Sun Moon Lake Loop + Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village Extension: A Complete 80 km One-Day Plan

The Sun Moon Lake cycling path has been named one of the world’s ten most beautiful bike paths by CNN, but the main loop is only 30 km, which road bike enthusiasts can finish in no time. This article shares an extended 80 km route that links Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, Toushe, and Checheng together into a complete one-day itinerary.

Sun Moon Lake Geography at a Glance

• Lake elevation: 748 m
• Loop route: Provincial Highway 21, County Road 69
• Nearby extensions: Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village (elevation 900 m), Toushe Basin, Checheng Station
• Nearby climbing kings: County Road 131-乙 (Yuchi to Checheng), County Road 63 (toward Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village)

80 km Loop + Extended Route

Total: approximately 80 km, 1,150 m elevation gain

Detailed Route Introduction

Part 1: Standard Loop (30 km, 300 m elevation gain)

Starting from Shuishe Visitor Center, go clockwise: Shuishe → Wenwu Temple → Chaowu Pier → Ita Thao → Xuanguang Temple → Yue Tan → Toushe Dam → Shuishe.

Key sights:

• Wenwu Temple (best lake-view photo spot)
• Ita Thao village lunch
• Xuanguang Temple Sun Moon Spring
• Toushe Dam scenery

Road conditions: 90% dedicated bike path, with only a few sections sharing the scooter lane. There are many tourists on weekends, so it’s recommended to set off before 7 AM to avoid the crowds.

Part 2: Xuanguang Temple Extension to Toushe Basin (10 km)

Leave the standard loop route at Xuanguang Temple and head south on County Road 69 into Toushe Basin. This is a hidden-gem landscape south of Sun Moon Lake.

Key sights:

• Toushe Floating Basin (a natural marsh that sways when you step on it)
• Toushe Reservoir
• Rice paddies and lotus ponds (blooming season April–July)

Part 3: Toushe to Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village (15 km, 450 m elevation gain)

This is the hardest climb of the entire route, ascending from 700 m to 900 m via County Road 63, passing Dazhu Lake and the Maolan Mountain tea gardens.

Key sights:

• Maolan Mountain Tea Research and Extension Station
• Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village Cable Car Station (you can take the cable car down to Sun Moon Lake, but bicycles are not allowed)

Gradient analysis:

• First 10 km: gentle climb 3–5%
• 11–15 km: steep climb 7–9%
• Continuous climb, short but noticeable

Part 4: Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village Down to Yuchi and Checheng (20 km, mostly descent)

Take Provincial Highway 21 downhill, pass through Yuchi Township, then turn onto County Road 131 toward Checheng, descending from 900 m to 400 m.

Key sights:

• Yuchi black tea factory, Sun Moon Old Tea Factory
• Checheng Station (retro wooden station)
• Linban Dao, Checheng Winery
• “Son of Sun Moon Lake” – Mingtan Reservoir

Part 5: Checheng Back to Shuishe (15 km, 400 m elevation gain)

Take Provincial Highway 16 to Shuili, then connect to Provincial Highway 21 and climb all the way back to Shuishe at Sun Moon Lake.

Key sights:

• Shuili bah-wan (a must-try)
• Mingtan Dam Bridge on Provincial Highway 21
• Back in Shuishe, brew a cup of coffee and watch the sunset to wrap up

One-Day Schedule

• 06:00 Depart from Shuishe
• 08:30 Complete the 30 km loop
• 09:30 Arrive at Toushe Basin
• 11:30 Arrive at Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village
• 12:30 Lunch in Yuchi (Assam tea chicken)
• 14:00 Explore the old street in Checheng
• 17:00 Back in Shuishe

Transportation and Accommodation Tips

How to get to Sun Moon Lake:

• By car: Sun Yat-sen Freeway → National Freeway 6 → Puli → Sun Moon Lake
• By train: Take the HSR to Taichung Xinwuri Station, then transfer to the Sun Moon Lake bus (bikes allowed, luggage ticket required)
• Packing your bike for public transport saves the most time

Accommodation:

• Shuishe area: Ita Thao is crowded; Shuishe is relatively quieter
• Recommendations: Fleur de Chine Hotel (luxury), Sun Moon Lake Hotel, Ita Thao area B&Bs

Riding Tips

1. High altitude: Sun Moon Lake is at 748 m; mornings can be below 10°C and afternoons above 20°C, so dress in layers
2. Tunnels: There are a few small tunnels on the loop path, so front and rear lights are needed
3. Tourist density: Crowded on weekends from 9 AM to 4 PM; ride in the morning or after 4 PM
4. Road surface: Some sections of the loop path have leaf buildup and squirrels running around
5. Supplies: There aren’t many supply stops on the loop path, so top up water at Shuishe, Ita Thao, and Xuanguang Temple

Seasonal Recommendations

Advanced Extensions

Want to ride more?

• Add “Wujie Dam”: from Sun Moon Lake, extend along County Road 63 to Wujie, 22 km one way with 500 m elevation gain
• Add “County Road 131-乙”: climb from Checheng to the Jiji Green Tunnel
• Two-day version: on day two, ride from Shuishe to Cingjing Farm (Provincial Highway 14-甲) for a complete central Taiwan mountain connection

Recommended Rider Profiles

• Beginners + families: Just do the 30 km loop; it’s an easy finish
• Intermediate riders: The full 80 km version is a classic one-day ride
• Advanced riders: Add Wujie, Cingjing, or even Wuling for a three-day itinerary
• Sightseeing-oriented: Take 2 days for a slow-paced version, mixing in Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, Sun Moon Old Tea Factory, and the Paper Dome

Sun Moon Lake has become an international-class bike path because it perfectly combines scenery, culture, supplies, and road conditions. While the 30 km loop itself isn’t much of a challenge, extending it to 80 km turns it into a solid training route. I recommend coming at least once—you’ll fall in love with the morning mist and the golden sunset light of Sun Moon Lake.

Related Reading

• Sun Moon Lake Cycling Path Complete Guide: Taiwan’s Most Beautiful Lakeside Ride
• Sun Moon Lake Cycling Path: Named One of the World’s Most Beautiful Bike Paths by CNN
• Sun Moon Lake Cycling Route Complete Guide: Detailed Guide to Distance, Elevation, and Supply Stops
• Sun Moon Lake Loop Bike Path: Riding the 29 km International-Class Lakeside Route