Alishan Forest Railway

The Alishan Forest Railway is one of the only three steep-gradient alpine railways in the world, the others being from Darjeeling in India into the Himalayas and from Chile through the Andes to Argentina. Construction of the Alishan Forest Railway was commenced in 1899 by the Japanese. Intended to transport logs down the mountain, it has a 762mm gauge, a gradient of 6.25%, and a minimum turning radius of 40 meters. Traffic was opened on the 66.6-kilometer stretch between Chiai and Erwanping in 1912, and was extended up Alishan to a full length of 71.4 kilometers in 1914. The railway climbs from 30 meters above sea level to 2,216 meters, has 49 tunnels and 77 bridges, and passes through a cross-section of climates and terrain types.

From Chiai, the railway travels along relatively flat terrain for 14.2 kilometers before beginning the long climb, corkscrewing around Mt. Duli, climbing 200 meters over a distance of five kilometers. The railway then travels on to Pingjena Station. From here it zigzags up the mountain, reversing direction at each new section of line as it gradually ascends Alishan. Intended to transport logs and carry supplies, the railway has now become an integral part of the Alishan recreation facilities. After the Alishan Express was established in 1984 (requiring 3 hours and 15 minutes for the complete journey), some of the carriages of the original trains were converted into hotel accommodation. A number of locomotives are also on display at the Old Railway Display Area located near Jauping Railway Station. In 1986, a 6.25-kilometer line was constructed that winds its way up from the New Alishan Railway Station, located at 2,216 meters to 2,451 meters above sea level. A branch line leads via Mt. Dueigau to Jushan . The 9.2-kilometer Mianyue Line, built in 1983, leads to the Monkey Rock Recreation Area . The recreation area is easily recognized by a boulder that stands over 10 meters in height and is said to resemble a monkey. The White Forest is one of the area's most spectacular sights. The undergrowth in this forest has been cleared by fire, so only the tall, bleached trunks of dead pines and firs remain. A one-hour hiking trail takes visitors past "camphor huts" (where camphor used to be processed) and charcoal furnaces, remains of Taiwan's once thriving camphor industry. There are also a number of pavilions along the route where visitors can gaze at distant views and meditate on the sound of the wind blowing through the trees. Located on this route is also the Taiwan One-leaf Orchid Display Area where the ecological background of the single-leaf orchid is explained and where the flowers can be seen in bloom between February and April. Ticket Prices for the Alishan Branch Lines: Jushan Line: Adults NT$100 (return NT$150); Children NT$50 (return NT$ 75)