Bike Paths in Yuchi Township, Nantou: The Environment of Black Tea Estates and Shuishe Mountain

Yuchi Township in Nantou County is famous for Sun Moon Lake, but beyond that fame, Yuchi Township has a lesser-known feature: it is Taiwan’s most important black tea producing region. During the Japanese colonial era, the Japanese introduced Assam tea varieties here for trial cultivation, and after success, they were grown extensively. After the war, the Taiwan Tea Research and Extension Station took over, making Yuchi Township the “homeland” of Taiwanese black tea.

Cycling the routes of Yuchi Township not only allows you to enjoy the lake and mountain scenery of Sun Moon Lake, but also lets you go deep into the tea fields to explore the stories of Taiwanese black tea.

Route Overview

Route 1: Sun Moon Lake Lakeside Bike Path (approx. 35 km)

The Sun Moon Lake Lakeside Bike Path is one of Taiwan’s most famous scenic cycling routes. Multiple viewing platforms and rest areas are set up along the lakeshore, making it suitable for leisurely riding and photography.

Main Attractions:

• Xiangshan Visitor Center: One of Taiwan’s rare Modernist architectural designs, blending seamlessly with the landscape
• Xuanguang Temple: A Buddhist temple offering panoramic views of Sun Moon Lake
• Wenwu Temple: The largest temple on the lakeshore
• Ita Thao Village (Sun Moon Village): A Thao indigenous settlement, home to one of Taiwan’s smallest indigenous groups
• Peacock Garden: A free-range peacock area by the lake

Route 2: Black Tea Estate Agricultural Route (approx. 25 km)

Taiwan Black Tea Research Station:
Located on the northern hillside of Yuchi Township, the Yuchi Branch of the Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute’s Tea Research and Extension Station is a major center for Taiwanese black tea research. It has an open-to-the-public exhibition area where visitors can learn about variety research and tea-making techniques for Taiwanese black tea.

Sun Moon Lake Black Tea Varieties:

Riding to nearby tea houses, you can taste freshly brewed black tea and compare the flavor differences between varieties.

Thao Culture: The Indigenous Guardians of Sun Moon Lake

The Thao are the smallest indigenous group in Taiwan, with a population of around 700, mainly living in the Ita Thao Village (Sun Moon Village) on the shores of Sun Moon Lake. The Thao’s relationship with Sun Moon Lake is extremely close: legend has it that the Thao ancestors chased a white deer across the mountain ridge, saw the beautiful scenery of Sun Moon Lake, and decided to settle there.

Thao Cultural Highlights:

• Lalu Island (Jhu Zai Shan): A small island in the center of Sun Moon Lake, sacred to the Thao people; landing is prohibited
• Millet Festival and Harvest Festival: Major annual ceremonies of the Thao people
• Sun cake and Grandma’s tea eggs: Signature foods of the Ita Thao Village
• Thao dugout canoes: Traditional fishing method, now available for riding experiences

Connecting with the Shuishe Mountain Hike

Shuishe Mountain (2,059 m above sea level) is the highest peak in the Sun Moon Lake area, and its silhouette is visible from the lake. If you have extra time, after cycling in Yuchi Township, you can hike up Shuishe Mountain to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the entire Sun Moon Lake basin.

Hiking Route:

• Trailhead: Near the Xiangshan Visitor Center at Sun Moon Lake
• Full Distance: Approx. 5.5 km (one way)
• Time Required: Approx. 3–4 hours (one way)
• Difficulty: Moderate

Seasonal Riding Recommendations

Accommodation Recommendations

The Sun Moon Lake area offers accommodations at various levels, from five-star lakeside hotels to local farmstay B&Bs:

• Farmstay B&Bs: Tea farmer B&Bs in Yuchi Township where you can experience tea picking and processing, costing approx. NT$1,000–1,500 per person
• Business hotels: Several budget business hotels in Yuchi Township’s urban area
• Lakeside resorts: Several large resort hotels along the Sun Moon Lake shore, at higher prices

Conclusion

The charm of cycling in Yuchi Township lies in its “layered depth”: you are simultaneously beside Taiwan’s most beautiful alpine lake, within its most historically significant black tea region, and amid the culture of Taiwan’s smallest indigenous group. These three layers stacked together make cycling in Yuchi Township one of the most enriching riding experiences in central Taiwan.

Related Reading

• Classic Bike Route from Sun Moon Lake to Puli: Highland Riding Amid Lake and Mountain Scenery
• Sun Moon Lake Loop Route in Nantou: A Complete Guide from Shuishe Pier to Ita Thao
• Sun Moon Lake Loop Plus Yuchi: A Classic Lake District Route in Nantou
• Sun Moon Lake Loop in Nantou: A Riding Guide for the 8 km Lakeshore Route