For me, it was my first time visiting Alishan. On the way there, we made a stop at a temple with abundant cherry blossoms. Unfortunately, we didn't have much time in Alishan as it took us nearly three hours to drive from our home. We paid 500 NTD for entrance and arrived around noon. By 2 pm, it started getting darker and foggy, so we decided to head back. During our three-hour visit, we managed to see the cherry garden, Magnolia garden, and sister lakes. There was also a plum garden, but the trees were not in bloom. We didn't have enough time to explore other popular places, but we hope to stay overnight next time to catch the sunrise.
There were numerous cars parked around, and if we had parked outside the park, we would have had to walk 3-4 km. Instead, we entered the park and just stopped along one of the roads, like many other people did, as there were no available parking spaces. The weather was refreshingly cool. While Tainan was already reaching 30 degrees Celsius, Alishan was around 17-19 degrees at that time. We encountered many cherry blossom trees on the way, but it was challenging to find a suitable spot to stop and take pictures.
Alishan Forest Recreation Area
The Alishan Forest Recreation Area is located in Chiayi at an elevation of 2200 meters above sea level. The Alishan National Scenic Area was established in 2001. The annual temperature in this area is around 10 degrees Celsius, and it experiences abundant rainfall. Rainy weather occurs for approximately 210 days a year, while fog is present for about 245 days. This high humidity contributes to the unique forest climate and beautiful landscapes. Alishan is well-known for its stunning sunrise, sea of clouds, afterglow, forests, and mountain railway.
The mountains of Alishan are covered with forests. Below 800 meters, the hills are filled with tropical forests consisting of acacia and mulberry trees. Between 800 and 1000 meters, a warm climate prevails, dominated by eucalyptus and maple trees. From 1800 to 3000 meters, Taiwanese cypress and pine trees can be found. The area between 3000 and 3500 meters is covered with cold-forest trees, mainly Taiwanese fir.
The indigenous Tsou tribe inhabits Alishan. They have two prominent tribes, Tapango and Tfuya, each with their own leaders, cultivated fields, and cultural traditions. The Tsou people were pushed into the deep mountains when Han Chinese settlers arrived and established homes in the plains and grasslands of Chiayi. The Tsou Tribe resides at elevations ranging from 500 to 1300 meters above sea level, and one place where you can encounter Tsou people is Shanmei Village.
During the Japanese colonial period, Alishan became a logging site due to the demand for locally grown cypress wood. It was during this time that people began to appreciate the area's beauty and started traveling to Alishan. By 1970, logging activities had declined, and tourism became the main source of income for the locals. The railway, previously used for logging, transformed into a major tourist attraction.
Alishan Forest Railway
The Alishan Forest Railway, one of the two remaining forest railways in Taiwan, is still in operation. The other forest railway is located in the Taipingshan area. The Alishan Forest Railway was built in 1914 primarily for transporting wood from the Alishan Forest Farm. In 1963, the farm was closed, and passenger transport and sightseeing became the railway's main function.
Another attraction in Alishan is the lake, situated at an elevation of 1400 meters above sea level. Surrounded by mountains to the east, west, and north, the lake resembles a dragonfly in shape. It is located near Fenqihu Station, which was renowned for its old street, Banto, Shifang Bamboo, and the 16 scenes of Fengqi Lake. Fenqihu was the largest station, and the train would make longer stops here, contributing to the development of a railway lunch culture.
In 2010, Xiaoliyuanshan became a popular spot. From this lookout, you can see the three major mountains in Taiwan: the Central Mountain Range, Yushan Mountain, and Alishan Mountain. Xiaoliyuanshan sits at an elevation of 2500 meters, providing a view of the main peak of Yushan, which stands at 3952 meters high.
At an elevation of 750-1000 meters, you can explore the Fengshan Scenic Area. Fengshan still retains many traditional agricultural tools and facilities that have disappeared in the flatlands. This area offers various sightseeing trails featuring waterfalls and cherry blossoms. The Ruili Scenic Area, situated in Meishan Township at an elevation of 1000 meters, is rich in tea, bamboo shoots, betel nuts, plums, daylilies, and chestnuts. Visitors can enjoy waterfalls, cliffs, caves, and other attractions in this area.
