Taiwan Itinerary: Independent Travel in Alishan
Alishan is an iconic gem in Taiwan. It is famous for its sunrises, forest railways, and mountain-grown tea. Here’s a foodie-forward blog post intro that shines a spotlight on Alishan, blending travel, nature, and local eats into one flavorful experience:
Alishan Adventures: Tea, Trails & Tasty Mountain Bites
If Taiwan were a love letter to nature, Alishan would be written in the finest ink—lush forests, misty peaks, and air so fresh it makes your lungs want to dance. But what a lot of people don’t know is this: Alishan is not only a haven for hikers and sunrise chasers, it’s also a low-key foodie paradise.
Sure, you’ll come for the scenic views: the Alishan Forest Railway, the towering Sacred Tree, and the surreal sea of clouds at dawn. But somewhere between those picture-perfect moments, You’ll find yourself craving something warm, earthy, and delicious and Alishan can satisfy you.
Here, food is deeply connected to the land. The flavors are rustic, simple, and hyper-local—think wild mountain vegetables, hearty bowls of ginger chicken soup, sticky bamboo rice, and juicy grilled boar skewers straight from indigenous Tsou tribal recipes. Before leaving, be sure to taste the Alishan high mountain oolong tea. It can be said to be the most fragrant and exquisite tea in Taiwan.
Scattered around the main village, train stations like Sacred Tree Station, and tucked along the trails are small vendors and tea houses that serve up these authentic mountain flavors. It’s not really a night market per se, but it feels like one, only slowed down, shrouded in mist, and with the magic of an old-growth forest.
Things to Know Before Start Alishan Itinerary
Generally speaking, one night in Alishan is enough, unless you are a forest lover or like hiking. For day trippers, you can spend 3-5 hours walking along the main road of Alishan on the first day. The next day you can take the park’s train and walk the other trails in 3-6 hours
Alishan Itinerary: Day 1
How to get to Alishan Taiwan
From Taipei
Book Taiwan High Speed Rail (Discounts or Buy 1 Get 1)
You can first take the high-speed rail to Chiayi, and then take the bus to Alishan. Don’t forget to book your high-speed rail tickets in advance.
06:26 Taipei → 08:09 Chiayi HSR Station
06:30 Taipei → 07:43 Chiayi HSR Station
06:51 Taipei → 08:18 Chiayi HSR Station
07:11 Taipei → 08:54 Chiayi HSR Station
Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Bus: Chiayi ⇌ Alishan
Alishan Route A (Departure from THSR Chiayi Station via Fengqihu)
09:30 Chiayi HSR Station → 12:00 Alishan
How to Book Seats of Chiayi to Alishan Bus Online?
From Chiayi
You stay overnight in Chiayi and start your journey to Alishan the next morning.
Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Bus: Chiayi ⇌ Alishan
Alishan Route B (Departure from TRA Chiayi Station via Fengqihu)
06:05 Chiayi TRA Station → 08:40 Alishan
07:10 Chiayi TRA Station → 09:40 Alishan
08:10 Chiayi TRA Station → 10:40 Alishan
09:10 Chiayi TRA Station → 11:40 Alishan
How to Book Seats of Chiayi to Alishan Bus Online?
Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Bus: Chiayi ⇌ Alishan
Alishan Route A (Departure from THSR Chiayi Station via Fengqihu)
09:30 Chiayi HSR Station → 12:00 Alishan
Classic Alishan Forest Trail Route for First-Timers
11:00 Arrive at Alishan Forest Recreation Area
Once you arrive at Alishan Bus Terminal, walk to the entrance and pay the entrance fee. You’ll see a few buildings on your left. This is the Alishan Shopping Street, which includes the 7-Eleven, dining area, most of the restaurants, souvenir shops, and the Alishan Visitor Center.
Alishan National Forest Recreation Area
Full fare Ticket: NT$300 (Foreigner ticket)
Standard Discount Ticket: NT$150 (Tourist holds a ticket for taking public transportation bus or shuttle)
Luggage storage at accommodation or Visitor Service Center in Alishan
11:30 Enjoy lunch at Alishan Shopping Street, food center or 7-Eleven
12:20 Pick up Brochure at Alishan Visitor Centre
Opening Hours: 08:00–17:00
Before you start exploring Alishan, don’t forget to pick up the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area brochure at the Alishan Visitor Center. This DM introduces the most worthwhile things to do in Alishan, as well as the most accurate map of the mountain.
The Alishan National Forest Recreation Area Visitor Service Center provides open lockers, which are not responsible for storage (please carry valuables with you). The opening hours are 08:00-17:00. Remember to pick up your luggage during the opening hours.
Book the Sunrise Train Tickets in Advance
Train tickets can be booked online or on the second floor of Alishan Train Station between 1:00 pm and 4:30 pm the day before. I recommend buying your train tickets a day in advance as they can get sold out.
As sunrise time varies in different seasons and every day, the schedule of the Zhushan Sunrise Watching Train is adjusted based on the sunrise time and number of passengers each day. In summer, the first train departs at about 4:00 a.m.; and in winter, it will be rescheduled to 6:00 a.m. The actual departure time of the sunrise watching train on the next day will be posted on the website, railway station, entrance of the forest recreational area, and the visitor center around 16:00pm each day. English and Chinese
12:40 Hike the Trails
Take a leisurely stroll along the forest trail and enjoy the phytoncide.
The forest trail route gives you a perfect blend of nature, iconic sights, and peaceful vibes. This will be a half-day to full-day walking itinerary, depending on your pace and don’t worry, the trails are all well-maintained, safe, and scenic.
Duration: 3 to 5 hours (leisurely pace, with photo & rest stops)
Difficulty: Easy to moderate – wooden paths, stairs, and forest trails
Highlights: Sacred trees, ponds, temples, misty forest vibes
Route Overview:
Start at: Alishan Forest Recreation Area Main Entrance
Zhaoping Station (沼平車站) & Cherry Blossom Trail (櫻之道)
In spring, this path is surrounded by blooming sakura trees.
Even off-season, it’s a scenic walk through alpine gardens.
Sisters Ponds (姊妹潭)
Two peaceful ponds, said to be tied to an indigenous legend of sisterhood and love.
Quiet, reflective spot – great for a short rest.
Xianglin Sacred Tree (香林神木)
A massive red cypress, over 2,300 years old – one of Alishan’s most sacred and photographed trees.
Beautiful even in the fog; great light around sunrise or dusk.
Shouzhen Temple (受鎮宮)
A serene temple nestled in the forest.
You can light incense or just enjoy the peaceful mountain energy.
Giant Tree Trail (巨木群棧道)
The highlight trail! Walk among dozens of massive old cypress trees.
Watch for birds and forest animals — especially in the early morning.
Sacred Tree Station (神木車站)
Sacred Tree Station is small, serene, and surrounded by towering thousand-year-old trees that feel like they’re watching over you.
The entire walk takes about 3 hours. The forest trail takes about 2 hours to walk. If you need to take public transportation on the road, you can take a minibus or Alishan train (Zhaoping Line + Shenmu Line) at your own expense, which can shorten the walking time by about 0.5~1 hour.
Classic Route for First-Timers
Zhaoping Railway Station (沼平車站) → Alishan Skywalk (天空步道) → Sisters Pond (姊妹潭) → The Three Brothers (三兄弟) → The Foue Sisters (四姊妹) → Golden Pig Tree (金豬報喜) → (永結同心) → Magnolia Garden (木蘭園) → Shouzhen Temple (受鎮宮) → No. 28 Giant Tree (28號巨木) → Shenyi Waterfall (神怡流瀑) → Sacred Tree Remains (阿里山神木遺跡) → Sacred tree Station (神木車站) → Ciyun Temple (慈雲寺) → Sacred Tree (香林神木) → Tree Spirit Pagoda (樹靈塔) → Thousand Years Cypress (千歲檜) → Alishan Museum (阿里山博物館) → Ciyun Viewing Platform (慈雲觀景) → Xianglin Elementary School (香林國小) → Three Generations Trees (三代木) → Elephant Trunk Tree (象鼻木) → Giant Tree Plank Trail (巨木群棧道) → Xianglin Arch Bridge (香林拱橋木) → King Cherry (阿里山櫻王) → Alishan Ranger Station (阿里山工作站) → Alishan Visitor Center (阿里山旅客中心)
There were several vendors selling snacks at Alishan Shouzhen Temple. If you’re hungry, this is a good time to refuel.
Ends at the Sacred Tree Station, where you can either:
Take the Forest Railway train back to Alishan Station or minbus.
Or walk back along the forest path (30-50 minutes)
Optional Add-ons: Alishan House Cafe for tea or coffee with a view.
What to Bring:
Light jacket (even in summer, it’s cool)
Water, snacks (no vending inside the trail)
Camera or phone — the lighting is chef’s kiss
Easy-grip shoes (forest paths can get slippery if wet)
18:00 Enjoy Dinner at Alishan Shopping Street, food center or 7-Eleven
19:30 Alishan Firefly Season (Seasonal only from April to June)
Alishan is known as the best place to watch fireflies. Every year in late spring and early summer, thousands of fireflies gather in Alishan. They account for about two-thirds of the total number of fireflies in Taiwan’s low to medium-high altitude areas, with as many as 42 species. Many communities hold night tours and other related tourism activities during the peak firefly viewing season, allowing tourists to enjoy the bright and romantic atmosphere.
19:30 Stargazing, enjoying the night view of Alishan, strolling along Alishan Commercial Street
Alishan Itinerary: Day 2
03:00 Wake up early to watch the sunrise. In summer, the first train departs at about 4:00 a.m.; and in winter, it will be rescheduled to 6:00 a.m. The actual departure time of the sunrise watching train on the next day will be posted on the website, railway station, entrance of the forest recreational area, and the visitor center around 16:00pm each day.
You will most likely need to wake up about two hours early to catch the sunrise train or hike to the sunrise viewing point.
04:00-06:00 If you want to go to Zhushan to watch the sunrise, you can
- Hike along the Sun Viewing Trail to the sunrise viewing point.
- Take the Alishan Train – Zhushan Line train. The train takes about 30 minutes to arrive one way.
08:00 Enjoy breakfast at Alishan Shopping Street, food center or 7-Eleven
09:00 Check-out and Start hiking. Luggage can be stored at the counter, and valuables can be carried with you.
or
09:00 Start hiking after breakfast
Other Hike Trails:
Shuishan Healing Trail (水山療癒步道)
Shuishan Trail (水山線步道)
Zhushan Footpath (祝山觀日步道)
Duegaoyue Trail (對高岳步道)
Tashan Trail (塔山步道)
Giant Tree Plank Trail (巨木群棧道)
Forest Trail (森之道)
11:00 Check-out. Luggage can be stored at the counter, and valuables can be carried with you.
Alishan Taiwan – Sunrise Guide
In the early morning of Alishan, the sun shines through the gaps in the clouds. When the first ray of sunlight passed through the clouds and shone on the top of the mountain, the peak of Alishan gradually revealed its outline, painting the entire sea of clouds golden. The scenery there is really hard to describe in words. This is a unique natural wonder of Alishan, combining the beauty of sunshine, mountains, sea of clouds and nature. In addition to watching the sunrise, you can also enjoy the sea of clouds, which brings us endless joy and announces the beginning of a new day.
A Moment That Touches the Sky
High in Taiwan’s central mountains, where ancient cypress forests whisper in the morning mist, a sunrise over Alishan isn’t just something you see — it’s something you feel. Known as one of the most breathtaking sunrise spots in Asia, the Alishan Sunrise has become a bucket-list experience for travelers, photographers, nature lovers, and spiritual seekers alike.
As dawn approaches, the world begins to glow. The sky transforms from indigo to a canvas of soft pinks, fiery oranges, and radiant golds. Then, as the first sliver of sunlight breaks the horizon — often behind the silhouette of Yushan (Jade Mountain), Taiwan’s highest peak — the entire mountain range slowly illuminates, revealing mist-covered valleys and the iconic “sea of clouds” swirling below.
It’s a moment of silence, wonder, and awe, shared by those who rose early, rode the historic forest railway, and waited patiently in the cold morning air for nature’s most beautiful show.
The Best Time to View Sunrise
Alishan has a changeable climate, and each season has its own unique charm. No matter when you go, you can enjoy different scenery and colors. The sunrise time at Alishan varies with the season. The sunrise time in Alishan is around 05:00-07:00. The best tourist season in Alishan is from October to March of the following year. Due to the influence of the northeast monsoon, it is easier to see sea of clouds and cloud waterfalls during this period.
If you can clearly see the stars at 3 am, it is usually weather suitable for sunrise.
Best Places to Watch The Sunrise
Due to the rotation of the earth, the famous Alishan sunrise can be seen at different locations and times throughout the year. Ogasawara (Xiaoliyuan) Mountain Observatory is the best place to watch the sunrise here. You can also take the Zhuri Sunrise Train from Alishan Railway Station or Zhaoping Station; or climb up the steps along the sunrise viewing trail in Zhaoping Park.
- Ogasawara (Xiaoliyuan) Mountain Observation Deck
- Zhushan Observation Deck
- Bihushan Tea Garden
- Taigaoyue Observation Deck
Accessible via the Alishan Forest Railway, this spot offers a panoramic view of the Central Mountain Range and is perfectly positioned to catch the sun rising over Yushan.
It’s Unforgettable. Watching the Alishan sunrise is more than just sightseeing – it’s a moment of stillness and clarity above the clouds. A natural spectacle that reminds you how beautiful and fleeting each day truly is.
Sunrise Time at Zhushan Sun Observation Platform
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-5 | 7:05 | 7:02 | 6:40 | 6:00 | 5:29 | 5:19 | 5:25 | 5:36 | 5:48 | 6:13 | 6:32 | 6:50 |
| 6-10 | 7:08 | 7:01 | 6:33 | 5:50 | 5:28 | 5:21 | 5:27 | 5:40 | 5:50 | 6:18 | 6:35 | 6:54 |
| 11-15 | 7:06 | 6:54 | 6:28 | 5:42 | 5:25 | 5:19 | 5:30 | 5:41 | 5:56 | 6:20 | 6:37 | 6:57 |
| 16-20 | 7:05 | 6:52 | 6:18 | 5:39 | 5:23 | 5:20 | 5:32 | 5:45 | 5:58 | 6:21 | 6:40 | 6:59 |
| 21-25 | 7:05 | 6:47 | 6:13 | 5:35 | 5:21 | 5:24 | 5:33 | 5:46 | 6:01 | 6:23 | 6:43 | 7:03 |
| 26-31 | 7:03 | 6:45 | 6:06 | 5:30 | 5:20 | 5:25 | 5:34 | 5:47 | 6:09 | 6:30 | 6:48 | 7:04 |
Zhushan Line Train Ticket Information
You should first check the official website for the sunrise time and then buy tickets in advance.
- If you want to go to Zhushan to watch the sunrise, you can hike along the Sun Viewing Trail to the sunrise viewing point.
- If you want to go to Zhushan to watch the sunrise, you can take the Alishan Train – Zhushan Line train.
- The train takes about 30 minutes to arrive one way.
- Tickets can be purchased at Alishan Station from 13:00 to 16:00 the day before.
- The daily departure time is subject to change depending on the sunrise time and the number of tourists. You can check the website of the Alishan Forest Railway.
The Schedule of the Zhushan Sunrise Watching Train
As sunrise time varies in different seasons and every day, the schedule of the Zhushan Sunrise Watching Train is adjusted based on the sunrise time and number of passengers each day. In summer, the first train departs at about 04:00; and in winter, it will be rescheduled to 06:00. The actual departure time of the sunrise watching train on the next day will be posted on the website, railway station, entrance of the forest recreational area, and the visitor center around 16:00 each day. English and Chinese