| Shenmu Branch Line
Shenmu Station is the third branch of the Alishan Forest Railway, known for the towering sacred trees that once stood beside the railway tracks.
However, a sacred tree was struck by lightning and caught fire on June 7, 1956, and then became dangerously tilted due to storm damage on July 1, 1997.
The Forestry Conservation Agency felled the sacred tree on June 29, 1998. Visitors can now closely view the remains of the sacred tree via a walking trail at Shenmu Station.
The elegantly wooden-structured Shenmu Station was renovated in 2022. To protect the precious growth of red cypress, measures such as ecological checks, reduction, and avoidance were adopted; by maintaining the slope,
the old platform was extended outward, making the terrain-adapted platform also feature a viewing function, allowing close views of the Shen Yi waterfall and offering the best spot for viewing Mount Tower.
| Half Fare for Locals:
Nationals meeting the following qualifications receive a 100 NTD discount:
- Military and police personnel with identification.
- Students with a student ID and children (ages 7 to 12).
- Residents of the county or city where the amusement area is located, with proof of residency.
- Families of deceased government officials, with proof.
| Half Fare for Foreigners:
- Non-local students, with an International Student ID and children (ages 7 to 12)
| Alishan National Forest Recreation Area
“Enjoy flowers in spring, cool off in summer, embrace autumn leaves, and watch clouds in winter” describes the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area’s myriad seasonal attractions. In Alishan, just slow down and enjoy the continuous comfortable mountains, fall asleep to the sound of insects, and wake up to crisp bird calls. Why not pack your bags now, plan a light trip to Alishan, immerse yourself in the phytoncides of the sacred trees, and arrange a natural cleansing for your body and soul.
| The Five Wonders of Alishan
Alishan is one of the five major mountain ranges in Taiwan, not just a single mountain but a region; rich in red cypress and hinoki cypress since ancient times, it became Taiwan’s largest logging site from 1912 until the late 1960s. After logging by the Japanese and the Nationalist government, the original cypress forest was nearly exhausted. Today, there are nearly forty giant cypress trees remaining from the first and second phases, reminding us of the past majesty and sanctity of the sacred wood. Among them, the tallest "Alishan Xianglin Sacred Tree," stands 45 meters high, with a circumference of 12.3 meters, and is about 2300 years old, making it a must-visit spot in Alishan.
| The Eight Views of Alishan
In the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area, there is a rich ecology, including rare plants such as Dipteris conjugata, Selaginella doederleinii, Alishan's ten great achievements, and Gastrodia elata; the fauna includes the Formosan macaque, Swinhoe's pheasant, bush warbler, Alishan robin, and Alishan stream loach among other little stars, creating a lively atmosphere.
In addition to the sacred trees, Alishan has many other scenic spots worth visiting: the forest railway, the ethereal Sister Ponds, the magnificent sea of clouds, beautiful Chushan sunrise, Shouzhen Temple, Ciyun Temple with a century of history, forestry relics, and the spring blossoming of various cherry trees and rhododendrons... Alishan National Forest Recreation Area is an internationally recognized tourist attraction representing Taiwan's foggy mountain zones, welcoming travelers from all around the world to explore Taiwan’s rich and beautiful mountainous landscape.
Source: Official website of the Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, Forestry Bureau, and Taiwan Forest Recreation website
