Sun Moon Lake Bicycle Path - Circumference Route Introduction
The Sun Moon Lake cycling route is approximately 30 kilometers long, featuring beautiful lake and mountain scenery along the way. It has been voted one of the world's top ten most scenic cycling paths by CNNGO, a travel lifestyle website under CNN. Starting from the Xuanshan Visitor Center and cycling clockwise around the lake, you will pass through the busier Shuishe area, where the roads are relatively flat. The section from Jiulongkou toward the Wenwu Temple is steeper. Notably, the stretch from the Yunpin Hotel to the Wenwu Temple can feel quite strenuous. There is a small platform in front of the Wenwu Temple (next to the Jingsheng Pavilion), where you can take a short break and enjoy the lake view, allowing you to momentarily forget your fatigue. After a brief rest, you will continue, encountering both downhill and uphill sections while enjoying the breeze. Passing by the Sun Moon Lake Cable Car Station, you can look up to see the cable cars traversing back and forth, and in winter, the pink cherry blossoms bloom beautifully here. At noon, you can choose to find something to eat in the Ita Thao shopping area, where you can taste authentic Thao cuisine, or replenish your supplies before setting off again! When you arrive at the Cien Pagoda and the Hsuan Tsang Memorial, you can enjoy a commanding view of the beautiful lake scenery from this higher vantage point. After the steep curve past the Xuanguang Temple parking lot, you will ride downhill to Toushe, where you should be cautious and prioritize safety. Finally, returning from Toushe back to the Xuanshan Visitor Center involves a very steep grade, making it a high-intensity route. Due to some sections of the bike path not being completed, it is recommended to cycle along the circumference of the lake road and to pay attention to traffic safety.
