Mid-Autumn Holiday Getaway to Alishan for Spiritual Healing – 7 Must-Know Traffic Routes to the Mountains

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

With the rare Mid-Autumn holiday approaching, many people are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a relaxing journey through the phytoncide-rich forests of Alishan. To avoid heavy traffic congestion caused by an influx of visitors to the Alishan area, the Alishan National Scenic Area Administration has planned traffic management measures for the Mid-Autumn long holiday in 2016 (105 in Taiwan’s calendar). These include seven major road traffic plans for scenic spots within the area and alternative routes to Alishan Highway, providing useful guidance for those planning to visit.

▲ A large number of visitors are expected to flock to the Alishan National Scenic Area during the Mid-Autumn holiday. (Photo / Courtesy ofAlishan National Scenic Area Administration Facebook page)

I. Seven Major Traffic Plans on Roads in the Alishan National Scenic Area:

(1) Attractions along Provincial Highway 18: Travel to Chukou, Xiding, Shizhao, and Alishan Forest Recreation Area
Take National Freeway 3 to Zhongpu Interchange → Provincial Highway 18 (Alishan Highway) → Chukou → Xiding → Shizhao → Alishan Forest Recreation Area.

(2) Attractions along Provincial Highway 18: Travel to Fenchihu
Take National Freeway 3 to Zhongpu Interchange → Provincial Highway 18 (Alishan Highway) → Shizhao → Turn left onto County Highway 169 → Fenchihu.

(3) Attractions along Provincial Highway 18: Travel to Guanghua
Take National Freeway 3 to Zhongpu Interchange → Provincial Highway 18 (Alishan Highway) → Shizhao → County Highway 159A → Guanghua.

(4) Tsou Cultural Villages Attractions: Travel to Shanmei, Xinmei, and Chashan
Take National Freeway 3 to Zhongpu Interchange → Provincial Highway 18 (Alishan Highway) → Longmei → Jiayi County Road 129 → Shanmei → Xinmei → Chashan.

(5) Tsou Cultural Villages Attractions: Travel to Le Ye, Dabang, Tefuye, and Lijia
Take National Freeway 3 to Zhongpu Interchange → Provincial Highway 18 (Alishan Highway) → Shizhao → Turn right onto County Highway 169 → Le Ye → Dabang → Tefuye → Lijia.

(6) Northwest Corridor Attractions: Travel to Meishan, Rueili, and Ruifeng
Take National Freeway 3 to Meishan Interchange → County Highway 162A → Meishan (Taiping, Longyan, Bihhu, Taixing) → Rueili (Yuantan, Yuntan) → Ruifeng.
Take National Freeway 3 to Zhushan Interchange → County Highway 166 → Zhushan (Wenfeng) → Rueili (Yuantan, Yuntan) → Ruifeng.

(7) Northwest Corridor Attractions: Travel to Taihe, Laiji, and Fengshan
Take National Freeway 3 to Meishan Interchange → County Highway 162A → Meishan (Taiping, Longyan, Bihhu, Taixing) → Rueili (Yuantan, Yuntan) → Taihe → Laiji → Fengshan. Take National Freeway 3 to Zhushan Interchange → County Highway 166 → Zhushan (Wenfeng) → Rueili (Yuantan, Yuntan) → Taihe → Laiji → Fengshan. Take National Freeway 3 to Zhushan Interchange → County Highway 149A → Fengshan → Laiji → Taihe.

▲ Traffic map of the entire Alishan National Scenic Area. (Photo / Provided by Alishan National Scenic Area)

II. Alternative Routes to Alishan Highway as Follows:

Route 1 (Inbound): Take National Freeway 3 to Zhushan Interchange → County Highway 166 → Turn right onto Provincial Highway 3 → County Highway 159A → Shizhao → Provincial Highway 18 → Alishan Forest Recreation Area.

Route 2 (Inbound): Take National Freeway 3 to Zhushan Interchange → County Highway 166 → Turn right onto Provincial Highway 3 → Jiayi County Highway 126 (Luzitiao) → 126-1 (Jun Ying) → Chukou Tree Bank → Provincial Highway 18 → Shizhao → Alishan Forest Recreation Area.

Route 1 (Outbound): Alishan Forest Recreation Area → Provincial Highway 18 → Shizhao → County Highway 159A → Provincial Highway 3 → County Highway 166 → National Freeway 3 Zhushan Interchange.

Route 2 (Outbound): Alishan Forest Recreation Area → Provincial Highway 18 → Shizhao → Chukou Tree Bank → 126-1 (Jun Ying) → Jiayi County Highway 126 (Luzitiao) → County Highway 166 → Provincial Highway 3 → National Freeway 3 Zhushan Interchange.

▲ Traffic evacuation route map. (Photo / Provided by Alishan National Scenic Area)

For those planning to head up the mountain to admire the sea of clouds and watch the sunrise during the Mid-Autumn Festival, to avoid congestion between Zhongpu Interchange and Dingliu, you can make use of the alternative route via Zhushan Interchange on National Freeway No. 2 South. This helps prevent heavy traffic from spoiling your travel mood. Additionally, you can scan the official QR code to save traffic information on your mobile device and stay updated at any time.