With a weekend and holiday ban on visitors to Lalu Island already in place, the island could be closed entirely in the future, with the exception of certain Thao cultural events, the Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration has announced.
Comprehensive inspections of the Lalu Island dock have revealed that under the long-term battering of waves, the dock has tipped and come loose from its fastenings, making it dangerous for visitors to land.
Lalu Island has been one of the must-see scenic spots at Sun Moon Lake for many years. After damage incurred during the major earthquake of Sept. 21, 1999, the park administration constructed a breaker dock with Thao cultural images on it, to help prevent further damage. This help protect the island and give tourists another view to photograph.
But in the past few years, with the increased numbers of visitors to the lake, the tour boats have had to wait longer and longer while allowing visitors to board or alight. A significant number of visitors still show up on weekdays, and with limited seats on boats, tour boat operators are starting to cut tours that allow passengers to disembark. This not only saves time on the tours, but also reduces the safety concerns associated with dock facilities.
The park administration said Lalu Island is a holy place for the Thao tribe. Out of respect for this group, it is necessary to reduce the number of tourists who disturb the peace there, while continuing to allow Thao tribespeople access for their rituals. Tourists will still be able to enjoy the island’s beauty from the comfort of boats.
(This article originally appeared in The Liberty Times Aug. 18.)