Text by MOOK Travel Life Network Editorial Team
The Alishan Forest Railway had been suspended since 2009 due to Typhoon Morakot. After more than six years of repair and reconstruction, a test run between Chiayi North Gate Station and Alishan Station was successfully conducted on the 15th. The Chiayi Forest Management Office has set a target for an official reopening on December 25.
The Alishan Forest Railway is expected to be fully open by the end of this year. (Image source / Alishan National Forest Recreation Area)
The Alishan Scenic Area is famous across Taiwan for its sea of clouds and sunrise. (Image source / Chiayi Tourism Network)
The Alishan Forest Railway has long been beloved by both domestic and international tourists. Departing from Chiayi Station to Alishan Station, the journey offers continuous forest scenery along the way, spanning a total length of 71.4 kilometers. The section between Zhushan and Fenchihu was washed out by heavy rain in 2008, and in 2009, it was further damaged by Typhoon Morakot, causing the suspension of the Alishan Forest Railway. In January of last year, the Zhushan to Fenchihu section resumed service, and sections including the main line from Fenchihu to Alishan, as well as the Pingzhanana and Duolin tunnels, have also been completed successively.
Ride the Alishan Forest Railway to enjoy lush mountain scenery all the way. (Image source / Alishan National Forest Recreation Area)
It has been over six years since the suspension. In addition to a full review, adjustment, and testing of the railway sections damaged by the disasters, train crews—both new and old—must undergo rigorous training to become familiar with the routes and conditions. Only after everything is confirmed can the railway officially reopen.The Forestry Bureau and Taiwan Railways have set a goal to achieve full reopening by December 25 at the end of the year.
[Updated] 2015.10.07
Due to Typhoon Dujuan, two major disaster sites were discovered in the unopened 58K section of the Alishan Forest Railway.. The original target of full reopening by December 25, 2015, could not be achieved due to the impact of Typhoon Dujuan. The Chiayi Forest District Office of the Forestry Bureau will soon assess the feasibility of extending the route from Fenchihu Station to Shizilu Station, followed by bus connections. The road distance is about 10 kilometers, and the travel time is approximately 25 minutes.
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