Fenqihu, where we overnight is the half-way point on the way to the top of Alishan and it takes almost an hour from there to Alishan. As we need to catch the earliest train in order to witness the sunrise, we pre-booked taxi from Fenchihu Hotel to pick us up at 4am. The 1-hour ride to Alishan National Forest Recreation costs NTD1,600 (approx. to RM220) and we're lucky to find someone to share the ride with us.
#1: From Fenqihu to Alishan, it takes nearly an hour car ride.
Originally built to transport log of cypress trees, Alishan Forest Railway is now operating as a scenic tourist route from Chiayi to the Alishan Forest Recreation Area. The railway features 3 branches within the park; the Zhushan Line for sunrise and sea clouds viewing, the Zhaoping Line to the Chaoping Area and the Sister Ponds Trail, and the Shenmu Line to see the scared trees. After extensive repairs following typhoon damage, the line to Alishan fully reopened in 2024, connecting it to the mountainous region's villages and cultural heritage sites.
#2: Zhushan Line Schedule & Fares
They will even clearly stated the sunrise timing
#3: Zhushan Station - The highest point on Taiwan's railway network
#4: While waiting for the sunrise, you can grab some hot drinks or food from the stalls outside the railway station
#5: Actually both of my husband and I were more anticipated on Unkai (sea of clouds) than the sunrise but unfortunately, we didn't catch any of Unkai.
#6: Right after the sun rose, we need to immediately catch the train from Zhushan Station because there will be no more train after that.
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#7: From Zushan Station, we alighted at Chao Ping Station for some hiking activities.
If you are visiting in spring time (between late March to early April), Chao Ping Station (Zhaoping Station) is well-known for cherry blossoms viewing area. Even though it's not a spring time during our visit, Chao Ping Station marks the starting point of the hiking trail that leads to the Sister Ponds Trail.
#8: Hiking through the lust forest was breathtaking.
#9: Sister Ponds Trail
#10: Shouzhen Temple, the largest temple within Alishan area and also the highest altitude temple in Taiwan.
#11: By the way, if you are wondering how's the hike? Well, it's one pretty easy hike for us
#12: Three Generation Trees
#13: From Chao Ping Station, the trail leads us to Shenmu Station
#14: Mandatory photo with the railway track in Alishan
#15: Shenmu Line to Alishan
#16: Hotels within Alishan area
#17: Other facilities can be found in Alishan National Forest Recreation Area:
- Visitor's center
- Post office with ATM
- Restaurants, tea shops and souvenir stores
- 7-Eleven convenience store (the highest 7-Eleven in Taiwan)
Is it day trip from Fenqihu to Alishan doable? Yes, it's possible for us where we able to witness sunrise at Zhushan, hiking at Chao Ping and catch train from Shenmu back to Alishan.
#18: We ended our Alishan trip by taking train back to Fenqihu
To catch a connecting train and that the only train yang ada memang mendebarkan.. Cantik betul sister pound trail tu.. ☺️
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