Alishan 阿里山
Some pictures of Alishan
Alishan’s Presentation
The mountainous township of Alishan is one of the island’s most popular destinations, famous for its sunrises, fresh air, and oolong tea, often described as Taiwan’s finest tea and one of the best teas in the world. Its cypress forests are often bathed in a mystical mist, reminiscent of classical Chinese paintings. Its peaks rise above 2,500 meters, offering temperatures often 10 degrees cooler than those experienced in Taiwan’s largest cities. Snow can be observed here in winter. In addition, the area offers views of Jade Mountain, Taiwan’s highest peak (3,952 meters).
First founded by the Aborigines, the township later came under Japanese control, who unwittingly transformed it into a tourist attraction. Hence the presence of the Alishan mountain railway, over a century old, and one of the three remaining high-altitude railways in the world. It offers breathtaking views of the region, which are enhanced by the trees in bloom in spring.
To get to Alishan, you must first go to Chiayi (accessible by high-speed train, 100 km south of Taichung), to take either a bus (1h30) or the famous train (71 km of rails, between 2 and 3 hours of travel).
It is advisable to stay at least one night in Alishan or Chiayi in order to visit as many places in the canton as possible.