The Alishan sunrise is one of the unique wonders of Alishan.  A lot of people go here to see the infamous sunrise.  However, for tourists like me, it's a matter of chance.  It is said that the best season for sunrise viewing is end of fall to February.

I checked on the weather forecasts online and I saw it would be cloudy with a bit of rain.  Knowing that, I still proceeded with a bit of hope.  I was up by 3AM, took a bath and had my things packed.  At 4:30AM, I started walking towards Alishan Station.

Going to Alishan Station

When I got there, the station isn't open yet, but it did a few minutes later.  I went straight to the platform level (2nd floor) as I already bought my ticket the day before.  Most of the people still lined up at the ticket counter which is still closed.  I was the third in line at the entrance of the platform.  It was about 15 minutes later when the line got long, I guess the ticket counter might already be open.  The train left Alishan Station around 5:45 for the 30-minute ride to Zhushan Staion.

Tip: Buy your tickets the day before.  The station pre-sells these tickets from 2-5PM.

Alishan Station is still closed when I got there

It opened a few minutes later

While waiting in line

People eagerly waiting for the train

Here comes the train

Arrived at Zhushan Station after 30 minutes

Zhushan Station

Zhushan Station

At the exit of the station, information on the time of sunrise and the last train are posted.  Zhushan view deck is just a few steps from the top of these steep steps.  Most of the people stay here and wait for the sunrise.  There are stalls here selling some snacks, water and coffee.

Zhushan Station Exit

Zhushan View Deck

If you feel the area is too crowded (and you still have some time), you can go to Ogasawara view deck.  It's about a 15-minute walk (not stopping for sight-seeing) on the path to the right of the station's exit. Be prepared for an uphill trek.  You can't be lost on this path as it only leads to the view deck.  You would also pass by a botanical garden (I checked it out a bit on the way down).

Path to Ogasawara view deck

It is more peaceful here (and quiet), far from the chatting of numerous other tourists and the loud megaphones of the tour guides.  The area, in my opinion is more serene, plus you can get a 360 degree view of the surrounding mountains.  It's just that it was too cloudy I didn't get to experience Alishan sunrise, maybe next time.

The sun has already risen

After a few more minutes, the sun is already up, so it's time to head back to the Zhushan station.  I need to catch the last train from here.  Otherwise, I would need to walk back to Zhaoping or all the way to Alishan Station.  I stopped by Alpine Botanical Garden but did not enter (it's not yet open that early anyway) but one can get a glimpse of the garden from the entrance.

The path on the way back to the station is more downhill so it took less time going back.  It was a relief that I was able to catch the train.  The way back to Alishan Station is scenic, with the budding cherry blossoms at the side of the tracks.
 

Walking back to Zhushan Station

Zhushan Station

After alighting at Zhaoping Station, I went to the direction of Alishan Gou Hotel.  It's one of the hotels within the forest recreation area (the other being Alishan House Hotel).  This hotel may or may not have been used in the TW drama Wish to See You Again.  I've actually known of Alishan through this drama.

Alishan Gou Hotel

Alishan Gou Hotel

Past the hotel is an entrance to the trails.  A map of the area is available here.

Area Map

Green Shower
Forests are usually called the "Lungs of the Earth".  They can absorb carbon dioxide, hot air, and noise, emitting oxygen and fresh cold air by filtering out dust particles.  You can bathe yourself in air filled with the odorous smell of Phytoncide, and you will feel very comfortable and relaxing.

Pond-shore Boardwalk
This boardwalk goes through cypress stands and around the pond is about 186 meters long.  Walking along the trail, you will the enjoy the beautiful reflection in the pond and the scenic surroundings while having a fresh breath provided by the forest bath tour.

The Sister Pond

The Three Brothers  These are three straight-up Taiwan red cypress trees growing side by side on top of some remaining stumps.  They all looked quite similar to each other, and people nicknamed them the "Three Brothers".

The Four Sisters After one big cypress was felled, four seeds of the same species happened to be air-delivered on top of the stump.  The seeds grew into four intimate trees side by side which remind people of four endearing sisters.

Pig-shaped Old Stump Even though the rest of the trees have fallen, the old tree stumps still firmly grab on to the soil with their roots.  This has a significant ecological function because it helps to prevent soil erosion.  Conservation of old stumps is good for ecology.  The old stumps are vivid witness of Alishan forestry history.

The Wheel Stamen Tree The distribution of the Wheel Stamen Tree is limited only to Taiwan, Japan and Okinawa.  It is a species to survive the Ice Age here and is considered a living fossil.  In evolution, it is characteristic of a more primitive type of evergreen hardwood.  Its bloom season is from April to May.

Love Forever
Two old Taiwan red cypress stumps have naturally grown intertwined with their roots, developing into a big heart shape.  The intriguing shape has been interpreted as a symbol of eternal love.

Downhill path to Magnolia Garden

Magnolia Garden
Magnolia trees belong to Magnoliaceae.  They are one of the existing and more primitive families in plant evolution.  One characteristic of the magnolia is its heady scent.  The magnolia belongs to a type of deciduous trees with extremely large, six petal blossoms.  In spring, the blooming flowers are at their most vivid and brilliant stage.  There are white and purple species mixed in this area.

Magnolia Garden

Continuing on to the trail, I reached Shouzhen Temple.  It is the largest temple within the Alishan area and indeed, it is also the highest altitude temple in Taiwan (2150m). Since the reconstruction in 1969, it has become one of the most popular temples for the locals. (Source: Sinotour)

Wasabi plant sold around the temple

Shouzhen Temple

Around Shouzhen Temple

Scented Woods and Arch Bridge There are emerald green mountains, luxuriant and well-spaced trees, arch bridges and flowing water.  As you stride across the stream and look back, you would feel like you are in Kyoto, Japan.

The Three-Generation Trees The aged tree roots lying on the ground were the first generation of 1500 years old tree.  The roots were withered for about 250 years and sometime there was a seed dropping on the roots occasionally.  By means of absorbing nutrients from the withered tree roots, the seed came into leaf and grew up as the second-generation tree.  After passing the period of 300 years, the second-generation tree roots were aged and the stem became hollow.  In spite of the disadvantages, the roots still got alive and grew up as the third-generation tree.

Stump Looks like Elephant's Trunk
Look closely at this aged red cypress stump.  Can you see that the shape of the stump is similar to an elephant's head, eyes and trunk?  If you think the stump is exactly the same as an elephant, take a snapshot with the stump.  You may find it more like a mammoth because it covers a large layer of mosses.

A school within the forest

Alishan Museum
Alishan Museum was built in 1911.  The museum constructors mainly adopted Taiwan cypresses as the construction materials.  Displays in the exhibition hall of the museum include various alpine animals and plant specimens, forest management planning, as well as aboriginal costumes and the cultural heritage of the Tsou Tribe.

At Cihyun Temple

Pagoda of the Tree Spirit The intent of building a monument devoted to sacred trees was to appease the tree spirits.  The base of the monument is made of a series of concentric circles representing the annual growth rings of a tree.  Each step is for 500 years of growth, commemorating the 3000 years of the Alishan Sacred Tree.

Dr. Kawai Memorial This memorial was erected in 1933 to dedicate forest investigation by Dr. Kawai Ichitaro and his contributions to local development.  He was a forestry professor of Tokyo University.  His inventory in 1903 indicated more than 300,000 Taiwan red cypress and Taiwan cypress were available such that logging operation was performed accordingly.

Thousand Year Cypress

Alishan Sianglin Sacred Tree
To pass down the legacy of the now fallen Alishan Sacred Tree, the Forestry Bureau, Chiayi County Government, and the Tourism Bureau co-organized the "Balloting Campaign for Alishan Sacred Tree II," through which this giant tree received most votes and was thus given the name "Alishan Sianglin Sacred Tree" on January 1, 2007.

Giant Trees Boardwalk - 1
Giant Trees Boardwalk one is about 600m in length.  It was built for conservation of the ecosystem using elevated boardwalks such that people will not trample on the soil and roots, and the precious giant trees can be protected.  Along the path you will encounter the 20 remarkable giant trees.

After almost 2 hours of walking, I got to the Sacred Tree (Shenmu Station).  I was happy I got there before 4PM, that means there's still a train going back to Alishan Station.  It was also a relief I took the Alishan-Zhaoping-Sacred Tree-Alishan route, as the path from Zhaoping Station to Sacred Tree is mostly downhill.  Had I done it the other way around, I would have sore legs and might not even be able to catch the last train from Zhaoping Station.

Down to Sacred Tree Station

Additional information on Alishan is available in the wikitravel site and here.