CRADLED in the foothills of the central mountains, Sun Moon Lake in Taiwan's Nantou county is a sanctum of peace and calm for the weary traveller and anyone who wishes to unwind from the daily strains of city life.

At 748m above sea level,the lake boasts incredibly pristine aquamarine waters set against a backdrop of magnificent mountains.

It is the best known among Taiwan's scenic reservoirs, enjoying good weather all year round and attracting a large number of honeymooners and tourists.

Take a boat ride and hear the sounds of rippling lake waters as a cool breeze blows in your face. A private boat can be hired for NT$300 (S$15), and the ride will take you to various scenic spots around the lake,including Lalu Island, hailed as the sacred ancestors' home of the aboriginal Thao tribe.

If you enjoy getting up close with wildlife, there are numerous nature walks and trails for hikers in the surrounding mountains.For a trek up Mount Shuishe,one of the highest peaks around Sun Moon Lake, take the Shuishe hiking trail. For a simpler trek, the Hanbi Hiking Trail of about 1.5km is a pleasant walk at any time of the day.

Adding an air of antiquity to the natural scenery are the various temples that dot the lake's 24km perimeter. Worth visiting is the Wenwu Temple located on the north-eastern shores of the lake. The temple - dedicated to two great Chinese figures,Confucius and Guan Gong,the God of War - projects an awe-inspiring grandeur with its stately architecture.

Also of interest is the Hsuan Tsang Temple on the south eastern slopes facing Lalu Island. Built in the Tang-dynasty style, the temple supposedly houses the relics of the eminent Buddhist monk Hsuan Tsang,whose 16-year pilgrimage to India is immortalised in the16th-century Chinese novel Journey To The West.

For an unforgettable view of the lake, visit the Tsen Pagoda on Mount Shapalan. Built by former president Chiang Kai Shek in 1971 in memory of his mother, the pagoda - at an elevation of 1,000m - boasts spectacular views of the lake and mountains.

Scenic beauty aside, what was memorable about my visit to Sun Moon Lake was a stay at The Lalu, a luxury resort with a Zen feel that perfectly complements the peaceful aura of the lake and its surrounding mountains. Designed by Australian architect Kerry Hill, the Lalu's sensitivity to the elements and its environs is a rare architectural treat in one of Taiwan's most scenic locations.

The hotel is not for the traveller with a tight budget, though.The price for such luxury is NT$15,500 a night for a one bedroom suite. For those unwilling to spend such a princely sum for accommodation, there are numerous affordable homestays and stylish boutique hotels along Minsheng Road in Shuishe Village, a lai dback town northwest of Sun Moon Lake.

The writer went to Taiwan at the invitation of the Taiwan Visitors Association and China Airlines. For information on travel packages to Taiwan,visit the CTC Holidays website at www.ctc.com.sg or call 6536-3995.

Getting there:

Sun Moon Lake is located in Yuchih Township of Nantou county. It is a 3.5-hour drive from Taipei International Airport, or a 1.5-hour drive from Taichung Domestic Airport.

Alternatively, you can take various buses that ply from Taichung, Taipei, Puli or Shui-Li to the Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area.