🚲 Option A · Full loop — ~30 km · 4–5 hrs

A full clockwise loop of Sun Moon Lake is about 30 km and takes 4–5 hours at a relaxed pace with photo and temple stops. The western shore is flat, car-free bikeway (including the famous over-water boardwalk); the eastern and northern shores are hillier road riding with short climbs and a few road tunnels — so an e-bike is strongly recommended for the whole loop (elevation swings from ~616 m to ~822 m).

🗺️ Route & terrain

~30 km full loop; the celebrated flat, dedicated bikeway is the western Xiangshan (~3.4 km) + Yuetan sections.
4–5 hrs with stops (~3 hrs riding non-stop).
West shore: flat, car-free over-water boardwalk. East & north: rolling roads with a few steep ramp-stairs and short tunnels — ride easy and use lights.

🚲 Rentals & e-bikes

Giant flagship, Shuishe — road, hybrid & e-bikes with GPS + one-touch SOS; ~NT$200–500/day (~US$6–16); e-bike ~NT$400+ (~US$13+).
Local rental stands also at Shuishe, Xiangshan and Ita Thao piers.
Pre-book an e-bike online (Klook / KKday) so battery bikes are ready for all four of you.

📍 Stops along the way (clockwise from Shuishe)

Shuishe Pier, Shuishe Dam & the lake outlet.
Yongjie 'Concentric Hearts' Bridge — pretty lakeside span.
Xiangshan Waterfront Bikeway — the iconic ~400 m boardwalk out over the water.
Xiangshan Visitor Center — café, toilets and a viewing deck (great rest stop).
Yuetan bikeway — Toushe Dam and the quiet Crescent (Moon) Bay.
Xuanguang / Xuanzang Temple — lake-view shrine and pier.
Ita Thao village — lunch, snacks and the ropeway.
Wenwu Temple — grand hilltop temple with sweeping lake panoramas.
Ci'en Pagoda — the highest viewpoint over the lake.
Back to Shuishe.

🔗 Official cycling site 🔗 Round-the-lake route 🚲 Giant Shuishe store 🔗 Book an e-bike (Klook)

🚲 Option B · Easy Xiangshan bikeway — 3.4 km one-way, flat & car-free

Short on time or want a gentle, mostly-flat ride? Do just the Xiangshan Bikeway from Shuishe to the Xiangshan Visitor Center — 3.4 km each way (~7 km return), often voted one of the world's most beautiful cycle paths. Allow 1–1.5 hrs return at a relaxed pace with photo stops; standard bikes are perfectly fine.

🗺️ Route & terrain

3.4 km one-way (Shuishe → Xiangshan Visitor Center), flat and fully separated from traffic.
Includes the ~400 m over-water Waterfront Bikeway — the section that made the path famous.
Easy for all levels; ride out-and-back, or go one-way and hop the round-lake boat/bus back to Shuishe.

🚲 Rentals

Pick up at the Giant flagship, Shuishe or local stands at the Shuishe / Xiangshan piers.
Standard bikes ~NT$100–300 (~US$3–9) for a few hours; e-bikes ~NT$400/day (~US$13) if you want extra ease.
No need to pre-book standard bikes on a weekday.

📍 Stops along the way (Shuishe → Xiangshan)

Shuishe Pier — the main lakeside hub, boats and cafés.
Shuishe Dam & lake outlet — sweeping open-water views.
Yongjie 'Concentric Hearts' Bridge — a favourite photo spot.
Xiangshan Waterfront Bikeway — the iconic elevated boardwalk out over the lake (magic at golden hour).
Xiangshan Visitor Center — Norihiko Dan's sweeping concrete landmark, with a café, toilets and a lawn viewing deck.

🔗 Official cycling site 🚲 Giant Shuishe store