[2025 Chiayi County Hotels] Travel Guide for Alishan House (Updated Jul)

Alishan is a famous scenic spot, renowned for its magnificent sunrise, sea of ​​clouds, cherry blossoms and sacred tree forest. The following is a brief introduction to Alishan tourism: 🌸Must-see attractions 1️⃣Alishan Train Alishan Train is a famous sightseeing train in Alishan. It travels through mountains and dense forests and is a great way to experience the natural beauty of Alishan. 2️⃣Shenmu Group Trail There are many giant trees thousands of years old in the Shenmu Trail, such as the Three-Generation Tree and the Alishan Shenmu which is over 3,000 years old. The trail is surrounded by dense primeval forest, making people feel like they are in a fairyland. 3️⃣ Watch the sunrise at Zhushan Zhushan in Alishan is one of the best places to watch the sunrise. Climbing the mountain in the early morning to greet the rising sun from the mountains is spectacular and unforgettable. 🌸Must-eat food 1️⃣ Alishan Tea Due to the special climate and soil conditions, Alishan tea has a rich aroma and sweet taste. You can visit a tea plantation and taste fresh local tea. 2️⃣ Alpine wild vegetables Alishan's wild vegetables are famous for their fresh and sweet taste and are the signature dishes of local restaurants. It is especially recommended to order them stir-fried or served cold. 3️⃣Roasted wild boar meat The roasted wild boar meat with the local aboriginal flavor is a major feature of Alishan, with rich flavor and tender meat. 🌸Accommodation recommendations Recommended accommodation area: near Alishan Forest Recreation Area 1️⃣Alishan Hotel Address: No. 16, Zhongzheng Village, Alishan Township, Chiayi County 2️⃣Alishan Youth Activity Center Address: No. 53, Zhongzheng Village, Alishan Township, Chiayi County 🌸Photography and check-in 1️⃣ Sisters Pond The two adjacent lakes have crystal clear water and are surrounded by lush forests, making them a great place to photograph natural scenery. 2️⃣Alishan Cherry Blossom Trail In spring, cherry blossoms are in full bloom, and pink petals cover the entire road, making it the most beautiful photo spot during the cherry blossom season. 3️⃣Alishan Sun Viewing Pavilion The Sun Viewing Pavilion provides a 360-degree view and is an excellent location for photographing the sunrise over Alishan. 🌸Tips 🔺️It is recommended to bring warm clothes: the temperature difference between morning and evening in Alishan is large, especially when watching the sunrise in the early morning, you may feel cold. 🔺️Book your room in advance: Alishan is a popular tourist destination, especially during the cherry blossom season or holidays, so it is recommended to book your accommodation in advance. 🔺️Pay attention to hiking trails: When walking on the Shenmu Group Trail or other mountain trails, it is recommended to wear comfortable hiking shoes and carry water and simple supplies with you. #AugustGoodPlaces2024#GoodPlacesForParents #GoodPlacesForSummer #trip #Travel #NaturalBeautifulScenery

🏠Alishan Hotel Address: No. 16, Alishan Township, Chiayi County 605 (Alishan National Forest Recreation Area) Check-in time: 16:00 Check-out time: 11:00 The location of the hotel is very close to various attractions in the park, especially the most famous and important sunrise tour in Alishan. There are also shuttle buses that can be arranged. The room for two people is close to a four-person room. In addition to the large bed, it also has a bathtub and a large toilet space. The food at the buffet is quite satisfactory, and you always have to queue up to get the dishes you want. Overall, as an old restaurant, the location of the hotel is really unique. #Chiayi #Chiayi Alishan

#summervacay Top picks for places to stay in Alishan: 1. Alishan House. Just steps from hiking trails and the forest railway station. Spacious rooms (newer wing), mountain views, rooftop observation deck, shuttle service, on-site dining, complimentary wake-up calls for sunrise train. Premium; often over NT$4,200/night (~US$130), with peak rates much higher . 2. Alishan Shermuh Hotel & Other Forest-Area Properties. Several mid-range hotels are located downhill from the train station—Shermuh, Wunsun, Kaofeng, Chinshan, Dengshan, etc. Chinshan Hotel stands out as a budget-friendly yet comfortable choice, close to the railway and shuttle bus hub . Dengshan Hotel is one of the more affordable options near the park entrance, per Reddit users . Downhill location may require extra walking or shuttle use. #travel #couplestrip

#summervacay Alishan is one of Taiwan’s most iconic mountain destinations—famous for its sunrise, sea of clouds, ancient forest, forest railway, and indigenous culture. Sunrise at Zhushan / Xiaoliyuanshan – Stunning views over sea of clouds and Yushan (Taiwan’s tallest peak). Best seen in autumn (Sep–Dec) and spring–summer transitions. Sea of Clouds – Typically visible Nov–Apr, especially from viewing platforms like Xiaoliyuanshan and Taiping Suspension Bridge . #travel #couplestrip

#cherryblossom25 High in Taiwan’s **2,200m-altitude cloud forests**, **Alishan Forest Recreation Area (阿里山國家森林遊樂區)** offers one of the island’s most ethereal cherry blossom experiences. Here, *sakura* bloom amidst **ancient cypress trees**, **sea of clouds**, and **historic mountain railways**—creating a floral fantasy unlike any other. --- ## **🌸 Why Alishan’s Sakura Are Unique** - **Sacred mountain setting**: Blossoms mingle with **3,000-year-old sacred trees** - **Japan’s legacy**: Over **10,000 cherry trees** planted during Japanese colonial era - **Three-stage blooms**: Elevation variations stretch the season (March–April) - **Iconic photo ops**: Petals + **forest railways** + **Zhaoping Station’s pink tunnels** --- ## **🚂 My Alishan Blossom Journey** ### **🌄 Dawn at Zhaoping Station (5:00 AM)** - Rode the **sunrise forest train** through misty pink tunnels (book tickets 2 weeks ahead) - **Pro tip**: The **Sakura Platform** near the station has the densest blooms ### **☕ Mid-Morning at Sacred Tree Trail** - Walked among **blossoms and giant red cypresses** (some over 2,000 years old) - **Must-try**: *Sakura black tea* at the **Alishan House** garden café ### **🚶 Afternoon Highlights** 1. **Shouzhen Temple**: Blossoms framing the **oldest mountain temple in Taiwan** 2. **Cherry Blossom Trail**: 1km path with **Yoshino and Fuji varieties** ### **🌙 Evening at Alishan Village** - **6:30 PM**: Nighttime illuminations turned the **Sister Ponds area** into a floral wonderland --- ## **📸 Unmissable Photo Spots** 📷 **Zhaoping Station tracks**: Vintage train emerging from blossom tunnels 📷 **Sacred Tree + Sakura**: Contrast of delicate pink and ancient giants 📷 **Shouzhen Temple stairs**: Cherry branches arching over stone steps --- ## **ℹ️ Essential Tips** ✔ **Bloom periods**: - **Lower slopes (1,500m)**: Early March - **Summit area (2,200m)**: Late March–early April ✔ **Transport**: - **From Chiayi**: Bus 7322 (2.5 hrs) or **forest railway** (book 1 month ahead) - **Park entry**: NT$300 (discounts with EasyCard) ✔ **Stay overnight**: **Alishan House** or village guesthouses (book 3+ months early) ✔ **Pack**: Warm clothes (0–15°C), rain gear, and **oxygen cans** (for altitude) --- ## **💭 Why This Beats Lowland Sakura Spots** Alishan offers what no city can: 🌫️ **Mystical mornings** with blossoms emerging from clouds 🚂 **World’s rarest** blossom + vintage railway combo 🙏 **Spiritual atmosphere** where nature feels sacred **Have you witnessed Alishan’s cherry magic? Share your tips below!** 🌸 #Alishan #TaiwanCherryBlossoms #MountainSakura #ForestRailway #TaiwanTravel #CloudForest

🚗 Transportation Guide 📍 Location: Alishan Township, Chiayi County, Taiwan 🚌 Recommended Routes: 1️⃣ High-speed Rail/Taiwan Railway to Chiayi Station→Transfer to Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Alishan Line (2.5 hours, 💰one-way approx. NT$300) 2️⃣ Self-driving: Chiayi City→Provincial Highway 18 Alishan Highway (winding mountain roads, beginners beware!) 🚂 Must-experience: Alishan Forest Railway! Vintage red carriages weaving through cypress forests, a must-visit for railway enthusiasts from the Japanese colonial period~ 📸 Must-visit Attractions 1️⃣ Zhushan Sunrise🌅 👉Take the early train at 4 AM to the sunrise viewing platform! Rolling sea of clouds + golden morning light shining on Jade Mountain peaks, add one to your bucket list! 📌Tips: Check sunrise time in advance, temperature differences are significant on the mountain, bring a thick jacket! 2️⃣ Giant Tree Boardwalk🌳 An oxygen-rich forest guarded by 2,000-year-old red cypress trees! Sunlight filtering through the canopy makes it feel like walking into a Miyazaki animation. Wear light-colored clothes for gorgeous photos~ 3️⃣ Sister Ponds💧 A hidden gem with the legend of sisters who died for love! The wooden boardwalk around the lake is enchanting, and the reflection of the pavilion in the lake makes for a "pretending to be in Jiuzhaigou" perfect shot! 4️⃣ Shaoping Park Cherry Blossom Railway🌸 Spring exclusive! Pink and white Yoshino cherry blossoms + vintage railway tracks, instant Japanese-style photo opportunity! (📅Best time: mid-March to early April) 5️⃣ Fenqihu Old Street🚞 "Alishan's version of Jiufen"! Must-try: freshly baked donuts, century-old cypress wood lunch boxes (packed in wooden boxes for maximum nostalgia!), and wasabi tofu~ 🍴 Foodie Radar ✅ Alishan High Mountain Tea: Shizhuo tea area's oolong tea has a sweet aftertaste, buy tea bags as souvenirs! ✅ Aiyu Jelly: Roadside grandma's hand-washed aiyu with lemon juice, refreshingly cool! ✅ Wasabi Ice Cream: A magical combination of spicy and creamy, adventurous eaters go for it! 🏠 Accommodation Guide 🔥 Top mountain choice: Alishan House (historic century-old building, some rooms have windows overlooking the sea of clouds!) 💰 Value for money: Guesthouses within the recreation area (convenient for early sunrise chasing, approx. NT$2000-3000/night) 🌿 Slow living: Stay at Fenqihu guesthouses, watch the stars at night + wake up to birdsong in the morning~ 📌 Pre-trip Essentials ⚠️ Alishan National Forest Recreation Area entrance fee: NT$300/person ⚠️ Forest railway has multiple sections (Zhushan Line/Sacred Tree Line/Shaoping Line), limited trains so recommend lining up 1 hour in advance! ⚠️ Mountain weather changes quickly, bring raincoats in summer/down jackets in fall and winter, mosquito repellent is essential! ⚠️ Cherry blossom season/firefly season (April-May) gets extremely crowded, book accommodations 2 months in advance! 👇 Q&A box open! If you need detailed itineraries, call out to me in the comments~

#Chiayi Sakura The Cherry Blossom Trail next to Alishan Hotel is a short but beautiful flower-viewing trail. Different from the bustling Nuoping Trail, this trail is relatively quiet and suitable for a morning walk or afternoon relaxation. When I was staying at Alishan Hotel, I came out of the side door at six in the morning and walked slowly along this path. I was greeted by a field of cherry blossom trees. Some of the branches even hung down above the trail, as if surrounded by pink clouds. Walking on the trail, cherry blossom petals fall in the wind, just like the romantic scenes in the animation. You can also see some trees and ancient stone lanterns along the way, adding a touch of Japanese style. Although this is not an official tourist attraction, it is close to hotels and historical buildings, and combines nature and humanity, making it a warm place for a stroll. I took some photos of cherry blossoms in the soft morning light here, which is one of the most poetic memories of the entire trip.

Cherry blossoms are beautiful when they are in full bloom😻📍 📍Address: Alishan National Park🏞️💰

Arriving at Alishan Forest Recreation Area, we encountered the rare sea of ​​clouds and sunset glow. The three sights to see in Alishan: forest, sunrise, and railway With the sea of ​​clouds, sunset and sunset glow, Known as the Five Wonders of Alishan💯 I met you here, so lucky 🙏💯 But after December, it is cold in Alishan at night. This time I came up, it was only 8 degrees at night🤣🤣 #Alishan Hotel #Alishan National Forest Recreation Area #Sea of ​​Clouds #Sunset

#bestsunset Alishan Hotel, the most expensive hotel for this 13-day trip Yes, for a hotel that costs RM2,000, there is really no way to think of anything that the hotel does not provide However, I did not expect that the hotel's viewing platform would be the most beautiful place to see the sea of ​​clouds/sunset Travel, luxury and frugality are personal choices, but I just reward myself with such a place to relax within the economic range. I think it is worth it to bring my elderly parents with me I have seen a sentence that we all stand on the shoulders of our parents to see the world. I think this time, I brought my parents to this long-famous Alishan, stayed in the oldest hotel, enjoyed the excellent geographical location, watched the sunrise and sunset, and the beautiful five-view Alishan sea of ​​clouds. It seems that the second day of the journey is like preparing for the next 11 days. Comfortable temperature, the smell of the woods, the boundless Yushan Mountains, this trip we experienced the unique beauty of Taiwan's treasure island, it is worth it Of course, the facilities and services of Alishan Hotel are still worth our recollection

Changhua is a good place to share your quality of life, so that everyone can have more beautiful memories. The happiest thing during this time is to experience dreams come true together.