Sun Moon Lake is dotted with fascinating sights, from temples to nature — but none stand out quite like the Ci’en Pagoda. Perched high above the lake, this pagoda provides, in our opinion, the best view of Sun Moon Lake.
Getting to Ci’en Pagoda isn’t as simple as visiting some of the other landmarks around the lake, though. It’s tucked away on a hillside on the lake’s south side, so it takes some effort to get there—but it’s absolutely worth it.
When we cycled to the pagoda, we nearly ran out of daylight and almost missed it entirely. But we arrived just in time to climb to the top and catch the sunset over the lake.
In this guide, we’ll share everything you need to know about visiting Ci’en Pagoda including how to get there and what to expect along the way.
Ci’en Pagoda Complete Guide
Ci’en Pagoda is an iconic landmark with panoramic views of Sun Moon Lake and its surrounding mountains. Its octagonal shape is a classic example of Chinese pagoda design.
Once you arrive, you’ll notice the pagoda’s height — it’s 46 meters tall, which makes it the tallest pagoda in Taiwan! Its highest point is 1,000 meters above sea level.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can climb the spiral staircase inside to the top of the pagoda. The pagoda has 12 floors, and on each level, you can step outside onto a deck to check out the views. It’s a bit of a workout, but the views from the top are worth the effort.
The best time to visit Ci’en Pagoda is early in the morning or late afternoon. At these times, the lighting creates colorful hues in the sky. You’ll also likely avoid the midday crowds.
- Ci’en Pagoda Hours: 9 AM – 4:30 PM
- Ci’en Pagoda Cost: Free
How to get to Ci’en Pagoda
Getting to Ci’en Pagoda is straightforward but requires a bit of planning. The pagoda is located on the southern side of the lake, so your starting point will determine the best route.
There are several ways to get to Ci’en Pagoda:
Car
The most convenient way to reach the pagoda is by car. There’s a small parking area near the trailhead, but it fills up quickly, especially during weekends and holidays.
Bicycle
If you’re on a bicycle, be prepared for an uphill ride. There are no bike paths near Ci’en Pagoda, so that means if you want to bike there, a portion of your cycling will be on the road. An e-bike is a great option if you want to conserve your energy for the short hike up to the pagoda.
Ferry
Another option to get to Ci’en Pagoda is by ferry. Take a boat to Xuanguang Temple Pier, one of the lake’s main ferry stops. After exploring the temple, use the walking path to trek uphill to the Ci’en Pagoda. It’s a long uphill walk, so bring some water.
Bus
If you are using the bus to explore Sun Moon Lake, get off at the Zion Park Memorial Tower stop, then walk up the road to Ci’en Pagoda.
Taxis are also available in the area and can take you up the road directly to the parking lot.
No matter how you get there, you’ll need to hike uphill on a short path from the parking lot to the pagoda. Walking up the path takes about 10 minutes. There is also a restroom in the parking lot.
The map below is accurate and can be used to navigate to Ci’en Pagoda.
Ci’en Pagoda: Our Experience
On our cycling adventure around Sun Moon Lake, our last destination was Ci’en Pagoda.
As we pedaled up the steep road toward the pagoda, we couldn’t ignore the weight of time pressing on us. It was getting close to the pagoda’s closing time, and the approaching sunset was already casting rays of light over Sun Moon Lake.
We finally reached the parking area where we left our bikes and started up the pathway. The walk up to the pagoda was short but steep. But it was honestly a nice change of pace after our uphill ride. The pathway was surrounded by tall trees. The trail also had these red leaves that caught Chloe’s eye!
As we got to the end of the pathway, the pagoda began to peek out from behind the foliage. It was a lot taller than I imagined.
We spent a moment outside photographing the pagoda. The pagoda is located on a flat hilltop. It stands on a raised platform surrounded by steps, giving it an elevated appearance. The pagoda is painted in red and white, with eight corners on each of its tiers adorned by little bells.
As soon as we stepped into the pagoda, we were greeted by a spiral staircase winding upward. As we climbed up, we peeked out of the doorways on each level. The views of Sun Moon Lake were growing even better.
Finally, we reached the top. It was the best view of Sun Moon Lake we’d seen. For the first time, the lake stretched out before us in its entirety. It was a panorama of shimmering water surrounded by mountains.
Rays of sunlight began to break through the clouds, casting a warm glow over the lake. The lake’s surface glowed with hues of the sunset.
Seeing the lake from this angle made me wonder about the lake’s history —what did the area look like before the dam was constructed nearly a century ago? There must be so many relics of the past submerged beneath the lake’s depths.
As the sun dipped lower, we realized we were beginning to lose daylight. By the time we left the pagoda, the path back to the parking lot was already dark. We hopped on our bikes and rode back to Ita Thao. We felt lucky to have made it in time to experience the sunset at Ci’en Pagoda.
Are You Following Our Taiwan Blog Series?
We spent 16 days in Taiwan and found so many things to do there—from epic hiking, outdoor adventures, and night markets. To help fellow adventurers, we’ve put together guides to the best places we found. You can check them out by clicking the links below.
- Our favorite night market in Taiwan: Raohe Night Market
- We documented all our Things to do at Sun Moon Lake
- Ita Thao Night Market has some of the most unique food we’ve tried
- Cycling around Sun Moon Lake is one of the most scenic bike rides we’ve ever taken
- Guide to our most epic outdoor adventures in Taiwan: 8 Best Things to Do in Taroko Gorge
- Our most insane hike in Taiwan: Zhuilu Old Road: The Complete Trail Guide
I hope you enjoyed our guide to the Ci’en Pagoda at Sun Moon Lake. Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions! 🐸
