Longfeng Temple

View from Temple gate

After finishing the Hanbi trail, Kitsune and I turned left from the Visitor Center, and wandered down the small road. We decided to check out Longfeng Temple for the first time. It's a small temple, set up on a hill that overlooks one side of Sun Moon Lake. The temple is clearly visible from the Hanbi trail. We found the backstory of this particular temple rather amusing.

Old Man Under the Moon - The Matchmaker Temple

Old Man Under the Moon - lovers come to pray for good matches

The Phoenix 

The Dragon

Along the stone wall directly outside the temple gate there were scores of wishes/prayers from the Matchmaker Temple.

The entrance to the Temple

Hanbi Trail

Apricot trees at the old Apricot Teaching Pavilion 

The Hanbi Trail has a secret entrance to The Lalu. We tend to descend the stone stairway to the trail to access the town instead of going through the lobby and asking for a shuttle. 

A short trail, easy to walk, with a beautiful quiet ambiance. Every time we have stayed at Sun Moon Lake, we have walked the Hanbi Trail. 

Kitsune photoing the apricot tree

The Pavilion is overgrown and the carved stone amphitheater is covered with damp moss. The area smells of apricots. There is a slightly eerie, otherworldly feel to the quiet place. 

                               

Archway leading from the Apricot Pavilion, continuing the Hanbi Trail

Random bursts of bright color dots the lush greenery 

There was a busy Bumble Bee bumbling about, buzzing along his bumbly way

Damp and overcast day, but the trail is still rich with colors

Fog covered the mountains, the lake a muted blue green

Neat little boat glimpsed through the foliage of the trail

The trees were filled with these black birds with bright orange beaks

I loved the texture and color of the bark

If you ever find yourself at Sun Moon Lake, take a leisurely stroll down the Hanbi Trail. Scenic, calm, and super walk-able.

Sun Moon Lake

Tonight is our last night here in Sun Moon Lake. It's 8:30 pm and I have just finished up repacking our bags, and setting clothes aside for our early start in the morning. Our bus to Alishan leaves at 9am so we need to be in line at the Visitor Center before then.

Sun Moon Lake strikes me every time we are here. The beauty and colors of this place are just unreal. Even with the wet and grey cast spread over our days here the scenery is still arresting.

The fog flowing past and around the mountains, floating over the lake; the rain creating patterns and rings on the waters surface.

No matter the weather....just being surrounded by this beauty will never grow old.

We didn't do to much during our stay here, partially because of the weather, and partially because we are staying in such a nice hotel. The rooms are spacious, comfortable, and they actually have heat! Most places in Taiwan are not equipped with heating (Radium Kagaya did not have heating so it was a bit chill).

The fog cleared for a little bit during the afternoon 

Our first night here we tried the Chinese restaurant here in the hotel. The food was pretty good for the most part, but the Sichuan Boiled Fish (I have not actually made this recipe, so not sure how this particular incarnation would turn out) was a major let down. The flavors were very weak, there was pretty much no fish and all bean sprouts, and no heat. For me to think there was no heat...means it was super weaksauce.

The pea sprouts were the highlight of the meal, super flavorful and really tasty. The smoked chicken was just alright. We had almond tofu dessert which was very nostalgic feeling and refreshing but I forgot to take a picture of it >.<'.

Lalu Island, The Lalu's namesake

View of the Ci en Pagoda, Xuanzang Temple, Xuanguang Temple, Lalu Island

Pretty Koi pond right below our balcony 

Our second day here we hiked along the Hanbi trail, and went up to the temple (I'll be posting photos from that later). After wandering around for a bit longer we picked up sandwiches from a 7-eleven and spent the rest of the evening in.

Our last day here we spent primarily in the hotel. Weather was particularly dreary today, raining in earnest for most of it. We wandered out late afternoon to Mos Burger, then once again stopped by a 7-eleven for water and sandwiches in case we got hungry later in the evening.

These are all the photos I have had the chance to edit so far. There are many many more :P Hopefully I will be able to find some gems among the masses. For now, it's late, and we have an early morning ahead of us.

Really looking forward to Alishan!

Traveling to Sun Moon Lake, Daily Pic.

Panorama right side view from hotel balcony Feb 8 (Taken Feb 8 2018)

Panorama center left view from hotel balcony 

We checked out of our hotel in Beitou around 11am, and took the red line to Taipei Main Station. From there we purchased business class tickets on the High Speed Rail (HSR) to Taichung.

Littlebear checking out the view

Littlebear and Fae like to travel in their purse cave

We then take a bus to Sun Moon Lake.

When we checked into The Lalu, they sat us in their lobby area and brought hot towels, warm plum tea and salted almonds.

The Lalu is a beautiful hotel, I love the architecture and the ambiance, especially at night.

I've slowly been editing photos from our time here (I've taken sooooo many >.<) so I will try to post some of the ones I like the most as I we travel. Hopefully I won't fall to far behind as we progress through our destinations.