Alishan Township, Taiwan

Alishan is famous throughout Taiwan as one of the island's most popular tourist destinations, thanks to its abundance of natural beauty. Tourists can get there by taking a narrow-gage mountain railway, enjoying endless riches of the geographic aspects and flora along their way. The sunrise, sea of clouds, sunset, forests, and mountain railways are known as the five wonders of the Alishan.

The sea of clouds at Alishan, known as one of Taiwan's eight top scenic attractions, occurs regularly at sunrise and dusk. The best season for viewing this phenomenon is the fall, and the best places include Erwanping and the Alishan Forest Recreation Area that includes:

Ciyun Temple, Alishan Hostel, Alishan Railway Station,

• Zhaoping Park,
• Sunrise House at Zhushan
• First Parking Lot. These are also preferred locations for viewing the sunset.

Alishan possesses rich forest resources, with tropical, subtropical, temperate, and frigid-zone forests all in the same scenic area. The most precious of these resources are the stands of old cypress trees. Mid-March to Mid-April is the Alishan flower season, when whole mountain sides are decorated in the rich colors of several species of cherry blossoms. On Linyin Trail, where the tips of ancient trees pierce the heavens, in addition to basking in the healthful atmosphere you can enjoy the delightful melodies of babblers, orioles, tits, and thrushes.

After you enjoy the beauties of nature in the Alishan National Scenic Area you can go on the Fenqihu, which is known primarily for natural scenery such as gushing waterfalls and clear streams, odd stones and strange trees, all exhibiting the features of the primeval wilderness and making you feel like a fearless explorer of the forests. Fenqihu also produces mountain vegetables, bamboo shoots, and other wild delicacies that beg you to try them.