Alishan’s Dreamy Snowscape May Return – A Lazy Guide to Snow Viewing Spots

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Team
 
The first cold wave of winter 2016 is expected to arrive this weekend, and the Central Weather Bureau says snowfall is not out of the question in mountainous areas above 1,500 meters. Recently, the Facebook page “Alishan – Strolling Amidst the Clouds” also shared photos of the 2005 snowfall in Alishan, where everything was covered in a pristine white blanket, making fans even more eager to witness such a sight.

The Facebook page “Alishan – Strolling Amidst the Clouds” stated that the 2005 snowfall in Alishan began in the evening and continued until the next morning, with snow accumulation reaching up to 30 centimeters. Attractions such as Sister Ponds, Eternal Union, Wild Stream, and the Forest Railway were all coated in a dreamy layer of frost-like white snow. At that time, the Forest Railway did not reopen until three days after the snowfall, and the snow in the forest took ten days to be washed away by rain. That year’s Alishan Flower Festival also turned out to be the worst on record.

So, where can you see snow in Alishan? Based on past experience, the “Alishan – Strolling Amidst the Clouds” page shared that popular spots among visitors include Alishan Station, Three Generations Tree, Xianglin Sacred Tree, Tree Spirit Pagoda, Workstation Cherry King, Senzhi Road, Zhapin Station, Shouzhen Temple, Sacred Tree Ruins, Alishan Museum, Ciyun Observation Deck, and Sister Ponds. Lesser-visited spots such as Zhapin Park, Ecological Education Hall, Zhushan Forest Road, Guesthouse, Duigao Mountain, Zhushan Observation Deck, Ogasawara Mountain, and Tashan also offer opportunities to see snow. Given the large crowds on weekends in Alishan, it’s recommended to prioritize your must-see spots in advance, starting with the farthest and least accessible ones.