While there are many splendid and awe-inspiring vistas across the world, none brings calm, stirring silence like a morning sunrise.
As the sun’s rays rise above the horizon in a rainbow of colors, you can be caught in an optical illusion as the clouds roll over each other like slow-motion, frothy waves. The horizon temporarily becomes an oil painting.
This is Alishan, a mountain in Chiaya County, Taiwan.
A place originally accessible only by train, Alishan is the convergence of four mountain ranges: the Dawu Mountain range, Jian Mountain, Zhu Mountain, and Ta Mountain. Now, along with a train, there is a highway leading up to a camp below the peaks.
It sits inland far from the coast in the south of Taiwan—here stands the heart and beauty of a nation.
Originally the dwelling place of the Thou Indigenous people of Taiwan, Alishan became a Japanese logging ground in the early 1900s. The forest was named a national park during the post-Japan era, and it was restored to its previous verdancy.
It now stands as one of the places you must see if you visit Taiwan. And once you do, you will wonder if anywhere else compares to its peace and serenity.
The mountaineer train circles up to a point at the peak of the Zhu Mountain where the sun rises above the Yu. A magical view can be seen at an elevation of over 7,000 feet.
While the sunrise is perhaps Ali Mountain’s most famous asset, it’s only one of many available tourist attractions. Another highlight is the “Mystical Tree of Alishan,” which is reported to be 3,000 years old. But more mystical than its age is the fact the branches at the top continue to grow, despite the broken trunk beneath.
As the sun’s rays rise above the horizon in a rainbow of colors, you can be caught in an optical illusion as the clouds roll over each other like slow-motion, frothy waves. The horizon temporarily becomes an oil painting.
This is Alishan, a mountain in Chiaya County, Taiwan.
A place originally accessible only by train, Alishan is the convergence of four mountain ranges: the Dawu Mountain range, Jian Mountain, Zhu Mountain, and Ta Mountain. Now, along with a train, there is a highway leading up to a camp below the peaks.
The Beauty and Mystery of Alishan
It sits inland far from the coast in the south of Taiwan—here stands the heart and beauty of a nation.
Originally the dwelling place of the Thou Indigenous people of Taiwan, Alishan became a Japanese logging ground in the early 1900s. The forest was named a national park during the post-Japan era, and it was restored to its previous verdancy.
It now stands as one of the places you must see if you visit Taiwan. And once you do, you will wonder if anywhere else compares to its peace and serenity.
The mountaineer train circles up to a point at the peak of the Zhu Mountain where the sun rises above the Yu. A magical view can be seen at an elevation of over 7,000 feet.
While the sunrise is perhaps Ali Mountain’s most famous asset, it’s only one of many available tourist attractions. Another highlight is the “Mystical Tree of Alishan,” which is reported to be 3,000 years old. But more mystical than its age is the fact the branches at the top continue to grow, despite the broken trunk beneath.
Some of the trees are of such circumference that it would take 30 people linking arms to embrace one tree. It stands as a symbolic reference to the many other trees that are record of history at 1,000 years of age or more.
One of the famous plants to view in bloom from March to May is the sakura, or cherry blossoms, which were actually brought to Taiwan by the Japanese. Though they are around Taiwan in other places, Mount Ali has the most impressive number of these beautiful specimens. The coming of spring is visible at a glance, as pink flowers complete the landscape.
Spring on Alishan
One of the famous plants to view in bloom from March to May is the sakura, or cherry blossoms, which were actually brought to Taiwan by the Japanese. Though they are around Taiwan in other places, Mount Ali has the most impressive number of these beautiful specimens. The coming of spring is visible at a glance, as pink flowers complete the landscape.
Vibrant colors, astounding views, history, and serenity surround Alishan. So if you are looking for that “Nestea plunge” of a hiatus from your everyday life, a trip to Taiwan, and particularly Alishan, might just provide the recharge you are looking for to get you back on track.
This article is sponsored by and published in cooperation with the Taiwan Tourism Bureau. For more information, please visit the Bureau’s official website.
This article is sponsored by and published in cooperation with the Taiwan Tourism Bureau. For more information, please visit the Bureau’s official website.
