Five wonders of Alishan: sunrise, sunset, sea of clouds, forest, railway
If you haven’t been to Alishan, it’s like never visiting the beauty of Taiwan’s mountains and forests!
Take a small train to the top of the mountain in the dark to greet the dawn, watch the first rays of sunlight penetrate the clouds,
Walk through the giant trees in the Shenmu District, and enjoy the churning sea of clouds and the sunset in the afternoon.
Make the most unforgettable memories of the beauty in Alishan!
- Five wonders of Alishan: sunrise, sunset, sea of clouds, forest, railway
- Map of Alishan Park
- Alishan Park Information
- Alishan day trip route
- Alishan chartered car: sunrise strategy
- Alishan chartered car: Sunset sea of clouds strategy
- The Four Seasons of Alishan: Weather, Temperature and Scenery Guide
- Alishan sunrise sunset sea of clouds map
- Frequently asked questions about Alishan chartered buses
Map of Alishan Park
Photo source: Chiayi Branch, Forestry and Nature Conservation Department, Ministry of Agriculture
Alishan Park Information
Alishan business hours
The park’s forest space is open 24 hours a day, all year round
▌Sen 2488 Brand Concept Space (Alishan Transfer Station 3F): 09:00~17:00 (Closed on Tuesdays)
▌Tourist Service Center: 08:00~17:00
▌Alishan Museum: 08:30~16:30
▌Eco Education Center: 08:30~16:30 (open as early as 7:00 from March to October in summer)
Alishan ticket price
NT$300 for full ticket, NT$150 for half ticket (children aged 7 to 12 or students with voucher), NT$10 for children (3 to 6 years old)
Alishan day trip route
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Alishan chartered car: sunrise strategy
What time is sunrise in Alishan?
Because of the relationship between the length of sunshine, the sunrise time of the four seasons is different, the earliest from 05:20, the latest to 06:30, the park will announce the sunrise time of the next day every day, you can check it on the Internet first, it is recommended that you can wait at the place where you want to watch the sunrise 0.5~1 hour in advance, you can confirm the viewing angle, and you can also avoid missing the best time.
Alishan sunrise time reference
- Spring (March to May)
March: 06:20
April: 05:45
May: 05:20 - Summer (June to August)
June: 05:10
July: 05:15
August: 05:25 - Autumn (September to November)
September: 05:35
October: 05:45
November: 06:00 - Winter (December to February)
December: 06:20
January: 06:30
February: 06:30
See the sunrise recommended spots
- It is a view of the sun on Mt. Takadake
At an altitude of 2405m, the nearby Takadake Station only has trains stopping every year on Chinese New Year’s Eve, so it is also a secret spot that few people go to in the Alishan Park.
- Zhushan viewing platform
At an altitude of 2451m, if you have children, elders or passengers with poor physical strength, you can choose the Zhushan Sun-viewing Platform, take the Sun-viewing train and get off at Zhushan Station and walk for 5 minutes, and there is a row of shops around the platform to sell many snacks, you can drink some hot soup when the weather is cold, and you can also buy some food and wait for the sunrise.
- Ogasawara Mountain Observation Platform
At an altitude of 2488m, you can take the Zhushan Sun Viewing Train, and walk for 15 minutes after getting off at Zhushan Station, you can reach the 360-degree observation platform, which is also selected by netizens as the best sunrise viewing spot.
See how to take the sunrise train
There are three different branch lines of the Alishan train: Zhushan Line, Shenmu Line, and Nuping Line, all of which start from Alishan Station.
To watch the sunrise, you have to choose the Zhushan line!
The departure time of the Zhushan Line will be adjusted according to the sunrise time, and at 16:30 on the afternoon of the previous day, the official will announce the departure information in the Lintie network booking system, Alishan Station, the gate of the amusement area and the tourist service center.
How to buy Alishan small train tickets?
Buy tickets online or on-site.
Online ticket purchase can be made up to 12:00 noon one day before the ride, and tickets can only be purchased on-site after the time is overdue.
On-site tickets can be purchased at 13:00-16:30 at the 2nd floor of Alishan Station the day before, or purchased on-site in advance on the day of boarding, but it may be sold out when there are many people, so it is recommended to purchase in advance.
Alishan Sunrise Train fare? How long will it take?
Zhushan Line Full ticket is 150 yuan, half ticket is 75 yuan. It takes about 30 minutes each way to Zhushan Station.
Alishan chartered car: Sunset sea of clouds strategy
What time is sunset in Alishan?
Because of the length of sunshine, the sunset time of the four seasons is different, the maximum drop time is about 1 hour and 20 minutes, be sure to wait at the place where you want to watch the sunset 0.5~1 hour in advance, so as to avoid missing the best time.
Alishan sunset time reference
- Spring (March to May)
March: 18:00
April: 18:15
May: 18:25 - Summer (June to August)
June: 18:40
July: 18:45
August: 18:40 - Autumn (September to November)
September: 18:15
October: 17:45
November: 17:15 - Winter (December to February)
December: 17:10
January: 17:20
February: 17:40
See the sunset and the sea of clouds recommended spots
- Observation deck outside the Alishan ticket gate
The observation deck outside the ticket gate offers a view of the sunset and the entire row of cherry blossoms during the cherry blossom season, making it a secret spot for cherry blossom viewing compared to the crowded Numadaira Park.
- 2nd floor of Alishan Railway Station
Alishan Station is one of the few wooden stations in Taiwan, there is a wide viewing platform on the top floor, the air exudes a faint aroma of wood, and when you enjoy the beautiful scenery of the clouds and mist, you can also enjoy the scenery of the colorful sky at sunset.
- Tsz Wan Temple Observation Deck
Ciyun Temple is the highest temple in Taiwan, and you can take the Alishan train Shenmu Line to get off from “Shenmu Station” and walk for a few minutes. When the weather is good, you can not only see the sunset and the sea of clouds, but also overlook the Alishan settlement and Tashan.
- It is a view of the sun on Mt. Takadake
A sparsely populated secret place where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery from sunrise to sunset!
- Ogasawara Mountain Observation Platform
As the best viewing platform in Alishan Park, of course, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery from sunrise to sunset.
The Four Seasons of Alishan: Weather, Temperature and Scenery Guide
Spring (March to May)
A pink sea of cherry blossoms
Every year, from mid-March to mid-April, it is the cherry blossom season in Alishan, and it is also the most visited season, although the weather is warmer than in winter, but the temperature is still low.
The average temperature is around 8°C to 15°C, so it is recommended to wear light long-sleeved clothing and long pants, and because of the large temperature difference between day and night, you can bring a thick jacket that is easy to put on and take off.
Summer (June to August)
A turquoise and cool summer resort
Alishan is a great place to escape the heat in summer, but because of the high humidity, you can occasionally see cloudy forests in the afternoon, which is also the most suitable season for tourism.
With an average temperature of around 13°C to 18°C, it is cooler than on flat ground, so it is recommended to wear short-sleeved clothing and bring a light jacket, sun protection and a sun hat.
Autumn (September to November)
Maple love and galloping cloud waterfalls
Alishan in autumn can enjoy the red maple and the sea of clouds at the same time, especially the beautiful scenery of the sea of clouds is best seen in the early morning and dusk from November to April of the following year.
With an average temperature of around 10°C to 18°C, it is advisable to wear light long-sleeved clothing and long trousers, and carry a slightly thick jacket to protect against the changing weather in the mountains.
Winter (December to February)
Starry sky and silvery snow
You’ll have to try your luck if you want to see snowy Alishan, but Alishan in winter is best for stargazing at night, and it is the season with the most stars in the starry sky in all seasons.
The average temperature is around 5°C to 10°C, so it is advisable to keep warm and wear heavy, long-sleeved clothing and long pants, especially after the sun goes down.