Come to Chiayi for a Fun-Filled Spring Festival – Enjoy Blooming Flowers and Birdwatching at Alishan and Aogu Wetlands

▲ Sea of Clouds over Alishan. (Photo / Courtesy ofChiayi Forest District Officewebsite)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

During the Spring Festival, the Alishan National Scenic Area is in full bloom with mountain cherry blossoms and elegant white calla lilies, attracting large crowds of flower enthusiasts every year. Another popular destination, the Aogu Wetland Forest Park in Dongshi Township, is perfect for birdwatching. The Alishan National Scenic Area operates 24 hours a day, and the service center in the Aogu Wetland Forest Park — the Dongshi Nature Ecology Exhibition Hall — is also hosting the “Turtle’s Journey, Endless Life” animal conservation exhibition. Free shuttle buses will be available during the Spring Festival, and some access restrictions will be in place.

Due to limited parking space within the scenic areas, temporary parking spaces for cars and buses will be designated along Kilometers 86–95 of Provincial Highway 18 during the Spring Festival. Additionally, 200 motorcycle parking spaces will be provided free of charge outside the main entrance of the Alishan National Scenic Area. For traffic flow planning and safety reasons, motorcycles will be prohibited from entering the scenic area during the holiday.

The Chiayi Forest District Office will also set up seven shuttle bus stops between Kilometers 89–95 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily from the first to the fifth day of the Lunar New Year (February 19–23, 2015), offering free shuttle services to transport visitors to the main entrance of the Alishan National Scenic Area. Visitors are advised to park their vehicles in the temporarily designated parking spaces along Kilometers 86–95 of Provincial Highway 18 (Alishan Highway) in an orderly manner.

The “Turtle’s Journey, Endless Life” animal conservation exhibition at the Dongshi Nature Ecology Exhibition Hall showcases 13 species of turtles and tortoises from around the world, inviting everyone to participate in turtle conservation efforts. During the Spring Festival, the Dongshi Nature Ecology Exhibition Hall and Guanhai Tower will be closed on New Year’s Eve (February 18), but will reopen from February 12 to 23 (the first to fifth days of the Lunar New Year) to welcome visitors. Daily operating hours are from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

▲ “Turtle’s Journey, Endless Life” Animal Conservation Exhibition. (Photo / Courtesy ofChiayi Forest District Officewebsite)

For related transportation information, please visit the Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ “Spring Festival Traffic Management Website” or the official website of the Alishan National Scenic Area. For any questions about the scenic area, you may also contact the service hotline at 05-3601801 or refer to theMountain Recreation Network.