Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area - Xiangshan Visitor Center

Among Taiwan's reservoir-lake scenic areas, Sun Moon Lake in Yuchi Township, Nantou County, is undoubtedly the most prominent. The entire lake covers an area of 827 hectares with a circumference of approximately 33 kilometers. Its northern part resembles a sun and its southern part a crescent moon, hence its name. The water source for Sun Moon Lake comes from the upper reaches of the Zhuoshui River, which originates from Hehuan Mountain. Therefore, the ultimate source of Sun Moon Lake is Hehuan Mountain. Originally, Sun Moon Lake was just a small lake. During the Japanese colonial era, for the purpose of power generation, the Japanese constructed a 15-kilometer-long underground waterway from Wujie, the closest point on the Zhuoshui River to Sun Moon Lake. They dammed the river there to divert its waters, channeling it through Shuishe Mountain into Sun Moon Lake, submerging numerous small hills to form the vast lake we see today. Unlike most reservoirs in Taiwan, which are created by damming rivers, resulting in long, narrow, and often monotonous landscapes, Sun Moon Lake was formed by filling a depression with water. Its waters are surrounded by layers of mountains, and its waterways are winding and branching, offering picturesque views whether observed from afar or explored up close. As it is a rare active reservoir in Taiwan, its water is circulated daily through Taiwan Power Company's pumped-storage hydropower system, resembling a living body of water. This not only discourages the growth of algae but also ensures excellent water clarity, allowing for the propagation of plump and delicious kurau, Qili fish, and lake shrimp. Many books use "Shuishalian" to describe Sun Moon Lake, but in fact, the scope of Shuishalian was larger than the current Sun Moon Lake. "Shalian" was the general term used by the Pingpu indigenous people for the aboriginal tribes in the inner mountains, which consisted of a series of water-filled basins, one of which was Sun Moon Lake. Adding the character "水" (shui, meaning water) to "Shalian" formed "Shuishalian," which encompassed areas roughly equivalent to present-day Puli, Yuchi, Zhongming, Shuishe, and Toushe. The moderate elevation of 748 meters above sea level creates Sun Moon Lake's picturesque, misty atmosphere and distinct layered mountain scenery. Only by taking a boat tour and getting close to the lake can one fully appreciate the beauty of Sun Moon Lake from dawn till dusk. The Round-the-Lake Road: Circling Sun Moon Lake, the road is approximately 33 kilometers long. In the past, only the Sun Lake Road existed. With the completion of the Moon Lake Road in September 1995 (Year 84 of the Republic of China calendar), the entire Sun Moon Lake Round-the-Lake Road was finished. Visitors can now drive or ride motorcycles to explore the various attractions along the lake. The Xiangshan Visitor Center is located near the Shuishe Tunnel on Provincial Highway 21. Viewed from above, the architecture resembles two hands embracing the entire scenic beauty of Sun Moon Lake, featuring two massive, 34-meter-long and 8-meter-high cantilevered roof structures. The splendid scenery of Sun Moon Lake passes through the expansive spanned spaces, directly captivating visitors' eyes and creating a stage for dialogue between humans and nature. Although it is a building, it would not be an exaggeration to call it a work of art. The front building of this park serves as offices, while the rear building houses the visitor center. The visitor center's exhibition areas include the "Shuishalian Excursion - Industry Hall," the "Sun and Moon Eternal - Art Gallery," the "Lake's Charms - Nature and Culture Hall," and a "Multimedia Audiovisual Room." These halls showcase local industries, crafts, and tourism resources. Specifically, the "Industry Hall" features characteristic industries of the greater Sun Moon Lake area such as pottery, paper crafts, general handicrafts, alcoholic beverages, black tea, and agricultural specialties, and also provides industry information. The "Art Gallery" focuses on exhibiting works by renowned local artisans from the lake area. The "Nature and Culture Hall" offers an audiovisual guide to understanding Sun Moon Lake's natural ecology, culture, and history. The Multimedia Audiovisual Room features a 3D multimedia presentation, offering visitors an unexpected audiovisual immersive experience.