The active night markets, colorful temples and neon streets of Taiwan’s cities are obviously popular with tourists, but on the adventure outside of the city’s sprawl you will find remarkable natural landscapes from tropical beaches to alpine lakes and swelling mountains. For those seeking peaceful locations and quiet locations in the world away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Mount Airy’s country is not visible.
The area is famous for its towering peaks, thousands of forests, idyllic tea gardens and bamboo forests, dominated by Mount Arison, the heart of Taiwan. Alishan is also home to the country’s largest Yoshino Cherry Blossoms area, so it’s no surprise that the most popular visits are from mid-March to April, when it’s in full bloom.
Although your impression is that you are in the middle of the wilderness, Alishan is surprisingly easy to obtain. You can drive or take the bus, but for a more unique experience, jump on the Heritage Arison Forest Railway. It passes through the lush forests of ancient cedars and Cypress, through charming small villages. The entire line reopened after some parts of the route were closed due to damage from 2009 Typhoon Morakot.
The main function of the railway was originally opened as a logging line in 1912, and was to transport timber to the port. The railway was already popular with tourists from Alishan in the 1930s, so in the case of banning logging in 1982 and opening of the Alishan Highway meant that the railway lost its initial use, but the line still attracted tourists.
The narrow railway departs from the coastal city of Chiayi, which is also the last stop to retreat. There are multiple regular trains every day, and it is easy to get from Taipei to Taipei.
The final destination is Alishan, a mountain resort with a handful of hotels, restaurants and shops. There are many trails and walking routes around the area, including the Pond Trail, which is one of the main attractions in the area. Starting from Zhaoping Station, the trail passes through a misty forest filled with huge trees, and in two beautiful ponds, a water-filled pagoda invites you to relax and breathe. The trail ends at Shouzhen Temple, from where you can continue onto the Giant Tree Trail. After these huge Holmes Red Cypress trees, some of them have been more than 2,000 years old, which is frustrating.
The original landscape stands out directly from fairy tales, and due to the lack of sound pollution, the only thing you hear when you wander through nature is the sound of birds singing. Feeling a world far away from Taiwan’s bustling city.
If you are oppressed, it is possible for a day trip, but there is plenty to see that is worth exploring for a few days and spending time in other towns and villages in the area. If you stay overnight, wake up early the next morning and take the Alishan Sunrise train. From Alishan Station and a half hour to Zhushan Station, you can capture the sunrise from the observation deck. (Purchase tickets online in advance as the trains are sold out.) Watch the breathtaking form of clouds in the valley below, home to Taiwan’s highest peak, Yushan Mountain, at a peak of 12,965 feet as the sun rises from behind the Yushan Mountains.
Fenqihu, a small town halfway along the line, was once a regular stop for railway employees to enjoy lunch and is still a highly censored destination today. The lunch boxes that once fueled workers have become an attraction in themselves. Many places serve them, but two of them are the Rail Mountain City Nostalgia Railway Bento (on Google Maps) and the Fenchihu Hotel. Overnight, you will have more time to explore the specialty stores on the Old Street, learn about the locomotives at 1912 Loco Shed, and hike along the bamboo forest on the Fenqi Trail, Cedar Boardwalk Trail and Fenrui Historic Trail.
The picturesque village of Shizhuo is only a 10-minute drive from Fenqihu. It is still far from tourist trails and is ideal for relaxing vacations. There are some homestays on the slope above the village, enjoying the stunning views of the farm and hills, especially when the mist is shrouded in dawn and dusk.
Taiwan’s famous Alishan High Mountain Tea is grown in Shizhuo, covering the surrounding hills and fluctuating tea fields. Passing through Shizhuo’s tea station, absorbing fresh rural air, provides much-needed breathing from Taiwan’s buzzing city. The hiking trail network connects various farms such as the Fog Trail, Sunset Trail, Cloud Trail, Sakura Trail and Tea Trail.
Tea lovers should pop up the award-winning Linyuan Tea Factory, where the owners will take you to taste and explain how to handle the various teas. Growing at an altitude of 3280 feet to 5,249 feet, Alishan High Mountain Tea is known for its flower aroma and complex flavors thanks to the height, climate and soil it grows. If you are a big tea person, this is a unique opportunity to learn from Taiwan’s most popular blends and even buy some to take home.
I saw a car in Taiwan Stabilized growth Foreign tourists arrive. Generally, it is easy to travel to citizens of the United States, Canada and most European countries without a visa for up to 90 days. Direct flights between Europe and Taipei start from Frankfurt, London, Paris, Vienna, Brussels, Prague and other cities, while popular direct routes flying from the United States are from New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. New direct routes from Dallas and Phoenix will begin next year.
Taiwan is a relatively small country, but it is full of natural beauty and spacious panoramic views. If you want to experience something different from a Taiwanese city, make a few days’ schedule in Alishan. Worth a visit.
