Track Down Wild Bears in the Green Wilderness & Experience Alaska’s Midnight Sun

Reported by Tsai Meng-hsiu / Taipei

As the peak summer travel season approaches, if you want to escape hot tropical islands, you might want to consider a polar climate trip for a different experience. The U.S. state of Alaska is a typical polar tourism destination. Also in the Northern Hemisphere, Alaska is currently in summer, with its perpetually snow-blanketed land now bursting with lively vitality. Natural spectacles such as brown bears hunting salmon and the phenomenon of the midnight sun can all be seen during the summer.

▲ Before introducing Alaska, let’s look at a map to help readers better understand its geography. The map shows just how vast Alaska’s territory is. (Photo / Reported by Tsai Meng-hsiu)

▲ This photo shows a view of Denali National Park, which has over 24,585 square kilometers of protected land—larger than the entire state of Massachusetts. (Photo /Provided by the Alaska Taiwan Office of the United States)

Far-off northern Alaska is the largest state in the U.S., covering 16% of the country’s land area. Due to its proximity to the Arctic Circle, the climate is cold, the population is sparse, and thus its ecology remains largely intact, earning it the nickname “the last virgin land on Earth.” The state’s territory can generally be divided into the Southcentral Region, Interior Region, Inside Passage, Arctic Region, and Southwest Region. The Southcentral and Interior Regions are filled with mountains, forests, and lakes, boasting rich wildlife, so the main modes of tourist transport are trains or highways.

Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city and also a transportation hub. Most international flights land in Anchorage. China Airlines offers non-stop flights from Taiwan to Anchorage, with a flight time of about nine hours. Other airlines may require transfers in Seattle, Vancouver, or Los Angeles to reach Anchorage.

In summer, Alaska experiences the phenomenon of the midnight sun, with daylight lasting up to 21 hours. The sun sets around 11 p.m. and rises again around 3 a.m. Temperatures generally range between 15 to 21 degrees Celsius, dropping to around 0 to 5 degrees in the early morning. Meanwhile, the natural environment takes on a completely different look—farewell to the harsh silver winter, as melting snow nourishes the earth, and the landscape is painted with green meadows and vibrant colors.

Generally, summer itineraries focus on the Inside Passage and the Southwest region. This is the bears’ feeding season, and tourists can observe the breathtaking sight of brown bears catching salmon up close and safely under the guidance of local guides.

▲ During the summer feeding season, tourists can watch brown bears catch salmon in thrilling close-up views, safely guided by local experts. (Photo / Provided by Sina Technology)

Inland visitors can opt for a train journey for a deeper exploration. From Anchorage, you can take the Alaska Railroad Sightseeing Train to Fairbanks, the second-largest city, passing through Denali National Park along the way. The Alaska Railroad is a broad-gauge train, offering spacious seating. It features a two-level design—the upper level has panoramic glass-roofed observation areas, providing unobstructed views along the journey, while the lower level is the dining area where passengers are guided for meals in shifts.

▲ The Alaska Sightseeing Train travels at an average speed of 60–80 km/h. When passing through particularly scenic areas, the driver will slow down the train to allow passengers to take photos. (Photo /Provided by the Alaska Taiwan Office of the United States)

▲ The Alaska Sightseeing Train is a broad-gauge train with spacious seating. The upper level features panoramic glass-roofed observation areas, offering unobstructed views similar to those on Swiss sightseeing trains. (Photo / Sourcesingular1)

As for the famous Denali National Park, it spans over 24,585 square kilometers of protected land—larger than the entire state of Massachusetts. The park is home to over 40 glaciers, and Mount McKinley is the highest peak in North America. In addition, Denali National Park is the world’s largest ecological reserve, where animals such as North American grizzly bears, elk, caribou, and foxes... can be spotted everywhere. A trip here could take several weeks to fully explore.

▲ Glacier scenery inside Denali National Park. (Photo /Provided by the Alaska Taiwan Office of the United States)

▲ Rafting is a common activity in Denali National Park. (Photo /Alaska Taiwan Office of the United States)

▲ Wildlife can be spotted throughout Denali National Park (Photo /Alaska Taiwan Office of the United States)

▲ In addition to grizzly bears, other wildlife can be found in the park, such as this marmot. (Photo /(Provided by the Taiwan Representative Office)

Staff at the Taiwan Representative Office in Alaska, USA, said that summer is a popular season for visiting Denali, which can be accessed via rail, road, and air transport systems. It is a must-visit destination in Alaska, attracting around 400,000 visitors to Denali National Park each year. Travelers driving from Anchorage to Denali National Park will have a journey of about four hours, but please note that driving is not allowed inside the national park—visitors must take shuttle buses instead.

Another option is to take a cruise from Whittier for an inland sea journey. Whittier served as a U.S. military port and railway station during World War II and was the main gateway for U.S. forces entering Alaska. After the military withdrew in the 1960s, Whittier transformed into a cruise port and also became a major hub for shipping between Alaska, Seattle, and Vancouver, Canada. Therefore, many tourists choose to cruise the inland seas in the summer. Those interested in taking a cruise can fly into Anchorage and then drive to Whittier, a journey of about two hours, with scenic views of the inland landscape along the way.

▲ Another popular cruise itinerary departs from the Whittier port and sails through the inland sea. This port is also a key maritime hub connecting Seattle and Vancouver. (Photo/alaskatraveprovided by l)

During the voyage, you can enjoy the timeless scenery of glaciers, and may be accompanied by whales, dolphins, or seals along the way—like a wildlife park on the sea. This trip offers the joy of a cruise experience, though the time spent on the ship is relatively short, only two days and one night, yet it covers more in-depth sightseeing spots compared to a typical cruise tour.

Since Alaska is remote, many supplies need to be transported from the U.S. mainland, resulting in higher living costs. Before traveling, you can purchase the Great Alaskan Tours Saver 2for1, which includes discount coupons for nearly all hotels and tour activities. Traveling as a pair can save you half the cost. However, many people also choose to rent RVs for self-drive tours to save on travel expenses.

% Learn more about the beauty of Alaska through [title garbled, likely: “Alaska Beyond Your Dreams” (Alaska Beyond Your Imagination)]. (Video/Provided by the Taiwan Representative Office in Alaska, USA)