The Alishan Forest Railway, Taiwan

The train is my favourite mode of transportation, and taking a train ride in Alishan is always one of the things I want to do since the day I started to love traveling. I have been thinking, dreaming and waiting for it to happen; in this summer, I finally took this amazing train ride through the mountain forest of Alishan.

The Alishan Forest Railway (阿里山森林鐵道) is the highest railway in Taiwan and also one of the popular mountain railways in the world. The unique features of the Alishan Forest Railway are the spiral railway, zigzag switchbacks, 180 degrees horseshoe turns and of course the high mountain scenery; these are all the special things that you will experience when you take the Alishan Forest Railway.

These are the 4 scenic railway lines that you can use when you are traveling in Alishan.

1. Main Line . 阿里山線 (Chiayi - Fenqihu)

The Main Line used to run from the Chiayi (嘉義) to Alishan (阿里山) is about 71.6km long with 17 stations in the whole journey. In 2009, the railway was seriously damaged by the typhoon and rain; leaving the railway line only operates between Chiayi and Fenqihu (奮起湖) which is around the halfway mark from Alishan. The view of the landscape changes as the railway line elevates from the city and grassland of Chiayi, to tropical hill, to temperate forest and finally the alpine of Alishan. If you are taking a train from Chiayi to Fenqihu, choose the window seat on the left for a better scenery.

Train at Chiayi Station Platform

Sister Railways between Alishan Railway and Oigawa Railway

Train running across the street

Through the residential buildings

Through the Rice Paddy Field

The Road meets The Railroad

A Rundown Building by the Railway Track

The Suspension Bridge in the Alishan National Forest Recreational Area

180 Degrees Horseshoe Turns

Train curves around the Mountain

A Journey with a Scenic View

Through the Bamboo Forest

Spectecular Mountain View

Zhuqi Station . 竹崎車站

Train at Fenqihu Station Platform

Fenqihu Railway Station

<< Main Line . 阿里山線 >>

Duration: 2 hrs 20 mins

Chiayi Railway Station Location: Click here for Map

Fenqihu Railway Station Location: Click here for Map

Tips:

*From Fenqihu to Alishan

a) You can take a shuttle bus no.7322 (less frequency) at the Fenqihu Bus Terminal.

b) You can take a shuttle bus no.7302 to the Shizhuo Bus Station, from there you change to shuttle bus no.7322 (more frequency) to the Alishan Bus Terminal.

2. Shenmu Line . 神木線 (Alishan - Shenmu)

The Shenmu (Sacred Tree) Line is part of Alishan Forest Railway where the train departs from Alishan Station and terminates at Shenmu Station. Most of the visitors used this line if they want to see the Sacred Tree, the 3,000-year-old red cypress, which is right beside the Shenmu Station. There are also two Giant Trees Walking Trails nearby for the visitors to explore more into the mystical forest of Alishan. The walking distance from Alishan Station to the Shenmu Station is less 2km, you may consider going to Shenmu Station by foot and return by train or vice versa; by doing this, you will get to see and experience more.

Interior of the Alishan Train Cabin

Train running along the railway bridge near Alishan Station

Train at Shenmu Station with the 3,000-year-old Sacred Tree at the background on the right

Train leaving Shenmu Station

 << Shenmu Line . 神木線 >>

Duration: 7 mins

Alishan Railway Station Location: Click here for Map

Shenmu Railway Station Location: Click here for Map

Tips:
*Alishan Station departure - First Train: 1015hrs & Last Train: 1615hrs
*Shenmu Station departure - First Train: 1030hrs & Last Train: 1630hrs

3. Chushan Line . 祝山線 (Alishan - Chushan)

When you are in Alishan National Forest Recreation Area, one of the things you must do is to watch a sunrise; and Chushan is the ideal place for viewing the sunrise. Most of the visitors use the Chushan Line as a transportation to get to Chushan which is the highest railway station in Taiwan at 2,451m.

Chushan Railway Station

Train at Alishan Railway Station

 << Chushan Line . 祝山線 >>

Duration: 30 mins

Alishan Railway Station Location: Click here for Map

Chushan Railway Station Location: Click here for Map

Tips:
*The departure time of the sunrise-viewing train from Alishan Station vary with the time of sunrise. The next day's departure time will be announced at the station ticket box daily at 1600hrs.

*The last train timing from Chushan back to Alishan will be announced upon arrival at the Chushan Station.

*The train on Chushan Line will make a quick stop at Zhaoping Station during the journey.

4. Zhaoping Line . 沼平線 (Alishan - Zhaoping)

The visitors can use the Zhaoping Line to get to the Zhaoping Park, which is just in front of the railway station. The Zhaoping Park is one of the best spots for cherry blossoms during the Alishan Cherry Blossom Festival in spring. If you didn't manage to catch a train to Chushan, you can actually use the Chushan Hiking Trail at the Zhaoping Park to get to Chushan as well.

Alishan Railway Station Platform

An Old Steam Locomotive at Zhaoping Station

Approaching Zhaoping Station by foot

Zhaoping Railway Station

 << Zhaoping Line . 沼平線 >>

Duration: 6 mins

Alishan Railway Station Location: Click here for Map

Zhaoping Railway Station Location: Click here for Map

Tips:
*Alishan Station departure - First Train: 0900hrs & Last Train: 1530hrs
*Zhaoping Station departure - First Train: 0915hrs & Last Train: 1545hrs

Stainless Steel Lunch Box Souvenir

Alishan Railway Bento

The unique Alishan Forest Railway engineering is something remarkable for the train lover. Even if you are not a train fanatic, by boarding the train, it makes you feel like going back in time and the spectacular view during the train ride will keep you company throughout the whole journey. The Alishan Forest Railway is definitely among one of my best train journeys so far.

Related Posts:
- 4 Must-Eat Food in Fenqihu
- Alishan 53.1 Homestay - Room With A View
- 8 Places For The Soul-Satisfying Local Food In Taipei


Written by: Q.J.
Photography by: Q.J. & K.K.