Boats and the Ropeway in Sun Moon Lake
Part of the Sun Moon Lake travel guide — see every topic in All Sun Moon Lake Guides.
The easiest way to move around Sun Moon Lake is on the water. Boats link the three main piers — Shuishe, Xuanguang and Ita Thao — all day. From Ita Thao, a ropeway climbs over the ridge to the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, a large theme park. Together, the boats and the ropeway give you the best views of the lake without a car, and they connect well with the bike paths and walking trails.
How the boats work
Several companies run boats on the same circuit between Shuishe, Xuanguang and Ita Thao. Most visitors buy a one-day boat pass, which lets you get on and off at each pier. Boats leave often during the day, and the crossing between two piers takes only a short time. The boats run in daylight hours, and the last departures are usually in the late afternoon, so check the time when you buy your ticket. Some boats have open decks at the back, which are the best place for photos. In strong wind or heavy rain, services can stop for safety.
The three piers
Shuishe pier is on the north shore, next to the main village, hotels and the bus stop. It is the usual starting point. Xuanguang pier sits on a small point on the west side, with a short walk up a quiet forest path and a well-known stall that sells tea eggs. Ita Thao pier, on the south shore, is next to the village of the Thao people, with a busy street of food stalls and shops and the bottom station of the ropeway. Many visitors go in this order, ending at Ita Thao for food before taking the ropeway or a boat back.
The Sun Moon Lake Ropeway
The ropeway opened in 2009 and runs for close to two kilometres between Ita Thao and the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village. The ride takes about seven minutes each way. The cabins rise over a forested ridge, and on the way up you look back over the whole lake. There is a viewing area at the top station. Tickets for the ropeway alone are sold, and combined tickets with the theme park are also available. The ropeway closes in strong wind and on some days for maintenance, so check before you go, especially if you plan to return the same way.
The Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village
At the top of the ropeway is a large park that mixes amusement rides, gardens and shows about Taiwan's Indigenous peoples. Families come for the roller coasters and drop towers. Others come for the reconstructed traditional houses from different Indigenous groups and the dance performances. The park is also one of the best places near the lake for cherry blossoms in late winter, usually around February, when it holds a popular blossom festival. Allow at least half a day if you want to see both the rides and the cultural areas. The park can be very busy at weekends.
Passes and planning
Bundled passes are sold that combine some of these: the bus from Taichung, the boats, the ropeway and bike rental. They can save money if you plan to use most of the parts, but check exactly what each pass includes. A good day plan is to start early on a bike, take a boat from Xiangshan or Shuishe to Xuanguang, continue by boat to Ita Thao for lunch, then ride the ropeway in the early afternoon. Return by boat before the last departure. Weekdays are calmer, with shorter queues for boats and cabins.
Boats and the Ropeway at a glance
| Getting there | Boats leave from Shuishe pier, a short walk from the bus stop |
|---|---|
| Ropeway | Ita Thao to the Culture Village, about 7 minutes each way |
| Hours | Daylight only; last boats in the late afternoon — check on the day |
| Cost | One-day boat passes; ropeway alone or combined with park entry |
| Best time | Weekday mornings; February for cherry blossom at the Culture Village |