Alishan National Scenic Area. Alishan National Scenic Forest Recreation Area boasts a forest railway, divine tree, sea of clouds, sunrise, and sunset glow, known as the five wonders, and is one of Taiwan's most famous and popular destinations. The Alishan National Forest Recreation Area boasts five unique scenic views: the forest railway, divine tree, sea of clouds, sunrise, and sunset, making it the most famous and popular forest recreation area in Taiwan, a shining emerald in the Alishan mountain range. The Alishan Forest Railway is a renowned high-mountain scenic forest railway, and you can take the forest train from Chiayi Train Station, enjoying the forest scenery along the way to the final destination, Alishan. The railway is managed by the Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office, and both the main line and branch lines are now fully operational. Alternatively, you can drive along Highway 18, winding your way up to the 88.2k point, and arrive at the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area, which is 2,216 meters above sea level, in under two hours. The Alishan mountain range is one of Taiwan's five major mountain ranges, but Alishan is not a single mountain, rather a general term for the mountain area, which has been rich in cypress resources since ancient times and was Taiwan's largest lumber mill from 1912 to 1960. After long-term logging, the original cypress forest was almost completely cut down, and now there are nearly 40 giant red cypress trees preserved on the first and second phase of the Giant Tree Plank Road, allowing people to reminisce about the grandeur and sanctity of the former divine tree forest. The famous Alishan divine tree was struck by lightning in 1956 and half of it fell due to rain in 1997, and the Forestry Bureau and nature conservation authorities have taken measures to preserve it.
Address: 嘉義縣阿里山鄉中正村59號
Hours: 00:00–23:59
Chiayi County