Ecotourism Shaft
Develop the ecotourism belt through combining the four major stations, Beimen Station, Zhuqi Station, Fenqihu Station and Alishan Station, and the four forest forms, level ground section, tropical forest, subtropical forest and temperate forest.
A diverse ecological environment connected by the Alishan Railway.
Transit Information
- By Public Transportation
- Train: purchase forest railway ticket in Chiayi Train Station and go to the forest railway platform to wait for the train. Passenger, who wants to go to Alishan, can transfer the bus in Fenqihu Station. (10 tickets for each person and each train number only.)
- Chiayi County Bus: Chiayi→Alisahn, Chiayi→Fenqihu, Chiayi HSR→Alisahn, Chiayi HSR→Fenqihu, Fenqihu→Alisahn
(http://www. bus.cyhg.gov.tw)
- Yuan Lin Bus: No. 6739 (Sun Moon Lake→Alishan)
-
- Kuo-Kuang Bus: No. 1835 (Taipei Bus Station→Alishan)
-
- By Car
- Route 1: National Highway No. 3→Jhongpu Interchange→Alishan Highway (Tai-18th Highway)→Alishan Forest Recreation Area (88.2K)
- Route 2: National Highway No. 1→Chiayi Interchange→Alishan Highway (Tai-18th Highway)→Alishan Forest Recreation Area (88.2K)
Chiayi Station
Briefing
Chiayi Station is an intersection of Alishan Forest Railway and Taiwan Railway. The altitude is 30 meters and it was also a three-combined station that including Taiwan Railway, sugar railway, and forest railway. Tourists can see the different width of orbit between Taiwan Railway (1067 mm) and Forest Railway (762 mm) on the first platform. The north side of first platform is the exact site to take forest railway.
Attraction
Chiayi Creative Park, Cypress Heart-locked Bridge, Art Site of Chiayi Railway Warehouse, Museum of Old Taiwan Tiles
Location
No. 528, Zhongshan Rd., Chiayi City
Beimen Station
Briefing
Beimen Station, which made of red cypress, is located at the ride side of railway. It was established in beginning of 1910s. However, a fire destroyed 40% of the station on May 16, 1998. Chiayi Branch rebuilt it with red cypress on the same year of November. Unfortunately, it was ruined again because of 921 Earthquake. Beimen Station was repaired by the authority and shows the recent appearance to public.
Attraction
Hinoki Village, Garage Park, Forestry Village, Song of Forest, Chiayi Prison Museum
Location
No. 428, Gonghe Rd., Chiayi City
Lumachan Station
Briefing
Lumachan (far from Chiayi: 10.8km; altitude: 82m), also called Luman (means full of deer) plays an important role between Beimen and Jhuci. It was crowded with people due to the development. However, no train stopped here from 1982 because Alishan Highway was opened to public. With the growth of the railway culture and tourism, old train station caught public’s attention and won community’s support. At the end of 2004, the authority reconstructed the station and made it recovery.
From April 16, 2019, forest railway will stop at this station. Passengers are able to watch historical Japanese architectures at this station.
Attraction
Lumanchan Creative Park, Manchu Biking Trail, Bridge No. 9
Location
No. 61-3, Xiaxixin, Luman Village, Zhuqi Township, Chiayi County
Jhuci Station
The old name of Jhuci (far from Chiayi: 14.2km; altitude: 127m) is Chutouchi. It is not only the last part of plain section in Alishan railway but also the beginning of climbing. The station was established on 1910 and rebuilt on 1952. During the period of steam train, they refilled the water and coal, and change locomotive from 18 ton to 28 ton to continue the slope-climbing.
Another feature of Jhuci Station is “triangle track” which helps train to change the direction.
Attraction
Jhuci Waterfront Park, Sky Corridor, Flower Trail, Singcian Drawbridge, Hongjing Bridge, Niuchou River Bridge, Jhenwu Temple
Location
No. 11, Jiuchezhan, Zhuqi Village, Zhuqi Township, Chiayi County
Muchiliao Station
Muchiliao (far from Chiayi: 18.9km; altitude: 324m) is also called Mujiliao because it got the reputation of clog. Although the distance from Jhuci is 4.7 km, the train needs to climb the height of 200 meters and the slope of 5%. It is only a stand from 1981.
Attraction
Jiaren Mountain
Location
No. 37, Mululiao, Zhuqi Township, Chiayi County
Jhangnaoliao Station
Jhangnaoliao (far from Chiayi: 23.3km; altitude: 543m), known for camphor trees and camphor oil, is a major place to export camphor during Japanese occupied period. Although there is only a row of camphor trees standing beside the railway now, passenger can still overlook the spectacular mountain-view at this station.
Jhangnaoliao is a turn-back station. The rail is built in “x-shaped”, so trains need to go back on left rail to get into station. The only two turn-back stations in Taiwan are Jhangnaoliao and Pingzhena Station. Passengers will experience loop line and spiral route to make three circles around Dulishan.
Attraction
Dulishan Trail, Jhangnaoliao Drawbridge, Hongnankeng Historical Trail, Tanghu Historical Trail
Location
No. 37-1, Zhangnaoliao, Zhuqi Township, Chiayi County
Dulishan Station
Dulishan Station (far from Chiayi: 27.4km; altitude: 743m) is between the tunnels. The standpipe, the facility for refilling water, is also remained in station. On the wall, Dulishan painting drew by children on 1997 is a popular attraction for passengers.
At the altitude of 800 meters, there is a watershed sign of tropical forest and subtropical forest.
Attraction
Dulishan Trail, Fengtian Rock, Dalongding Trail, Shibijiao
Location
Duanru Village, Zhuqi Township, Chiayi County
Liyuanliao Station
Liyuanliao (far from Chiayi: 31.4km; altitude: 905m) was known for pear and bamboo. From 1985, Liyuanliao Station becomes a stand on the railway.
Attraction
Sun-seeing Platform, Taixingyan Trail, Taixingyan Temple, Taiping Suspension Bridge
Location
Taixing Village, Meishan Township, Chiayi County
Jiaoliping Station
Jiaoliping (far from Chiayi: 34.9km; altitude: 997m) is in the middle of Alishan Forest Railway. Besides, it is also a meet point of uphill-train and downhill-train because they will meet each other at 15:13. So passengers like to stay here for a while because they can take pictures and visit the old grocery stores.
Attraction
Xinmao Grocery Store, Yun Tan Waterfall, Yuan Tan Natural ecological Park, Swallow Cliff, Ruili Bat Cave, Ruili Scenic Area
Location
No. 63, Jiaoliping, Renshou Village, Zhuqi Township, Chiayi County
Shueisheliao Station
From Jiaoliping Station to Shuisheliao Station, there are 8 tunnels. It is the section with the largest number of tunnels between two stations of Alishan Forest Railway. When a train passes through from No.16 tunnel to No.19 tunnel, it is winding around the Dubi Mountain.
Shuisheliao Station, 1,186 meters above sea level, is a small station under the peaks of the Luna Mountain and the Sitianwang Mountain. The most interesting part of this station is that the track presents a U-shaped curve, and the train winds along exactly a 180o curve from pulling into the station to pulling out of the station. Along with the Erwanping Station, they are the two stations with U-shaped track on the Alishan Forest Railway. Shuisheliao Station has already become a staffless station since the 1990's. Recently, due to the nearby bat cave, the abandoned station has also been converted into a bat education center. The Shuisheliao Station is the first station for education in bat ecology in Taiwan.
Taking the station as a starting point, tourists can walk to the surrounding famous scenic spots, covered with China-fir forest and bamboo forest along the way, with excellent views. Tourists can look Yushan, Tashan, Ruili and Fenqihu a long distance away. To the south, tourists can go to Wolong Valley, also known as Shigupan. The stream washes the boulder in the valley, forming dozens of gullies and caves. The stream water accumulates in the ditch from top to bottom, and then flows to the next ditch like a small waterfall. Like this, the holes connect one another for two kilometers long, like a crouching dragon on the water, so it is called Wolong (crouching dragon) Valley, a beautiful name.
Attraction
Bat Ecological Museum, Autumn Maple Tree Scenic Area, Wolong Valley Scenic Area, Four King-Mountains Trail, Shuishui Historical Trail, Ruishui Historical Trail
Location
Shueisheliao, Renshou Village, Zhuqi Township, Chiayi County
Fenqihu Station
Fenqihu (altitude: 1403m), one of the important station in Alishan Railway, got the name of “Dustpan Lake” because the landform is like a basin. Although there is a “lake” within the name, no lake exists in Fenqihu actually. It was known for old-street, bamboo, waterfall, historical trail, and especially bento. The reason why bento got the reputation is because tourists could have bento as their lunch when the train stopped at this station in the afternoon.
The station was a wooden structure initially, but it became Fenqihu Maintenance Section after the new station was operated. On 2004, the original one was demolished after the rebuilt. So, the authority decided to reconstruct a new wooden one, same as the old, to open in public.
Attraction
Guanghua Firefly-Watching Trail, Fenqihu Shrine Heritage, Fenqihu Giant Tree, Dadongshan Trail, Taihe Scenic Area, Green Tunnel, Tsou Tribe Culture, Tfuya Tribe
Location
No. 168-1, Fenqihu, Zhonghe Village, Zhuqi Township, Chiayi County
Duolin Station
Duolin (far from Chiayi: 50.9km; altitude: 1516m), also called Duoluoxian before, is a small Tsou tribe in Dadongshan. Passengers would see Dadongshan when the train turns right in this station. It became a stand from 1985.
Attraction
De-en-ya-na Community (small Switzerland), Laiji Tribe, Sibi-Sibi Cliff
Location
No. 106, Duoluoxian, Shizi Village, Alishan Township, Chiayi County
Shizilu Station
Shizilu Station (far from Chiayi: 55.3km; altitude: 1534m) is located at the south ridge of Shizi-Road Mountain. The reason why it got the name of Shizilu is because of not only an essential midway toward Alishan, but also a meet point of Tabangu and Tfuya Tribe. Besides, it is also the nearest station to Alishan Highhway.
Attraction
Tfuya Historical Trail, Tfuya Tribe, Tabangu Natural and Cultural Center, Limei Tribe
Location
No. 9, Shizi Rd., Shizi Village, Alishan Township, Chiayi County
Pingzhena Station
Pingzhena (far from Chiayi: 60.5km; altitude: 1711m) is a turn-back station. Train will start to climb the mountain followed by Z-shaped railway from this station. At the same time, it is also a boundary of subtropical and temperate zone.
Attraction
Tashan Rock, sunset
Location
Alishan Township, Chiayi County
Erwanping Station
Erwanping (altitude: 2000m), which means “board terrain”, was the terminal of Alishan Railway from 1912. It was not the terminal anymore because the railway was expanded to Zhaoping from 1914.
Alishan Youth Activity Center is located in Erwanping. Magnificent mountain-view, sunset glow, and sea cloud are attractive to passengers.
Attraction
the First Lane, the Second Lane, Tashan Sunset
Location
No. 106, Erwanping, Xianglin Village, Alishan Township, Chiayi County
Shenmu (Sacred Tree) Station
Shenmu Station is the third Lane of Alishan Forest Railway. This station was known for the sacred tree, a 3000-year-old red cypress. Unfortunately, sacred tree was destroyed by thunder and attacked by heavy rain. So the authority decided to lay it down as a heritage on July 1, 1997.
Attraction
Alishan Forest Recreation Area, Giant Trees, Ciyun Temple, Alishan Museum, Alishan House, Tree-soul Tower, Cherry Blossom King
Location
No. 45, Xianglin Village, Alishan Township, Chiayi County
Alishan Station
Nowadays, Alishan Sation is not only the terminal of Forest Railway, but also the starting of Chushan, Mianyue, and Shenmu Line. Originally, Alishan Station was the Fourth Lane of forest railway. With the increase of tourists on 1970s, authority expanded Recreation Area from August, 1977 to November, 1981 and renamed to New Alishan Station. However, it was closed because of 921 Earthquake on 1999 and the terminal was also changed into Zhaoping Station. In order to ease the burden of tourists, Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency established the temporary station and started to rebuild the new one. On September of 2007, Alishan Station was restarted.
Attraction
Alishan Visitor Center, Alishan Forest Recreation Area, Alishan Post Office, Alishan Trail
Location
No. 1, Alishan, Zhongzheng Village, Alishan Township, Chiayi County
Zhaoping Station
Zhaoping Station, or called old Alishan Station, was the original terminal of forest railway. It was established on 1914 and started operation on the same year of March 14. The Zhaoping Station had been badly damaged by fire and then was rebuilt. The new station building was officially opened on April 21, 2013. All parts of the entire building of the Zhaoping Station were connected by butt laying, without any nails. In particular, the Japanese wood-making technique was introduced into the construction of the station building, conveying the advantages of wood building materials and developing the feasibility of modern wood-making technique, as well as presenting the grace and glory of a nostalgia Japanese-style railway. Except for transportation, Zhaoping is a multifunctional station providing passengers to experience railway culture, such as art exhibit and aboriginal culture. In addition, environmentally-friendly construction methods were introduced into the construction of Zhaoping Station for recycling water resources and letting natural light in. The station also integrates with the Zhaoping Park and surrounding terrain to fully present the open and intimate architectural appearance. This design was also awarded the "2006 Japan Architecture Society Design Excellence Award" in September 2006.
Attraction
Alishan Poem Trail, Sky Trail, Cherry Blossom Trail, Alishan Ecological Education Museum, Formosa Pleione Ecological Story Museum, Sun-watching Trail, Tashan Trail, Alishan Guest House of Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency
Location
No. 17, Xianglin Village, Alishan Township, Chiayi County
Chushan Station
Chushan Station (altitude: 2451m) is the best location to watch sunrise. Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency began to build Chushan Line for delivering passengers who watch sunrise on 1984 and operated on January 13, 1986. Chushan Line (total length: 6.25km; altitude: 2000m above) is the first mountain-climbing railway built by Taiwanese and the highest point of Taiwan railway.
Chushan gets the reputation of sunrise throughout the world. The original path was not affordable anymore due to the open of Alishan Highway. With the raise of tourists, Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency overcame a variety of challenges and commenced on the railway. Nowadays, tourists are able to watch amazing sunrise by taking Chushan Line.
Attraction
Chushan Sun-watch Platform, Ogasawara Observatory
Location
No. 99, Alishan, Zhongzheng Village, Alishan Township, Chiayi County
Dueigaoyue Station
Dueigaoyue is a station of Chushan Line. Tourists can also watch sunrise on the observatory of Dueigaoyue. Wooden path, maple leaf, cherry blossom, sea cloud, and snow-view are the features of this station. On 1986, the station was closed because of the operation of Chushan Line, but it became a stop of cruise-style train from 2017.
Attraction
Dueigaoyue Hiking Trail, Dueigaoyue Sun-watching Platform
Location
No. 47, Shenmu Ln., Shenmu Village, Xinyi Township, Nantou County