Alishan Tour Train Tickets Available from November 18

Tickets for the highly anticipated maple viewing tours on the Alishan Forest Railway will go on sale on November 18, as announced by the Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office. These tours, themed “dancing maples,” will take place throughout December, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience the stunning autumn foliage in Chiayi County’s Alishan National Forest Recreation Area.

The tours will feature a scenic steam train journey that stops at various key stations, including Jhushan Station, the highest station in Taiwan, and Dueigaoyue Station. Participants will also have the chance to witness the renowned “sea of clouds” at Erwanping. Each tour will include live performances at Jhushan Station, enhancing the cultural experience for attendees.

Five tours are scheduled for December 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30, with each tour limited to 100 passengers. Reservations are priced at NT$3,100 (approximately US$101) per person, which covers train tickets, a meal, and souvenirs. The journey will be conducted on Steam Locomotive No. 31, a historic Shay locomotive that previously served the logging industry, with carriages constructed entirely from Taiwanese cypress.

Leading the tours will be ecological photographer Huang Yuan-ming, renowned for his captivating images of the Alishan sea of clouds. On the return leg of the journey, passengers will enjoy a seasonal lunchbox featuring regional delicacies, including handmade bread from the Tsou indigenous community, locally grown pumpkin, and wild onion leaves.

Tickets can be booked online through the official Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office’s website or Facebook page. Reservations will open at 10:00 AM 15 days before each departure date. For those preferring to book by phone, inquiries can be made at (05) 277-9843 ext. 359.

This initiative not only promotes tourism in the region but also highlights the rich cultural heritage of the Alishan area, allowing visitors to engage with nature while enjoying local traditions.