Alishan National Forest Recreation Area in central Taiwan is about 2 hours' drive from Taichung and 4½ hours' drive from Taipei. Taichung is on the way from Taipei to Alishan. Either Taipei or Taichung is usually the starting point for most visitors to Alishan. Along the way, there are scenic tea farms and the famous Fenqihu Village, known for its railroad lunch boxes. You could stop over at these spots.
Facts
- Chinese name: 阿里山国家森林游乐区
- Open: all day
- Size: 1,400 hectares, at an altitude of 2,000 meters (6,562 feet)
- Ticket: full fare ticket: $300, half fare ticket: $150
- Location: Alishan Township, Chiayi County, Taiwan
- Best times: March–June, October–November
Top Things to Do in Alishan
Alishan National Forest Recreation Area is divided into three main sections: Shenmu, Zhaoping, and Zhushan. These areas could be accessed via electric bus or mini-train.
To protect the environment, cars are prohibited on the mountain, with parking confined to the Visitor Center. Thus, your transportation within the mountainous area is limited to the mini-train, electric bus, or walking. Alishan Station near the Visitor Center is the transportation hub in the park. It is the starting point for all the mini-trains.
If you visit Alishan from March to April, you could enjoy cherry blossoms. Alishan is one of the most famous viewing spots for cherry blossoms in Taiwan. Head to the Cherry Blossom Railway Trail and Plum Garden, and snap a picture of the vintage red Alishan Train surrounded by cherry blossoms — it's Instagram gold!
Cherry blossoms in AlishanWe highly recommend spending a night in Alishan to catch a sunrise, sunset, and starry sky.
Day 1
Arrive in Alishan by noon from Taipei or Taichung. Take the mini-train from Alishan Station to Zhaoping Station, then experience a 1.6-kilometer (1 mile) walking tour to Shenmu Station. Admire the dense forests, giant trees, and a beautiful lake. Watch the sunset at dusk and stargaze or watch fireflies at night.
Walkway in the woodsThe sunset could be caught from various spots, sometimes even from your hotel's top floor. One of the best choices is Ciyun Temple Scenery, just a 20-minute walk from Shenmu Station, and you're set to witness an awe-inspiring sunset over a sea of clouds.
Stunning sunset in AlishanStargazing and firefly watching are both arranged in the scenic area. Sign-ups are available at the Visitor Center up to 2 hours before departure, which is also the meeting point for the start of the journey. Stargazing starts at 7pm and firefly watching starts at 8:30pm, both returning at about 9pm. The two activities have conflicting schedules, so you could only choose one of them. The firefly tour is only available from April to June.
- Independent night tours are not recommended as the paths are dark and difficult to navigate.
- The Milky Way is visible in summer, but stargazing is best in fall and winter (October–December).
- Both the firefly and stargazing are guided tours led by Mandarin-speaking guides. If you need an English-speaking guide, we could arrange private tours for you.
Day 2
Watch the sunrise at Zhushan. After breakfast and catching up on some sleep, you could choose to depart for Tainan (a 2-hour drive) or return to Taipei.
To catch the sunrise, head to Xiaoliyuanshan Lookout for an expansive view. Take the 30-minute scenic train (Zhushan Line) from Alishan Station to Zhushan Station, followed by a 15-minute walk to the lookout. If you prefer not to walk the extra distance, you could still enjoy the sunrise around Zhushan Station.
Beautiful morning sunrise, dramatic cloud of sea in AlishanWhere to Stay in Alishan
If you're planning a 2-day trip to Alishan, we suggest you stay within the recreation area.
The hotels in the area are all situated near the Visitor Center and close to Alishan Station. Consider booking your stay within the area for easy access to restaurants and transportation. Top picks include Alishan Hotel, Alishan Shermuh Hotel, Dengshan Hotel, and Wankou Hotel, and there are also some boutique hotels to choose from. Still not sure what to choose? We're here to help. Make sure to book ahead as accommodation in Alishan could get quite busy, especially during the cherry blossom season from March to April.
Even without accommodation inside the area, staying outside is a viable option. Alishan tickets are valid for 24 hours, so there's no need to buy a new one if you leave for the night. Options abound outside, from lodging in the nearby Fenqihu Village to various tea gardens and farms.
The Best Times to Visit Alishan
The best times to visit Alishan are March to June (spring to early summer) and October to November (autumn).
- Spring (March to May, 5–16℃/41–61℉): This is the most popular season in Alishan, with pink cherry blossoms creating a dreamy landscape across the mountains.
- In April to June (7–17℃/45–63℉), the mountain comes alive at night with glowing fireflies, shining with the stars.
- In October to November (5–16℃/41–61℉), the forests turn into a vibrant palette of gold and fiery red, offering an amazing contrast against the cascading sea of clouds.
The mountain is cool in summer (June to August, 10–18°C/50–64℉). Although this season provides the best chances to witness the sea of clouds and the Milky Way, it often rains a lot. Therefore, we don't usually recommend this period.
Alishan has cold winters (December to February, 1–12°C/34–54℉) but snow is generally rare. This time of year is great for viewing red maples and white magnolias.
Alishan's year-round cool climate (1–18°C/34–64℉) makes it an all-season destination. However, the mountain weather could be unpredictable and often foggy, which could impact your sightseeing experience.
Walking through the foggy Alishan forestVisiting Taiwan with China Highlights
Reach out to us for a personalized Taiwan tour. If you're drawn to exploring Taiwan or any of these locations and need assistance with hotel reservations or tour bookings, contact us for help.