Sun Moon Lake in Taiwan is really beautiful

IT’S a huge body of freshwater, and it’s an incredible sight. Can you guess where this beautiful lake is located? One thing’s for sure, we want to go there, now.

WHEN visiting Taiwan, take a cycle around Sun Moon Lake — but keep to the right.

The lush green winding 28.8km track around the lake works in the same way as the roads of Taiwan and, for that matter, most of the world — a minor challenge for a very left-handed Australian. The waters of Sun Moon Lake are aqua green and deep blue, and at sunset the surrounding mountains are shrouded in mist.

Willows and betel nut trees stoop into the lake where small hire boats and larger cruisers are moored.

The bike track is bitumen and boards, winding but easy and often lined on either side by leafy red plants.

There’s plenty of point of interest information signs, big mirrors to see around tight turns and picnic furniture along the way.

The journey to the lake. Picture: Robert Montgomery

There’s also plenty of bike hire businesses and the occasional colourful temple, complete with angry dragons at their entrances. Every stopping spot is a golden photo opportunity.

At the west end is the town of Yuchi, with coffee shops pushing onto the lake, and halfway around is the concrete and glass tourism centre, looming like a giant wave threatening to flood the foreshore.

The gentle sounds of classical piano are wafting from the centre.

Tour boats at dawn on Sun Moon Lake. Picture: David May

Couples are holding hands as they sit on the edge of the timber promenades while, others, further along in their courtship, pose for wedding photos.

It’s also a favoured dog-walking track, with one precious pooch we passed wearing a tutu.

Other less-energetic canines are sitting up in bicycle baskets as their owners trundle along.

Sun Moon Lake is the largest body of freshwater in Taiwan.

Just wow. Picture: The Knowles Gallery

It’s 762 metres above sea level, and a three- or four-hour drive south of the capital Taipei.

There are also charter cruises for those keener to travel on the lake than around it.

We cruised the water to Xuanguang Temple where we enjoyed a tea egg — a boiled egg steeped in oolong tea — before climbing steep steps to the temple.

Time for a quick photo of the lake before returning to the pier where a cowboy-hatted piano player was singing Chinese torch songs. There are plenty of places to eat, sleep and hike around the water.

Charter a boat.

Bicycles can be hired for around $120 Taiwan ($5) an hour.

Our charter boat, which seated at least 20, cost $2000 Taiwan ($83) for an hour.

IF YOU GO

• Flights to Taiwan are readily available from several airlines, through Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong.

• Australians are not required to obtain a visa.

The writer was a guest of Peregrine Adventures. Its nine-day Treasures of Taiwan tour starts from $2745 per person (twin share).