Sun Moon Lake Bicycle Path - Circumference Route Introduction
Sun Moon Lake's scenic bike trail is approximately 30 kilometers long, surrounded by beautiful lake and mountain views. It was voted one of the top ten most beautiful bike paths in the world by CNNGO, a travel lifestyle website under CNN. Starting from the Xuanshan Visitor Center and riding clockwise around the lake, you'll pass through the busier and more congested Shuishe area, where the terrain is relatively flat. As you head from Jiulongkou towards the Wenwu Temple, the terrain becomes steeper, particularly the section from the Yunpin Hotel to Wenwu Temple, which requires more effort when cycling. There is a small platform in front of Wenwu Temple (next to the Jing Sheng Tower) where you can take a break and enjoy the stunning lake view, allowing you to momentarily forget about your fatigue. After a brief rest, you can continue your journey, experiencing a mix of downhill and uphill riding while enjoying the breeze. You will pass the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway station, and if you look up, you’ll see the gondolas moving back and forth, and during winter, the beautiful pink cherry blossoms are a sight to behold. At noon, you can choose to stop at the Ita Thao business district to enjoy authentic Thao cuisine, and make sure to stock up on supplies before continuing your ride! When you reach the Cien Pagoda and Xuan Zang Temple, located at a high point, you'll have a chance to overlook the beautiful scenery of Sun Moon Lake. After navigating the steep curve after the Xuanguang Temple parking area, you will enjoy a downhill ride to Toushe; please be careful and ensure your riding safety on this section. Finally, returning from Toushe to Xuanshan Visitor Center involves a steep incline and is considered high intensity. Since some sections of the bike path have not yet been completed, it is advisable to ride along the Lakeside Road and to pay attention to traffic safety.
