The Five Wonders of Alishan: Forest Railway, Sacred Trees, Sea of Clouds, Sunrise, and Sunset. How many of these have you experienced? Add to this the stunning cherry blossoms and wisteria blooms in March and April, and you’ll find that Alishan offers different breathtaking scenery all year round. Before planning a trip, it’s important to know what you want to see and do in Alishan so you can better plan your schedule and destinations. In this article, I’ll introduce the highlights of Alishan, suggest scenic routes, and provide information on nearby attractions, food, and parking, along with everything you need to know to make the most of your trip.
Alishan’s beauty varies through all four seasons, so take your time to soak in its charm. When you visit, slow down and enjoy the natural setting of sacred trees and the refreshing phytoncides. For first-time visitors, I recommend heading straight to the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area. With well-maintained forest trails, electric shuttle buses, mini trains, hotels, restaurants, and convenience stores, it’s ideal for a 2-day trip.
During peak cherry blossom season, non-overnight visitors are generally not allowed to drive into the park and must park outside and take a shuttle bus. The park is vast, so plan to spend at least half a day exploring. Most people stay overnight, spending the first day visiting the park and the second day watching the sunrise.
The park can be divided into two main areas:
Visitor center: parking lots, hotels, Alishan train station, bus stops, convenience stores, restaurants, and the post office.
Sacred Tree and Cherry Blossom area: attractions such as the sacred trees and cherry blossom views.
Essential Items to Bring
Warm Coat (recommended for sunrise viewing, regardless of the season)
Thermal Underwear, Hand Warmers, Hot Water Bottle, Raincoat, Scarf, Hat, Gloves.
Suggested Touring Routes
Full Route (3–5 hours): Take the shuttle bus from visitor center to Zhaoping Station → Eco-Education Center → Zhaoping Park → Sister Ponds → Magnolia Garden → Shouzhen Temple → Xianglin Bridge → King Cherry → Alishan House → Elephant Trunk Tree → Three-Generation Tree → Alishan Museum → Xianglin Sacred Tree → Ci Yun Temple → Tree Spirit Pagoda → Giant Tree Trail → Alishan Sacred Tree → Take the Forest Train back to Alishan Station from Sacred Station (神木車站).
Highlights Route (2–3 hours): Take the shuttle bus from visitor center to Xianglin Station → Shouzhen Temple → Xianglin Bridge → Elephant Trunk Tree → King Cherry → Return to Xianglin Station and take the shuttle bus back (or walk along the Forest Path).
The park is large, and while walking through it is possible, it can be exhausting. Use the electric shuttle buses or Forest Train to navigate. It’s recommended to take the bus to the scenic area and decide later whether to take the train, bus, or walk back. Tickets for the electric shuttle bus can be purchased next to the large parking lot near the visitor center, and the bus can take you to Zhaoping Station or Xianglin Station (Shouzhen Temple). If you have more time and energy, take the bus to Zhaoping Station and follow the full route from high to low points, making the walk easier.
Alishan National Forest Recreation Area Ticket
Alishan Tour Package: Popular Attractions + Souvenirs
Main Attractions
Alishan Police Station: Known for its two century-old Yoshino Cherry Trees in front, this is a popular spot for flower viewing and photography.
Zhaoping Park / Zhaoping Station: A must-see combination of cherry blossoms and the forest railway.
Sister Ponds: These ponds are incredibly clear and reflect the Acacia Pavilion, a favorite photo spot.
Giant Tree Trail: Includes Alishan Museum, Xianglin Sacred Tree, Ci Yun Temple, Tree Spirit Pagoda, Giant Tree Trail, and the Alishan Sacred Tree.
Three-Generation Tree and Elephant Trunk Tree: Located on the Cherry Blossom Path.
Shouzhen Temple (Xianglin Station): Near the cherry blossom area and the famed King Cherry.
Alishan House: A historical landmark.
Seven-Eleven Shenmu Branch: Taiwan’s highest-altitude 7-Eleven.
Alishan Post Office: A century-old post office and the highest post office in Taiwan, located at 2170 meters.
Sunrise Viewing at Alishan
Watching the sunrise by taking the forest train to Zhushan is a must-do experience in Alishan. The best season to view the sunrise is autumn (September to December), though sunrises can be seen year-round. Take the Zhushan Line train to one of the recommended sunrise viewing platforms: Zhushan Observation Platform, Xiaoguan Platform, or Duigao Peak.
Note: Be sure to purchase your train ticket for the Zhushan Sunrise Train at the Alishan Station (2F) between 13:00 and 16:00 the day before. You can also buy tickets at Chiayi Station, Beimen Station, or Fenqihu Station. If the weather is bad, tickets can be refunded at the station before the train departs.
Cherry Blossoms / Wisteria Season
Cherry Blossom: Best from mid-March to mid-April. During this time, Yoshino Cherry, Taiwanese Mountain Cherry, and Double Cherry trees bloom, creating a beautiful spring scene in the sacred tree forest. The best spots for cherry blossom viewing include Meiyuan, Alishan Police Station, Zhushan Trailhead, Zhaoping Station, and Zhaoping Park.
Wisteria: Blooms in March, right after the cherry blossoms. The hanging wisteria flowers, with their soft purple hues, offer a dreamy sight. The best viewing locations include Ci Yun Temple, Zhaoping Station, and Alishan Workshop.
Sea of Clouds and Sunset
Sea of Clouds: November to April. Alishan’s Sea of Clouds is one of Taiwan’s Eight Wonders. The best time to see it is between November and April, especially at Taiping Suspension Bridge, Er Yian Ping Trail, Xiaoguan Platform, and Ci Yun Viewing Terrace.
Sunset: Watching the sunset from Xiaoguan Platform or Erjian Mountain is a special experience, particularly with Yushan in view.
Car Rental with Driver for Chiayi – Alishan & Fenchi Lake (Departure from Chiayi)
Alishan Forest Railway 1-Day & Multi-Day Tour from Taichung
Chiayi: Alishan Mountain Discovery Journey from Kaohsiung
Transportation in the Park
Electric shuttle buses: Zhaoping Line (Blue) and Xianglin Line (Red). Tickets are affordable, and buses run year-round.
Forest Train: The small train that takes you within the park to locations like Zhushan Line (for sunrise), Shenmu Line, and Zhaoping Line.
How to get there?
Travel times for driving
From Taichung: around 4 hours to Alishan.
From Chiayi city: 2.5 hours.
From Fenqihu: around 50 minutes.
Public transportations
THSR (Taiwan High Speed Rail) + Bus
Take THSR to Chiayi Station then transfer shuttle bus to Alishan Station (Route A 7329, 7329A via Fenqihu, Cruise bus)
Shared City Transfer between Chiayi and Alishan
Cruise Bus between Chiayi and Alishan
[Taiwan PASS] High Speed Rail + MRT + Taiwan Tourist Shuttle (Buy 2 get 50% off)
TRA (Train) + Bus
Take TRA to Chiayi Station then transfer shuttle bus to Alishan Bus Station (7322, 7322C, 7322A via Fenqihu, 7322D via Fenqihu, Cruise bus)
Start from TRA Chiayi Station, take TRA to Fenqihu station then transfer 7322A or 7322D to Alishan Bus Station stop (The Climbing Train: One of only three mountain trains in the world, offering a thrilling ride from Chiayi City to Fenqihu (then by bus to Alishan).
** Chiayi THSR Station and Chiayi TRA Station are at the different places.
