- Alishan Forest Railway, a scenic and nostalgic ride through misty mountain ranges, is one of Taiwan’s most unique experiences.
- The train was built in 1912, during the Japanese colonial period. It is now a great way to explore the outdoor areas of the island.
- The railway stretches 44 miles, has 50 bridges and 77 tunnels. It is the longest spiral rail in the world.
Alishan is a dreamlike, misty haven in the mountains of Taiwan. One of Taiwan’s best mountain ranges is said to be the home to five wonders: a sea of clouds, sunrise, sunset glows, a sacred tree, and the railway—the latter offers one of the best ways to see the area.
Taiwan is home to high-speed rail that is able transport passengers between Taipei to Kaohsiung, Taiwan, at speeds of up to 186 miles per hour. You’ll want the Alishan Forest Railway to see the entire area. It’s one of the best in the world. underrated scenic trains. After closing for a few years due to earthquakes, typhoons, and landslides, the narrow-gauge railway reopened to travelers in the summer 2024—and it’s back better than ever.
The red train with cream colored highlights leaves from Chiayi and travels almost 44 miles through townships Zhuqi, Meishan and the surrounding countryside. Alishan National Forest Recreational Area.
Alishan Forest Railway: Most of Taiwan has a subtropical weather, but it takes you through some of Taiwan’s most breathtaking scenery. diverse terrain The island is a great place to visit. The ride begins at just 131 feet of elevation and travels through a myriad of climate belts—tropical, subtropical, temperate, and frigid—to reach 12,965 feet. The ride will take you through a verdant coniferous forest, dominated mostly by Chinese fir, fresh and fragrant cedar trees, incense fir, and oak.
But the Forest Train isn’t just a journey through Taiwan’s outdoors—it’s also a living monument to Taiwanese history. The railway, built in 1912 during the Japanese Colonial Period, was originally used to transport wood to and from coasts for export. Indigenous communities, however, have been living in the Alishan area for thousands years. When the train was constructed, it became a very important thing for the people who lived on the mountain.
The Forest Train does not make a quick trip back and forth. It snakes through some the most difficult terrain on the island. The railway was designed to be difficult to navigate. 50 bridges and 77 tunnelsThe Dulishan Spire is one of the most popular spirals in the world. Guinness World Record title It still holds the title of world’s largest spiral railway.
Today is the five-hour Rail route is a popular train ride in Taiwan. Locals love it because of its nostalgia. Peng Hsiao Chi (68), a factory worker from Chiayi who grew in Taiwan told The New York TimesShe drove two hours and woke up early at 4am to ride the redesigned ride. In the interview of 2024, she stated that “this railway is one reason I come home.”
