Hi,
We will be visiting Sun Moon Lake and then onwards to Tainan. Is there any bus / train or a combination of bus-train covering this route?
Ideally, we do not want to spend another 1.5 hrs for the return journey to Taichung to catch the bus-train to Tainan. Of course, time and cost need to be taken into consideration as well.
As you can see on the map, you have to head back west to make a connection to Tainan. Fastest would be bus (or taxi) to the HSR and then down to Tainan. More scenic would be to take the bus at SML to Shuili and then catch the Jiji small train to Ershui and from there catch a train to Tainan. But that would take half the day.
Without your own vehicle SML is not really worth it, as many have tried to tell you. 
Thanks Munca Man,
Errrr have to head back west for the journey to Tainan. That’s what we will have to do. I suppose with all the hypes surrounding the SML and in case the missus (affected by travel brochures) insists on visiting we might as well sign up for a day tour from Taichung to SML before the train journey to Tainan.
I suppose we can sign up for the SML day tour on the day at the bus station? Any idea about the cost?
cheers
The best way to get to and from SML is the Nantou Bus company from the Taichung HSR station Exit 5. It takes about ninety minutes and costs about NT$200. Here is the schedule. Sorry it is all in Chinese. Incredibly, this information does not seem to be available in English. I guess this is still Taiwan. Anyway the buses are hourly at eight minutes past the hour. Just start asking when you get to the HSR stations. Middle-class Taiwanese people love helping foreigners. You need a little patience. You will get there.
Once you are at SML, there appears to be an bus service around the lake. Here is the schedule. Again. none of this seems to readily accessible in English. There is an NT$80 day pass that might be useful.
As for true packages, EZ Travel has some for NT$3,200 or so. Call them. I’m sure they have someone who speaks enough English to help.
You have enough questions that you should really just buy the LP book.
And SML sucks!
No need to ask strangers Feiren, all the HSR stations have visitor information centres. So do all major train stations. And SML has this really nice old guy who’s a volunteer and has seen that most of their information is translated into English.
Taiwan Tour Bus is what the OP wants for a day tour from Taichung or elsewhere.
Also, yes SML has a very good bus system round the lake and also a good boat system to four piers. It’s one of the few places that has been set up well that you can get around by public transport.
English bus schedule by Nantou Bus from Taichung (you need to go to the scenic area website).
[quote=“Mucha Man”]No need to ask strangers Feiren, all the HSR stations have visitor information centres. So do all major train stations. And SML has this really nice old guy who’s a volunteer and has seen that most of their information is translated into English.
Taiwan Tour Bus is what the OP wants for a day tour from Taichung or elsewhere.
taiwantourbus.com.tw/Schdule … r_go_id=17
Also, yes SML has a very good bus system round the lake and also a good boat system to four piers. It’s one of the few places that has been set up well that you can get around by public transport.
English bus schedule by Nantou Bus from Taichung (you need to go to the scenic area website):
sunmoonlake.gov.tw/EN/02002102.aspx[/quote]
Thanks for setting him straight.
For future visitors that do not want tours, here are a few places in the SML area are that are much more interesting:
[ul]Wujie (武界, Bogoi)–Bunon village. Map. Pictures. The whole valley back here is fascinating and can be combined with Aowanda and many other adventures.
Kadu (卡度, Qatu)–another Bonon village. Map. The map refers to this as 過坑 (guòkēng).
Tannan (潭南 tánnán) area south of SML. Map.
[/ul]
You will need your own transportation for these areas. There is accommodation in Bogoi and Kadu.
Hi Muncha man & Feiren,
Wow!!! Wow!!! Wow!!! So much useful information.
We are on our way for the 3Ts’ (Tainan, Taroko, Taipei) + SML. SML is indeed an added bonus!!! This (SML) will make the missus happy and the “I was also there” table gossip round.
Thanks mates.
cheers
At SML do go to the Lago Hotel, beside Starbucks and ask to sample local teas. Sitting at the big desk overlooking the lake sampling fine teas is one of the nicest experiences you can have at SML.
Oh, and it’s Mu
c
ha Man not Muncha Man. 
Hi Mucha Man,
Thanks for the Lago Hotel’s secret.
cheers