Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert
As spring arrives and flowers bloom, it's also the best season to admire cherry blossoms. The beauty of cherry blossoms makes Alishan a must-visit destination. But where are the best spots for cherry blossom viewing in Alishan? And don't forget, Taiwan’s Alishan is also known for its Five Wonders and Eight Scenic Spots, including sunrise, sea of clouds, and sacred trees. This article will guide you through the top cherry blossom viewing spots and hiking activities in Alishan. Plan your spring hiking and cherry blossom trip this year!
Want flexible time arrangements and the freedom to joyfully plan your Alishan cherry blossom and hiking itinerary? A self-drive trip is definitely the way to go. Below are three main transportation routes to Alishan, whether you’re coming from the north or the south, making it easy to enjoy your own self-driving journey to see the blossoms and go hiking.
■ Route 1: National Highway 3 → Provincial Highway 3 → Meishan Interchange → Route 162A (Meishan, RuiLi, RuiFeng, TaiHe areas)
■ Route 2: National Highway 3 → Provincial Highway 3 → Zhushan Interchange → Route 166 (Zhushan, Taixing, RuiLi)
■ Route 3: National Highway 1 → Chiayi System Interchange → Route 82 Expressway → National Highway 3 → Zhongpu Interchange → Provincial Highway 18
PS. In case of road collapses or other issues that block the above routes, alternative industrial roads are available. Please refer to the official website of Alishan National Scenic Area.
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To cater to tourists’ needs and for easier access to Alishan, if you find self-driving too tiring, don’t have a driver’s license, or simply want a carefree cherry blossom and hiking experience, then a sightseeing bus tour is a great option for you.
Sightseeing buses arrange your itinerary for you. You can get on at Kaohsiung, Tainan, or Chiayi along the way, with options for one-day or two-day tours. It all depends on which route suits you best. Additionally, these buses offer foreign language services for international travelers, eliminating transportation and language concerns for a hassle-free trip to Alishan. Here’s a brief introduction to three sample itineraries provided by Taiwan Sightseeing Bus:
■ Day 1: Depart from Chiayi Station → Enjoy Aboriginal-style buffet → Watch Tsou tribe dance performance → Visit Alishan Forest Recreation Area → Return
■ Day 2: Depart from Alishan Visitor Center → Drive along the most scenic section of the New Central Cross-Island Highway → Arrive at Tatachia Visitor Center → Visit Husband and Wife Trees and Sacred Tree → Lunch → Alishan Sun Moon Lake Gondola ride and lake tour → Return
■ Day 1: Depart from Kaohsiung → Visit either the Tropic of Cancer Sun Museum Rest Area or Chiayi’s Sun Shooting Tower → Enter Fuyano Trail entrance → Join a cultural tour of the Kuba Daban Community → Overnight stay at an Alishan hotel
■ Day 2: Group departure → Watch the sunrise on the Alishan Forest Railway → Visit Xigeding Elephant Mountain Scenic Area → Lunch at Youyouba Cultural Park → Return
For those who don’t prefer the sightseeing bus itinerary, there are many package tours to choose from. Just plan your desired route before departure, and you can easily head to Alishan for a cherry blossom and hiking adventure without any planning. You can also explore Alishan attractions, or even visit Sun Moon Lake or Qingjing Farm.
Zhushan Train Station is the highest-altitude train station in Taiwan and also a sacred spot for sunrise viewing in Alishan. The Zhushan hiking entrance is the most recommended place to admire Yoshino cherry blossoms in Alishan. During peak bloom season, you can even stroll along the flower-strewn Zhushan Cherry Blossom Trail, enjoying both the dreamy sunrise and cherry blossom views in one go.
Alishan is a famous representative of railway travel in Taiwan. During the cherry blossom season, the train ride from Zhaoping Station to the Alishan Police Station passes through bright red mountain cherries and snow-white Yoshino cherries. The interplay of colors and the sight of petals drifting in the wind create a particularly picturesque scene.
Whether you're sitting on the Alishan Forest Railway, traveling through a tunnel of cherry blossoms, or strolling along the tracks and watching the moment when cherry blossoms meet trains—it’s a beautiful and memorable cherry blossom experience.
Alishan Cherry Blossom Spot – Zhaoping Station. (Photo / Tripbaa – Asia’s Free Travel Expert)
Alishan Hotel offers both a historic building and a modern one. The historic building, constructed during the Japanese colonial period, is made entirely of cypress wood. Staying here not only fills your room with the subtle scent of cypress but also offers a view of Alishan’s Yoshino cherry blossoms from your window. If you want a relaxing and effortless cherry blossom experience, consider staying at Alishan Hotel to enjoy the view of Yoshino cherries from morning till night and immerse yourself in traditional Japanese-style cherry blossom appreciation.
Alishan Cherry Blossom Spot – Alishan Hotel. (Photo / Alishan Hotel Official Website)
The Dingshitou Trail cluster in Alishan is divided into five trails based on different features: Mist Trail, Tea Trail, Cloud Trail, Rosy Clouds Trail, and Cherry Trail. Although each trail offers views of tea plantations, bamboo forests, and skies, each has its own unique highlight—definitely worth exploring one by one.
Especially in spring, the Cherry Trail, though the shortest in the Dingshitou cluster, offers a stunning view of tea fields and paths adorned with cherry blossoms. When the pink petals of Showa cherry trees fall, the atmosphere becomes especially romantic.
Alishan Cherry Blossom Spot – Dingshitou, Alishan. (Photo / Alishan National Scenic Area Official Website)
Qingjing Farm has long been a top choice for family trips and Nantou vacations. In addition to the adorable sheep on Green Green Grassland, Little Switzerland Garden, and European-style architecture, Qingjing Farm now also has a cherry blossom trail.
When cherry blossom season arrives, the road to Qingjing Farm is lined with blooming cherry trees, lifting your mood even before you reach your destination. The environment at Qingjing Farm is relaxing and carefree—adults can take leisurely walks while kids chase sheep under the trees. What a unique experience!
The most famous cherry blossom spot in central Taiwan is undoubtedly Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village. The blue sky and green fields are even more beautiful with cherry blossoms, and the nighttime cherry blossoms are not to be missed. The entire cherry grove illuminated by colorful lights creates a romantic atmosphere that can truly be called the best in Taiwan.
Beyond just admiring the blossoms, the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village Cherry Blossom Festival grows more grand and lively each year, featuring a series of events such as YOSAKOI Japanese dance performances, Japanese taiko drumming, and night dance celebrations. Visitors can dress in yukata, stroll through the cherry groves, and experience the atmosphere of Japan’s cherry blossom season without leaving Taiwan.
Alishan Cherry Blossom Spot - The 9th Ethnic Group Cherry Blossom Festival. (Photo / Official FB of the 9th Ethnic Group Cherry Blossom Festival)
Aside from cherry blossom viewing in early spring, there are actually many other things to do in Alishan. Whether it’s taking the small train, watching the sunrise, or hiking on trails, these are all activities that are great to enjoy all year round. Now let’s take a look together with our editor!
When it comes to must-see sights in Alishan, the sunrise, sea of clouds, sacred trees, and railways are definitely on the list. The Shuisan Giant Tree Trail, as the name suggests, is a hiking route to admire sacred trees. But don’t underestimate the Shuisan Giant Tree — it’s estimated to be around 2,700 years old.
Strolling through the woods when there are few people around and quietly admiring the red cypress sacred trees feels like entering a serene and majestic fairyland. The Shuisan Giant Tree Trail is suitable for hikers of all ages, whether you’re walking along the cypress trail, the antique wooden boardwalk, or the railway — all are easy to navigate.
Alishan Travel - Shuisan Giant Tree. (Photo / Tripbaa, Asia’s Free Travel Expert)
The Zhushan Sunrise Trail is built along the mountain, with the entire path hidden within a fir forest, so much so that even sunlight has a hard time penetrating. It’s a great spot to escape the heat on sunny days. In addition to being a sunrise-viewing trail, the Zhushan Sunrise Trail is also rich in natural ecology. The hiking path is easy to walk, but because the stone-paved path is often shaded by trees, moss can form, so extra caution is needed while walking.
If you have enough stamina to venture deeper into the Zhushan Sunrise Trail, you’ll discover the “Ogasawara Mountain Observation Deck,” where you can take in the panoramic views of Taiwan’s three major mountain ranges — the Central Mountain Range, Yushan Mountain Range, and Alishan Mountain Range. This 360-degree, unobstructed observation deck attracts large crowds both day and night.
Datashan is the highest peak in the Alishan Mountain Range geographically and is considered a sacred mountain by the Tsou people culturally. The observation deck at the end offers a sweeping view of the entire Alishan Forest Recreation Area and even the towering Yushan Mountain Range, the highest in Taiwan. The first section of the Dashan Trail runs parallel to the forest railway and mainly consists of wooden boardwalks and gravel steps, making it suitable for general hikers. However, the section from the wooden bridge to the observation deck is quite steep, and the round trip takes about 5 hours, so it’s recommended that you only attempt it if you have sufficient stamina.
The Qingjing High-Altitude Observation Trail sits at an altitude of approximately 1,700 to 2,000 meters and stretches 1.2 kilometers in length. Designed with environmental friendliness in mind, the trail is hidden among the trees and gives the sensation of walking amidst the clouds due to its height. While walking, you can also enjoy views of the surrounding mountains and sheep grazing beneath the elevated trail.
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Alishan Hiking Spot - Qingjing High-Altitude Observation Trail. (Photo / Tripbaa, Asia’s Free Travel Expert)
In Jiayi’s Meishan, there’s the highest-altitude suspension bridge in the area — the Taiping Cloud Ladder, which offers easy views of the Chiayi-Pingtung Plain and the Meishan 36 Hairpin Turns. From a distance, the Taiping Cloud Ladder may look a bit intimidating, but once you’re on it, it’s surprisingly stable and easy to walk across the mountains. Overlooking the scenery around Meishan, it’s definitely a Jiayi travel destination worth visiting.
After walking and sightseeing on the Taiping Cloud Ladder, don’t rush to head back. Keep walking down the Cloud South Path, and you’ll eventually reach tea plantations and Taiping Old Street. Hiking, enjoying the beautiful scenery, and finishing off with some local delicacies — that’s the most authentic way to experience it!
Alishan Hiking Spot - Jiayi Taiping Cloud Ladder Observation Deck. (Photo / Tripbaa, Asia’s Free Travel Expert)
Alishan Hiking Spot - Jiayi Taiping Cloud Ladder. (Photo / Tripbaa, Asia’s Free Travel Expert)
Authorized reprint from [Tripbaa Fun] | Original article from [Alishan Cherry Blossoms & Hiking Routes!Alishan duo-travel no planning needed + super relaxing experience]