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Day Trips from Alishan

Day Trips from Alishan

Alishan Taiwan Travel Guide

Nearby Destinations

Fenchihu (奮起湖): A lovely historic railway town, approximately 1 hour by bus from the main Alishan National Forest Recreation Area. It is known for its old street, railway bento boxes, and ancient trees. Fenchihu works well as a stopover before or after your Alishan visit or in the role of a half-day trip.

Chiayi City (嘉義市): The main gateway to Alishan, situated approximately 2-2.300 minutes by bus from the mountains. Eryanping Trail (二延平步道): This trail is on the way to Alishan, known for tea plantations, "sea of clouds," and sundowns.

Transport Options

  • Fenchihu: Taiwan Tourist Shuttle (Alishan A/B routes) passes directly through Fenchihu. The Alishan Forest Railway operates a partial line from Chiayi.
  • Chiayi City: Taiwan Tourist Shuttle (Alishan A/B routes) connects to Chiayi High-Bullet Train (HSR) and conventional train (TRA) stations.
  • Eryanping Trail: The Taiwan Tourist Shuttle drops off near the trailhead; confirm the exact stop. Taxis or private cars also serve this area.
  • Book Day Trips & Excursions on GetYourGuide.

Natural Escapes

Explore more of the natural beauty surrounding Alishan.

Parks & Reserves

Tsou Cultural Villages (達邦特富野) are amidst natural beauty. These are in the broader Alishan area and need specific transport arrangements.

More Wilderness

  • Rueili Scenic Area (瑞里風景區): Another scenic mountain area within the Alishan National Scenic Area.
  • Rueili features waterfalls, hiking trails, and of the earth's structure formations, a quieter natural retreat.
  • Tea estates blanket the hillsides around Alishan, displaying stunning terraced landscapes.

Landscapes & Seasons

Locations in the vicinity of Eryanping are picturesque for their tea fields and sweeping views.

Seasonal Displays

  • Plan your visit for specific seasonal natural displays.
  • The "sea of clouds" is a fascinating natural phenomenon best viewed in clear conditions.
  • Sunrise viewing is a popular natural display.

Tour Considerations

Independent Travel

  • Easy for Alishan, Fenchihu, and Chiayi.
  • Taiwan's public transport system (buses, trains) is efficient.
  • This travel style permits exploration at your own pace.
  • Public transport from Chiayi to Alishan is good.

Organized Tours

  • Can be rented from main cities like Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung.
  • These tours simplify transport logistics.
  • Some tours combine Alishan with Sun Moon Lake.
  • Pre-planned day trips from Chiayi solely for Alishan are less common.

Suggested Time

  • Fenchihu Exploration:2-4 hours
  • Chiayi City Exploration:Full day

Plan Your Day Trips

Locate and reserve day trips for nearby destinations. Explore options on GetYourGuide.

Cultural Excursions

Explore Taiwan's history and rural life with cultural excursions.

Hinoki Village

Chiayi City's beautifully preserved Japanese-style wooden dormitories. Shops, cafes, cultural exhibitions.

National Palace Museum

The Southern Branch in Chiayi displays artifacts emphasizing Asian art and culture.

Tea Plantations

Visit tea plantations in the regions surrounding Alishan. Gain knowledge about tea cultivation and production.

Historical Sites

Hinoki Village in Chiayi City: A beautifully preserved complex of Japanese-style wooden dormitories from the logging era.

Museum Insights

  • These heritage buildings now house charming shops, cafes, and cultural exhibitions.
  • National Palace Museum Southern Branch in Chiayi: A modern, impressive museum.
  • The museum showcases artifacts from the National Palace Museum's vast collection in Taipei.

Rural Experiences

Visit tea plantations in the areas surrounding Alishan to learn about tea cultivation and production.

Cultural Villages

  • Tsou Cultural Park / Tsou Cultural Villages (達邦特富野) are amidst natural beauty.
  • These villages are located in the broader Alishan area and need specific transport.
  • The tea plantations have gorgeous terraced landscapes.

Time & Itineraries

Fenchihu:2-4 hours to explore.
Chiayi City:A full day is needed.

Extend Your Trip

  • Consider adding 1-3 days to your itinerary.
  • Sun Moon Lake, Tainan, or Taroko Gorge National Park are good options.
  • Northbound: Taipei makes a reasonable next destination for international flights.
  • Direct bus service from Alishan to Sun Moon Lake (Yushan National Park Transport, route 6739).
  • From Alishan, catch the bus back to Chiayi HSR Station for rapid travel to major cities.

Multi-Day Extensions

Look into including extra days to your itinerary to explore more from downtown and southern Taiwan.

Sun Moon Lake

Taiwan's largest lake, famous for its calm beauty, cycling paths, and cultural sites (e.g., Wenwu Temple, Ci'en Pagoda).

Lake Activities

  • It is approximately 2-3 hours from Alishan by bus (via Shuili).
  • This place offers a differing experience to Alishan's mountain environment.
  • Explore temples and pagodas by the lake.

Tainan

Taiwan's ancient capital, located south of Chiayi. Tainan is full of history, featuring numerous temples, historical forts, and a distinctive local cuisine.

Culinary Hotspot

  • It creates Tainan a culinary hotspot.
  • Tainan is easily accessible by High-Speed Rail (HSR) from Chiayi (approximately 15-20 minutes).
  • Discover historical forts and ancient streets.

Taroko Gorge

One of Taiwan's most spectacular natural wonders, known for its marble canyons, clear rivers, and dramatic cliffs.

Natural Spectacle

  • The park features breathtaking cascades and picturesque paths.
  • Access could include various transport options depending on your starting point.
  • A must-see for people who love nature in Taiwan.

Next Destinations

Taipei makes a sensible next destination for international flights or further city exploration, connecting via High-Speed Rail from Chiayi.

Transport Connections

  • To The Heart Of taiwan: A direct bus service operates from Alishan to The Heart Of taiwan (Yushan National Park Transport, route 6739).
  • To Tainan/Kaohsiung/Taipei: From Alishan, take the bus back to Chiayi HSR Station.
  • Then connect to the High-Speed Railway network for rapid travel to these major cities.

Longer Regional Travel

Consider routes that encompass various regions of Taiwan.

Central Mountain Loop

A route including Taipei, Taichung, A Stunning Alpine lake, Alishan, Chiayi, then back to Taipei (or continue south).

Island-wide Tour

Incorporate Alishan as a peak highlight within a larger Taiwan itinerary. Have diverse landscapes and cultures.

Seamless Connections

Utilize the efficient HSR system and local buses to connect various regions.

Plan Your Next Stop

Direct bus to Sun Moon Lake; HSR from Chiayi to major cities provides rapid connections.
Day Trips from Alishan. Excursions, Nearby Cities, Tours