In the first week of January, as in previous years, the New York Times announced its list of ‘52 Places to Go in 2025’ — and we’re delighted to report that one of our favourite destinations, the mountain resort of Alishan, ranks 19th on their roster of attractions.
Since Life of Taiwan began offering its bespoke high-end travel experiences in 2012, we’ve been bringing couples, families, and small groups to the Alishan area in south Taiwan’s Chiayi County. There are multiple reasons to spend a few days in this upland region, among them breathtaking mountain scenery, rich indigenous heritage, and some of the island’s premier tea farms.
There’s also the historic Alishan Forest Railway, which — to quote the New York Times — provides a thrilling opportunity to ride ‘vintage trains into lush mountains’. Last October, the newspaper published a photo-heavy report on the railway; it can be read online here (no subscription needed).
Following extensive reconstruction made necessary by earthquake and typhoon damage, trains are once again running the entire 71.4 km (44.4 miles) from Chiayi to Alishan. Riding the train all the way to Alishan is a full-day experience. Just one service per day makes the trip; it departs from Chiayi at 10:00 in the morning and arrives in Alishan at 14.56, just in time to check in to your hotel inside Alishan National Forest Recreation Area.
The trains themselves are small, because the track gauge is just 762 mm (2 ft 6 in), compared to 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) for the Taiwan Railway Corp. network and 1,435 mm (4 ft 8.5 in) along the north-south Taiwan High-Speed Railway. There are three seats per row (a one-plus-two layout). Each passenger carriage has a toilet and there’s at least one breastfeeding room on each train.
In addition to the forest railway, regular public buses connect Alishan to the lowlands. There are also bus services to Fenqihu and other points, but to see the very best the region has to offer, you’re best off with a private driver-guide who’s familiar with the roads and the restaurants, and can help you avoid the crowds that often appear around popular spots.
In addition to being fully bilingual and able to draw on years of experience, our guides keep their ears close to the ground, to ensure that not time is wasted in traffic jams or by arriving at a place that’s taking an unscheduled day off. Visitors keen to try and perhaps buy some of Alishan’s premium oolong tea, or who have questions about the culture of the Austronesian Tsou tribe which inhabits Alishan and surrounding villages, will surely appreciate the deep knowledge and language skills of the guides we’re proud to call our trusted partners.
Whether it’s Alishan or another part of Taiwan that’s grabbing your interest, contact our travel experts today to begin tailoring your private tour of Taiwan. We’ll craft a creative itinerary that fully aligns with your interests, pacing, culinary preferences, and accommodation choices.