Taiwan - Part III : Alishan National Scenic Area

Getting to Alishan requires very detailed planning, as transportation to reach there are only available at specific times. Once you missed those, your trip would be screwed.

We departed from Cing Jing early in the morning to Taichung High Speed Rail station. Upon arriving at the station 2 hours later, we realized that our tickets were not valid to board our scheduled train. Panic! So we took Na Jie’s assistance in taking us to the nearest 7-Eleven to have our tickets redeemed. Because we had bought our tickets earlier through a 7-Eleven kiosk. We weren’t informed beforehand that we need to have the tickets redeemed in order to use them. Well, now we know.

We managed to board our train to Chiayi district on time. Phew! The ride via the High Speed Rail roughly took us 30 minutes. This is the nearest district to Alishan and most transportation to the mountain runs from here. From the Chiayi station, we then boarded the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Bus at the last available timing. If we missed this, we would have to kiss Alishan goodbye. And that can’t happen because I very much wanted to see the sunrise at the top.

The bus ride lasted 3 hours. By the time we reached the Alishan National Scenic Area, it was evening, it was drizzling and it was freezing. From the briefing that was given to us, to get to the sunrise spot the next morning, we had to purchase train tickets of the Alishan Forest Railway. There would only be one train heading up and down the sunrise spot and the ticket counter closes in 10 minutes time. Gosh! Off we ran to the counter! The day seemed to be one from an episode of the Amazing Race – us, with our backpacks, running back and forth in between stations.

We eventually got our train tickets and the rest of the evening was spent lingering at the Alishan station. As it was drizzling, we were advised not to walk the forest trails. We might get lost in the mists and fogs. So we hung around, enjoyed the chilly air while hovering over a hot pot meal and then retired early to our hotel – Ying Shan Hotel.

The sun was expected to rise at 5.20am. Forecasts were made a day earlier, depending on the weather and the season. The train from the Alishan station departs at 4.20am. The train will take us to Chushan Mountain, the best spot in all of Alishan to watch the sunrise. The Chushan station is the highest train station in all of Taiwan and the ride will last about 30 minutes.

Which means, we have to be awake at 3.30am in order to catch the train! Who wakes up that early? Well, everyone, apparently! “Why come to Alishan if you don’t watch the sunrise?” remarked a middle-aged couple whom we met at the hotel lobby that morning. “By the way, where are you girls from? Indonesia?” Errr…no. Do we look like we are from Indonesia?

By the time we reached the Alishan station, there was already a snake-like queue at entrance gate. Both young and old and even infants. The train was jam packed with tourists from various countries with thick jackets, rain coats, hats, cameras. It was as if we were going up to a ski mountain. Upon reaching Chushan station, we literally jumped out of the train and rushed to the viewing platform to get the best spot. Call us “kiasu” but that’s the way to keep the crowd from blocking our views. Hah!

And while watching the sun emerging from behind the mountains – we were lost for words. It was a sight that will remain locked in our memories.

That’s the signature tree of the Alishan sunrise. It is a must be included in all our pictures, as being told by the deafening narrator. Such a loud person, totally ruined the morning stillness.

There were other activities that can be done on Alishan – watching the sea of clouds from Yu Shan Mountain, visiting the Sisters Pond, the Sacred Tree, Fen Chi Hu old street, walk the dozens of forest trails etc. I can imagine walking among towering cypress trees. But due to time constraints, we had to give them all a miss. Well, we do have to catch our transportation back to town, which was at a specific timing as well. Perhaps we will return someday.

From Alishan, we took the same route back to Taipei city – the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Bus to Chiayi High Speed Rail station – then boarded the High Speed Rail train direct to Taipei.

Later.....
Taiwan - Part IV : Jiufen, Fulong