Multi-Day Journey
7 days / 6 nights
7-Day Grand Taiwan
The whole island in a week: lanterns, marble cliffs, clouds and temples.
From US$6,900per person, based on 2 sharing, five-star hotels
Central Taiwan · Mist & Mountains
Alishan
阿里山 · Ālǐshān
Sunrise over the sea of clouds, Alishan · Photo: Suicasmo, CC BY-SA 4.0
Why go
Cypress forests, high-mountain oolong and a sunrise above a sea of clouds. Overnight in the mountains is the only way to see the sunrise without a 3 a.m. drive.
Alishan is a range of cloud forests above Chiayi, famous for ancient red cypresses, high-mountain tea and sunrises over a sea of clouds.
The Alishan Forest Railway, built a century ago to carry timber, still climbs from the plains to the mountains, and a small branch line runs to Zhushan for the sunrise.
Highlights
- 一Sea-of-clouds sunrise
- 二Giant cypress trail
- 三Alishan Forest Railway
- 四High-mountain oolong tasting
Top experiences
What to see and do in Alishan
Zhushan sunrise 祝山日出
Watch the sun rise over Yushan and the sea of clouds from the Zhushan viewing platform.
Insider tip The sunrise train time is set daily according to sunrise and posted at 16:30 the day before; we handle tickets.
Alishan Forest Railway 阿里山林業鐵路
A historic mountain railway climbing from Chiayi through tropical, temperate and alpine forest.
Insider tip Holiday tickets sell out quickly; we book as soon as reservations open.
Giant tree trails
Boardwalks through forests of ancient red cypress, some over a thousand years old.
High-mountain oolong 高山茶
Tea gardens at over 1,000 metres produce some of Taiwan’s finest oolong; tastings with farmers are unforgettable.
Fenqihu 奮起湖
An old railway town halfway up the line, known for its lunchboxes and misty old street.
When to go
Autumn and winter give the clearest sunrises. Cherry blossoms peak around March to early April. Nights are cold year-round at altitude.
Getting there
- High-speed rail to Chiayi (about 1.5 hours from Taipei), then about 2.5 hours by private car up the mountain.
- Or ride the Alishan Forest Railway from Chiayi; scenic but book well ahead.
Where to stay
- Alishan Forest Recreation Area: Mountain lodges within reach of the sunrise train.
Local tips
- Pack warm layers; mornings can be near freezing in winter.
- Mountain roads are winding; tell us if you are prone to car sickness.
Private tours
Journeys including Alishan
Multi-Day Journey
5 days / 4 nights
5-Day Taiwan Highlights
Taipei, Jiufen, Sun Moon Lake, Alishan and Tainan in five unhurried days.
From US$4,900per person, based on 2 sharing, five-star / best-available hotels
Multi-Day Journey
10 days / 9 nights
10-Day Round the Island
The whole island by private car and train: Pacific cliffs, tropical south and cloud forests.
From US$9,800per person, based on 2 sharing, five-star / best-available hotels
Plan
A private trip to Alishan
Tell us your dates and pace. We will suggest how long to stay, where to sleep and when to arrive to avoid the crowds.
Alishan: frequently asked questions
Can I visit Alishan as a day trip?
It is possible but long. One night is the minimum to see the sunrise.
Keep exploring
More of Taiwan