The Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area is home to Taiwan's largest semi-natural lake, "Sun Moon Lake," situated at an altitude of approximately 750 meters, nestled among the mountains. The scenic views of both the mountains and the lake make it a delightful place to visit. There are many attractions around Sun Moon Lake, so a two-day, one-night trip is highly recommended. Each season at Sun Moon Lake offers a unique experience. For example, the summer to autumn period can be quite hot and humid, making water activities the perfect way to cool off! Taking the "6670 Taiwan Tourist Shuttle" is an excellent way to explore Sun Moon Lake. The shuttle connects Taichung to Sun Moon Lake with multiple routes, frequent schedules, and convenient boarding options. This article compiles all the essential information about the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Sun Moon Lake line, including the Sun Moon Lake Taiwan Tourist Shuttle timetable, ticket prices, route map, and Sun Moon Lake attractions. Save this article in your pocket, and you're ready to explore Sun Moon Lake!
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Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Sun Moon Lake Route Transportation
How to Ride the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Sun Moon Lake Route？
The Taiwan Tourist Shuttle is a scenic shuttle bus service commissioned by the Ministry of Transportation to promote tourism and low-carbon travel. It is operated by bus companies and runs frequently between scenic spots and transportation hubs every day. The Sun Moon Lake route has four lines operating on both weekdays and holidays, with stops at Taichung Train Station and Taichung High-Speed Rail Station.
The Taiwan Tourist Shuttle is open to all travelers. Passengers can board and alight at any stop, making it a tourist-friendly version of a public bus. There is no need for reservations, and seating is not assigned. You can purchase tickets in advance or pay by card when boarding. The buses are easily recognizable by the Taiwan map on their exterior, with a color scheme of white, yellow, and red. When waiting at a bus stop, be sure to wave at the driver to indicate that you wish to board, as the driver will only stop if signaled.
Image source：交通部觀光署 日月潭國家風景區管理處
Departing from Taichung High-Speed Rail Station
After arriving at Taichung High-Speed Rail Station and wanting to take the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Sun Moon Lake route, simply walk to Exit 5 on the first floor and wait for the bus at the designated stop.
- Route Guide: Take the Airport MRT at Taoyuan International Airport → A18 HSR Taoyuan Station → Transfer to the southbound High-Speed Rail → Taichung High-Speed Rail Station.
Departing from Taichung Train Station
After arriving at Taichung Train Station, exit through Exit 5 or 6, turn left onto Jianguo Road, and walk straight for 6 minutes until you reach No. 103 Jianguo Road. You'll find the "Taichung Station Minzu Road Intersection" bus stop there.
- Route Guide: Route Guide: Take the Airport MRT at Taoyuan International Airport → A1 Taipei Main Station → Transfer to a southbound Taiwan Railway train → Taiwan Railway Taichung Train Station.
Ticket Prices and Purchasing Options
The journey from Taichung High-Speed Rail Station to Sun Moon Lake takes 1 to 1.5 hours. While chartering a car could cost over NTD$1,000, taking the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Sun Moon Lake route costs only NTD$193 for a one-way trip, and NTD$360 for a round trip, saving travelers money! For other attractions, fares are calculated based on mileage, with different prices depending on the distance. Tickets can be purchased using cash, EasyCard, or mobile payment, and you can simply swipe your card when boarding and alighting, making it very convenient. For round-trip tickets, you need to book online in advance or purchase them in person at the Nantou Bus counter at Taichung Gancheng Station (a 9-minute walk from Taichung Train Station) or Taichung High-Speed Rail Station.
- Transportation Tickets: EasyCard, iPASS, and iCash (Swipe card when boarding and alighting)
- Mobile Payment for Buses: EasyWallet, LINE Pay, iCash Pay (Generate a ride code for payment when boarding and alighting)
Departure Timetables and Frequency
The schedule and frequency of the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Sun Moon Lake route vary on weekdays and weekends. It is recommended to check the real-time bus updates before departure.
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Main Boarding Locations and Route Map
The Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Sun Moon Lake route connects important spots between Taichung Train Station and Sun Moon Lake. Initially, there were 6 lines, but adjustments have been made based on passenger volume. Currently, there are 4 lines (A, B, D, F).
Image source：交通部觀光署台灣好行官網
How to play Sun Moon Lake
Cable Cars, Boat Tours, Bicycles, SUP, and Lake Bus
The Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area is expansive, offering not just single-site visits but also multi-point connections. Options include the lake bus, cable cars, boat tours, bicycle rides around the lake, and water sports like SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboarding). You can easily spend two full days exploring within the scenic area. In summer and autumn, when the weather is hot, it's recommended to enjoy the cable cars and boat tours. In the early morning, you can try SUP while watching the sunrise, and in autumn and winter, you can challenge yourself with a bicycle ride around the lake, which is very pleasant. To connect various attractions around Sun Moon Lake, you can use the Nantou Bus Lake Bus 6669, which has frequent schedules and stops at a total of 13 points.
One-Day Itinerary Recommendation
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For a one-day trip, time is limited, so it's best to focus on the highlights of Sun Moon Lake! Start by taking the Sun Moon Lake Cable Car to get a panoramic view of the beautiful lake, then head to Ita Thao Old Street for some local food, and finally, take a boat tour from Ita Thao Pier. This way, you can enjoy the stunning scenery from both above and at lake level in a single day.
- Recommended itinerary: Take the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 6670 to Sun Moon Lake Station, transfer to the Lake Bus 6669 to the cable car station, ride the Sun Moon Lake Cable Car round trip, walk to Ita Thao Old Street and Ita Thao Pier, and take a boat tour.
Two-day trip recommendation
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With two days, you can explore Sun Moon Lake at a more relaxed pace. Pre-book a SUP session for sunrise. After completing the one-day itinerary, head to the designated pier early the next morning to paddleboard and watch the sunrise. Afterward, rest a bit and use the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 6670 or the Lake Bus to visit various attractions around Sun Moon Lake. If you're up for it, you can also rent a bicycle and bike around the lake. Bicycle rental stations are available near major spots like Shui She, Xiangshan, and Ita Thao.
- Recommended itinerary: Join the Sun Moon Lake SUP sunrise tour. Take the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 6670 to Sun Moon Lake Station, then visit Shui She Visitor Center, Hanbi Trail, and Sun Moon Lake Wenwu Temple. Transfer at Xiangshan Administrative Center and visit Xiangshan Visitor Center.
The main attractions of the Sun Moon Lake line
Xiangshang Visitor Center
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This building, with its avant-garde modern design, might not immediately seem like a visitor center! Xiangshan Visitor Center is the terminal station for the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Sun Moon Lake route and can serve as the first stop for visitors exploring Sun Moon Lake. In addition to offering tourism information, it provides services such as luggage storage, charging, and wheelchair rentals. Designed by the Japanese architectural team led by Tadao Ando, the Xiangshan Visitor Center has recently become a popular spot on Instagram due to its distinctive design, making it an unexpectedly viral attraction.
📍Xiangshang Visitor Center
Address：No.599, Jhongshan Rd., Yuchi Township, Nantou County Taiwán, R.O.C
Opening hours: 09:00-17:00
Wenwu Temple
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The Wenwu Temple at Sun Moon Lake, besides being a center of faith for local residents, is also the highest Wenwu Temple in Taiwan. Located with the mountains at its back and the lake in front, the views are spectacular. Even visitors without religious inclinations can go up to the rear temple's observation deck for a panoramic view of Sun Moon Lake. Additionally, the Wenwu Temple features the "Year Ladder Trail," which has 366 steps, each marked with a date representing the 366 days of the year. Visitors can purchase a prayer bell for their zodiac sign, write their name and wishes on it, and hang it on the railing corresponding to their birth date. It’s a charming little ritual.
📍Wenwu Temple
Address:No.63, Jhongshan Rd., Yuchi Township, Nantou County Taiwán, R.O.C
Opening Hours:Open all day long（after 8:00pm, please use the side entrance)
Ita Thao Shopping Street
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Located in front of the Ita Thao Pier at Sun Moon Lake, this shopping area offers indigenous cuisine and local specialty snacks. The most popular items include Sun Moon Lake black tea, wild boar meat, millet wine, and various grilled and fried foods. The street is about 300 meters long and is lively both day and night. If you're with a group, it's a good idea to choose a restaurant serving indigenous-style dishes and enjoy a meal together. If you’re alone or with just a few people, you can treat it like a night market, buying snacks and eating as you walk. As Sun Moon Lake is an internationally known destination, most vendors can take orders in English, so language barriers shouldn’t be a concern.
📍Ita Thao Shopping Street
Address:Yiyong St., Yuchi Township, Nantou County, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Opening Hours:8:00-18:00
Sun Moon Lake Antique Assam Tea Farm
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When visiting Sun Moon Lake, you absolutely can’t miss out on Sun Moon Lake black tea! For a quiet tea-tasting experience, the Sun Moon Lake Old Tea Factory is a great place to visit. It’s not only a famous filming location for the Taiwanese drama "Tea Fight," but also one of the few tea factories still in operation today. The overall space is vintage and elegant. On the first floor, there is a retail center selling a variety of teas, including Sun Moon Lake Ruby Red, Assam, Biluochun, and Oolong tea. The second floor showcases all the tea-making equipment. Dining is by reservation only, with options for guided tours and buffet-style meals.
📍Sun Moon Lake Antique Assam Tea Farm
Address:Youshui Ln., Yuchi Township, Nantou County 郵遞區號 , Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Opening Hours:8:00-17:00
Ci'en Pagoda
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To get a panoramic view of Sun Moon Lake, you can not only take the Sun Moon Lake Cable Car but also visit the Cien Pagoda for a bit of a workout! The Ci'en Pagoda is a famous landmark at Sun Moon Lake, located along the lakeside road. The towering pagoda features a 360-degree spiral staircase inside, and from the top, you can enjoy a radial symmetry view. The view from the top offers a different perspective of Sun Moon Lake and the surrounding mountains, providing a wide and open vista. fIf climbing stairs is challenging for older visitors, there's a Cien Pagoda Trail next to the pagoda. The trail extends about 570 meters from the parking lot to the trail's end, and it's flat and easy to walk, making it a suitable option for leisurely exploring and experiencing the tranquility of traditional architecture.
📍Ci'en Pagoda
Address:The route going around Sun Moon Lake, Yuchi Township, Nantou County Taiwán, R.O.C
Opening Hours:09：00～16：30
Other modes of transportation in Sun Moon Lake
Lake Bus and Itinerary
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The Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Sun Moon Lake route primarily connects Taichung to Sun Moon Lake, saving time and transportation costs for out-of-town visitors. For local sightseeing around Sun Moon Lake, the shuttle doesn’t cover all spots extensively. It’s recommended to use the Sun Moon Lake Lake Bus, which operates from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM with hourly departures. This bus stops at popular attractions such as Cien Pagoda, Wenwu Temple, and Ita Thao Pier.
Charter Services
For family trips, especially if traveling with elders or children who may have difficulty walking, chartering a vehicle is a good option. The advantage of a charter service is that professional drivers are familiar with Sun Moon Lake’s traffic conditions and parking locations, and they can provide information about attractions, making the trip smooth and convenient.
Nantou Surrounding Attractions
Nantou offers many scenic spots besides Sun Moon Lake, including the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, Puli, Cingjing, Jiji, and Xitou. Here are a few recommended bus routes that connect these attractions.
- 6801: Sun Moon Lake – Shui Li – Jiji – Zhushan – Xitou
- Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Checheng Line 6671: Sun Moon Lake – Shui Li – Checheng
- 6289: Shui Li – Puli
For international travelers visiting Sun Moon Lake, the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Sun Moon Lake route offers frequent schedules, many stops, comfortable rides, and affordable fares, making it the most convenient choice. The buses provide announcements in both English and Chinese, allowing you to relax and reach your destination easily while enjoying the beautiful scenery of Nantou. We warmly welcome travelers to use the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle to experience the beauty of Sun Moon Lake, a world-class destination.