Fulie Hot Spring Grand Hotel  Rediscover Sun Moon Lake

Text & Photos / Yu Tian

I hadn’t traveled to central Taiwan in a while. When friends from abroad who have visited Taiwan mention Sun Moon Lake, they often describe it as a must-visit romantic date spot for couples here. Really? That’s interesting—I had no idea such a saying existed. All I knew was that couples from Taipei usually go to Yangmingshan for night views on their dates. Anyway, my memories of Sun Moon Lake are just from family trips during my childhood. This time, I came on my own. Driving south to Nantou wasn’t as far as I’d imagined—it only took about three hours to easily reach this idyllic paradise of lake and mountain scenery.

This time, I chose to stay at the Fulie Hot Spring Grand Hotel, which is a short distance away from the bustling Lakeside Street. What attracted me was not only its conveniently accessible yet appropriately secluded location ideal for a peaceful retreat, but also the dry and wet hot springs I love for relaxing and unwinding during my vacation. The nearby Japanese Showa-era cypress official residence adds an irreplaceable cultural charm to the hotel.

Built in the 11th year of the Showa era, the Tea Research and Extension Station and its Japanese-style official residences are among the few historical relics still preserved in Taiwan. The hotel is located right next door, within view from your balcony when you open the window, creating a harmonious blend of old and new.

*Featured Hotel
The architectural space blends subtly into the forested mountain landscape, echoing the nearby Sun Moon Lake waterfront. Coupled with the adjacent Japanese heritage buildings, the hotel exudes a nostalgic cultural vibe.

Lobby
With its floor-to-ceiling windows, the lobby is bright and airy. Its elegant color scheme carries a sense of minimalist sophistication, offering a spacious atmosphere infused with “rusticity” and “innocence.”

Restaurant
The dining area is spacious and bright. The large floor-to-ceiling windows extend your visual field while you eat, avoiding any sense of confinement. But if you want a bit more privacy for conversation, there are also cozy private booths—a very thoughtful touch.

(The semi-open private booths are for four people, offering just the right amount of space and tranquility)

I stayed here for three nights and had breakfast, lunch, and dinner—all of which were great. What impressed me most was the impressive seafood selection at the buffet. As someone who loves seafood, I was extremely satisfied.

(Charcoal-grilled king crab legs)
*Special: Breakfast is semi-buffet style. In addition to a wide selection of both Chinese and Western breakfast items, the restaurant serves a cup of high-fiber fresh mixed vegetable and fruit juice. You can ask the staff about egg dishes you'd like—scrambled eggs, fried eggs, omelets... all made to order on the spot.

Hot Spring, Pool & Spa Facilities
Pool Area
The outdoor pool area is located in a quiet corner near the hot spring villas. The pool is quite large, perfect for someone like me who enjoys swimming. When in vacation mode, sleeping in, going for a morning swim, and then enjoying a big breakfast is the ultimate in relaxation and satisfaction.

(SPA Pool)

Hot Spring Villas
The hot spring villas, designed with a theme of wood and stone, offer a particularly serene and relaxing atmosphere. Soaking in the hot springs here allows you to feel even closer to the surrounding natural scenery.

The interior of the villa is very spacious. I especially love the rooms where you can see the mountain scenery through the glass curtains—it’s completely immersive in nature, and while soaking, it feels like you can breathe in the phytoncides from outside the window.

(The corridor outside the independent hot spring villas closely resembles the style of the Japanese official residences)

Rock Plate Bath
Originating from Tamagawa Onsen in Akita Prefecture during Japan’s Edo period, the rock plate bath is also known as a dry sauna. It’s a health treatment I particularly enjoy. The sweat released through the far-infrared rays and negative ions of the rock plate bath helps to expel very deep-seated toxins from the body. After each session, you can immediately feel your skin become smoother, and your metabolism speeds up significantly during the steaming process. If you feel a cold coming on, the rock plate bath is a great preventive measure.

The resting corner in the women’s area of the rock plate bath features adorable colorful chairs and tables with a great view. After sweating it out, you can enjoy some cookies on the table here. The staff will also bring over three lab-flask-like water dispensers containing purified water, distilled water, and lemon water—perfect for replenishing all the fluids you’ve lost.

(The surface of the rock plate bath isn’t like regular stone slabs—it’s covered with piping hot gravel stones)

Room

Although the room types here aren’t very diverse, each has a distinct character. They generally follow a minimalist style—modern and sleek—yet the warm textures of the wood and stone elements subtly carry a hint of traditional Chinese Zen aesthetics, creating a tranquil ambiance within the spaciousness. Thoughtful design details in the rooms, such as toothbrushes with ergonomically designed handles, specially crafted ceramic teaware for brewing tea, mini cans of Taiwanese No. 18 tea for guests to sample, a fridge stocked with complimentary drinks, glass-bottled juices, rice crackers, and free snacks like sakura jelly… Even the waterproof slippers provided for guests reflect the hotel’s dedication to attentive and thorough service.

*Near the hotel

Cat 6 Peak for Sunrise Viewing
The sunrise at Cat 6 Peak is the top choice among the Eight Scenic Spots of Sun Moon Lake. The beauty of Sun Moon Lake can be appreciated from any angle, but to experience its majestic presence, you must wake up early and head up to Cat 6 Peak to watch the sunrise. Be sure to check the sunrise time and weather the day before, or you might end up climbing the mountain only to find it shrouded in clouds, missing the sun entirely. On the mountain, I met several local photography enthusiasts who shared their stunning shots and experiences—it was truly fascinating. I also admired their patience and perseverance in waking up early and waiting on the mountain just to capture the perfect view.

Taiwan Tea No. 18
Cat 6 Peak is the homeland of Taiwan’s Assam black tea, with lush green tea fields stretching as far as the eye can see. It’s said that the climate here is very similar to that of Assam in India, and black tea plants were introduced during the Japanese colonial period. Taiwan Tea No. 18 has become the most famous black tea variety here. In addition to tasting and buying black tea souvenirs, you can also stroll through the tea fields. Walking along the Cat 6 Peak Trail, taking photos and enjoying the scenery, I unknowingly made it to the summit.

Xiangshan Bicycle
The Xiangshan Bike Path in Sun Moon Lake was voted one of the ‘Top 10 Most Beautiful Bicycle Paths in the World’ by CNN. How can you visit Sun Moon Lake without riding this highly-rated cycling route? The bicycles provided by the hotel are incredibly user-friendly. At first, I wasn’t used to it—the bike would suddenly surge forward after a few pedals because I had accidentally hit the throttle on the handlebar. I panicked and shouted, “This thing has a throttle!” and was laughed at by other tourists who said, “Of course it has a throttle, haha!” After returning home, I really wanted to buy one of these semi-electric bikes with a throttle—just pedal a bit uphill, then hit the throttle and glide up effortlessly.

Sun Moon Lake Fuli Hot Spring Hotel
No. 250-2, Zhongshan Road, Yuchi Township, Nantou County, 55548
Tel: (886)49-2856697
Official Website: http://www.fuli-resort.com

A Dazzling Youth March

The Charm of Secluded Rest

Layers of Deeper Appreciation

Rediscovering Admiration

Author of Tranquil Full Sketchbook:
Yu Tian’s Fan Page
Yu Tian’s Blog