Forest Railway/ Alishan Station — Attraction in Alishan Township

As you board at Chiayi Station, the Alishan Forest Railway boasts several notable stations that deserve a spot on your itinerary:

Fenqihu Station (奮起湖車站): Nicknamed the "Bento Kingdom," this station is a haven for foodies. Here, you can savor the famed Alishan bento boxes, a delightful assortment of local delicacies perfect for a satisfying lunch break. The station's charming atmosphere, featuring old streets and historical sights, adds to its appeal.

Zhaoping Station (樟平車站): This stop serves as the current terminal station of the Alishan Forest Railway. From here, you can embark on various hiking trails or simply marvel at the panoramic vistas overlooking the verdant mountains. During spring, the station transforms into a visual feast with blooming cherry trees, making it a photographer's paradise.

Shuiyu Liao Station (水里寮車站): This quaint station is known for its unique U-shaped track, where the train winds around a bend for a complete 180-degree turn. While the station itself is unmanned, it offers a delightful stop to capture scenic photos amidst the surrounding mountains.

Duigaoyue Station (石棹車站): If you're an early riser and a nature enthusiast, Duigaoyue Station is a must-visit. This stop is famed for its mesmerizing sunrise views, painting the mountain peaks in a stunning array of colors. Make sure to bundle up, as the temperatures here tend to be cooler.

Note: Book your tickets well in advance and consider purchasing a pass that allows you to hop on and off at...

Since there wasn't any comprehensive guide available, I hope this will help.

The Alishan National Forest Entrance Ticket Office is just a 5–10 minute walk from the station.

Train services operate on a per-ticket basis, connecting Alishan-ShenMu Station, Alishan-ZhaoPing Station, and Alishan-ZhuShan Station. Tickets can only be purchased in person at the station on the same day, or the afternoon prior if you're planning to catch the sunrise train to ZhuShan Station. Tickets can be paid for using cash or card (not sure if YouCard is accepted).

Recommended Route: Many recommend taking the train to Alishan-ZhaoPing Station and hiking down to ShenMu Station—this is the route I followed.

Sunset: If you're on a day trip, you won't get to see the sunset.

Sunrise: Similarly, you’ll miss the sunrise unless you plan ahead. Tickets for the sunrise train to ZhuShan Station are only available the afternoon before the trip, and the ticket counter closes at 4:30 PM. Departure times and sunrise schedules vary daily, so be sure to check the timings in advance.

As for me, I skipped the sunrise train and opted for a package offered by my hotel, where we watched the sunrise from...

This station serves as the gate of the Alishan mountain, however it's a real shame that after many years still no direct connection with Chiayi.

The station building and the facilities are quite new and well maintained, there are ticket counters as well as ticket machines, these latter accept credit cards.

Due to the lack of trains to and from Chiayi (or any other station outside the park), one can only take trains to Shenmu, Zhaoping and Duigaoyue. Duigaoyue is the sunrise viewing place, the schedule of the trains departing to here are adjusted according to the sunrise time, so consult with the railway's website or this station for exact departure times. To Shenmu and Zhaoping, normally there are several services a day. Tickets cost NT100 to NT150, which I consider a bit high for such short trips (basically the tariff is NT100...