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Sun Moon Lake to Alishan Distance: 102.5km
First off, are Sun Moon Lake and Alishan close? Well, they're not neighbors you can just walk between! The actual driving distance from Sun Moon Lake to Alishan is about 102.5 kilometers (64 miles).
Because you'll be navigating winding mountain roads and making a few stops along the way, you should budget about 2.5 to 3.5 hours for the journey. It's all part of the scenic adventure, though!
3 Direct Ways from Sun Moon Lake to Alishan: How to Pick?
When it comes to getting from Sun Moon Lake to Alishan, you've got 3 main direct options. How to pick the best one for your trip? It depends on your budget, time, and travel experience you're after. Let's lay out the choices!
| Bus | Shared or Private Car | Taxi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Full fare NT$350, EasyCard NT$296 | Shared: NT$400-600/person; Private: NT$4,500-5,500/car | NT$5,000-7,000/car (includes return empty fee) |
| Duration & Frequency | 3.5 hours; 1 daily departure (8:00 AM); Extra bus on holidays (8:30 AM) | 2.5-3 hours; Flexible timing | 2.5 hours; On-demand departure |
| Comfort & Convenience | 15-seat mid-size bus; Stops for breaks | Customizable route; Includes luggage space + driver commentary | Point-to-point direct; No scenic stops; Limited luggage space |
| Best for | Budget travelers | Groups of 4+ / Families | 1-3 people needing urgent travel |
| Booking Requirements | Advance email/phone booking 3-30 days prior | At least 15 days in advance (earlier for peak season) | Immediate booking |
| My Verdict | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐ |
If you're all about efficiency and convenience, then booking a private or shared car is probably your top pick. However, if you're on a tighter budget, the direct bus is a great option.
As for a regular taxi, I generally don't recommend it for this route unless it's a very last-minute emergency, and you don't mind the higher cost.
Direct Plan A: Sun Moon Lake to Alishan Bus (Yuanlin Bus 6739) - Only One Daily Departure!
Yuanlin Bus Route 6739 is the ONLY direct public transport option connecting these two iconic mountain destinations. And it offers only one daily departure, taking 3.5 hours!
The Sun Moon Lake to Alishan Bus travels along Taiwan Highway 21 (New Central Cross-Island Highway), passing through the Tataka Recreation Area within Yushan National Park. This route offers incredible views of Yushan Main Peak, the famous Couple Trees, etc.
The Latest Sun Moon Lake - Alishan Bus Schedule
Here's the current schedule for the Yuanlin Bus Route 6739:
| Departure | Arrival | Duration | Cost (One-way) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun Moon Lake to Alishan (Daily) | 08:00 | 11:10 | 3.5h (including breaks) | NT$350; EasyCard NT$296 |
| Sun Moon Lake to Alishan (Weekends/Holidays Only) | 08:30 | 11:40 | 3.5h (including breaks) | NT$350 |
| Alishan to Sun Moon Lake | 13:00 | 15:44 | 3h | NT$350 |
| Alishan to Sun Moon Lake (Weekends/Holidays Only) | 14:00 | 16:44 | 3h | NT$350 |
Sun Moon Lake End: Shuishe Visitor Center (No. 163, Zhongshan Rd., Yuchi Township, Nantou County). See things to do at Sun Moon Lake >>
Alishan End: Alishan Transport Station (at the entrance to the Alishan Forest Recreation Area). Check out the Taiwan Alishan Maps >>
Mid-way Stops: The bus typically makes brief stops at Tataka Recreation Area and Sinyi Farmers' Assoc. for breaks.
Book in Advance! This is a small, 15-seat bus, and seats are limited! You MUST book in advance – typically 3 to 30 days prior – otherwise, you might not get a seat. Once booked, make sure you're at the bus stop at least 30 minutes before departure.
How to Book?
- Phone: 049-2770041
- Email: yulinbus@gmail.com
Winter Travel Note: The New Central Cross-Island Highway (Taiwan Highway 21) can sometimes be closed in winter due to snow or landslides. Always check conditions before you travel!
Direct Plan B: Shared or Private Sun Moon Lake to Alishan Car (Our Top Recommendation!)
Alright, listen up! Booking a private or shared car is absolutely the best way to link up Sun Moon Lake and Alishan. It's hassle-free, safe, and offers incredible value, especially if you're traveling as a family or small group!
The journey usually takes just 2.5 hours, saving you a full hour compared to the public bus!
Your driver often doubles as a local guide, offering commentary about the sights along the way. At the Sinyi Plum Garden Factory, you'll stop for a nice 30-minute break. Best of all, you get direct pick-up and drop-off at your hotels, avoiding any extra shuttle hassles!
Example Route Customization: Imagine going from Sun Moon Lake → Sinyi Farmers' Association (for a quick stop) → photo ops at Couple Trees → Tataka viewpoint → then direct to your Alishan hotel.
Here's a Shared Car vs. Private Car Comparison
| Shared Car | Private Car | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | NT$400-600/person | Starting from NT$4,500/car |
| Flexibility | Fixed route, limited stop time | Customizable route, flexible stops |
| Privacy | Shared with other travelers; good for socializing | Exclusive vehicle, perfect for families/groups |
| Best for | 1-3 individual travelers / budget travelers | Groups of 4+ / those seeking maximum comfort |
Cost-Effective: For a 4-10 seat vehicle, it's usually charged per person (around NT$400-600/person for shared). For example, a 9-seater private car might be NT$5,500, which works out to about NT$688 per person for 8 people.
How to Book? It's smart to book at least 2 weeks in advance (even earlier during peak season). Reach out to us at Asia Odyssey Travel to arrange your Sun Moon Lake to Alishan private or shared car service!
You get full hotel-to-hotel service. We wait for you, not the other way around!
Direct Plan C: Sun Moon Lake to Alishan Taxi (Least Recommended)
While a Sun Moon Lake to Alishan taxi might take about the same time as a private car, it's honestly the transfer method I'd least recommend for this route.
Here's a quick comparison between a private/shared car and a taxi for your Sun Moon Lake to Alishan journey:
| Private or Shared Car | Taxi | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver | Familiar with mountain roads & sights; often provides commentar | Mostly urban drivers, less familiar with cross-county mountain routes |
| Vehicle | Option for 4WD SUV/9-seat minivan (better for mountain roads) | Mostly 5-seat sedans; limited luggage space |
| Route | Customizable stops (Sinyi Farmers' Assoc., Tataka viewpoint, etc.) | Point-to-point direct only, no flexibility |
| Cost (Per Person) | E.g., 9-seat private car: NT$5,500 ÷ 8 people = NT$688/person | NT$5,000 (metered) + NT$1,500 (return empty fee) ÷ 4 people = NT$1,625/person |
So, when would I recommend a taxi? Only for very short, spontaneous trips, like from Sun Moon Lake's town center to Ita Thao Pier (within 5 km). For the big journey to Alishan, stick with a pre-arranged car or bus service!
Sun Moon Lake to Alishan Trip, How to Plan?
Sun Moon Lake (0.5-1 Day)
I would recommend half a day to one full day for Sun Moon Lake. Then, what to do at Sun Moon Lake?
The classic way to experience the lake is a boat tour (Shuishe Pier → Xuanguang Temple Pier → Ita Thao Pier → Shuishe Pier). If you have extra time and energy in the evening, a bike ride along the Shuishe Pier to Xiangshan Visitor Center route is lovely!
Alishan (0.5-1 Day)
Plan for half a day to one full day for the main recreation area of Alishan.
How to explore Alishan Forest Recreation Area? Combine the forest train with easy hikes! I've got 2 travel routes for you. Get it on our Alishan map!
Route A: Take the Alishan Forest Train from Alishan Station to Zhaoping Station. From there, hike to visit Sister Ponds (circling path), Three Brothers, Four Sisters, Golden Pig Blessing, Forever United trees, Magnolia Garden, and Shoujhen Temple (a Taoist temple). Afterwards, take the Alishan Electric Bus back to the Visitor Center.
Route B (Extended Hike): Follow Route A, then continue hiking the Giant Trees Trail to see the Three-Generation Tree, Xianglin Elementary School, Xianglin Sacred Tree, Alishan Museum, Ciyun Temple (a Buddhist temple), and the Alishan Sacred Tree Remains. From there, take the Sacred Tree Station train back to Alishan Station.
If you want to catch the famous Alishan sunrise, plan to stay overnight inside the recreation area. Then, wake up super early the next morning and take the Zhushan Line (Alishan - Zhaoping - Zhushan) to Zhushan Observation Deck for that breathtaking view!
Beyond Sun Moon Lake and Alishan: Explore More of Taiwan!
Why stop here? There's so much more to Taiwan! This 8-day, 7-night classic Taiwan tour route starts in Taipei and ends in Kaohsiung, covering natural gems like Sun Moon Lake and Alishan!
| Where to Go | What to See | Where to Stay |
|---|---|---|
| Taipei | / | Taipei |
| Taipei | Yehliu Geopark, Jiufen Old Street, Shifen Waterfall, Shifen Old Street (sky lanterns) | Taipei |
| Taipei | National Palace Museum, Dadaocheng, Dihua Street, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Taipei 101 (exterior) | Taipei |
| Taipei | Beitou Hot Spring Museum, Geothermal Valley, Yangmingshan | Taipei |
| Taipei to Sun Moon Lake | Pineapple Cake DIY, Sun Moon Lake (boat tour) | Sun Moon Lake |
| Sun Moon Lake to Alishan | Taste fresh high-mountain tea, Alishan Forest Recreation Area | Chiayi |
| Chiayi - Tainan - Kaohsiung | Tainan: Anping Tree House, Anping Fort; Kaohsiung: Sizihwan, Former British Consulate at Takao | Kaohsiung |
| Kaohsiung | Lotus Pond Scenic Area, Fo Guang Shan Buddha Memorial Center | / |
Sun Moon Lake to Alishan: Your Scenic Journey with Asia Odyssey Travel
Navigating from Sun Moon Lake to Alishan. Forget wrestling with bus schedules or figuring out how to get to Alishan from Sun Moon Lake on your own!
For stress-free travel, a private or shared car is often your best bet. At Asia Odyssey Travel, we team up with local guides and drivers to ensure an immersive experience, letting you soak in the stunning Sun Moon Lake and Alishan without a hitch.
Skip the worries about Alishan transportation – check out our Alishan maps for seamless transfer from Taipei to Alishan, Taichung to Alishan, or Chiayi to Alishan.
Just contact Asia Odyssey Travel to arrange your perfect journey!
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