Ali Mountain Scenic Area

The Alishan National Scenic Area is a mountain resort and natural preserve located in the mountains of Jiayi County in Taiwan. Ali Mountain is in fact the general name of the eighteen hills including Zhu Hill and Tower Hill. Its highest peak is Tower Hill with the height of 2,663 meters (about 8,736 feet). The area is popular among tourists and mountain climbers, and Alishan, or Mount Ali, itself has become one of the major landmarks associated with Taiwan. The area is also famous for its production of high mountain tea and wasabi.

The sunrise is a must for everyone who comes here. Many have said "to miss viewing the sunrise on Ali Mountain is like returning empty after entering the Golconda." The best place to view the sunrise is on the top of Zhu Hill. The place and time of the sunrise are different due to the changes of the four seasons. If you plan to view the sunrise it is best to ask the local people the time of sunrise, so you don't miss this magnificent opportunity. When the sun is rising slowly from the peak, it sends out the golden rays for a short time which provides a spectacular scene.

Ali Mountain is also famous for thousands of acres of rich natural forest, including many ancient trees which have grown over thousands of years and experienced a change of climate in Taiwan. Influenced by the high altitude, many plants living in tropic zones, warm zones, temperate zones and frigid zones can be found in this area. In 1899 when the Japanese discovered the forest around Ali Mountain they immediately began a large-scale logging operation. After the World WarⅡ, Ali Mountain is completely protected from any kind of commercial logging.

There is a Chinese Juniper within the Ali Mountain forest area, with some 53 meters (about 174 feet) high, and 23 meters (about 75 feet) wide. This Juniper is so huge that more than ten people can surround the circumference. It has a history of more than 3,000 years, thus is called Alishan Sacred Tree. The most wondrous tree is a 'three-generation' tree. The three generations of this tree exist in the same trunk. Now since the first and second generations have faded, the third generation is still flourishing. This tree is really a wonder of nature. The forest sea on Ali Mountain creates a relaxed and pleasant environment for the people living in the city nearby.

The Ali Mountain Forest Railway is regarded as one of three mountain climbing railways. Traveling along the 72-kilometer-long railway, the train climbs from 30 meters (about 98 feet) to 2,450 meters (about 8,038 feet) above sea level. Its gradient is so great that it is rarely seen in the whole world. From the bottom of the mountain to the top, the train crosses four forest areas – tropic, subtropical, temperature and the Frigid Zone. While climbing up the forest scenery is spectacular including eucalypt trees, coconut trees, conifers and the Frigid Zone forest.

Every year from March to April, cherry blossom decorate the Ali Mountain into a beautiful and colorful clouds of flowers in the world. The firefly season is from April to June. Ali Mountain, due to its natural and ecological environment, is the best place to see firefly. With million fireflies gathering there, coordinating with stars in sky, the mountain is then a sea of lights of fireflies and lights. What’s more, if you want to avoid sunstroke in summer, the comfortable climate in midsummer on Ali Mountain will be a good choice.

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