- Length
- 3.4 kmSource and notes below
- Route shape
- Out and back
- Surface
- Mixed surface
- Traffic
- Shared walk and bike path
- Level
- Easy
- Riding time
- About 30 min at an easy 14 km/h there and back, not counting stops Estimate ride time
- Families
- Good for families
- Climbing
- Not measuredNo official figure, so none given
About the lengthOne-way length of the Xiangshan section (Shuishe to Xiangshan Visitor Center) on the Sun Moon Lake NSA cycling site and attraction page. Both NSA pages agree on about 3.4 km one way. The neighbouring Yuetan section, south of Xiangshan Visitor Center, is also about 3.4 km but is rated harder and is not part of this easy ride.
Why these labels
Traffic and path type: The NSA describes the section as a paved path, flat and easy, rated 1 of 3 for difficulty. It includes a 400 m 'waterfront bikeway' built out over the lake. The NSA built the Yongjie and Tongxin bridges specifically to separate people and bikes from vehicle traffic. Walkers share the path. The Shuishe Dam section has a wooden deck where cycling is prohibited: walk your bike. The area around Yongjie and Tongxin bridges has downhill curves on both sides; slow down or walk.
Families: Separated from car traffic by purpose-built bike and pedestrian bridges, short, paved and rated the easiest grade by the NSA. Children still need supervision on the downhill curves near the bridges and among walkers, and everyone walks across the Shuishe Dam boardwalk.
The Xiangshan section is the best-known piece of the Sun Moon Lake bike path network. It links the Shuishe area, where the main bus stop, hotels and most rental shops are, with Xiangshan Visitor Center about 3.4 km to the south, according to the Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area.
The NSA rates it the easiest of its sections. Highlights listed by the NSA are Shuishe Dam, the white Yongjie and Tongxin bridges, the bald cypress trees and wedding photography plaza beside Xiangshan, and a 400 m waterfront bikeway built out over the lake.
Two spots need care: you must walk your bike across the wooden deck on Shuishe Dam, and the curves around the Yongjie and Tongxin bridges go downhill, so slow down or walk. Ride it out and back from either end.
Who it suits
Suits families, beginners and anyone who wants lake views without riding on the road. Not a workout ride; people wanting distance should look at the circuit page instead.
The route
A ride plan, in order
- Rent at Shuishe (Giant at the Shuishe shopping complex, or Merida at Zhongxing car park).
- Walk your bike across the Shuishe Dam boardwalk.
- Ride the waterfront bikeway and cross Yongjie and Tongxin bridges, slowing on the curves.
- Reach the bald cypress trees and Xiangshan Visitor Center, then ride back to Shuishe.
Opening hours and closures
Opening hours and closuresThe NSA attraction page for this section lists 09:00 to 17:00, open all year, closing temporarily only for typhoons or other natural hazards or for repair works, with notices posted in its news section. The page does not say whether the path is physically closed outside these hours.
Getting there without a car
- From HSR Taichung Station: take the escalator to the 1st floor bus terminal at Exit 5 and board the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Sun Moon Lake Line (台灣好行日月潭線) at platform 3, per the Sun Moon Lake NSA cycling site. The NSA page gives about 90 minutes for the bus leg in its airport example.
- From TRA Taichung Station: the NSA page says you can take the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Sun Moon Lake Line from Taichung. Check the current timetable on the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle site before travelling.
- Stops: the Sun Moon Lake (Shuishe) stop is by the Shuishe shopping complex, where the Giant rental shop is; a Xiangshan Administration Center (向山行政中心) stop is listed beside Xiangshan Visitor Center.
- Rail alternative: the NSA page says the Jiji branch line reopened from Zhuoshui to Jiji on 5 January 2026, with Jiji to Checheng still replaced by road buses at the time it was written; from Shuili or Checheng, Nantou Bus runs to Sun Moon Lake. Check TRA for the current status.
Bringing your own bike: The Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Sun Moon Lake Line carries folding bikes only if they are in a bike bag: free in the luggage hold, or half fare if taken onto a seat. Its page says nothing about full-size bikes, so don't count on bringing one.
Renting a bike
Verified from the Sun Moon Lake NSA shop directory (Bicycle Rental category): Giant Sun Moon Lake Bike Rental Shop and Merida Bike Lover Zhongxing Store at Shuishe, Xiangshang Bike Rental (Merida) by Xiangshan Visitor Center, plus several smaller rentals at Shuishe and Ita Thao listed on the Chinese directory. Sun Moon Lake Center Bike Inn is listed as currently closed. Hours differ between the Chinese and English listings; phone ahead.
- Giant Sun Moon Lake Bike Rental Shop 捷安特日月潭站
Rental · Nantou: Sun Moon Lake, Shuishe
On the ground floor of the Shuishe shopping complex, by the Sun Moon Lake (Shuishe) bus stop, per the Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area listing. The Chinese listing says 07:00 to 18:00, closed every Thursday; the English listing says May to October 06:00 to 19:00 and November to April 07:00 to 18:00, closed Thursdays. The listing says rental needs valid ID (passport or residence permit for foreign visitors) with no deposit pre-authorisation, and that a helmet, bottled water, lock and roadside assistance come with the bike. It also issues a lake-circuit certificate to people who rent there and ride the full circuit.
南投縣魚池鄉水社村中山路163號1樓 · +886-49-2856713 · Website - Sun Moon Lake Merida Bike Lover, Zhongxing Store 日月潭美利達愛騎自行車中興店
Rental · Nantou: Sun Moon Lake, Shuishe
Beside Zhongxing car park at the Shuishe bike path entrance; the NSA listing says it is about a 5-minute walk from the Sun Moon Lake (Shuishe) Taiwan Tourist Shuttle stop. Hours: 07:00 to 18:00 (Chinese listing) or 07:30 to 18:00 (English listing), reservations accepted. Helmets and a large lock are listed as free with rental.
南投縣魚池鄉中興路12巷25-1號 · +886-49-2855295 · Website - Xiangshang Bike Rental (Merida) 向山租車休閒廣場(美利達向山站)
Rental · Nantou: Sun Moon Lake, Xiangshan
On Provincial Highway 21 near Xiangshan Visitor Center; the NSA listing calls it the only bike rental in the Xiangshan area. Hours: 08:30 to 17:30 on the Chinese listing, 08:30 to 18:00 (reserve for longer hours) on the English listing. The listing says free parking, route briefing, roadside assistance and helmets come with a rental.
南投縣魚池鄉中山路592號 · +886-49-2856558 · Website
Show all 5 listed providers
- Dashu Electric Bike Rental 日月潭大樹電動自行車
Rental · Nantou: Sun Moon Lake, Shuishe
Listed in the NSA Bicycle Rental category (Chinese listing only), diagonally across from Zhongxing car park. Hours: winter 08:00 to 17:00, summer 08:00 to 18:00.
南投縣魚池鄉水社村中興路39號 · 0979660089 - Dianxiaoer Bike Rental 踮小二自行車出租
Rental · Nantou: Sun Moon Lake, Shuishe
Listed in the NSA Bicycle Rental category (Chinese listing only). Hours on the listing: 08:00 to 18:00.
南投縣魚池鄉中山路159號 · 0970618955
Confirm hours, rates and availability directly with the provider. Cycle.tw does not take bookings.
Toilets, water and food
The NSA says Xiangshan Visitor Center and the Shuishe shopping complex both have bicycle service stations. Xiangshan Visitor Center is open 09:00 to 17:00 daily (phone 049-2341256). The Shuishe shopping complex lists a 7-Eleven and shops open 07:00 to 21:00.
Safety and conditions
- Walk your bike across the Shuishe Dam boardwalk; cycling is prohibited there.
- Slow down or walk on the downhill curves around Yongjie and Tongxin bridges.
- Expect walkers and photographers, especially at the bridges and the wedding photography plaza.
- The NSA advises a helmet and gloves and checking your bike before riding; check NSA notices for closures after typhoons.
- Check the Central Weather Administration forecast before you go. Heavy rain, typhoons and earthquakes close paths, river parks and roads, sometimes for weeks.
- Wear a properly fitted bike helmet, whatever the law says for your bike.
When to go
Early morning for fewer people; autumn and winter for the bald cypress colours at Xiangshan, per the NSA.
Nearby and related
Emergency: 110 police, 119 fire and ambulance. From a mobile phone, 112 also reaches emergency services.
Sources
- Xiangshan section: about 3.4 km Shuishe to Xiangshan Visitor Center, about 30 minutes, paved and gentle,... (Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration, Tourism Administration)
- theme.sunmoonlake.gov.tw/ComeBikeDay/Articles.aspx?a=324&l=2
- Sun Moon Lake circuit: 30 km, 3.5 hours, start/finish Xiangshan Visitor Center, bike paths alongside... (Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration, Tourism Administration)
- Xiangshan bike path attraction page: about 3.4 km, 0.4 km over water, Yongjie and Tongxin bridges built to... (Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration, Tourism Administration)
- NSA bicycle rental directory (Chinese): 10 listings including Giant, two Merida shops, several e-bike rentals (Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration, Tourism Administration)
- NSA bicycle rental directory (English): 6 listings with different hours from Chinese (Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration, Tourism Administration)
- Giant Sun Moon Lake: Shuishe shopping complex 1F, phone +886-49-2856713, ID required, no deposit... (Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration, Tourism Administration)
- Transport to Sun Moon Lake: Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Sun Moon Lake Line from HSR Taichung (Exit 5, 1F,... (Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration, Tourism Administration)
- THSR accepts bicycles only bagged with wheels removed or in a hard case, total dimensions up to 240 cm, 40 kg (Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation)
- Taichung Metro: standard bikes weekdays 10:00-16:00 and 20:00-close, NT$70, not at HSR Taichung Station (Taichung Mass Rapid Transit Corporation)
- Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Sun Moon Lake Line: bicycles (Taiwan Tourist Shuttle (Tourism Administration))
Checked November 2026 Next review due January 2027.
Printed from https://cycle.tw/routes/sun-moon-lake-xiangshan-path/