Nantou Sun Moon Lake Loop Route: A Complete Guide to the Easy Ride from Shuishe to Ita Thao

Introduction

Sun Moon Lake is Taiwan’s most famous high-altitude lake, sitting at an elevation of about 748 meters and surrounded by mountains, with scenery as picturesque as a painting. In recent years, the bike path circling Sun Moon Lake has been steadily improved, drawing large numbers of cyclists. The full loop is about 33 km with some rolling sections, but overall the difficulty is low, making it one of the best choices whether you’re out with family, on a date, or traveling solo. This article gives you a complete record of the ride from Shuishe to Ita Thao.

Basic Route Information

Starting Point: Around Shuishe Pier

Shuishe is Sun Moon Lake’s main visitor hub. From Nantou City, Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Route 6670 goes directly to the Shuishe parking area. Several bike rental shops here offer city bikes, e-bikes, and family bikes. E-bikes are especially popular with riders with less stamina, as they provide assistance on uphill sections.

Reference Rental Prices (2024):

• Standard city bike: NT$100–150/hour, NT$400–500/full day
• E-bike: NT$200–250/hour, NT$600–800/full day
• Deposit: Usually requires ID plus a deposit of NT$500–1,000

Main Riding Segments

Shuishe → Xuanguang Temple (about 8 km)

Heading southeast along the lakeside road, this section is flat and scenic, offering a clear view of the “Sun Lake” portion of Sun Moon Lake with its shimmering waters. Along the way you’ll find:

• Xiangshan Visitor Center: Modern architecture blending into the lake and mountain scenery, a great first checkpoint stop
• Overlook near Wenwu Temple: An excellent vantage point over the whole of Sun Moon Lake
• Xuanguang Temple Pier: Home to a wood-carved statue of the “Moon Old Man” deity, a popular spot for worship

Xuanguang Temple → Ita Thao (about 6 km)

This section enters the southern shore of the “Moon Lake” waters and is the quietest stretch of the loop, with dense roadside trees that offer shade from the midday sun. Ita Thao is a Thao Indigenous village and an important stop along the loop.

Must-Try Foods in Ita Thao:

• Traditional Thao-style grilled sausage
• President fish (curled loach) wrapped in paper
• Stir-fried water bamboo with egg
• Cinavu (glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo tube)

Ita Thao → Shuishe (return leg, about 19 km)

This is the western section of the loop. You can choose either Provincial Highway 21 (more traffic but better road conditions) or the small lakeside path (narrower but quieter). Highway 21 is recommended, as it passes the Mingtan Dam, a great spot to stop for photos.

Suggested Sightseeing Order

There are several worthwhile stops along the loop. The following order is recommended:

1. Xiangshan Visitor Center: The first stop after starting, with restrooms and water refills
2. Peacock Garden: A variety of birds on display, a must for families
3. Xuanguang Temple: Grab a tea egg blessed by the shrine
4. Ita Thao Pier: Lunch and Indigenous handicraft shopping
5. Mingtan Dam: The most spectacular vantage point over all of Sun Moon Lake
6. Taipower Mingtan Pumped Storage Power Plant Exhibition Hall (open on weekends)

Things to Note

• Traffic along the loop is heavy on holidays; weekdays offer a better experience
• Some sections of the loop have gradients, so bring enough water (at least 1 liter)
• The light is best from 7–9 a.m. or 4–6 p.m., ideal for photography
• After typhoon season, there may be standing water or rockfall on the road, so check conditions before setting out

Practical Tips

1. Sun Moon Lake’s peak travel seasons are summer vacation (July–August) and the autumn foliage season (October–November); consider avoiding these times or starting early
2. Don’t over-rely on e-bike power assist on steep sections — save battery for the climbs
3. There’s an Indigenous market at Ita Thao every Saturday, with song and dance performances
4. Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Route 6670 goes directly to Sun Moon Lake, and bikes can be disassembled and stored in the luggage compartment (confirm with your ticket purchase)

Conclusion

The Sun Moon Lake loop route is one of Taiwan’s most iconic leisure cycling experiences, blending stunning scenery, Indigenous culture, and great food — enjoyable for all ages. Whether you’re a beginner trying long-distance cycling for the first time or a seasoned rider looking for a relaxing trip, Sun Moon Lake will meet you with its gentlest welcome. The mountains reflected on the water’s surface, the sound of wheels turning — this is one of Taiwan’s most treasured weekend memories.

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