ZED67

  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. 

Shuishe is the main village of Sun Moon Lake and the primary gateway for visitors, as buses from Taichung arrive here. Despite being small and touristy, it serves as a convenient base for exploring the lake. The village features a port with boats ferrying passengers to Ita Thao, the other main village on the lake. One of its highlights is the pleasant lakeside walkway, offering scenic views and forming part of the cycling route around the lake, which I plan to take the next day. While Shuishe itself doesn’t have many major attractions, the notable exception is Longfeng Temple, a beautiful spot worth visiting.