Lalu Island / See Lalu Platform

Lalu Island, located in the center of Sun Moon Lake in Nantou, Taiwan, is a sacred small island with profound Thao indigenous cultural significance. In the Thao language, Lalu means "sacred mountain in the heart." It is the dwelling place of the Thao people's highest ancestral spirits and the site of their early settlements, revered as a sacred place for the souls of the tribe. Historically, Lalu Island has had several names: during the Qing dynasty, it was known as "Pearl Islet" or "Pearl Mountain"; under Japanese rule, it was "Jade Island"; and after the war, it was renamed "Guanghua Island," symbolizing "Glorious China." In 2000, through the efforts of the Thao people, its original name, "Lalu Island," was officially restored, and it was designated an indigenous protected area. General tourists are prohibited from landing on the island to respect Thao cultural heritage and ancestral beliefs. With the construction of the Sun Moon Lake reservoir, water levels rose, submerging the original hills to form the solitary island seen today, appearing as a dreamy landscape floating in the clear blue-green waters. The Bischofia javanica trees planted on the island symbolize the generational continuation of Thao culture. Although tourists cannot land on the island, they can follow the trail next to the Xiangshan Visitor Center to the "Viewing Platform," which offers a 270-degree panoramic view of Sun Moon Lake and the magnificent scenery of Lalu Island. Continuing along the trail for another approximately 450 meters will lead to the "See Lalu Platform." The "See Lalu Platform" utilizes ingenious borrowed scenery and spatial arrangement design to allow visitors to look back at Lalu Island's former majestic appearance as the "Mountain in the Lake." Holes on the platform symbolize the former Thao settlements, while the paving simulates the rice paddies that once encircled the island, blending nature and culture to vividly showcase the changes in Thao history and Sun Moon Lake's landscape. Regarding opening hours: Lalu Island is not open for landing; visiting by yacht is recommended. The "See Lalu Platform" is open 24 hours a day, year-round, and will only be temporarily closed due to "typhoons or other natural disasters, or during renovation work," which will be announced in the latest news.