Bicycle tour around Sun Moon Lake

 


The best way to explore Sun Moon Lake and discover its attractions, and see the lake itself from different perspectives, is by renting a bicycle for a day and making a circuit. The full loop is approximately 30 kilometers, with a few gentle inclines. If you prefer a more effortless ride, electric bikes are also available. About half of the route follows scenic shared pedestrian-bicycle paths, while the other half runs along roads. Key attractions along the circuit include: Wenwu Temple, Sun Moon Lake Cable Car, Ita Thao village, Xuan Zang Temple, Ci'en Pagoda, Xuanguang Temple, and Xiangshan Lookout and Visitor Center. 

Route Map


1. Shuishe; 2. Wenwu Temple; 3. Frog Head; 4. Sun Moon Lake Ropeway Station; 5. Ita Thao Village; 6. Xuan Zang Temple; 7. Ci’en Pagoda; 8. Xuanguang Temple; 9. Tunnel; 10. Xiangshan Lookout.

Original map (source: sunmoonlaketrip.net)


Starting from Shuishe. 


There is a shared pedestrian-bicycle path with beautiful lake views until, and little beyond, the Wenwu Temple. 





Junction with stairs to the water front, Wenwu Temple, or Chiang Kai-shek Memorial. 









Viewpoint and Wenwu Temple. 
















Chiang Kai-shek Memorial. 




Shortly after Chiang Kai-shek Memorial, you have to get on the main road, but you get views from there as well.



The pedestrian-bicycle path continues at an area called Shuiwatou, meaning "Frog Head". 














Sun Moon Lake Ropeway Station. The line goes over a ridge to a so-called "Aboriginal Village" theme park, but you can get great views of the lake along the ride. 




















Ita Thao Village is not far from the cable car station, you can actually see it across the bay. This village, supposed to be an aboriginal place, is a little bigger and livelier than Shuishe. 

























After Ita Thao, you have to get on the road again. 




A trail to a light house that was closed. 


You get nice views of the lake from Xuan Zang Temple, dedicated to a Buddhist monk. 






















Ci’en Pagoda is 46 meters tall, offering magnificent views. (Weather was quite hazy at the time of my visit.)

































Back on the main road.  




Xuanguang Temple, a small but historically significant place. 











Continuing along the main road. 






At a tunnel, a new stretch of a pedestrian-bicycle path starts. 




















Xiangshan Lookout. 












Xiangshan Visitor Center and its surroundings. 











The pedestrian-bicycle path continues, and Shuishe becomes visible soon. There are more photos of the last stretch in the post about exploring Shuishe. 











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