Day 2
We are still on our second half of our day 2 tour and we took our leisure time by getting closer to the “Mother Earth” by biking and hiking around the amazing trails of Sun Moon Lake.
Shuiwatou Trail 0.6km
The 600 meters long Shuiwatou Nature Trail is rising more than 60 meters. Its name means “ water frog head” derived from the large numbers of frogs in the area. The trail passes through a rich environment, making it a good place for viewing butterflies , birds and frogs. At the edge of the lake, you can see a sculpture named as “ Nine Frog Acrobats” depicting frog climbing, swimming and jumping.This frog pyramid built by the lake serves as an indicator of how much rain the areas has gotten.
Hanbi Trail 1.5km
This trail which is made of red bricks, passes a few historic sites, including Meihe Park, Christian Church, Yule Pavillion, and sentries. The trail used to be the path in which President Chiang Kai-shek and his wife Soong Mei-ling used to walk everytime they visited the area.
Ci-en Pagoda Trail 0.4km
This trail is surrounded by flowers and trees, making it a picturesque area. President Chiang Kai-shek decided to contruct the pagoda in memory of his late mother Wang Caiyu. This octagonal pagoda with height of 46meters, was built with traditional Chinese architectural style on the top of Mt. Shabalan with an elevation of 954-meter (3,130ft). The lower 3 floors were painted in white and the upper 9 floors were painted in golden red. Upon reaching the top of the pagoda, you will see a big bell and a spectular view of the Sun Moon Lake!
For those who are vigorous hikers And addict bikers , here are more list of trails and bikeways you can go around Sun Moon Lake.
TRAILS
1. Shuishe Lakeside Trail 3.5 km
This trail connects Shuishe and Wenwu Temple with the manificent scenic lake and mountains along the way.
2. Neihu Mountain Trail 1.5km
This trail is built behind Wenwu Temple with a Chinese fir forest and bamboo forest along the way, creating a nostalgic atmosphere.
3. Steps of the Year at Wenwu Temple 0.2km
Each steps of this trail represents a birthday of a different celebrity. You can also find your own birthday steps.
4. Songbolum Hiking Trail 1.3 km
An old trail where Thao people used to transport salt; it has rich ecology too.
5. Dazhuhu Trail 0.18km
You can get closer to the Sun Moon Lake water outlet port and enjoy Dazhuhu’s sunset.
6. Shuishe Great Mountain Trail 5.6km
Situated ar 2,059 meters above the sea level, it takes 8 hours to travel back and forth on this trail.
7. Tutingzai Hiking Trail 0.6km
This trail is located at the old resident site of the Thao tribe. There is the smallest, but the tallest, mini lighthouse by the end of the trail.
8. Qinglong Mountain Trail 0.85km
Starting from Xuanguang Temple Pier, visitors are able to arrive at Xuanzhuang Temple after passing the Xuanguang Temple.
9. Houjian Mountain Trail 6km
Situated at 1,006 meters, this trail is on one of the smaller high mountains.
10. Toushe Resorvoir Ecological Hiking Trail 1.6km
This trailruns along the smallest reservoir in the country. The trail connects Toushe reservoir, the Lake-cycling ecological footway, and Shanlongkeng suspension bridge.
11. Maolan Mountain Trail 3km
Visitors can explore the view of the black tea terrace, willows, and Sun Moon Lake along the way and also go to the top to overlook Chiufener mountain and Jiji mountain.
12. Ita Thao Lakeside Trail 2.4 km
As mentioned in our day 1 tour, the Ita Thao Lakeside trail starts from the Ita Thao Pier and leads to the cable car station (Ropeway) and the Butterfly garden/park.
BIKEWAYS
1. Sun Moon Lake Bikeway-Xiangshan 3km
This bikeway connects Shuishe and Xiangshan Visitor Center. Along this bikeway, you will pass by the famous 0.4km “Bikeway above the water” where you will see Shuishe Dam, the Sun Moon Lake water outlet port, and Yongjietongxin (to be of one heart forever) Bridge in between. There is also the Xiangshan Viewing Platform, built with steel, creating a suspension bridge feeling for visitors while walking on it.
2. Sun Moon Lake Bikeway-Moon Lake 3.4 km
Starting from Xiangshan Administration, you go along the southern coast of the Moon Lake and pass Toushe Dam, New Moon Bay, and Huantan Tunnel 1.
3. Toushe Bikeway 1km
Starting from Tai 21 Highway, the whole bikeway is rebuilt based on the agricultural road with a short length of 1 kilometer, presenting the local agricultural scenery.
4. Checheng-Shuili Bikeway
Strating from Checheng Visitor Center, the path goes along Shuili River where you can enjoy the fascinating forest view.
5. Jiji Around-the-Town Bikeway
This bikeway is divided by the “Jiji Riverside Line’, Jiji Green Tunnel Line’, and Jiji Town-sightseeing Line’ with a total length of about 20.8 kilometers. It connects Jiji Green Tunnel, Jiji Rail Station, Endemic Species Research Institute, and Ming Hsing Academy together.
More information on Sun Moon Lake’s tourism details and transportation links , festivals and about its indegenous people are all coming up on my next post…until then see you…
COVID-19 NOTE: Our trip in Taiwan were pre pandemic days and all information provided in this article is for reference only . Always check the government websites and airline materials before booking or traveling to your country of destination regarding their Covid-19 travel guides and protocols.
TravelUnnies 