ˆæ©å¡”) after check out. That got me all excited as the Pagodaâ€™s high vantage point means that the view will just be spectacular.
Ci En Pagoda at Sun Moon Lake
We alighted at the carpark next to Ci En Pagoda hiking trail northern entrance and raring to go. The information board indicated that the entire trail is 700 meters, which is very manageable. Moreover, the trail is actually a paved road with nice surrounding greenery.
Based on the timestamp of my photos, it took me just 10 minutes to complete the hike.
Ci En Pagoda was built in 1971 by the late Taiwanese President Chiang Kai-shek in memory of his mother. One interesting fact is the 46 meters tall Pagoda sits on a mountaintop with an elevation of 954 meters, which means the tip of Pagoda is exactly 1000 meters. Did the late President actually plan for that?
Upon reaching the top of Ci En Pagoda, I just go wow and wow, finally get to see the awesome turquoise water!! The mirror-like calm water and range of mountain setting are amazingly picturesque. The Pagoda offers a 360 degree of magnificent view of Sun Moon Lake, itâ€™s just so freaking beautiful.
Since there arenâ€™t many people around, I asked my younger cousins to create something with the sand for me to take a picture from the top. And this was their creation LOL.
Before leaving the Pagoda, I gently rang the bell and prayed.
While walking back to the carpark, I saw an elderly couple heading towards the Pagoda. The lady looked to have difficulties walking but her companion helped her in every step of the way. I offered help but they declined politely. The husband then told me a little about his wifeâ€™s illness and though she has difficulty walking, she wanted to complete the trail and see Ci En Pagoda before her condition worsen. They bade farewell to me with a smile and continueâ€¦I almost teared upâ€¦
Life can be so unpredictable, told myself after that to visit places which I want to go whenever I can, sooner than later.
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What are your thoughts about Sun Moon Lake? Leave a comment and share it with me.
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May 23, 2015
Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village
From Wenwu Temple, we went on to the nearby Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village theme park (ä¹æ—æ–‡åŒ–æ‘). The large theme park is dedicated to preserve the cultures and traditions of aboriginal tribes (åŽŸä½æ°‘) in Taiwan. Native villages were reconstructed and Taiwanese aborigines employed to showcase their tribes skills and handicrafts.
As Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village is situated deep in the mountain area, our bus driver brought us to Sun Moon Lake Ropeway for a panoramic ride via its Cable Car/ Gondola.
Saw this very interesting mozzie indicator at the carpark.
We didnâ€™t have to wait long for our turn early in the morning. Also finally see the promising turquoise water up in the air.
Even if culture and history are not your things, fret not, because the thing that caught our attention from far is this â€“ UFO ride.
Yup, thereâ€™s actually an amusement park in Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village. Hmmâ€¦I fail to see the linkage between a cultural village and amusement park but I suppose the mix of attractions appeal to different people. And yes, we did get our adrenaline rush on the UFO ride and actually ended up spending quite a bulk of our time around the amusement park later half of the day…
Thereâ€™s also a European garden in the vast theme parkâ€¦did not explore much of it though as we wanted to catch the culture show at Formosan Aborigines Square â€“ Ritual Theatre.
Cultural show at Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village
After some fast walk, we managed to reach Formosan Aborigines Square – Ritual Theatre (ç¥å…¸æœƒæ‰€) just in time for the show performance by the aborigines.
According to Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village website, thereâ€™s only one showtime per day. The aborigines showcased some rituals, songs and dances of different tribes, while the rather animated emcees will give out some souvenir as prizes for those who answer his quizzes correctly.
Aborigines villages
We went around the aborigines villages located near the theatre after the show has ended. Each indigenous group have their own area that contains reconstructed houses and wax figures. There are also activities by the aborigines like dancing, sculpting, weaving and handicrafts making.
The chilling enemiesâ€™ heads display rackâ€¦imagines if this is the real McCoyâ€¦
And we went back to end the day at the amusement park before taking the gondola ride back.
STAY: Sun Moon Lake Teachers Hostel review
The night was spent at Sun Moon Lake Teachers Hostel (æ—¥æœˆæ½æ•™å¸«æœƒé¤¨). Our tatami rooms come rather basic but are big in size and have a nice view of the lake.
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What are your thoughts about Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village? Leave a comment and share it with me.
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May 21, 2015