2025 Alishan Township Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in April)

Let's go hiking at Fenqihu in Alishan! This time, we're challenging Datong Mountain, one of Taiwan's minor hundred peaks. We chose to start from the Dinghu parking lot, first passing by Guanyin Stone and a tea plantation. Against the backdrop of good weather, blooming cherry blossoms adorn the forest, making it quite beautiful. Our hiking destination is the triangular observation deck of Datong Mountain. The route is a loop, so we don't retrace our steps, taking about 2 hours. Since we start at an altitude of 1500 meters, combined with long and steep slopes, we were out of breath after just a few steps! Fortunately, the trail is filled with the phytoncides of cedar forests, the air is fresh, and the greenery is abundant. The trail conditions are good, and we adapted quickly. Since it was a Monday, there were very few hikers, allowing us to enjoy the observation deck under the blue sky without having to queue, and the view was fantastic! The trail down is mostly stairs, steep but in good condition. With good weather and dry paths, it was quite friendly to hike. Wandering between the cedar and bamboo forests was truly refreshing. The other side of the Datong Mountain trail leads to Duolin, another trail to Pilishan Mountain, with similar difficulty. If you have the stamina, you can give it a try.

Dinghu Natural Ecological Park, located halfway up Alishan in Chiayi, is right across from Fengjie Homestay. The park features a slope forest filled with cherry trees that bloom from late February to early March. Among these trees, four particularly large ones are named Sakura King, Sakura Queen, Sakura Princess, and Sakura Prince, showcasing their magnificent full bloom! The park boasts a variety of cherry blossom species, including Showa Sakura, Fuji Sakura, Somei Yoshino Sakura, and Kanhizakura. The colors range from pink, pinkish-white, crimson, to white with red hues. When in full bloom, the sight is nothing short of explosive! During the blooming weekends, local concerts are held, allowing visitors to enjoy performances and admire the cherry blossoms under a sea of pink flowers, creating an enchanting experience.

Alishan in Chiayi County has always been a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing, especially the cherry blossom king in the national park, which is breathtaking when in full bloom, but also very crowded. This time, we skipped this popular spot and went to two lesser-known secret spots for cherry blossom viewing. ✓ Shizhuo Cherry Blossom Trail Located between Shizhuo and Shizhuo, in addition to the Cherry Blossom Trail, there are also Cloud Trail, Tea Trail, Mist Trail, and Haze Trail. The Cherry Blossom Trail is only 130 meters long, planted with Showa cherry blossoms and mountain cherry blossoms. The blooming season is around late February. You can visit during the day to enjoy the flowers, and at night, it is also an excellent spot for viewing night cherry blossoms under the illuminated lights. ✓ Xiding Er Yanping Trail Enter from the 52.8k mark on Taiwan Route 18, passing through the gap between Xiding Mountain and Er Yanping Mountain. The trail offers excellent views, making it a great place to see the sea of clouds. Along the way, the tea fields and cherry blossoms are also major attractions. The mountain cherry blossoms in Er Yanping bloom earlier, around mid-February, making it a great place for a mountain hike and cherry blossom viewing, and to get some exercise.

My husband and I walked on the Alishan Trail. The air was so fresh and every breath was relaxing. We walked slowly along the wooden plank road. The trees around us were tall and dense, and the sunlight shone through the leaves, creating a beautiful scenery. Accompanied only by the singing of birds and the sound of wind along the way, we quietly felt the tranquility and beauty of nature. Such times are simple but make people happy. #Valentine's Day 2025

Alishan National Forest Recreation Area is famous for its five wonders: the forest railway, sacred trees, sea of clouds, sunrise, and sunset. It is the most well-known and popular forest recreation area in Taiwan. The Forest Railway Branch Line within the Alishan Forest Park includes the Zhushan Line, Zhaoping Line, and Shenmu Line. This time, we are going to experience the long-awaited small train ride. As the small train weaves through the misty forest, you can enjoy the layers of greenery and the healing charm of nature! Although the spectacular sunrise was absent due to thick clouds, the delicate scenery of the Alishan tea plantations and the cultural stories of the indigenous Tsou tribe are experiences not to be missed when visiting Alishan.

#1月好去地方2025 The Mianyue Line has been abandoned since the 88 Typhoon. Although there are no trains running on it, it has recently reopened to the public and has become one of the must-visit attractions for many outdoor enthusiasts who love adventure! The railway that goes into the deep forest is really mysterious and gives you a feeling of being far away from the hustle and bustle. However, please note that if you want to complete the entire journey, you will need to apply for an entry permit!

The healing Villa Secret Tour B&B is a very hidden B&B on Alishan Mountain. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery in the room. The living room has a large floor-to-ceiling glass and a large bathtub. The whole B&B is Japanese style. Hurry up and add it to your pocket list. Secret Tour B&B Address: No. 185-2, Neighborhood 7, Dabang Village, Alishan Township, Chiayi County #JuneGood Place 2024 #ChiayiAccommodation

Walking around the Shizhao Trails on the top of Alishan Mountain, you can enjoy the path of fog → tea → cloud → cherry blossom → glow. Enjoy the beauty of bamboo forests, glazed sea of ​​clouds, sunrise and sunset. After visiting Alishan that day, I rushed to the shooting point after dinner. It was already dark. There was a whole row of tripods + cameras + cars. I finally parked the car. All the good shooting spots were occupied. I changed three positions before I took a good photo. It is recommended to arrive before 5 pm. You can stroll through the misty tea garden wonderland and enjoy the sunset. Tips: 1. There is a temple at the foot of the mountain. You can use the toilet. 2. The bright spot next to the moon is said to be related to the astronomical anomaly of "earth and wood conjunction" on the winter solstice. (In the past, the moon was next to Venus in theory) 3. I brought a shutter cable but I haven't used it for several years. I feel lazy after opening it for 30 seconds... 4. It's so cold on the mountain. I don't know how people who shoot there for hours go to the toilet #Chiayi Scenic Spots Strolling in the Misty Tea Garden Wonderland

#Nature attractions Alishan National Park The red antique train of Alishan Forest Railway that runs through the lush forest With the cool weather all year round, it is a popular tourist destination. We started by taking the train from Alishan Station and got off at Zhaoping Station. We walked along the right and continued walking along the railway until we entered the thousand-year-old pine forest trail. It is a downward path, making it less tiring. There are stairs to make walking more convenient. The highlight of this route is the Two Sisters Pond. According to legend, two sisters fell in love with the same man and, not wanting any problems, jumped into the water to kill themselves. We stayed overnight in Alishan to see the magnificent view of the sunrise and the sea of ​​clouds at Zhushan Station. You can check the sunrise time at the hotel where we stayed. If you come once, you will want to come back again.

#Taiwan Attractions This time we introduce you to Jinglong Coffee Manor located in Alishan, Chiayi, it is located in the middle of Alishan in a place called gap top, there is close to Alishan Highway, very convenient transportation. According to the owner, his place from growing and baking to selling is a one-stop service, personally for the best quality, have the opportunity to try! Looking at such a beautiful scenery with mellow coffee is indeed very relaxing.

Alishan Railway Station sells train tickets to Zhushan. It is a beautiful wooden building with wooden decorative artworks. The air is filled with the fragrance of wood. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom this season. There is a super beautiful cherry tree in front of the railway station that attracts many tourists to stop and take pictures. 605 Alishan Township, Chiayi County #Chiayi #Alishan

#Alishan Yawmaya Trail There are bamboo forests on both sides of the trail Strolling in the bamboo forest, feeling the full of phytoncides All the fatigue is gone My sons love this place too.

"Alishan" is not a mountain, and "Fenqihu" has no lake! The Alishan that everyone is familiar with is actually a general term for a specific area (Alishan Township), so there is no mountain named "Alishan" in Taiwan. The nursery rhyme in childhood: "One, two, three, to Taiwan. There is an Alishan in Taiwan, and there is a sacred tree on Alishan..." is a beautiful misunderstanding. This trip to the "Alishan Forest Recreation Area" is located within the Alishan Township. In addition to the rich forest ecology, the most famous things about Alishan Forest Recreation Area are the "sunrise, sea of ​​clouds and sunset", which makes you feel like you are in a fairyland.

After the rain, I went up to the hotel's observation deck and happened to see the sunset with fiery clouds. It really is better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early. I went to Mt. Ogasawara to watch the stars instead of the sunrise. Unfortunately, the moon was high in the sky and I couldn't see the Milky Way at all. What's more, the lens was fogged up, which affected the image quality. It was really a pity. #The weather on the mountain changes so fast_In just one hour, it experienced sunny showers, fog and sunny #Alishan Forest Amusement Park

Address: 2nd floor, No. 2 Neighborhood Market, Alishan Township, Chiayi County, Taiwan 605 Atmosphere/Facilities: Relaxed, comfortable, with restroom, suitable for children Features: Folk-style restaurant surrounded by mountains, South African cuisine, barbecue Price per person: 1,000 yuan Laiji Tribe, an ancient settlement composed of Tsou people. The geographical location is 5 kilometers inside Fenqihu, Alishan! Close to Caoling and Meishan! Transportation guide suggestion: Although it is one of the Alishan tribes in Chiayi, it is not recommended to go up the mountain directly from Chiayi! This section of the mountain road is winding and rugged, and traffic jams are common at Fenchihu! It takes about 90 minutes to drive from Chiayi Renyi Lake to the restaurant! Passengers heading south are advised to exit National Highway 3 at Zhushan Interchange and take County Road 149A towards Caoling and Meishan. The route is straighter with fewer bends and the journey takes about 60 minutes! Consumer precautions⚠️ It is recommended to make an appointment by phone in advance (a must on holidays), and the temporary on-site waiting time will take about 60-90 minutes! Make a reservation at least two weeks in advance and check with the store about the reservation situation on the day to avoid a sudden increase in the number of people affecting the quality of the meal! The restaurant will reserve seats for you upon check-in. The location is remote, and it is difficult to control the road conditions and distance! The store usually has flexible reservation times, this time the reservation is for 12:30! We were 15 minutes late in finding the way and the signal reception was poor in the mountainous area! Unable to notify the delayed check-in immediately! When we arrived, we found that there was already a long queue for the seats! But customers with appointments are still allowed to pass through quickly! Please cherish and use this thoughtful service with caution! If you really can't arrive, be sure to call to cancel! Allow the store to seat guests as quickly as possible! Dining experience: 1. Hana Kitchen adopts the mode of ordering, paying first and then delivering the food! 2. No cash payment system or card swiping! There is no carrier for electronic invoices. 3. The menu is on the wall next to the counter. 4. You can order food in batches as table space is limited. The wooden plates are large in size, so to avoid crowding the table, it is recommended to order food in batches according to your dining habits and portion sizes! Since there were few people this time, we skipped the appetizers and desserts. The appetizer pumpkin soup is 150 yuan, and the main course grilled meat plate (small) is 400 yuan/pizza (Margherita) is 450 yuan. Drink (Laiji black tea) 240 yuan/pot. The pumpkin soup (150 yuan/bowl) is made with real ingredients and is thick and has a solid flavor. In addition to fresh cream, it also comes with homemade bread. Laiji black tea (240 yuan/pot) is different from the sweetness of traditional old-fashioned black tea! The black tea here has a low sugar content and tastes a bit bitter like cooked tea! The aroma and taste are not as gentle as Nantou’s specialties No. 18 (Red Jade) and No. 21 (Red Rhythm). Blended with a very light bergamot scent similar to English Earl Grey. Because it is especially suitable for eating with greasy foods such as barbecue and pizza! Neutralizes greasiness. Grilled meat plate (small) 400 yuan/portion Contains about two slices of sausage! About 250 grams of roast pork (I don't know if it's wild boar 🤗🤗), 2 portions of 1/4 steamed sweet potato, 2 slices of bread, side dishes (pickled onions, raw garlic slices, lettuce 🥬), seasoning (chili sauce, a little pepper and salt) You can ask the store to pay more for the side dishes if you need them! Please cherish food, avoid wasting it and take in moderation. The grilled sausages and pork are fatter, the ingredients are fresh and less fishy! The taste is just average and nothing amazing! It is not much different from the delicious roast pork and sausages that you often eat in tourist areas. The most surprising thing is the chili sauce that comes with the meal! The spiciness is average, the taste comes on quickly and lasts for a medium time. You will sweat quickly after eating it, so it is suitable for eating in mountainous areas to dispel cold and dampness. The unique aroma directly, simply and roughly adds points to meat products! Pair it with lettuce, garlic slices and onions to neutralize the greasiness! Combined into a new taste. In addition, the sesame oil, scallion and chili sauce on the bread counter is also good! The aroma of shallots is overwhelming! The spiciness is medium, and the characteristic is that it gets you addicted quickly! But the spiciness of this hot sauce comes and goes quickly! Perfect with starchy foods! Eat with rice or bread! Chili sauce is sold in all stores at an average price of 300 yuan per can! Three choices: chili sauce (he just wrote chili sauce, which is used on the barbecue plate), scallions with sesame oil (available in the self-service area in the middle), and dried fish (I didn’t try this)! I personally recommend it if you like spicy food! The chili sauce is the most distinctive, with a different aroma from the usual chili oil and a different peppery smell from the Ma Gao chili sauce! Tastes good but can't really describe it! The store owner said that the ingredients were a secret recipe of the tribesmen and they didn’t even know it! Summary: mysterious good taste! Thin pizza (Margherita) 450 yuan/portion The price is similar to that of oven-baked pizza🍕! The size and portion are slightly larger. The amount of ketchup and cheese is generous. Ordinary and delicious, no special features! The portion is small! We made a second addition! The store recommends whether you should try Indian curry rice! I thought Hana’s main dishes were South African bread and Tsou barbecue! Don’t even consider Indian curry! The South African platter has too much starch, and each dish comes with bread🥯! I really don’t want to eat so many carbs! Just order a small grilled meat plate and a pot of homemade lemonade for NT$240. I don’t know if it’s because I added more food the second time, but the barbecue this time has a higher lean meat content! The greasiness was reduced, and I ordered more lettuce this time. It tasted completely different from the fatty barbecue dish I had the first time! The lemonade is sweet with mint leaves, refreshing and sweet! It is suitable for drinking after meals. If you are not full, you can pair it with dessert. Overall, I think the handmade bread and barbecue are the highlights of Hana Kitchen! Delicious but not amazing! On the contrary, the chili sauce performed more eye-catchingly. Address: 2nd floor, Second Neighborhood Market, Alishan Township, Chiayi County, Taiwan 605 Atmosphere/Facilities: Relaxed, comfortable, with restroom, suitable for children Features: Folk-style restaurant surrounded by mountains, South African cuisine, barbecue Comfortable dining environment, integrating exotic and Tsou cuisine. Although the food overlaps with the traditional tribal tourist rest area on the first floor, it is also unique. #Alishan #Laiji Tribe #South African Cuisine #Tsou Tribe Barbecue

Address: 2nd floor, Second Neighborhood Market, Alishan Township, Chiayi County 605 Atmosphere/Facilities: Kitchen in the mountains Features: Aboriginal restaurant Price per person: 500 Rating: 85

Chiayi Shibao Food-Ping An Kuai Chao Address: No. 21-10, Shizhui, Zhonghe Village, Zhuqi Township, Chiayi County 604 Atmosphere/Facilities: There are many artworks and pictures for diners to visit, which is very literary and artistic. Features: Affordable food, it is rare to find such an affordable restaurant in a mountainous scenic area, the owner is also very nice, and the food tastes good👍🏾 Price per person: 80up Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 #石棹 #Alishan #Chiayi #foodie #石棹吃 #Alishanfood #Chiayifood #Parent-Child Good Place #Winter Travel Notes #Outskirts of Good Place #Fried Rice #Beef Risotto #Fried Noodles #Quickly Fried Shop #familytravel

Alishan Shizhao Trail Group - Cherry Blossom Trail This is definitely the most beautiful trail in the Shizhao trail group. When the cherry blossom season comes, the entire trail is about 200 meters long. Full of cherry blossoms 🌸 Very beautiful 🥰 The lights will be turned on after 6pm. Enjoying flowers at night is even more special😍 You can complete other trail groups first. Come to Sakura-no-michi in the evening so you can enjoy two kinds of beautiful scenery👍🏾 But I can't find this place in Google Navigation. You must search for Dingshiqiao Tourist Service Station to find it. Address: FMHX+VC Zhuqi Township Chiayi County #HikingRouteRecommendation #Alishan #AlishanTrail #Shizhao #ShizhaoTrail #ChiayiAttractions #Chiayi #LocalTour #WinterTravel #GoodPlacesForParents #Parent-ChildTour #GoodPlacesForParents #Parent-ChildHikingDiary #GoodPlacesForParentsLazyPack #GoodPlacesForSuburbs

Alishan Shizhao Trail Group - Cloud Trail If you go up the mountain from the foggy road, This is the beginning of the downhill section. However, the ground is wet and slippery, so you still have to be extra careful when going down the mountain👍🏾 This trail is only about 800 meters long. The landscape along the way transformed into a Cryptomeria forest. After arriving at the exit, enter the industrial road. There are various types of beautiful flowers blooming along the road💕💕 Address: FPP4+FW Zhuqi Township Chiayi County #HikingRouteRecommendation #Alishan #AlishanTrail #Shizhao #ShizhaoTrail #ChiayiAttractions #Chiayi #LocalTour #WinterTravel #GoodPlacesForParents #Parent-ChildTour #GoodPlacesForParents #Parent-ChildHikingDiary #GoodPlacesForParentsLazyPack #GoodPlacesForSuburbs

Alishan Shizhao Trail Group - Tea Road There is no tea on the Tea Road, but you can enter the Mengzong Bamboo Garden. A large area of ​​towering bamboo forest is like entering a mysterious martial arts scene. It feels like you are looking for a martial arts master. This trail is only about 800 meters, but the slope rises sharply. Plus the whole route is stairs, so you still have to consider your physical strength. The commanding point of this trail happens to be the top of Leye Mountain and Pili Mountain. Address: FPH4+3F Alishan Township Chiayi County #Hiking route recommendation #Alishan #Alishan Trail #Shizhao #Shizhao Trail #Chiayi Attractions #Chiayi #Hiking route recommendation

Chiayi Alishan Experience-Xuanyun Tea Factory Come here to enjoy tasting high mountain tea. The owner of the B&B will also introduce the knowledge of high mountain tea in detail💕 Today we tasted Alishan tea and Alishan black tea. This black tea tastes very fragrant. There is an aroma of Assam black tea😍 This is a variety improved by using Jinxuan, Different from the Alishan tea you see on the market😊 Friends who come to Alishan, don't forget to come to Shizhao to taste tea 👍🏾 If you come here during the tea harvest season, You can also visit the tea factory and tea garden on the top floor😍 Address: No. 605, 114-1, Neighborhood 4, Alishan Township, Chiayi County #diyexperience #Alishan #Shizhao #Chiayiattractions #Chiayi #Teatasting #Teashop #Teamaking

After arriving in Chiayi and searching for nearby attractions🤣, I discovered that this sugar factory is very historically significant. It was built in 1906 and was the third largest factory in Taiwan during the Japanese colonial period. Later, due to typhoons causing flooding in the factory area and damage to equipment, the sugar production business was stopped. It has now been transformed into a leisure attraction, selling various ice creams and souvenirs. It is a good choice to come here to eat traditional ice cream, take pictures with the trains and tracks📷 #Chiayi Attractions #Chiayi Travel #Family Travel Recommendations #Sugar Factory #Train #Travel Inspiration #Romantic Trip #Family Travel #Attractions Photo Guide #Travel Cool Experience #Attractions Photo Guide

#Tea Garden #Relax #Good Air

I miss the red train on Alishan in Taichung very much, because it is a unique means of transportation that every visiting tourist must take. It runs through many beautiful scenic spots in the Shenmu Forest. When you are in the carriage, you feel like you have gone back to 30 or 40 years ago, just like when I was a child, riding on a steam train. #I miss the most #Overseas travel #Taichung attractions #Alishan train #Steam train #Train #Red car #Mountain climbing #Alishan #taiwan

Alishan is one of the five major mountain ranges in Taiwan. Alishan is not just one mountain. There is no mountain called Alishan. It is composed of 18 high mountains. The "Alishan Forest Recreation Area" is 2,216 meters above sea level. It is surrounded by high mountains and has a cool climate. The sunrise, sea of ​​clouds, sunset, forest, and mountaineering forest railway are listed as the five wonders of Alishan. It is rich in forest resources and is internationally famous for its cypress trees, which can be seen everywhere when walking in the forest. The five trees of Alishan are red cypress, Taiwan cypress, Taiwan fir, hemlock and Chinese pine. In addition to the sacred trees, Alishan also has many attractions worth seeing, such as the forest train, the ethereal Sisters Pond, the magnificent sea of ​​clouds, the beautiful Zhushan sunrise, Shouzhen Temple, and the century-old Ciyun Temple. They are well worth a visit. Alishan National Forest Recreation Area Address: No. 59, Zhongzheng Village, Alishan Township, Chiayi County Tel: (05) 267-9917 #Local Tour #Attractions #Chiayi #yonduo #activities

The Alishan Forest Railway, known as one of the three remaining mountain railways in the world, is also the only high-altitude forestry railway system still in operation in Taiwan. It was destroyed by Typhoon Morakot and was officially reopened from Chiayi to Fenchihu at the end of January 2014. I took the railway that year. #bucketlist

#Get a discount without relying on luck Come breathe fresh air in the middle of the valley at Alishan National Park in Chiayi County, central Taiwan. It is a national park that makes you feel happy hiking. It is very cold. People like to wait to see the sunrise and see the sea of ​​fog. We can choose to walk or take the park train to see each point. There is a 1,000-year-old pine forest path. We saw many ancient trees and rare plants. I like it very much. I am impressed. 📍Alishan 阿里山 605, Alishan Township, Chiayi County, Taiwan 🚈 How to get there: Take the High Speed ​​Rail (HSR) from Taipei to Chiayi. It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Exit the station at Exit 2 in Chiayi and take the bus from the HSR to Alishan. It takes about 2 hours. ⏰️Open 24 hours a day 💸Entrance fee: NT$300 (regular price); NT$150 (discount price)