Nantou

Nantou County is a mountainous region set in beautiful surroundings and home to many diverse cultures. Found right in the heart of Taiwan, it’s one of the quieter, more peaceful parts of the island. Its farming-based economy produces some remarkable attractions, including great wines and teas, but inevitably means that it doesn’t have the same lively tempo as Taipei or Kaohsiung.

One thing Nantou has plenty of is nature and natural attractions. At the heart of this is Sun Moon Lake, which is ringed with aboriginal cultural villages, gardens, temples, pagodas and more. For those who enjoy their outdoor activities, there are some fantastic hiking trails to explore and enjoy around the lake.

What to see & do in Nantou

Where & what to eat in Nantou

The dining scene in Nantou is one that’s built around the abundance of super-fresh raw ingredients. The mountainous heart of Taiwan is home to seemingly endless fruit farms, tea plantations and vineyards. Some of their products are unique to Nantou County, and can make for great souvenirs – assuming you can get them home without consuming them yourself before you get there! Dining in Nantou is also an adventure in culinary...

10 Best Nantou Foods Everyone Should Try
Nantou is well-known as a tea-producing area thanks to its excellent climate. Visitors coming to taste the mellow tea produced in Nantou should not forget to try pairings with delicious Assam tea cheesecake (a sa mu hong cha ru luo...
10 Best Restaurants in Nantou
Looking for delicious food in Nantou? At Sun Moon Lake you can enjoy authentic Yunnan Baiyi cuisine and sumptuous buffets...
4 Best Restaurants in Nantou
Restaurants in Nantou often specialise in the unique local flavours of this mountainous region of central Taiwan. The high altitude...

Where to shop & what to buy in Nantou

Shopping in Nantou is a little light on choice, but what little there is tends to be something special. The countryside setting and farming-based local economy means that you won’t find too many shopping malls or store-lined streets. However, what you will find is an impressive number of little family-run boutiques, selling the sort of things you won’t find anywhere else in Taiwan. As with anywhere else on the island, Nantou’s...

10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Nantou
Nantou has many bustling night markets, such as Caoxiedun Renwen Tourism Night Market, Pulichang Holiday Tourism Night Market, Carrefour Night Market and Jiji Night Market, where you can try the snacks and soak up the lively atmosphere. At the night...
3 Best Shopping Experiences in Nantou
Nantou County’s diverse cultures, long history and unique climate make it a great place to get some special souvenirs. You can find local crafts, fresh produce, tasty delicacies and striking artworks throughout this massive area. There are also night markets,...

Where to go & what to do at night in Nantou

10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Nantou
Nantou has a plenty of interesting places to explore at night. There's the internationally certified Dark Sky Park, where you can enjoy starry skies that you won’t see in the metropolitan area. Another place offering great night-time views is Xiaobanshan. Fancy doing something special? Head to Small Swiss Garden to see the water fountains dance at night, look for frogs...
Read more