To get to Alishan from Taipei, take the normal train from Taipei Main Station and get off at Chiayi train station (3h30). From Chiayi station, take bus 7322 to Alishan station (2h00).

First of all, Alishan is one of the most famous attractions in the whole country, and I can understand why that is so. Alishan is an entire mountain area in the very centre of Taiwan, located in Chiayi County and bordering Nantou County.

Alishan National Forest Recreation Area has many various trails : Giant Tree Trail, Tashan Trail, Shuishan Trail, Sister Ponds Trail … But even if you don’t follow a specific trail, you will still be amazed by the landscape because it’s beautiful everywhere.

Originally settled by aboriginals and then occupied by the Japanese to log cypress trees, today Alishan is a genuine touristic attraction.

Alishan Township

Because we left Taipei quite late, we arrived at Alishan Township late afternoon.

We had hardly arrived in Alishan, we already had the pleasure to see a really nice sunset. Alishan is a famous spot for its beautiful views and I think I never had taken that many pictures of such nice sunsets or sunrises.

Because we almost hadn’t eaten anything during the day, we went to a restaurant and had a hot pot. It’s a very common meal in Taiwan which consists in a pot with bowling water in the middle of the table, you have vegetables, meat and so on that you ordered, and then you do your own cooking. You just put as many food in the pot and for how long you want. It’s a really cool way to eat.

We stayed two nights in Alishan in one of the numerous hotels.