Taiwan’s First Major Cultural Landscape — “Lishan Starry Sky Camp” Launches Romantic Qixi Festival Event

By MOOK Travel & Leisure (compiled and reported)

The Alishan Forestry and Railway was officially designated by the Ministry of Culture on July 9 as a “Major Cultural Landscape,” writing an important chapter in Taiwan’s cultural heritage preservation efforts. The Forestry Bureau’s Alishan Forestry Railway and Cultural Assets Management Office just celebrated the one-year anniversary of its founding when it received this prestigious recognition, which made the unit feel all the more committed to its significant mission.

Alishan is home to vast stands of cypress forests described as “limitless treasures,” once the foremost among Taiwan’s three major logging sites and a witness to the development of Taiwan’s forestry industry. In 1912, the Alishan Forest Railway reached Erwanping at the height of global railway technological advancement, which is why the railway features four iconic engineering methods: Z-shaped tracks, U-turns, spiral routes, and unique vertical-cylinder Shay steam locomotives. It is not only the only forestry railway in Taiwan preserved in dynamic operation but also a vital cultural asset from the early 20th century that carries forward industrial railway technology from the 19th century.

Originally built as a forestry facility, the Alishan Forest Railway ceased logging operations due to declining timber yields. In 1963, diesel-powered passenger cars known as the “Zhongxing (Revival) Express,” manufactured in Japan, were introduced, ushering in a new era of tourism. However, in 1982, the opening of the Alishan Highway bus service posed a challenge, as the railway struggled to compete with the convenience and speed of road transport, leading to operational difficulties and debates over its future. Fortunately, the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act was enacted that same year, sparking a growing awareness of cultural preservation. This shift led to a reevaluation of the railway from the perspective of “cultural assets,” bringing new hope for its conservation. Since then, from 1988 to the present, eight historic sites and 47 historic buildings related to the Alishan Forestry and Railway have been designated or registered by Chiayi City and County.

In 2002, it was listed by the Council for Cultural Affairs (the precursor to the Ministry of Culture) as one of Taiwan’s potential World Heritage sites. After 2011, the entire Alishan Forestry and Railway system was registered as a cultural landscape, overcoming the threat of railway elevation projects. The journey of the Alishan Forest Railway has been akin to that of a tragically beautiful woman facing many trials, and now it has blossomed into Taiwan’s first major cultural landscape.

On July 1, 2018, the “Alishan Forestry Railway and Cultural Assets Management Office” was established amid high anticipation, becoming the world’s second specialized agency for the preservation of railway cultural assets. It not only opened a new chapter in the history of the Alishan Forest Railway but also broke away from traditional heritage preservation models. With safety as its top priority, the office is moving toward dynamic preservation and sustainable management.


In addition, the Forestry Bureau’s Chiayi Forest District Office has partnered with the Chiayi City Astronomy Association to host a summer stargazing camp in Alishan. Four sessions of the “Galactic Planetary Season Astronomy & Ecology Camp” will be held in the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area on July 25–26, July 26–27, August 1–2, and August 2–3. Registration begins at 9:00 AM on Monday, July 8. Couples and families are welcome to visit Alishan and create lasting memories together.