The Alishan Forest Railway is one of the three major mountain-climbing railways in the world today. The train departs from Chiayi City. Along the way, you can observe the changes of three completely different plant species in tropical, temperate and frigid zones. To experience the charm of the Alishan forest train, first buy a ticket at Chiayi Railway Station and depart. The train moves forward and reaches Mukiaoliao Station.
This station does not stop. However, the tropical landscape is extremely beautiful. The train continues to move forward. About half an hour later, it reaches Duli Mountain. The railway circles around Duli Mountain three times, twice clockwise and once counterclockwise, and then leaves in a figure-eight shape. This is the famous ‘circling and climbing’. The train moves forward. After passing Liyuanliao Station, it arrives at Jiaoliping Station. The tea gardens and fragrant mountain cherry blossoms near Jiaoliping Station are very beautiful. Continuing forward and after passing Shuishuoliao Station, you can reach Fenqihu Station, a relatively large station along the Alishan Forest Railway. When the train continues to drive from Fenqihu Station to Alishan, it will be limited by the terrain and unable to continue climbing forward. So the train travels in reverse on another slope and climbs back and forth in a Z-shape, sometimes moving forward and sometimes backward. This is the famous ‘Alishan train hitting the wall’. After the train arrives at Alishan, there are three sightseeing routes for tourists to choose, namely Zhushan Line, Shenmu Line, and Mianyue Stone Monkey Line. Tourists can go to Zhushan to watch the sunrise, play in the stone monkey rest area, and breathe fresh air in the forest oxygen bar of Shenmu Line.Opening hours: Open all year round from 08:00 to 18:00.
Must-see tips: 1. The more suitable season for watching the sunrise at Zhushan is between November and December. The positions and times are different in four seasons, and the appearances are also different. 2. There will be severe weather such as typhoons in the Alishan area from June to August. During this period, it is recommended not to take the Alishan small train. 3. From the beginning of each year to April, various cherry blossoms, peach blossoms, and plum blossoms compete to bloom. If you take the Alishan Forest Railway at this time, you will have a very pleasant experience.
