Alishan, Taiwan: travel guide
Cypress forests, a mountain railway and sunrise above the clouds
Alishan National Scenic Area sits at 2,216 m in Chiayi County, blanketed by ancient red cypress and cedar forests.
About Alishan
Alishan is a high mountain resort area in Chiayi County, covered in tall cypress forest and famed across Taiwan for its sunrises above a sea of clouds. It is an area rather than a town, with trails and viewing points around a small cluster of lodgings.
The narrow-gauge Alishan Forest Railway climbs through the forest, and short walks lead to old trees, small temples and tea terraces. The sunrise viewing is the highlight, and cherry blossom in spring is a popular draw.
Alishan suits walkers, photographers and those who enjoy cool mountain air. Spring and autumn are the best seasons, and warm layers are useful in any month.
- Country
- Taiwan
- Currency
- TWD
- Time zone
- Asia/Taipei
Last updated
Top places to visit in Alishan
Alishan Forest Railway
Activity · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Narrow-gauge railway (1912) climbing 2,216 m through 50 tunnels and 77 bridges. The Zhushan branch runs at dawn to the sunrise viewpoint.
Things to do
- Alishan Sunrise Forest Train & Walk Nature · 4.5 h · from TWD 450 per person
Day trips and tours
- Alishan Sunrise Forest Train Tour 18 h · from TWD 1,300
Where to stay in Alishan
Hotels
- Alishan House 3-star · TWD 3,000 to TWD 8,000 per night
Where to eat
- Alishan Forest Tea House taiwanese · about TWD 405 per person
Getting to Alishan
Nearest airport: Chiayi (CYI), about 42 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Taxi
- Train
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Overpriced Alishan shuttle taxis
Chiayi Train Station taxi rank
Unlicensed taxi drivers outside Chiayi Station offer "package deals" to Alishan at 3–5× the metered rate, claiming the forest railway is "closed today" to pressure tourists into their car.
How to avoid it: Book the Alishan Forest Railway in advance at railway.gov.tw. Confirm train status directly with the station. Use the TDX app for official bus schedules. Metered taxis to the forest railway start point are legitimate.