Alishan National Scenic Area covers the mountains east of Chiayi, from tea-growing villages to the high forests around the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area (about 2,200 m). It’s famous for misty cypress forests, sunrise over a sea of clouds, high-mountain oolong tea and the narrow-gauge Alishan Forest Railway.
Good news for train fans: the full main line from Chiayi to Alishan reopened in July 2024 after 15 years of partial service caused by typhoon damage, so you can again ride all the way up from the plains.
Plan your visit to Alishan National Scenic Area
- Recreation area: about TWD 300
- Trains from Chiayi around 09:00 and 10:00
- Time needed: 1–2 days
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History of Alishan National Scenic Area
The Alishan area is the homeland of the Tsou Indigenous people, who still live in villages such as Dabang and Leye. During Japanese rule the forests were logged for their giant cypress, and the Alishan Forest Railway was built to carry the timber, opening in stages from 1912. After logging ended, the railway and forest became a tourist destination. The area was declared a National Scenic Area in 2001. Typhoon Morakot in 2009 badly damaged the railway, and the main line only reopened in full in July 2024.
Attractions at Alishan National Scenic Area
- Alishan Forest Railway: a 71.6 km narrow-gauge line climbing from Chiayi (30 m) to Alishan, with spirals and switchbacks; branch lines run to Zhushan, Shenmu and Mianyue.
- Giant Tree Trail: boardwalks through ancient red cypress trees, some estimated at over 2,000 years old.
- Sister Ponds: two small ponds in the forest, linked to a Tsou legend.
- Zhushan sunrise: the classic sunrise and sea-of-clouds viewpoint, reached by an early train or on foot.
- Shouzhen Temple and Ciyun Temple: temples within the recreation area.
- Hinoki Village and North Gate Station: railway heritage at the Chiayi end of the line.
Things to Do at Alishan National Scenic Area
- Ride the forest railway from Chiayi or take the short branch lines at the top.
- Catch the sunrise at Zhushan, with the early-morning train.
- Walk the forest trails between the Sacred Tree, Giant Tree Trail and Sister Ponds.
- Taste Alishan oolong at tea farms around Shizhuo and Fenqihu.
- Stop at Fenqihu, a railway village known for its lunchboxes and old street.
- See the cherry blossoms in spring (usually March to April).
Alishan National Scenic Area – Entry Eligibility and Open Timings
The scenic area itself is open to all, but the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area charges an admission fee (about TWD 300 for adults; check the official site for concessions). The trails are open in daylight, and sunrise trips start before dawn. Forest Railway tickets sell out fast at weekends and holidays, so book ahead online on the official Alishan Forest Railway site or with a reseller.
Tickets and tours
- Forest Railway main line (with park admission): on Klook
- Recreation area admission (optional shuttle and bento): on Klook
- Alishan day tour from Chiayi, Taichung or Kaohsiung: on Klook
Some links in this guide are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
How Long to Spend at Alishan National Scenic Area
A long day trip from Chiayi is possible, but staying one night at Alishan lets you see the Zhushan sunrise and walk the forest trails without rushing.
How to Get There
- By forest railway: main-line trains leave Chiayi in the morning (currently around 09:00 and 10:00) and take about 3.5 hours to Alishan.
- By bus: Taiwan Tourist Shuttle buses run from Chiayi HSR and Chiayi railway stations to Alishan in about 2.5 hours.
- To Chiayi: Taiwan High Speed Rail from Taipei takes about 1.5 hours; the HSR station is outside the city, with shuttle buses to the centre.
- By tour: day tours run from Chiayi, Taichung and Kaohsiung.
Arriving at Taoyuan Airport? Book a fixed-price airport transfer to your Taipei hotel, then take the high-speed train to Chiayi.
Eateries Nearby Alishan National Scenic Area
The recreation area has a village with restaurants, convenience stores and hotel dining near Alishan Station. Fenqihu is known for its railway bento lunchboxes. In Chiayi City, try turkey rice (huoji fan), the local speciality.
Other Attractions Nearby Alishan National Scenic Area
- Hinoki Village: restored Japanese-era timber houses in Chiayi.
- North Gate Station: a historic cypress station on the forest railway.
- Fenqihu: an old railway village halfway up the line.
- Shizhuo tea area: tea farms and walking trails on the road to Alishan.
Before your trip
- Find hotels in Chiayi and Alishan: stay at Alishan for the sunrise, or in Chiayi before an early train.
- Get a Taiwan eSIM on Klook before you land (unlimited data, Chunghwa Telecom network).
Alishan National Scenic Area is Taiwan’s classic mountain escape, with cypress forests, tea farms and sunrise over the clouds. Since July 2024 the Alishan Forest Railway runs all the way from Chiayi again, so book tickets early.
Start or end your trip in Chiayi at North Gate Station and Hinoki Village.
