The railway bathed in crimson leaves offers a healing view of stunning beauty—escape to the mountain wilderness for instant stress relief.

Text by / Scenic Spots Home compiled report Photo by / Strolling in the Clouds: Alishan
 
After winter sets in, Alishan gradually becomes cooler. With the growing gap between daytime and nighttime temperatures, the maple trees on Alishan gradually don bright red hues. The striking contrast of the red leaves against the railway scenery of the Alishan Forest Railway is incredibly therapeutic—travelers should seize this fleeting moment and plan a trip up the mountain to enjoy the maple spectacle while it lasts.

The key maple-viewing spots within Alishan Forest Recreation Area are mainly located on Mt. Ogasawara, Zhushan, Alishan Botanical Garden, Duigaoyue, around Zhaoping Station, and Ciyun Temple.

The timing of Alishan’s maple season remains fairly consistent each year. The red leaves along Highway 18 typically make their first appearance from late October to early November, while those within Alishan National Forest Recreation Area begin to take over from late November through January.

December is the most beautiful month for autumn foliage in Alishan, featuring Taiwan’s native red maple as the star. Heading toward Zhushan, spots such as Duigaoyue, Zhushan Station, Alishan Botanical Garden, and Mt. Ogasawara are all highly recommended.

While Alishan’s red leaves may not create the most grandiose scenes, they blend seamlessly with the diverse features of Alishan’s Five Wonders, forming a one-of-a-kind autumn foliage landscape.