Alishan National Forest Recreation Area

Overview

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.

Getting There

[Driving] Route 1: Take the Zhongpu Interchange on National Highway 3 (South Second Freeway), then connect to Provincial Highway 18 (Alishan Highway) to Alishan National Forest Recreation Area (km 88.2). [Driving] Route 2: Take the Chiayi Interchange on National Highway 1 (Sun Yat-sen Freeway), then connect to Provincial Highway 18 (Alishan Highway) to Alishan National Forest Recreation Area (km 88.2). [Driving] Self-driving application for visitors with physical disabilities: To make it easier for visitors with mobility impairments who rely on wheelchairs, the person with a disability card or certificate who requires wheelchair assistance to move independently, together with one companion, may apply in advance to drive through the first and second control checkpoints within the area. Eligible vehicles must be rehabilitation buses, accessible taxis, or accessible vehicles that are not large or medium buses of Class A or B (such as a privately owned van fitted with an electric lift or ramp). Please refer to the link for available reservation times, quotas, and application methods: http://chiayi.forest.gov.tw/0000352. [Driving] Road condition information: 1. Happiness Highway app https://apps.apple.com/tw/app/%E5%B9%B8%E7%A6%8F%E5%85%AC%E8%B7%AF/id60469836 2. Smart Provincial Highway real-time information https://168.thb.gov.tw/thb168 3. Yunlin-Chiayi-Tainan Region Maintenance Engineering Branch https://thbu5.thb.gov.tw/News.aspx?n=5264&sms=13367 [Driving] Vehicle restrictions for entering the park: 1. Vehicles allowed to reach the large vehicle parking area inside the park (temporary parking only): medium buses of Class B and large buses of Class A. 2. Vehicles allowed to reach the parking area in front of the accommodation zone and visitor service center inside the park: passenger cars. [Public transport] Chiayi County bus: Take Chiayi County Bus [Chiayi–Alishan] or Taiwan Tourist Shuttle [7329 Chiayi HSR–Alishan] / [7322 Chiayi TRA–Alishan] and get off at Alishan Transfer Station. For bus schedules and service status, contact Chiayi County Bus Administration: (05)278-8177. Website information: Chiayi County Bus | Alishan Line: https://bus.cyhg.gov.tw/News_Content.aspx?n=4441&s=55223. Taiwan Tourist Shuttle | Alishan Line: https://www.taiwantrip.com.tw/Frontend/Route/Select_p?RouteID=R0008. Taiwan Tourist Shuttle | 6739 Sun Moon Lake–Alishan: https://www.taiwantrip.com.tw/Frontend/Route/Select_p?RouteID=R0099. [Public transport] Yuanlin Bus: Take Yuanlin Bus [Alishan–Sun Moon Lake] and board at Alishan Transfer Station; please reserve seats in advance. For service status, contact Yuanlin Bus Shuili Station: 049-2770041. Website information: https://www.taiwanbus.tw/eBUSPage/Query/QueryResult.aspx?rno=67390&rn=1609311024328&fbclid=IwAR0Lmx0zwQxF0dnEhHWc-GHdHaVLg9geIwBDq5FPKeRwPZ-8ZOjxfzuZTMI&lan=C [Public transport] Guoguang Bus: Take Guoguang Bus [1835 Taipei–Alishan]. For schedules and service status, contact Guoguang Bus at 0800-010-138 or Taipei Bus Station at (02)7733-5888. Guoguang Bus | 1835 Taipei–Alishan: https://www.taiwanbus.tw/eBUSPage/Query/QueryResult.aspx?rno=18350&lan=C [Public transport] Electric sightseeing shuttle inside the park: The recreation area has 10 legally licensed electric minibuses that passed ART C inspection. Service hours are daily from 8:00 to 17:00, with shuttle service between four stops inside the park: [Main Waiting Terminal], [Zhaoping Station], [Visitor Service Center Station], [Xianglin Service Area Station], and [Shuishan Healing Trail Station]. Daily departure times for [Visitor Service Center Station / Zhaoping Station - Zhushan Station] are 9:00, 11:00, 13:00, and 15:00; return departures [Zhushan Station - Visitor Service Center Station / Zhaoping Station] are 9:30, 11:30, 13:30, 15:30, and 16:30. There is also a daily [Zhushan Stargazing Line] departing at 19:00 (reservation required and subject to weather conditions), as well as a [Zhushan Sunrise Line]. Customer service hotline: 0800-263-520 or contact via the “Alishan Sightseeing Shuttle” Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/alishanebus/. [Public transport] Alishan Forest Railway: The Alishan main line runs from Chiayi Station to Alishan Station. Branch lines within the Alishan Forest Recreation Area include the Zhushan Line, Zhaoping Line, and Sacred Tree Line. For ticket booking and timetables, please check the Alishan Forest Railway online reservation system: https://afrts.forest.gov.tw/TP01_1.aspx or call Beimen Station at 05-2768094 or Alishan Station at 05-2679200. [Public transport] HSR transfer: You can transfer from the high-speed rail to Taiwan Tourist Shuttle or an Alishan cruise bus for the mountain journey. Ticket booking website: https://reurl.cc/aMY244

Highlights

Alishan National Forest Recreation Area is located in Alishan Township, Chiayi County, at an elevation of about 2,216 meters. Surrounded by high mountains and blessed with a cool climate, it is one of Taiwan’s most representative high-mountain forest destinations. The park is famous for its “five wonders”: the forest train, sacred trees, sea of clouds, sunrise, and sunset glow, creating a unique landscape where mountain mist, giant-tree forests, and railway culture intertwine. Once one of Taiwan’s most important cypress logging areas, it now preserves giant red cypress boardwalks where visitors can experience the solemn beauty and long history of these ancient trees. It is also an international-class destination for viewing mountain sunrises, sea of clouds, and sunset glow; the Zhushan sunrise, rolling cloud seas, and changing evening skies make it a pilgrimage site for photography and sightseeing enthusiasts. Alishan is also an important gateway to Taiwan’s mist forest ecology, with rich plant and wildlife diversity including rare ferns, Taiwan phalaenopsis, Taiwanese macaques, and mikado pheasants, making it ideal for families and nature lovers. With the Alishan Forest Railway, displays of old trains, and Tsou indigenous cultural elements, visitors can enjoy both nature and history while exploring the mountains.

What to See

1. Forest Train and Alishan Forest Railway: The Alishan Forest Railway is one of the world’s most famous high-mountain scenic forest railways. Visitors can board the forest train at Chiayi Station and ride up the mountain through forests, ridges, and misty scenery, making it one of the classic ways to experience Alishan. The park also has an old train display area that showcases the heritage of the railway. 2. Giant Tree Boardwalks and the Second-Generation Sacred Tree: The park preserves first- and second-phase giant tree boardwalks, lined with nearly forty Taiwan red cypress giants. Visitors can walk among these ancient trees and feel their grandeur and sacred atmosphere up close. The original famous Alishan sacred tree was struck by lightning and later fell; it is now left lying in place for visitors to pay respects. The voted second-generation “Alishan Xianglin Sacred Tree” became the new landmark sacred tree. It stands about 45 meters tall with a trunk girth of about 12.3 meters and is a must-see giant tree in Alishan. 3. Sisters Ponds: Sisters Ponds consists of two high-mountain lakes, one larger and one smaller, both surrounded by forest year-round. The area is quiet and serene, often veiled in mist, creating an ethereal and dreamlike atmosphere. It is one of the park’s most iconic natural attractions and walking routes. 4. Sunrise, Sea of Clouds, and Sunset Glow: Alishan is famous for its spectacular sunrise and sea of clouds, especially around Zhushan, a classic viewing point for sunrise where visitors can watch the shifting gradients of light and mountain silhouettes. When weather and season allow, clouds surge through the valleys, and sunset paints the peaks in gold and red, forming the essence of Alishan’s five wonders. 5. Forest Trails and Mist Forest Ecology: The park has many forest trails of varying difficulty that wind through the Alishan five trees: red cypress, Taiwan cypress, hemlock, and Chinese pine, among others. Along the way, visitors can see layered forest ecology that mixes tropical, subtropical, and temperate vegetation. Rare species such as delicate ferns, Lycopodium somae, Alishan mahonia, and Taiwan phalaenopsis may be found along the trails, along with wildlife such as Taiwanese macaques, mikado pheasants, white-whiskered laughingthrushes, Alishan robins, and Alishan salamanders. 6. Cherry Blossoms, Rhododendrons, and Seasonal Flowers: From mid-March to mid-April, Alishan’s cherry blossom season is at its peak, with Yoshino cherries, double-flowered cherries, and mountain cherries blooming in succession and covering the mountains in pink and white. This is paired with the forest railway for a classic scenic experience. In spring, visitors can also see species such as Morii rhododendron, ericaceous flowers, and foxgloves, making it ideal for leisurely flower-viewing walks. 7. Shouzhen Temple and Ciyun Temple: Shouzhen Temple and the century-old Ciyun Temple are important religious and cultural sites in the park. Nestled among the mountains and forests, these temples combine wooden architecture with ancient trees and are ideal places for experiencing local faith, offering prayers, and enjoying a quiet walk. 8. Forestry Heritage Sites and Museum Spaces: Alishan was once a vast logging area from 1912 to 1960, and the park preserves related forestry heritage sites and exhibition spaces that explain the history of cypress development, railway construction, and nature conservation. It is suitable for travelers who want to learn more about Alishan’s past and transformation. 9. Tsou Culture and Surrounding Tea Plantation Scenery: The Alishan area is traditional territory of the Tsou indigenous people. Local stories, tribal culture, and singing and dancing traditions add rich cultural depth to the mountain scenery. The surrounding high-mountain tea plantations are also widely known; layered tea fields flowing into the mist make a favorite subject for photographers.

Hours & Admission

Parking: Small car: NT$100, including large heavy motorcycles. Motorcycle: NT$20.

Address

No. 59, Zhongzheng Village, Alishan Township, Chiayi County 605 Tel: (05)2679715, (05)2679917

Travel Tips

1. Best seasons and weather preparation: Alishan can be visited year-round, but the high-altitude climate is cool. Even in summer, mornings and evenings can be cold, so bring a warm jacket and windproof clothing in all seasons. March to April is the peak cherry blossom and spring flower season; April to June is a good time for firefly-related activities; and November to January is suitable for viewing maples and high-mountain cloud seas. Early morning and dusk are the best times for sea of clouds, sunrise, and sunset glow. 2. Transportation and access advice: You can take the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Alishan route bus from Chiayi HSR Station or Chiayi TRA Station directly to Alishan Transfer Station, then walk or transfer to park shuttles and the forest train. If driving, most visitors take National Highway 3 or National Highway 1 and connect to Provincial Highway 18 (Alishan Highway) up the mountain. The road has many curves, so allow extra travel time and drive safely. Parking for passenger cars inside the park is limited, and during holidays or peak periods you may need to park along the road outside the park and walk in. 3. Altitude and physical exertion: The park sits above 2,000 meters. Some visitors may experience mild altitude discomfort such as dizziness or shortness of breath. It is best to slow down, drink plenty of water, and avoid trying too many stairs or difficult trails at once. When planning your route, start with gentler trails and attractions such as the Giant Tree Trail, Sisters Ponds, and the old train display area, then extend to other routes according to your stamina. 4. Sunrise and sea of clouds viewing advice: If you plan to watch the Zhushan sunrise, check the local sunrise time and shuttle or train schedule in advance, and allow enough time for the ascent and walking. Mountain temperatures are low in the early morning and wind can be strong, so bring warm clothing, a hat, and gloves. On cloudy or rainy days, the full sunrise may not be visible, but sea of clouds and light effects between the clouds can still be impressive. 5. Gear and clothing: Most park paths are forest trails and wooden boardwalks, so wear non-slip walking shoes or hiking shoes. Bring a light raincoat or umbrella for changeable mountain weather. When the sun is strong, pack a sun hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses. A water bottle and light snacks are also helpful for maintaining energy. 6. Conservation and safety: Alishan has valuable native forests and protected flora and fauna, so do not pick plants, feed wildlife, or leave marked trails in order to protect the ecosystem. When fog is thick or the ground is wet, slow down on wooden boardwalks and watch your step on stairs and handrails. If thunderstorms or strong winds occur, avoid staying beneath tall trees. 7. Accommodation and recommended length of stay: It is generally recommended to reserve at least one full day so you can explore some trails at a relaxed pace and enjoy sunset or sea of clouds. If you want to see sunrise, sea of clouds, and stars, and also visit multiple trails and nearby attractions in depth, consider staying one to two nights to reduce fatigue from travel. There are many accommodation options in and around Alishan, allowing flexible planning based on budget and itinerary.

FAQ

Q: How many days should I plan for Alishan National Forest Recreation Area? A: If you only want to experience the forest train, sacred tree area, Sisters Ponds, and other main sights, a one-day trip or same-day return is enough. If you want to enjoy the Zhushan sunrise, sea of clouds, and sunset glow while leisurely visiting multiple trails and nearby cultural attractions, one to two days is more comfortable. Q: What is the best season to visit Alishan? A: Alishan has something special in every season. March to April offers cherry blossoms and spring flowers; April to June can include firefly viewing in some areas; November to January is ideal for maples and cloud seas, and is a favorite period for photographers and mountain scenery lovers. Summer is also a good time for escaping the heat and for family outings because of the cool high-altitude climate. Q: Can I get to Alishan National Forest Recreation Area without driving? A: Yes. Travelers can take the high-speed rail to Chiayi HSR Station or the TRA to Chiayi Station, then transfer to the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Alishan route bus or Chiayi County Bus to reach Alishan Transfer Station, and then walk or transfer to park shuttles and the forest train. This is very convenient for independent travelers. Q: What clothing and gear should I prepare for Alishan? A: Because Alishan is high in elevation and temperatures vary greatly between morning and evening, it is recommended to bring a warm jacket and windproof clothing year-round, and to wear comfortable non-slip shoes for forest trails and wooden boardwalks. Since mountain weather changes quickly, bring light rain gear, a hat, sunscreen, a water bottle, and some snacks to help with energy use during the trip.

Map

More Info

• Official Website