Text by / MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Network, Reported by Li Xinyi
The cool autumn season is perfect for climbing to high ground and admiring the beauty of nature. In autumn, Alishan—thanks to its large day-night temperature differences and suitable humidity—is ideal for enjoying the "Five Wonders of Alishan": sunrise, sea of clouds, sunset glow, forest, and forest railway. Visiting Alishan to admire the maple leaves is another popular activity in the fall, with the best time to see them around the end of November to early December.
Autumn visits to Alishan offer the spectacular sight of sea of clouds blending with flaming maple leaves. (Photo provided by Forestry Bureau, Chiayi Forest District Office)
At an altitude of over 2,200 meters, Alishan’s plants develop red and yellow hues due to chemical reactions in anthocyanins caused by large temperature differences between day and night. The foliage plants of Alishan include trident maple, red maple, green maple, American tulip tree, ginkgo, and even cherry blossoms turn red in autumn before gracefully falling, storing nutrients for their next bloom. Top spots to view Alishan’s maple foliage include the Dui Gaoyue Station, the area in front of Alishan Hotel, near kilometer markers 89–104 on Provincial Highway 18, and the Tefuye Ancient Trail. The best time to enjoy the red leaves can vary depending on weather and airflow, but it’s typically most stunning around the end of November to early December.
In addition, autumn in Alishan often sees the formation of a "sea of clouds" resembling a vast ocean, created by the thermal insulation effect caused by cold air descending from the mountaintop and warm air rising from the valleys. Within Alishan National Forest Recreation Area, the sea of clouds in the morning and evening each has its own unique charm. In the morning, you can take the forest train or walk to the Ogasawara Observation Deck to admire the sunrise and glow over the Yushan Mountain Range, as well as the sea of clouds rising above the direction of Shénmù Village in Xinyi Township, Nantou County—making you feel like you’re walking on clouds. In the evening, head to the Ogasawara Observation Deck, Ciyun Observation Deck, Alishan Hotel, outside the main gate ticket booth, the Alishan Railway Station platform, or at kilometer 89 on Alishan Highway to enjoy the majestic sea of clouds set against the backdrop of Mount Tata, the sacred mountain of the Tsou people.
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