Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Wenwu Temple
TAOIST TEMPLE
MAP
(Wénwǔ Miào)
This temple has superb natural lookouts and faux northern-style temple ar-
chitecture.
Syuanzang Temple
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
MAP
(Xuánzàng Sì)
Syuanzang Temple stores a fragment of the skull of Tripitaka (AD
600-664), the monk immortalised in the novel
Journey to the West
.
Tsen Pagoda
MONUMENT
MAP
(Cíēn Tǎ)
This temple was built by Chiang Kai-shek in honour of his mother.
Activities
Boating
Boat tours (NT$100 each way) are a popular way to take in the scenery and sights; they
leave every 30 minutes between 9am and 6pm. You can get on or off at any of the three
piers, wander round and catch the next boat out. You can also take bikes on the boats.
Most hotels will sell you a ticket without commission. Otherwise, pick one up at any
pier.
Cycling
While circling the 29km round-the-lake road is the most popular option, many cyclists
are now riding down to towns along the Jiji Small Rail Line via County Rd 131. The
18km from the lake to Checheng (the end of the Jiji line) passes quiet villages, thickly
forested hills and a final stretch following the downstream flow of the Shuili River,
dammed in several places to store water released from Sun Moon Lake for the generation
of hydroelectric power.
You can now ride on the new path that joins Shueishe Village with the 8km
Yuetan
Bikeway
(Yuètán Zìxíngchē Dào) and a circular route through
Toushe
(Tóushè), a scenic
peat soil basin south of the lake.
The Giant bicycle shop has a variety of bikes for rent. It's located beneath the visitor
information centre.
