Day 3: Exploring Alishan National Park

This day will be dedicated to exploring the natural wonders of Alishan National Park, the most famous park in Taiwan. We will also enjoy a taste of the renowned Alishan oolong tea.

Alishan National Park:

  • Located in the Chiayi region of central Taiwan, Alishan is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, especially during the spring season.
  • The park is home to the Alishan Forest Railway, a historic railway built in 1899. This scenic mountain railway is one of the few remaining operational mountain railways in the world and serves as a popular tourist attraction, transporting visitors to various locations within the park.
  • Alishan is also known for its high-quality oolong tea, which has gained international recognition.

Highlights:

  • Immerse yourself in the breathtaking natural landscapes of Alishan National Park.
  • Experience the unique charm of the Alishan Forest Railway.
  • Savor the exquisite taste of Alishan oolong tea.

Note: This is a translation of the provided text. I have not included any personal opinions or interpretations.

  • Zhushan Station is the station where we will go to see the sunrise in the early morning, which is the highlight of this place. The train starts running from very early in the morning until late morning. It will end at Chaoping Station, which we did not stay at a hotel here, so we missed the sunrise, which is a pity.

  • Chaoping Station is a station where we can walk and enjoy the beauty of the pine forest and nature. The train runs frequently, every 30 minutes, starting around 10:00 AM and ending with the last train around 3:45 PM. We must start at Alishan Station.
  • If we miss the train or the last train, it's okay because we can walk to all the stations. The path is very beautiful. The scenery along the way is beautiful, the air is fresh, and it's not hot. (See the map for details.)

  • Before we could start our nature walk, we had to take a bus to have lunch.
  • The area was full of cherry blossoms. (We went in April, so the cherry blossoms were starting to fall.)
  • The cherry blossoms bloom with various other flowers and only bloom in March and April.

  • Lunch will be served inside Alishan National Park.
  • Upon arrival, a park vehicle will pick us up to have lunch at the park's dining room.

  • After finishing our meal, we embarked on a journey to explore the surrounding nature. The weather was pleasant, with no rain and a cool temperature of around 20-25 degrees Celsius. There was also a light mist in the air.

  • Hike the Zhaoping Park nature trail and admire the ancient tree stumps, some dating back two thousand years.

  • Walking through the forest, you will find Two Sisters Pond, also known as The Sister Pond. The pond is divided into two sections: the Elder Sister Pond (Ender Sister pond) and the Younger Sister Pond.

History of Two Sisters Pond

According to local legend, two sisters who were both in love with the same man decided to end their lives by jumping into the pond. This tragic story has been passed down through generations, leaving a lasting impression of sadness and love.

  • Upon entering, you will first encounter the younger sister pond, which is smaller in size.

  • Walk a little further, not too far, and you will find Elder Sister Pond, which is larger.

  • Walking around, we felt like we were in a scene from the movie Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, specifically the fight scene in the pine forest. It also reminded us of the Twilight movies, haha.

  • Alishan Sacred Tree Along both paths, we can admire giant trees thousands of years old, experience towering pines, ancient tree remains, and a variety of tree species.

  • Upon exiting the pine forest, you will encounter the Shouzhen Temple, a large temple in Alishan National Park built in 1969. Locals often visit to worship the goddess of fertility and the god of commerce.

  • This area has shops selling food and provides seating for休憩. However, most of the shops sell herbs.

The following is a translation of the provided text:

At this point, there will be an activity of riding an ancient train.

  • The Alishan Railway Train This is where you will board the historic train to enjoy the surrounding scenery.

  • The interior of the vintage train.

  • The vintage train will take you to the end of the line at the Alishan Forest Railway Train.

  • Upon exiting, you will find the Alishan Train Station, which offers scenic views for photo opportunities.

The second location of the day is a tea shop called Bai Cha, where we will be trying oolong tea.

++ To be continued ++

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