Sun Moon Lake Bicycle Path - Circumference Route Introduction
The Sun Moon Lake cycling path is approximately 30 kilometers long, featuring beautiful lake and mountain scenery along the way. It was voted one of the top ten most beautiful bike trails in the world by CNNGO, a travel and lifestyle website under CNN. Starting from the Xuanshan Visitor Center, the route goes clockwise around the lake, passing through the slightly crowded Shuishe area, which has flat paths. Toward Jiulongkou and heading in the direction of Wenwu Temple, the terrain becomes steeper. Especially from the area in front of the Yun Pin Hot Spring Hotel to Wenwu Temple, cyclists may feel the ride is more strenuous. There is a small platform in front of Wenwu Temple (next to the Jing Sheng Building) where you can take a short break and enjoy the lake view, helping to momentarily forget any fatigue. After a brief rest, the journey resumes with a mix of downhill and uphill, feeling the breeze. You will pass the Sun Moon Lake Cable Car Station, where you can look up to see the gondolas traveling back and forth, and in winter, the beautiful blooming pink cherry blossoms are a sight to behold. At lunchtime, you can find local delicacies in the Ita Thao shopping area, enjoying authentic Thao cuisine, and also replenish your supplies before heading back out! When you reach the Ci'en Pagoda and Xuan Zang Temple, located in a higher area, you can overlook and admire the beautiful scenery of Sun Moon Lake. After navigating the sharp curve at the Xianguang Temple parking lot, you will ride downhill to Toushe, where it is important to pay attention to cycling safety. Finally, returning from Toushe to the Xuanshan Visitor Center route, the slope is quite steep and is considered high intensity. Since some sections of the bike path are not yet connected, it is advised to ride along the Huantan Road and to be mindful of traffic safety.
