Sun Moon Lake

Sun Moon Lake, located in central Taiwan, is the island's largest lake. It's elevation is approximately 760-meter. According to our tour guide, the lake used to be two separate lakes. During Japan's occupation of Taiwan, the Japanese built a dam which caused the water level to rise and eventually merged to become one.

At the center of the lake is a tiny island, Lalu Island. After the earthquake in 1999, more than 50% of Lalu Island became submerged in water. By the time I got a chance to see it, it was a very tiny island.

The lake derived its name by its shape; the eastern part of the lake is round like the sun while the western side is shaped like a crescent moon.

Beautiful overview of Sun Moon Lake (notice Lalu Island in the middle)

Lalu Island (notice how parts of the island is submerged in water)

A temple destroyed by the earthquake of '99