Alishan - Chiayi County, Taiwan
I had hoped for clear skies at sunrise, but when I woke at 4 AM to check, it was cloudy. I went back to sleep until 8 AM, then grabbed breakfast and set out for a few hours of hiking before leaving Alishan for Sun Moon Lake.
I began on the Zhushan Sunrise Trail, heading toward the decommissioned Duigaoyue Station, which offers a stunning mountain viewpoint. From there, I continued to Zhushan Station—Taiwan’s highest train station at 2,451 m. The platform here is a popular sunrise spot, and I even spotted a few wild monkeys nearby.
Next, I hiked to the Xiaoliyuanshan Lookout, where a surprised worker mentioned that most visitors take the train rather than walk up from the visitor centre. I then descended via the Shuishan Trail to see a 2,700-year-old cypress tree. The trail was well maintained, and the ancient tree was truly impressive. Since the connecting trail to the village was closed, I took a longer route back.
I reached the bus depot around 12:15, had a light lunch, and caught the bus to Sun Moon Lake. Although the sunrise didn’t work out, I still had an amazing time and definitely want to return for the full sunrise experience that Alishan is famous for.
Background
Alishan (阿里山) is one of Taiwan’s most celebrated mountain regions, located in Chiayi County at an elevation of around 2,200 m. The area forms part of the Alishan National Scenic Area and is renowned for its ancient cypress forests, high-altitude tea plantations, and the historic Alishan Forest Railway—originally built during the Japanese colonial era to transport timber.
Today, Alishan is famous for its “Five Wonders”: the sunrise, sea of clouds, forest railway, sacred trees, and cherry blossoms. These natural and cultural highlights make it a year-round destination for both domestic and international travellers seeking Taiwan’s highland beauty.
Getting There
You can reach Alishan from Chiayi City, the main access point. The most scenic option is the Alishan Forest Railway, which takes about 2.5 hours from Chiayi Station and winds through lush mountain forests. However, service may be affected by weather or maintenance, so it’s best to check the schedule beforehand.
For a faster and more direct route, buses run from both Chiayi Station and Chiayi High-Speed Rail (HSR) Station to Alishan. The trip takes roughly 2.5 hours, with stops at Fenqihu and the Alishan Visitor Centre. It’s a good idea to reserve in advance, especially during weekends or cherry blossom season.
Route Overview
Distance: 13.85 km out & back (Alishan Visitor Centre)
Total elevation gain: 458 m
Duration: 3 hr 1 min (with breaks 3 hr 4 min)
Difficulty: Intermediate
Peak: Chushan Station 祝山車站 2451m
Cost Breakdown
Food: NT$98
