Alishan Forest Railway

Welcome, distinguished travelers and railway enthusiasts, to the starting point of one of the most remarkable engineering marvels in East Asia: the Alishan Forest Railway. We begin our journey here at Chiayi Station, situated a…

As our train slowly pulls away from Chiayi Station, taking the immediate divergence from Taiwan's standard west coast mainline, it is crucial to examine the mechanical and engineering specifics of the vessel carrying us. The…

We have now entered the first major transitional phase of our ascent, leaving the flat coastal plains behind as the train bites into the foothills of the Alishan range. The gradient here increases sharply, and you can distinctly…

Our train now groans to a halt at Fenqihu Station, the most significant midway point on the Alishan Forest Railway, situated at an elevation of 1,403 meters. Historically, this station was the critical logistical nexus of the…

Descending the stone steps from the station platform, we enter the vibrant, narrow confines of Fenqihu Old Street. This bustling, covered alleyway is the beating heart of the village and offers a profound culinary reflection of…

As we depart Fenqihu and continue our ascent, we encounter one of the most celebrated and complex engineering feats of the Alishan Forest Railway: the Z-shaped switchbacks. As the mountain face becomes exponentially steeper,…

We have finally arrived at our ultimate destination: the main Alishan Station within the National Forest Recreation Area. Standing at an impressive 2,216 meters above sea level, this expansive, beautifully constructed wooden…

As our incredible journey aboard the Alishan Forest Railway comes to a close, we must pause to consider the immense historical and ecological arc we have traversed today. We began our ascent in the sweltering, tropical plains of…