Sun Moon Lake Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Sun Moon Lake 日月潭 Zintun
Sun Moon Lake from Shueishe Pier
Location	Yuchi, Nantou County
Coordinates	23°52′N 120°55′E / 23.867°N 120.917°E / 23.867; 120.917
Primary outflows	Shuili River
Basin countries	Taiwan

Surface area	7.93 km² (3.06 sq mi)
Average depth	25 cm
Max. depth	27 m (89 ft)
Surface elevation	748 m (2,454 ft)

Islands	Taiwan island

Sun Moon Lake (also called Zintun by the Thao people) is a beautiful lake in Nantou County, Taiwan. It is the biggest lake in Taiwan. Many people think it is one of the most beautiful places in Taiwan.

The lake gets its name because one side looks like the sun and the other side looks like the moon. The area around the lake is known for its amazing views. You can often see clouds and mist over the water, especially when the sun rises or sets. This whole area is a special national scenic area in Taiwan.

History of Sun Moon Lake
- Changes During Japanese Rule
- After Japanese Rule
Geography and Climate
Things to Do at Sun Moon Lake
Images for kids
See also

History of Sun Moon Lake

Inside one of the power plants

The land around Sun Moon Lake has been home to the Thao tribe for a very long time. They are one of Taiwan's native groups. A Thao legend says that their hunters found the lake while chasing a deer. The deer led them to this beautiful lake, which was full of fish. There is an island in the middle of the lake, called Lalu Island, which is a very important worship place for the Thao people.

In the past, the lake was sometimes called Lake Candidius. This name came from a missionary named Georgius Candidius. The name "Sun Moon Lake" was first written down in a book in 1821. Later, during the Qing dynasty, more Chinese people moved to the area. They started to open restaurants, hotels, and shops near the lake.

Changes During Japanese Rule

When Taiwan was ruled by Japan, many big changes happened at Sun Moon Lake. From 1919 to 1934, the Japanese built power plants there. They also built the Jiji Line railroad to help with the construction. In 1931, a large dam was built, which made the lake much bigger than it was before. The island in the middle of the lake, Lalu Island, was renamed "Jade Island" by the Japanese.

After Japanese Rule

After Japan's rule ended in 1946, the new Chinese government renamed the island "Kuanghua Island." This name stayed until 1999. In 1999, a big earthquake, called the 921 earthquake, damaged the island. After the earthquake, the island was renamed Lalu Island again. This was done to help protect the culture of the Thao people.

In 1967, an Aboriginal Culture Centre was started to help keep the Thao culture alive. This center officially opened in 1975. In 2012, a picture of Sun Moon Lake was used in the passports of the People's Republic of China. This made the Taiwanese government upset because they believe Taiwan and Sun Moon Lake are not part of the People's Republic of China.

Geography and Climate

Sun Moon Lake is about 748 metres (2,454 ft) above the sea. It is about 27 metres (89 ft) deep. The lake is surrounded by many mountains and green forests. The water in the lake is very clear and looks like crystal.

Lalu Island is in the middle of the lake. Regular visitors are not allowed on the island. It is only used by the Thao aboriginal people for their special ceremonies.

The area around Sun Moon Lake has a warm climate. The average temperature there is about 21 °C (70 °F).

Climate data for Sun Moon Lake (1971-2000)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C	19.5	19.8	22.1	24.2	25.6	26.9	28.0	27.3	26.9	25.7	23.3	20.6	24.2
Mean daily minimum °C	10.9	11.6	13.7	16.3	18.3	19.6	20.0	19.8	19.3	17.9	15.2	12.2	16.2
Average rainfall mm	52.4	103.3	119.3	192.1	354.3	483.8	349.6	431.8	199.9	54.9	25.0	38.2	2,404.6
Mean daily maximum °F	67.1	67.6	71.8	75.6	78.1	80.4	82.4	81.1	80.4	78.3	73.9	69.1	75.6
Mean daily minimum °F	51.6	52.9	56.7	61.3	64.9	67.3	68.0	67.6	66.7	64.2	59.4	54.0	61.2
Average rainfall inches	2.06	4.07	4.70	7.56	13.95	19.05	13.76	17.00	7.87	2.16	0.98	1.50	94.67
Average relative humidity (%)	77.2	80.6	81.9	83.7	86.0	86.4	85.0	86.5	85.2	83.2	80.2	76.9	82.7
Mean monthly sunshine hours	164.2	128.0	128.2	114.6	117.6	127.0	167.4	138.7	130.1	149.8	156.2	168.8	1,690.6
Source: Central Weather Bureau

Things to Do at Sun Moon Lake

The view from the ropeway/gondola

There are many fun things to do and see around Sun Moon Lake. The town of Ita Thao is a great place to visit. It has many shops and businesses, and most of them are run by people from the Thao tribe.

Close to Sun Moon Lake is the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village. It opened in 1986. This village helps teach visitors about Taiwan's aboriginal cultures. It also has beautiful gardens and forests to explore. You can even ride a gondola, which is like a cable car, over the forests next to the lake.

If you like being active, you can ride bicycles on the many bike trails around the lake. There are also hiking trails that go up Mount Maolan, offering amazing views.