What visitors recommend
Traveler tips from forum threads, not official advice.
Bike part of the loop, then take the ferry
One commenter suggests renting a bike where the Taichung bus drops you, riding to Wenwu Temple, then taking the ferry to Ita Thao.
Discussion on r/taiwan Not yet verified
Start early
A traveler who left after lunch says it got dark before they finished, and the roads are unlit.
Discussion on r/taiwan Not yet verified
Wenwu Temple
Several commenters single it out for the lake views.
Discussion on r/taiwan Not yet verified
Go on a clear day
Opinions are mixed; several say it's only worth it in good weather.
Discussion on r/taiwan Not yet verified
Lesser-known spots
Songbolun to Dajhuhu bike path
A 1.5 km gentle, shaded section; the official site suggests Dajhuhu for sunset.
Checheng via the Jiji Line
Arrive by the TRA Jiji Line to Checheng or Shuili, then a Nantou bus to the lake. The line resumed full service on 25 June 2026.
Getting there
From Taipei: THSR to THSR Taichung Station, then Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Sun Moon Lake Route (6670) from Exit 5, Platform 3: NT$195 one way, NT$360 round trip. Around the lake, the Circular Line (6669) costs NT$51 one way to Xuanguang Temple.
Taiwan Tourist Shuttle
Taiwan Tourist Shuttle is a network of tourist bus routes, a bit like a hop-on hop-off bus, except most routes charge per ride.
Check timetables on the official site first. Schedules and fares change.
Good to know: The Circular Line (6669) shows EasyCard/iPASS/icash for on-bus payment; the 6670 route also takes cash.
Before you go
- Get a SIM or eSIM that comes with a Taiwan phone number, so text-message codes from local services reach you.
- THSR's website and T Express app take Visa, Mastercard, and JCB; American Express works online only if issued in Taiwan.
- A regular EasyCard won't open THSR gates, so buy a THSR ticket.
- Reserved THSR seats sold out? A non-reserved ticket works on any train on its travel date.
- Top up your EasyCard with cash at convenience stores or MRT stations.
- You can't top up a regular EasyCard with a foreign credit card, so keep some NT$ cash for it.
Best time
Start early: the full 30 km bike loop takes about 3.5 hours and has big hills; the Shuishe Dam section is walk-your-bike only.
Sources and verified date
Checked 2026-10-20
- Checked Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area
- Checked Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area: cycling
- Checked Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area
- Checked Taiwan Tourist Shuttle: Sun Moon Lake Route (6670)
- Checked Taiwan Tourist Shuttle: Sun Moon Lake Circular Line (6669)
- Checked Taiwan Tourist Shuttle: Sun Moon Lake–Alishan Route (6739, reservation)
Not yet verified
- Reddit comments read via search-index snapshot, not opened directly.
- Visitor-center spelling differs between official pages (Xiangshan / Xiangshang / Xianshan).