Taiwan Today

The Sun Moon Lake Ropeway is scheduled to open Jan. 1, 2010, according to the Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration Dec. 16. The 1.8-kilometer cable car system connects Sun Moon Lake and the Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village, a privately run theme park. It was commissioned to the FACV using a build-own-operate model. Tseng Kuo-Chi, director of park administration, said the NT$1-billion (US$30.9 million) 86-car ropeway, which was designed by Austrian firm Doppelmayr, has passed preliminary inspection by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications. “After the second inspection Dec. 22, trial runs will commence Dec. 26.” According to Tseng, the ropeway passes through a valley that is 786 meters at its widest point and 200 meters deep. Climbing at an angle of 43 degrees, the cable car is expected to give passengers a “spectacular” viewing experience, he said. Tseng said the park recently conducted a series of emergency rescue exercises that went off without a hitch. No safety issues or problems were identified, he added. For visitors to the village, the cost of taking the cable car will be included in the price of admission. Those traveling from Sun Moon Lake will have to pay NT$300. An FACV spokesman said the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway will be connected with the village’s existing cable car system. Combined travel time is estimated at around 20 minutes,” he said. (PCT-JSM)