Visit Alishan Taiwan’s Legendary Forest Trail

Before diving deep into the beauty of this place, let's get to know the origins of Alishan.

Going back over 100 years, this area was once a vast, abundant forest in Chiayi County. During the Japanese occupation of Taiwan, they discovered that this forest contained high-quality Cypress and Red Cypress trees, many of which were thousands of years old. For convenient transportation of timber down from the mountains, they built the Alishan Forest Railway.

However, when World War II ended, Taiwan regained independence and recognized the value of this forest. Logging was stopped, and the transportation route was transformed from a timber railway into a tourist railway instead. This railway became a symbol of Alishan by default. With its rare natural abundance, this place became a major tourist destination that travelers from around the world must visit.

Although Alishan is known as a forest city, there's much more here to amaze you than you might think. Here are the 3 major highlights you shouldn't miss when visiting Alishan:

1. Ride the Classic Scenic Railway - Alishan Forest Railway

The heart of visiting Alishan is riding this railway! Taiwan's Alishan Railway is acclaimed as one of the world's most beautiful mountain railway routes, with tracks climbing from just 30 meters above sea level at Chiayi Station to 2,216 meters at Alishan Station.

Besides the beautiful scenery on both sides, this railway route is extremely winding and steep, ranking as one of the world's top 3 mountain climbing railways! Within the park, there are also 3 branch lines that tourists commonly use to reach various attractions:

• Zhaoping Station: Short route, quick travel time, perfect for those wanting to stroll among giant cypress forests and cherry blossom gardens during blooming season
• Xianglin Station: This railway line takes you to bamboo forest walking trails and wooden bridges in nature, ideal for those who enjoy peaceful strolls in quiet atmospheres
• Zhushan Station: The most popular tourist route, where people go early in the morning to watch spectacular sunrises and seas of clouds

2. Watch the Sea of Clouds and Sunrise at Zhushan Peak

If you visit Alishan without going up to see the sea of clouds and sunrise, you'll really miss out! The must-see viewpoint and main highlight here is Zhushan Peak, which almost every tourist must pin on their itinerary.

Getting to Zhushan Peak offers two route options: taking the train from Alishan Station (convenient, fast, and not too tiring) or choosing to hike up, which is more challenging but requires good preparation as the path is quite steep and dark during early morning.

Once you arrive, you'll experience an unforgettable sight: watching the large sun slowly rise above the horizon amid a thick sea of clouds covering the entire area. This is one of those indescribably beautiful moments that makes many visitors feel that waking up early and the journey's exhaustion was completely worthwhile.

The best time to watch sunrise at Zhushan is during winter (November-February), when the sky is usually clear and there's a greater chance of seeing a full sea of clouds compared to other seasons.

3. Marvel at Ancient Pine Forests and Sacred Woods

Another charm of Alishan National Park is the ancient pine forests that densely cover the area. Here you can walk through peaceful, quiet nature while admiring various unique and fascinating pine trees.

The area is filled with thousand-year-old Cypress and Red Cypress trees. Some trees have died leaving only tree stumps, but they have strange shapes - some look like animals or have various forms, earning them special names like "Three Brothers Tree Stumps" or "Brother Pine Trees" where people love to stop and take photos.

Another unmissable spot is the Sacred Tree - a giant pine tree stump that was once a massive tree over 3,000 years old. Although it has died, it still stands majestically in the park, becoming a valuable natural monument and an important symbol of Alishan to this day.

Besides beautiful nature and romantic railways, Alishan offers many other interesting activities and places! Here's what's worth doing:

• 🌸 Visit Tsou Indigenous Villages: Around Alishan, there are ancient Tsou indigenous villages that welcome tourists to learn about local lifestyle, culture, and traditional wisdom up close.
• 🌸 See Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom: If you visit from late March to early April, you'll see cherry blossoms blooming throughout the park, creating romantic atmosphere during one of the year's most beautiful periods.
• 🌸 Taste Alishan Tea: This is the source of Taiwan's premium Oolong tea, with smooth, mellow taste and distinctive aroma. When you visit, we recommend trying and buying some as a memorable souvenir.
• 🌸 Nature Study Forest Walking: Alishan offers various levels of forest trails - short paths for leisurely walks or long-distance routes for adventure seekers.

1. High-Speed Rail (THSR) + Bus

• Take THSR from Taipei Main Station to Chiayi THSR Station (approximately 1.5 hours)
• From Chiayi THSR Station, take Alishan Route 7329 bus (approximately 2 hours to Alishan National Park)
• Alternatively, from Chiayi Railway Station, take Alishan Route 7322 bus

2. Alishan Forest Railway

• Go to Chiayi Railway Station
• Buy tickets for the Alishan Forest Railway, which goes directly to Alishan Station
• Tickets are limited and often fully booked in advance. Check information and book online beforehand as tickets sell out quickly.

Alishan isn't just an ordinary tourist destination in Taiwan, but a destination that lets you experience legendary-level natural magnificence, surrounded by historical stories and fascinating culture, complete with numerous activities that will transform your journey into an extraordinary experience - whether it's riding the mountain railway, watching morning sea of clouds, or strolling through thousand-year-old ancient pine forests.

For anyone planning to visit Alishan National Park and wanting to experience every corner without missing anything, but still lacking information about flight tickets, accommodation, or various activities - just open the Gother app and you'll find everything you need: special-price flight tickets from leading airlines, accommodations in various styles, and fun activities carefully selected to complete your trip.

Browse and choose the right package, then prepare to embark on a Taiwan travel experience you'll never forget!