Alishan National Forest Recreation Area (Alishan) is one of the most popular attractions in Taiwan. More than millions of local people and foreigners visit Alishan every year. However, as a Taiwanese, I had never been to Alishan before. One of my friends joked to me, saying, “I am an American, and I have been to Alishan several times; you are a Taiwanese. How come you have never been to Alishan?” Therefore, when my wife and I planned the Taiwan trip this year, I deliberated to include Alishan in our itinerary. Last month (November 2023), I finally visited Alishan, and it was amazing. It is one of the most popular attractions in Taiwan for a reason.
Since it was my first time visiting Alishan, I decided to explore it in the most iconic way possible – witnessing the sunrise, the sunset, and the sea of clouds, walking along the giant trees, and taking the train through the mountains.
Alishan is a mountain range in the central-southern region of Taiwan, averaging 2,500 meters in height. Due to its wide range of elevation and the subtropical and tropical climate, Alishan has abundant forest resources. Walking on the trail surrounded by huge trees, we can experience the rich forest resources, including plants from different climatic zones – from tropical trees such as longan and Makino bamboo to temperate trees such as Taiwan yellow cedar and Taiwan red cypress.
One hundred years ago, the Japanese built the Alishan Forest Railway for transporting logs. Nowadays, the railway has transformed into a heritage railway for tourism purposes.
Some abandoned railway tracks even became hiking trails where people can walk along the tracks in the middle of the forests.
Thanks to Alishan’s high elevation and moisture weather, layers of fog establish one of Alishan’s wonders – the sea of clouds. On a good day, we can see a massive valley filled with clouds far below us. If we are lucky enough, we can even enjoy sunrise and sunset with massive clouds.
Alishan is about its nature and the story of Taiwan’s last few hundred years – from the aborigines, the era of Japan’s colony, to today. It tells us about Taiwan’s history and culture. There are so many things we can learn about and explore. Although it was just a two-day trip this time, Alishan impressed me with its spectacular scenery, and it was just a glimpse of Alishan. I will definitely spend some time in Alishan next time when I go back to Taiwan.
If you plan to visit Taiwan, I recommend you spend some time in Alishan. You will have a wonderful experience.
Travel Information: https://www.ali-nsa.net/en