Nantou

Nantou is Taiwan's mountainous heart and home to Sun Moon Lake, the island's most loved lake. It suits couples and families who want one scenic, unhurried stop between the west-coast cities. October to April brings the clearest water-and-mountain views.

• Cruise Sun Moon Lake between its three piers and the Wenwu Temple — a boat day pass runs about NT$300 ($9)
• Cycle the lakeside bikeway, rated among the world's most scenic rides
• Ride the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway, around NT$300 ($9), over the forest to the aboriginal culture village
• Cingjing Farm — sheep meadows and mountain walks at 1,700 m

Take the high-speed rail to Taichung, then the direct bus to Sun Moon Lake — about 1.5 hours and roughly NT$190 ($6). Day tours from Taipei exist, but they make for a 12-hour day. A lakeside night is calmer, and you get the lake at sunrise before the tour buses arrive.

The lake slots naturally into a west-coast route: Taipei, then Taichung and the lake, then on to Tainan or Kaohsiung. Give it one full day for the boat, the ropeway and part of the bike trail. Add a second day for Cingjing Farm, another 1.5-2 hours into the mountains — worth it in spring, skippable on a short trip. More route ideas in our Taiwan guide.