Taichung (Sun Moon Lake), Taiwan Free & Easy Tour Day 2

Traveling to Taichung is simple, we bought the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) ticket on the internet 3weeks before departure to Taiwan and enjoy a 35% early bird discount, alternatively, tickets can be bought at the Taipei Main Station, THSR counter. The journey from Taipei to Taichung takes only 54mins with the rail traveling at 298km/h.

Taiwan High Speed Rail

From Taichung HSR station, turn left and go down to Exit 6 and purchase ticket (NT $660) which includes boat ride, cable car ride, round lake bus from Nantou bus agent and travel to Sun Moon Lake which will take 1hr 20mins. Enjoy the scenery along the way, stops at Puli Station and Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village is also available, do check on the timing of the bus service.

Nantou bus service will drop at Shuishe Visitor Centre, walk down to Shuishe Pier and take a boat ride which will bring you to Ita Thao Pier and walk along Ita Thao Lakeside Trail leading to the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway (Cable Car).



Boat Ride view of Sun Moon Lake



Sun Moon Lake Ropeway (Cable Car)



Cable Car view of Sun Moon Lake

 From Ita Thao Lakeside Pier, we continue the boat ride to Xuanzang Temple Pier and hike up a 10min walk to Xuanzang Temple. At the Xuanzang Temple Pier, we enjoyed the performance of the Shao Native through their native songs.



Xuanzang Temple



Stone Sculpture outside Xuanzang Temple



Performance by Shao Native

 We took the boat ride back to Shuishe visitor centre and walk along the street where local food and souvenirs can be purchased. We bought some fruits and trust me the fruits are sweet and tasty, not to be missed. Finally, we made our way back to Taichung HSR station by taking the Nantou bus service and head back to Taipei.