Sun Moon Lake to Puli Classic Cycling Route: A Highland Ride Amid Lakeside Scenery

Sun Moon Lake, located in Yuchi Township, Nantou County, sits at an elevation of approximately 748 meters and is Taiwan’s largest natural lake. The lakeside cycling path has been named by CNN as one of the world’s ten most beautiful cycling paths, and the route extending from Sun Moon Lake to Puli strings together lake views, tea plantations, and pastoral scenery into a perfect one-day ride.

Route Overview

Full Route

• Start: Sun Moon Lake Shuishe Pier (elevation 748 m)
• End: Puli Town Center (elevation 440 m)
• Total Distance: Approximately 50 km (including the lakeside loop)
• Total Climbing: Approximately 500 m
• Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆
• Estimated Time: 4 to 6 hours (including the loop and rest stops)

Segment Breakdown

1. Sun Moon Lake Lakeside Cycling Path (approximately 30 km)
2. Sun Moon Lake → Yuchi Town (approximately 8 km)
3. Yuchi → Puli (approximately 12 km)

Segment 1: Sun Moon Lake Lakeside Cycling Path (30 km)

The lakeside cycling path is the highlight of this journey. The path is divided into several main sections, and not all of it has dedicated bike lanes—some sections require sharing the road with cars.

Shuishe → Xiangshan Visitor Center (3 km) ★★★★★

This is the most classic section of the lakeside path and the core area recognized by CNN. The dedicated cycling path runs along the lakeshore with a smooth surface and multiple lake-viewing platforms along the way. The Xiangshan Visitor Center, designed by Japanese architect Norihiko Dan, blends exposed concrete architecture seamlessly with the lake and mountain scenery, making it a must-visit spot.

Recommended Stop Time: 20-30 minutes

Xiangshan → Toushe (5 km)

After leaving Xiangshan, ride along Provincial Highway 21. This section requires sharing the road with cars, but traffic volume is light. Passing through the Toushe Basin, you’ll find the famous “Living Basin” peat wetland, where the ground feels springy underfoot.

Toushe → Ita Thao (7 km)

Continue along the lakeside highway. This section has a few small climbs but nothing difficult. Ita Thao (formerly known as Dehua She) is a Thao indigenous settlement, and the pier area offers many indigenous-style snacks—grilled wild boar sausage and millet mochi are must-try delicacies.

Supplies: The Ita Thao commercial area has full dining options and convenience stores, making it the best resupply point along the loop.

Ita Thao → Xuanguang Temple → Shuishe (15 km)

From Ita Thao, head north along the eastern shore, passing Xuanguang Temple (with views of Lalu Island) and Xuanzang Temple before returning to Shuishe. The eastern shore section has more rolling terrain with several short climbs requiring effort, but the open lake views make it the most scenic and layered part of the loop.

Note: Some sections of the eastern shore are narrow with sharp curves; watch out for tourist vehicles on holidays.

Segment 2: Sun Moon Lake → Yuchi Town (8 km)

Route Options

There are two routes from Sun Moon Lake to Yuchi:

A. Provincial Highway 21 (main road): Shorter distance but heavier traffic, with gentle grades.

B. County Road 65 (recommended): A small road passing through the Lianhuachi area, with fewer cars and better scenery, cutting through black tea plantations. Yuchi Township is Taiwan’s main black tea production area (Sun Moon Lake black tea, Assam variety, and Taiwan Tea 18 Ruby Red), and the tea gardens stretch continuously along the way with tea fragrance wafting through the air.

Elevation Change

Sun Moon Lake is at 748 meters, while Yuchi Town is around 650 meters, so the overall trend is downhill, making for an easy ride.

Supplies: Yuchi Town has convenience stores and eateries for lunch. Try the local black tea.

Segment 3: Yuchi → Puli (12 km)

Route Overview

From Yuchi, head north along Provincial Highway 21 to Puli. The road surface is in good condition. This section is mostly downhill, dropping from 650 meters to 440 meters, making for a very comfortable ride. Along the way, you’ll pass large betel nut and banana plantations—a typical view of central Taiwan’s rural landscape.

Puli—A Bike-Friendly Town

Surrounded by mountains and blessed with a pleasant climate, Puli has developed into an important cycling base in central Taiwan in recent years. The town features a well-developed cycling path system connecting various tourist attractions.

Must-Visit Spots in Puli:

• Puli Brewery (Shaoxing wine popsicles are a signature)
• Taomi Eco-Village (Paper Dome)
• Guangxing Paper Mill (handmade paper-making experience)
• Chung Tai Chan Monastery

Supplies and Food: Puli’s town center offers a wide range of dining options. Recommended: Yanshu Winter Melon Tea, Su Mama Tangyuan, and Ajia Ba Wan.

Return Transportation Options

If you’re doing a one-way ride starting from Sun Moon Lake, you’ll need to plan your return:

1. Bus: Nantou Bus operates routes between Puli and Sun Moon Lake; some vehicles can carry bikes with the front wheel removed
2. Shuttle: Ask a friend to drive to Puli to pick you up
3. Ride back the same way: The return is mostly uphill (approximately 300 m of climbing)—a challenge for riders with good fitness
4. Train transfer: Take a bus from Puli to Taichung HSR Station or Taichung Train Station, then continue by train

Recommended Gear

This route is not particularly difficult, so comfort is the priority:

• A standard road bike or flat-bar road bike is sufficient
• One water bottle (plenty of resupply points along the way)
• Sunscreen (UV is stronger at higher elevations)
• A light jacket (temperature difference between morning and evening at Sun Moon Lake is about 5-8 degrees)
• Camera or phone (the scenery is too beautiful not to capture)

Best Seasons to Ride

• Autumn/Winter (Oct-Feb): Most recommended—cool and clear weather, with morning mist often lingering over the lake
• Spring (Mar-Apr): Moderate temperatures, occasional spring showers
• Summer (May-Sep): High chance of afternoon thunderstorms; it’s best to finish your ride by noon

Advanced Extension Routes

Wuling Prelude

From Puli, take Provincial Highway 14 toward Wushe, Cingjing Farm, and even challenge Wuling (Taiwan’s highest road point at 3,275 meters). If Wuling is your goal, you can use the Sun Moon Lake to Puli route as a warm-up ride the day before, rest overnight in Puli, and set off early the next morning to conquer the summit.

Puli Basin Loop

There are several country roads around Puli suitable for leisurely rides, including the old Provincial Highway 1 and County Road 71, which can be linked into a 30-40 km flat loop—ideal for family or recreational riding.

The Sun Moon Lake to Puli route is popular because it connects Taiwan’s most beautiful lake scenery, the finest black tea region, and the most pleasant mountain town in one ride—moderate in difficulty yet full of stunning views. Whether you’re a road bike enthusiast or a leisure rider, this is a route worth traveling for.

Related Reading

• Nantou Sun Moon Lake Loop: A Cycling Guide to the 8 km Lakeside Route
• Sun Moon Lake Lakeside Cycling Path Complete Guide: Taiwan’s Most Beautiful Lakeside Ride
• Sun Moon Lake Loop Plus Yuchi: Classic Nantou Lake District Route
• Nantou Sun Moon Lake Loop Route: Complete Guide from Shuishe Pier to Ita Thao