Alishan welcomes over one million visitors, on track to break annual record this year

By Li Xinyi, compiled and reported

Since its establishment in 1976 (the 65th year of the Republic of China), Alishan National Scenic Area once set a record of 1,078,000 visitors in 2009 (the 98th year of the Republic of China). This year, thanks to fewer typhoons and gradual improvements in road conditions, the number of visitors had reached 997,347 as of September 26, and it is estimated that the one-million mark will be surpassed again in the coming days.

Liao Yiguang, director of the Chiayi Forest District Office, stated that since the establishment of Alishan National Scenic Area, the average number of annual visitors over the past decade has been around 800,000, showing a gradual year-on-year increase, with the highest being 1,070,000 visitors in 2009. This year, the number of visitors is expected to surpass one million in the next few days, and with three months remaining until the end of the year, the Chiayi Forest District Office estimates that if weather conditions remain favorable, this year’s visitor count may exceed the 2009 figure, setting a new historical record for Alishan.

Although Typhoon Morakot in August 2009 severely damaged the mountainous area, after intensive restoration efforts, the Alishan Highway was finally reopened to large buses on June 25, 2010 (the 99th year of the Republic of China), gradually reviving tourist interest. During this year’s cherry blossom season (March 15 to April 15), visitor numbers reached over 270,000, with a single-day peak of more than 19,000 visitors. Alishan, at an altitude of over 2,200 meters, experiences highly variable mountain weather and relatively low temperatures. The Chiayi Forest District Office reminds visitors to dress warmly and stay protected against the cold.