Sunrise @ Alisan

Alisan - Woke up my family @ 3am to get us ready to board the sun rise mountain train bound for Jhushan station.   The temperature at the train station was 9c, and when we reach the train station, there were already hundreds of people in the queue waiting for the 4.40am train to tdepart.   It was so packed, that my family had to stand throughout the journey up to Jhushan station.   At 2,451m above sea level, this is the highest train station in Taiwan.

When we reach Jhushan station, the temperature dropped to 6c to view the sunrise.  Hundreds of people gathering at this summit to view the sunrise.    It was a disappointment as we could not see the sunrise because it was so cloudy.   I wanted to see Alisan having heard about this place since young and even know the music about the this place but the trip to Alisan was highly hyped and highly priced with mostly tourist roaming around the place.

 

Train leaving Jhushan station

No sunrise, we decided to walk down the hiking path back to the hotel - it took us 1hr but worth the effort as the cool mountain air was a good relief.

Walking down the mountain

After breakfast, we checked-out and get ready for the 2hrs bus downward ride back to Chiayi Railway station.  Take the HSR to Kaohsiung city.  This is Taiwan's 2nd largest city with an MRT network.

Alishan

Alishan - We bought the Alishan shuttle bus tickets yesterday for the 8:10am departure.  The famous Alishan mountain train ride was not operational because of landslide so we had to take the shuttle bus up to Alishan.The Alishan Shuttle bus terminal is near the Chiayi Railway station.

Alisan, in south-central Taiwan, is an area of outstanding natural beauty, covering a total of 1,400 hectares. 

The origin of Alishan - As legend goes about 250 years ago, there was a Chief of the Jou people who name was "Abali".  Abali not only was respected as a great hunter, but also very familiar with this mountain area.  With his guidance, many tribe people usually could enjoy abundant harvests during their hunting trips.  Because his people had great respect for Abali, they decided to call teh mountain region where they hunted "Alishan", Mount Ali.

Ticket booth to Alisan

Chiayi Train Station

There were no one on board the 8:10am Alisan shuttle except my family and it took 2.5hrs to reach Alisan bus stop at the height of 2,500m.  The ride was very shaky and at times very near the edge of the mountain.   When we reach the summit the temperature was 13C. 

We checked into our hotel - Dafeng Hotel which was very near the bus-stop and also 7-11 convenience store.    We had to walk down a flight of stairs to reach our Hotel and it was a struggle as we had luggage.   When we reach the Hotel, it had no lift too and we had to carry our luggage up to the 4th floor.   Panting and heaving we finally reach out room.  It was nicely decorated and clean, with 2 Queen size beds with electric heating beds.    This special room rate came with dinner and breakfast. 

This is the view from our hotel room.  

The first thing we did was visit the Alishan visitor centre to enquiry about the locations and hikes around the area.

The train station for sunrise mountrain train ride only starts selling tickets at 2pm.  We booked the 4.40am ticket - yes! the train up the moutain to Chushan station departs at 4:40am, the next train departs at 5:10am - only 2 rides per day.  

The stamp chop collected by Pax on his Alisan tour brochure.

After getting our tickets we went for a hike around the mountains.  Alishan offers many mountain trails.

Elder sister pond

We walked around 'round the Pond' trail.

Three brothers

Pedestrian suspension bridge

Brrr...having dinner