🌲☀️ Alishan National Forest Recreation Area: A Summer Escape into Taiwan’s Misty Mountains

#summervacay 📍 Why Visit in Summer? While Taiwan’s lowlands sizzle, Alishan stays cool (15-20°C) with its ancient cypress forests, sea of clouds, and sunrise views over Jade Mountain. Summer adds fireflies, tea harvests, and lush greenery—perfect for hiking and forest bathing. 🗓️ 2-Day Itinerary: Sunrises, Tea & Forest Trails Day 1: Arrival & Forest Immersion Morning: From Chiayi: Take the Alishan Forest Railway (2.5h scenic ride; book tickets 1+ month ahead). Check into a mountain hostel (e.g., Alishan House) or tea homestay. Afternoon: Sacred Tree Trail: Walk among 2,000-year-old red cypresses. Shouzhen Temple: A quiet Zen spot with cloud-wrapped views. Evening: Sunset at Zhaoping Park: Golden light through the "Three-Generation Trees". Dinner with mountain veggies and Alishan高山茶 (high-mountain tea). Day 2: Sunrise & Tea Culture Pre-Dawn: Sunrise at Zhushan (4:30 AM): Take the small train to watch dawn break over Jade Mountain. Morning: Fenqihu Old Street: Stroll this railway town, try Alishan lunchboxes (便当) and wasabi tofu. Afternoon: Tea Plantation Tour: Sip Alishan oolong at Shizhuo’s tea farms (30min drive). Optional: Batongguan Trails for waterfall hikes. 🌿 Summer Highlights: ✅ Firefly Season (May-July): Twilight dances in the woods. ✅ Tea Picking: Join locals harvesting summer tea leaves (July-Aug). ✅ Cloud Ocean: Misty valleys best seen at dawn. 📌 Pro Tips: Transport: Train + shuttle bus is easiest (self-drive roads are narrow). Packing: Warm layers (mornings are chilly!), rain jacket, hiking shoes. Tickets: Alishan entry ~NTD 300; sunrise train extra (~NTD 150). "Alishan isn’t just a forest—it’s where the air tastes like tea and time moves with the mist." Ready to breathe deep? 🍃🚂