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TRAVEL
124
Jun-Jul15
Lakeside stay
We arrived at Sun Moon Lake by mid-afternoon, and on checking
into The Lalu, the day’s driving and hiking suddenly felt very far
away. Located on the lake’s Lalu Peninsula, the hotel’s location
was once reserved for the holiday house of Chiang Kai Shek –
and clearly he knew how to pick a prime spot.
The Lalu is a work of art as much as a hotel. Each room has a
spectacular view, and the infinity pool on the ground floor looks
as if it blends seamlessly into the lake below; the whole complex
has a Zen-like vibe.
Determined not to miss out on a massage, I booked ahead at
The Lalu Spa and it was well worth it: 75 minutes of sheer bliss
in serene surroundings, as night fell over the lake. For the price
(HK$1,000), I also got to use the spa facilities, including steam
room, Jacuzzi, sauna and baths.
The food at the Oriental Brasserie was excellent – so many
options and cuisines. There’s also a traditional teahouse on-
site, by the koi pond overlooking the lake, and The Lobby Bar
is great for sundowners or snacks. The hotel’s guest rooms are
incredibly spacious and well fitted out, as you would expect from
a five-star hotel.
One activity worth doing here is cycling – you can hire a bike
from one of the many rental places in the town. It’s possible to
cycle around the entire lake, a distance of about 30kms, or you
can stick to the 6km of bike paths and enjoy great views of the
water and the local wildlife. Another way around the lake is by
boat; hundreds of small boats ferry tourists around every day.
There are plenty of hiking trails and family-friendly activities in the
area too. Kids can try the cable car from Ita Thao pier, the scenic
railway fromJiji, the Tan-nan Firefly Ecological Park, and woodwork
at Checheng. I settled for a short trek to the top of Ci-En Pagoda
and was rewarded with permission to ring the giant bell at the top.
The Lalu Teahouse
Lalu bedroom
Sun Moon Lake bike track,
photo by Sam Liu