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Alishan Forest Railway

Taiwan · 嘉義市 · 東區 · Nature & Scenery

櫻花火車
照片提供｜嘉義分署 · 資料來源：交通部觀光署（GODL）

Image source: Taiwan_Opendata; license credits as shown.

Overview

The Alishan Forest Railway is a mountain industrial railway built during the Japanese colonial period to transport timber resources. The line is divided into the main line and branch lines, passing through tropical, warm-temperate, and temperate forest zones along the way. From Chiayi Station at an elevation of 30 meters, it climbs to Alishan Station at 2,216 meters. Travelers can also take the Zhushan Line early in the morning to Zhushan Station, Taiwan’s highest-altitude station at 2,451 meters, to watch the famous Alishan sunrise. To overcome the rugged terrain, the railway incorporates four of the five major mountain-railway engineering methods, including spiral routes, zigzag switchbacks, an Ω-type turn, and specially designed mountain steam locomotives. Combining the features of a mountain railway, forest railway, and alpine railway, it has demonstrated world-class mountain-railway engineering and is one of Taiwan’s potential World Heritage sites.

Getting There

[By car] Route 1: Exit Zhongpu Interchange on National Freeway No. 3 (South Second Freeway), then take Provincial Highway No. 18 (Alishan Highway) to Alishan National Forest Recreation Area (88.2K section).[By car] Route 2: Exit Chiayi Interchange on National Freeway No. 1 (Sun Yat-sen Freeway), then take Provincial Highway No. 18 (Alishan Highway) to Alishan National Forest Recreation Area (88.2K section).[Public transport] By train: Take a train to Chiayi Railway Station. After exiting, purchase tickets at the Alishan Forest Railway ticket window for the main line, Shenmu Line, Zhaoping Line, and Zhushan Line, then enter the station and board at the forest railway platform. Alishan Forest Railway Chiayi Station ticket office: (05)2256918; Chiayi County Bus: (05)2788177; website: https://bus.cyhg.gov.tw.[Public transport] By bus: Chiayi County Bus routes [Chiayi ⇆ Alishan], [Chiayi ⇆ Fenqihu], [Chiayi High Speed Rail ⇆ Alishan], [Chiayi High Speed Rail ⇆ Fenqihu], and [Fenqihu ⇆ Alishan]. For schedules and service status, contact Chiayi County Bus Chiayi Station at (05)224-3140 or visit https://bus.cyhg.gov.tw. You can also take the Happiness Bus and Happiness Taxi from Chiayi Station; please see https://www.thb.gov.tw/News.aspx?n=10738&sms=13903&_CSN=4018[Public transport] By Yuanlin Bus: Yuanlin Bus route 6739 [Sun Moon Lake ⇆ Alishan]. Sun Moon Lake sales office: 049-2856879; timetable inquiries: 049-2770041; website: http://www.ylbus.com.tw/Shuili.html.[Public transport] By King Bus: King Bus route 1835 [Taipei Transfer Station ⇆ Alishan]. For schedules and service status, contact King Bus at 0800-010-138, Taipei Transfer Station at 02-25583060, and visit http://www.kingbus.com.tw/ticketPriceResult.php?sid=163.[Public transport] Rail-to-road transfer: 1. Take the Alishan Forest Railway [Chiayi ⇆ Fenqihu Station] from Chiayi Railway Station. Alishan Forest Railway Chiayi Station ticket office: (05)2256918; timetable: https://afrch.forest.gov.tw/0000115; online booking: https://afrts.forest.gov.tw/. 2. Walk about 600 meters from Fenqihu Station to the bus stop. 3. Take a Chiayi County Bus from the bus stop to Alishan. Phone: (05)2788177; website: https://bus.cyhg.gov.tw.

Highlights

The Alishan Forest Railway is a high-mountain forest railway built during the Japanese colonial era for logging transport. It climbs all the way from Chiayi City to Alishan, offering changing forest scenery from tropical to warm-temperate and temperate zones along the route, while combining historical heritage with mountain landscapes. Travelers can board the little train from the lowland Chiayi Station and ride the century-old railway through valleys, tea plantations, and misty forests, experiencing the unique appeal of Taiwan’s first major cultural landscape and a potential World Heritage site. To conquer the steep terrain, the railway uses world-class mountain-railway engineering methods such as spiral routes, zigzag switchbacks, and Ω-type turns, making it an essential route for railfans and engineering enthusiasts. Taking the Zhushan Line little train early in the morning to Zhushan Station allows visitors to watch the Alishan sunrise from one of Taiwan’s highest railway stations, where sea of clouds, mountain ridges, and dawn light combine into one of the most iconic Alishan experiences.

What to See

1. Chiayi Station and the lowland section: As the starting point of the Alishan Forest Railway, at an elevation of about 30 meters, it begins on the city plain and symbolizes the railway’s gradual ascent into the mountains. It is an ideal place to learn about the railway’s history and photograph departing trains. 2. Main-line scenery: The main line connects Chiayi City and Alishan, passing through plains, hills, and high-mountain forests. Along the way, passengers can enjoy valleys, streams, tea gardens, layers of mountains, and mist, while observing vegetation changes at different elevations. It is the most impressive mountain-scenery corridor on the route. 3. Three forest belts: The train starts in low-elevation tropical forest and gradually transitions to warm-temperate and temperate forests. Plants and tree species visible from the window change noticeably with altitude, making it an easy way to experience Alishan’s diverse forest ecology. 4. Mountain-railway engineering sections: To overcome canyons and steep slopes, the railway uses special engineering designs such as spiral routes, zigzag switchbacks, and Ω-type turns. As the train moves, it passes through distinctive reversals and switchbacks, creating the railway’s most iconic engineering scenery. 5. Alishan Station: One of the terminal stations in the high mountains, located near the entrance to Alishan National Forest Recreation Area. It is the main transfer point for branch-line trains within the park and for visiting trails, giant trees, and recreation-area attractions. 6. Zhushan Line and Zhushan Station: From Alishan Park, take the Zhushan Line little train to Zhushan Station at about 2,451 meters above sea level. It is one of Taiwan’s highest railway stations and the classic place to watch the Alishan sunrise, with views of sunrise, clouds, and mountain silhouettes. 7. Alishan forest and trail connections: The forest railway is linked with the park’s trail system. Visitors can combine the little train with hiking, getting off at different stations to explore giant-tree groves, viewing platforms, and forest boardwalks, enjoying both rail travel and walking in the forest.

Address

No. 308, Wenhua Road, East District, Chiayi City 600 Phone: (05)2256918, (05)2561007, (05)2611275

Travel Tips

1. Best seasons to visit: Spring for cherry blossoms and sea of clouds, summer for cool mountain air and lush greenery, autumn for maple leaves and mountain mist, and winter for easier sunrise and cloud-sea viewing in the early morning. Each season offers different scenery, so choose based on your preferences and weather conditions. 2. High-altitude precautions: Alishan is over 2,000 meters above sea level, and day-night temperature differences are large. Bring a warm jacket, hat, and thin gloves, especially if you plan to watch the sunrise in the early morning. 3. Tickets and seats: Tickets for popular time slots and consecutive holidays sell out quickly. Check official booking information in advance and plan early. If needed, leave enough time for transfers in Chiayi or Alishan. 4. Suggested itinerary: Take the main line up from Chiayi in the morning, enjoy the scenery along the way, stay overnight in the mountains, then take the Zhushan Line at dawn the next day to watch the sunrise. After returning, stroll through forest trails and park attractions. 5. Clothing and gear: Wear comfortable walking shoes or light hiking shoes, and bring rain gear, sun protection, and personal medications. Weather changes quickly along the route, and short afternoon showers may occur in the mountains. 6. Motion sickness and adjustment: The mountain railway has many curves and elevation changes. If you are prone to motion sickness, take motion sickness medication in advance and look out at distant scenery during the ride to help reduce discomfort. 7. Photography: The mountain forests, sea of clouds, and engineering sections along the route are excellent for photography. Bring a camera or phone and enough battery and storage; early morning and evening light are especially good. 8. Connections with other transport: Chiayi City has Taiwan Railways and bus connections, making it easy to reach Chiayi Station and board the forest railway. In the mountains, you can combine shuttle buses, branch-line trains, and walking for sightseeing.

Nearby Dining

The Alishan Forest Railway connects Chiayi City with the Alishan mountain area. If you depart from Chiayi, you can first enjoy Chiayi’s local snacks and traditional street foods in the city, then take the train up the mountain. After arriving at Alishan Recreation Area, there are many restaurants, tea houses, and snack shops around the station and within the park, where you can try high-mountain tea and local specialty dishes, or dine near your mountain accommodation. It is recommended to plan meal times in advance according to your schedule to avoid crowded peak dining hours.

FAQ

Q：What is the difference between the Alishan Forest Railway and the Alishan little train? A：What travelers usually call the “Alishan little train” generally refers to the Alishan Forest Railway and its scenic branch lines within the Alishan recreation area. In fact, the Alishan Forest Railway includes the main line from Chiayi City to Alishan and branch lines such as the Zhushan Line, forming a complete high-mountain forest railway system. Q：Do I need to book Alishan Forest Railway tickets in advance? A：Because demand is high on holidays and during popular time slots, travelers are advised to check the official booking information in advance and reserve as early as possible to secure seats and coordinate with other transport and accommodation. Q：Do I have to take the Zhushan Line little train to watch the Alishan sunrise? A：The Zhushan Line little train is one of the easiest and most convenient ways to reach the Zhushan sunrise platform. It departs from Alishan Recreation Area in the early morning and goes directly to Zhushan Station, making it suitable for most travelers. If you have the stamina and time, you can also reach different viewpoints by hiking trails or other means. Q：How should first-time visitors plan a trip on the Alishan Forest Railway? A：You can take the main line from Chiayi Station up to Alishan, stay overnight in the Alishan Recreation Area, take the Zhushan Line the next morning to watch the sunrise, then spend the day wandering among forest trails, giant-tree groves, and branch-line trains before choosing the little train or other transport back down.

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Nearby Attractions

Alishan National Forest Recreation Area 0.3 km

Alishan National Forest Recreation Area

Alishan Township · Nature & Scenery

Alishan National Forest Recreation Area is famous for its five wonders: the forest train, sacred trees, sea of clouds, sunrise, and sunset glow. It is Taiwan’s best-known and most popular forest recreation area, a jewel of the Alishan Range that shines with dazzling brilliance. The Alishan Forest Railway is a renowned high-mountain sightseeing railway. You can board the forest train at Chiayi Station and enjoy a leisurely ride through the mountains to the Alishan terminus. The railway is managed by the Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office, and its main line and branch lines are now fully open. Alternatively, you can drive along Provincial Highway 18 and reach the recreation area at kilometer 88.2, at an elevation of 2,216 meters, in less than two hours. The Alishan Range is one of Taiwan’s five major mountain ranges, but Alishan is not a single mountain; it refers to the broader mountain region. Historically rich in cypress resources, it was Taiwan’s largest logging area from 1912 to 1960. After long periods of harvesting, the original cypress forests were almost entirely cut down. Today, nearly forty giant Taiwan red cypress trees remain along the first- and second-phase giant tree boardwalks, allowing visitors to remember the grandeur and sanctity of the former sacred tree forest. The famous Alishan sacred tree was struck by lightning in 1956 and later partially collapsed from rain in 1997. To respect natural ecology, life, and visitor safety, the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency laid the tree down in place in June 1998 so that visitors could view it. In 2006, “Alishan Xianglin Sacred Tree” was voted the second-generation sacred tree. Standing 45 meters tall with a trunk girth of 12.3 meters, it is a must-see landmark for visitors to Alishan. The recreation area is rich in ecology, with especially notable plants including rare ferns, Lycopodium somae, Alishan mahonia, and Taiwan phalaenopsis. Wildlife highlights include Taiwanese macaques, mikado pheasants, white-whiskered laughingthrushes, Alishan robins, and Alishan salamanders. Beyond the sacred trees, Alishan offers many other attractions: the forest train, the ethereal Sisters Ponds, the majestic sea of clouds, the beautiful Zhushan sunrise, Shouzhen Temple, the century-old Ciyun Temple, forestry heritage sites, and spring blossoms of cherry trees and rhododendrons. Alishan National Forest Recreation Area is an international-class destination that represents Taiwan’s mist forest zone and welcomes travelers from around the world to discover the rich and beautiful mountain landscape of Taiwan.
Alishan Ecological Education Center 0.9 km

Alishan Ecological Education Center

Alishan Township · Nature & Scenery

To promote the concept of nature conservation and help visitors learn about Alishan’s natural ecology, the Chiayi Branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency has renovated the former Alishan Work Station and other old buildings into the Alishan Ecological Education Center, the Forest Era Forestry Story House, and the A-lí-san Mountain & Wilderness Creative House. The buildings are located within the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area. Their exhibits cover topics ranging from Tsou culture and alpine plants to forestry history, mountain culture, literature, and art, guiding visitors to rediscover the many dimensions of Alishan in the relationship between people and nature.