Sun Moon Lake & Qingjing Farm Day Tour from Taichung (Boat Ticket Included)

Sun Moon Lake and Cingjing Farm make an appealing two-part day: first, a boat ride across a broad mountain lake; later, fresh air and high-altitude views among the sheep pastures. The journey links two very different sides of Nantou without asking you to plan the mountain transport yourself.

I like that the boat ticket is included, and that the route pairs the lake with Cingjing’s open mountain scenery rather than spending the entire day at one stop. I also like the human touch: guides such as Xiao Xin, Dora, and A Jun have helped with photos, local food suggestions, and clear meet-up instructions.

The trade-off is distance. You’ll spend a good part of the day in a vehicle on winding mountain roads, and the farm admission may cost extra. If you get motion sick, or want a slow day with lots of time beside the lake, weigh that before booking.

What to know before you go

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• Two very different settings: Start beside Sun Moon Lake, then head uphill to Cingjing Farm for mountain views and animal attractions.
• A boat ride is included: The package name specifies a Sun Moon Lake boat ticket, a useful saving compared with arranging that part separately.
• Cingjing Farm admission may be extra: Do not assume the farm entrance fee is covered. Check the current inclusions before you pay.
• Expect winding roads: The drive between the lake and the farm crosses mountain roads. Bring motion-sickness medicine if you tend to feel queasy in cars.
• Guides often add practical help: Xiao Xin, Dora, A Jun, and other named guides have been praised for clear directions, safe driving, food tips, and taking photos.
• Show schedules can vary: A sheep show may run only on holidays, so check what is scheduled on your date.

👉 See our pick of the 23 Best Tours In Taichung

From Taichung to Nantou’s high country

This tour is built for a full day out of Taichung, connecting Sun Moon Lake and Cingjing Farm in one outing. That combination saves you the work of piecing together transport across a long route, especially if mountain driving is not your idea of a relaxing holiday.

The trade-off is a busy travel day. Sun Moon Lake and Cingjing Farm are far enough apart that getting between them takes time, and the road climbs into the mountains. The drive is part of the experience, with changing views as you leave the lake area behind, but it is not a quick hop between attractions.

Transport quality matters here. Visitors have described clean vehicles, punctual pickups, smooth driving, and guides who communicate when to return to the vehicle. Several have also appreciated brief stops where they could use a restroom or buy something from a convenience store during the longer drive. Exact pickup arrangements depend on the departure you book, so check the meeting point and instructions carefully.

This is generally a guided transport experience rather than a day of continuous commentary. Some guides explain local history and food along the way; others focus on getting you to each stop, giving you a return time, and letting you explore on your own. If detailed interpretation is essential to you, confirm the language and guiding format before booking.

Sun Moon Lake by boat

Sun Moon Lake is the visual anchor of the first part of the day: a large lake framed by mountains, with the boat ride offering a different view from the shore. The included ticket takes one planning task off your list and gives you time on the water rather than limiting the visit to a quick roadside photo.

Some tours take the boat to a small island with a temple and a well-known tea egg. It is a compact stop, but it adds a local flavor to the lake visit. If you want to see more than the landing area, remember that the schedule also has to leave room for the drive to Cingjing Farm. One visitor would have preferred more time around the lake and less at the farm, which is a useful clue for anyone whose main priority is the water.

At Ita Thao Shopping Street, you may have time for lunch and a little browsing. It is a practical pause between scenic stops, and a good chance to try local food rather than eat only from snacks packed for the bus. Guides have recommended local dishes and specialties, including maqaw sausage. Ask what is available that day, and keep an eye on the time so lunch does not turn into a race back to the vehicle.

The lake’s mood depends heavily on weather. In clear conditions, the mountain setting is the draw; rain can soften the views and make the boat ride less comfortable. Bring an umbrella for sun or rain, as one experienced visitor advised, and treat the lake as an outdoor stop rather than a guaranteed postcard view.

The climb to Cingjing Farm

After the lake, the road turns uphill toward Cingjing. This is where the tour’s two halves begin to feel distinct: the first is a boat-and-lakeside visit, while the second is about cooler mountain air, open views, and the farm’s animal attractions.

The scenery on the climb is a major reason to make the trip. The higher viewpoints can feel rewarding after the long drive, and the mountain setting is often the part that stays with you. But the road is winding, so take motion-sickness medicine beforehand if needed rather than waiting until the curves begin.

Cingjing Farm is a popular, visitor-oriented attraction, not a quiet working pasture where you’ll be alone with the hills. You may see sheep and horses, and the farm experience can include animal shows. The equestrian performance has been a highlight for some, while sheep shows are reported to run only on holidays. Show availability can shape your visit, so check the schedule for your date instead of counting on a particular performance.

One important budget point: the boat ticket is included, but farm admission may not be. Check the package details for the current entrance fee and any show charges, then add them to your total. A day tour can still be good value, but the advertised starting price is not the full cost if you need to pay separately at the farm.

Some versions of the day include a stop at Old England Manor. Treat it as a possible photo stop rather than the main event, and verify whether it appears in the departure you choose. If you would rather spend more time at the lake or farm, this is one part of the day to ask about before setting off.

What a good guide adds

This route covers enough ground that a dependable driver and clear communication make a real difference. Guides and drivers including Xiao Xin, Dora, A Jun, Mr. Yang, and Sir June have been singled out for smooth driving, punctuality, helpful directions, and a friendly manner. Some also share local stories, answer questions, recommend food, and take photos at scenic stops.

That last service is more useful than it may sound. When you are travelling as a couple or family, it is easy to end up with one person missing from every group photo. Guides who offer to take pictures can make it easier to keep a record of the day without asking strangers at each stop. A few have even made short videos, though you should see that as a personal extra, not a promised feature.

Guiding styles vary. Dora has been described as an English-speaking guide, while other visitors have found the trip worked well with concise instructions and free time at each attraction. Do not assume every departure provides the same language support or the same amount of commentary. If you want a guide who explains local culture throughout the day, check that point when you book.

The strongest practical contribution is often less showy: keeping the day organized, explaining where and when to meet, and driving carefully on mountain roads. Those details turn a long route into a more restful day, particularly if you are travelling with children or do not want to rent a car.

Is the price good value?

The tour starts at $33.70, with the boat ticket included. For that price, the appeal is not simply access to two attractions. You are also paying for transport between places that can be awkward to connect on your own, plus a driver who knows the route and keeps the day moving.

Still, judge value by the final cost, not the starting figure alone. Farm admission may be separate, and the information provided does not confirm that lunch or every show is included. Check those items before booking so you can compare the tour with other options on an even footing.

The tour makes the most sense if you want both the lake and the mountain farm in one day, and value a ready-made route over choosing your own pace. It makes less sense if you want a long, unhurried visit to Sun Moon Lake, dislike winding roads, or prefer to avoid attractions with entrance fees and scheduled performances.

Free cancellation is available with at least 24 hours’ notice, and the activity offers instant confirmation. You can also book for the following day, which is handy if your Taichung plans come together at short notice. Check the local-time cutoff and current package terms when you make the reservation.

Pack for changing weather and winding roads

The mountain setting can feel cooler than the lake, and temperatures may vary between morning and evening. A light jacket is a sensible choice, even if Taichung starts out warm. An umbrella can help with both sun and rain, and a small bottle of water and a snack may be useful during the drive.

If you are prone to motion sickness, bring medicine and take it before the mountain road becomes a problem. The vehicle journey is a meaningful part of this itinerary, not an incidental few minutes between stops. Sitting where you feel most comfortable and looking toward the road can also help, though medicine is the safer plan if you know you are sensitive.

Families can find the mix of boat ride, scenery, sheep, and horses engaging, and some families have used the tour for a day out with children. But be realistic about the travel time and the need to follow group meeting times. It is easier with children who can manage a full day and a long ride.

Who should book this day tour?

Book it if you are staying in Taichung, want to see both Sun Moon Lake and Cingjing, and would rather leave the mountain driving to someone else. It also suits first-time visitors who appreciate having a driver, a boat ticket, and clear instructions arranged together.

Choose another plan if you want to spend most of the day at the lake, need a very flexible schedule, or are especially uncomfortable on winding roads. And if the farm entrance fee changes the value for you, confirm it before booking rather than discovering the extra cost at the gate.

My advice: book this as a scenic sampler of Nantou, not as an in-depth visit to either attraction. You get the satisfying contrast of lake and high country, a boat ride, and a practical way to cover a long route. Just budget for possible farm admission, bring a light jacket, and leave room for the drive itself.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

The tour departs from Taichung. Check your selected departure’s booking details for the exact pickup or meeting instructions.

What attractions does the tour visit?

The package combines Sun Moon Lake and Cingjing Farm. Some day plans also include Old England Manor, so check the details for your chosen departure.

Is the Sun Moon Lake boat ticket included?

Yes. The package is specifically described as including a boat ticket for Sun Moon Lake.

Is Cingjing Farm admission included?

Do not assume it is. The boat ticket is explicitly included, but farm admission may be a separate cost. Check the current package details before booking.

How much does the tour cost?

Prices start at $33.70. The final amount may depend on the date and package, and you should check for any extra admission or meal costs.

Can I book for the following day?

Yes. The activity information says you can book for tomorrow, with instant confirmation.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date, using the destination’s local time.

Are animal shows part of the Cingjing Farm visit?

Animal shows are associated with the farm, including equestrian and sheep shows. A sheep show may run only on holidays, so check the schedule for your date. The information provided does not confirm that every show is included in the tour price.

Should I bring motion-sickness medicine?

If winding mountain roads usually make you feel sick, bringing medicine is a sensible precaution. The route between Sun Moon Lake and Cingjing Farm includes mountain driving.