Wuqiyu Railway Introduction
The Alishan Forest Railway is a famous mountain railway known both domestically and internationally. Originally built to transport timber, it has now transformed into a forest tourism train. The main line of the Alishan Forest Railway is 72.7 kilometers long, connecting Chiayi City and Alishan. After 15 years of restoration, the entire line is set to open on July 6, 2024, allowing tourists to take a train directly from Chiayi Station to Alishan Station. Key stations along the route include Chiayi, Beimen, Zhuchi, Zhangnaoliao, Duli Mountain, Liyuanliao, Jiaoliping, Shuishaliao, Fenchihu, Doulin, Shizilu, Erwanping, and Alishan, totaling 13 stations. The entire journey takes approximately 4 hours and 56 minutes, with a one-hour stop at Fenchihu, allowing visitors to savor local delicacies. Currently, there are five main branch lines within the park: Zhushan Line: This is Taiwan's first self-constructed high-altitude railway, designed for tourists heading to Zhushan to view the sunrise, offering magnificent dawn scenery. Zhaoping Line: This branch connects Alishan Station and Zhaoping Station, spanning approximately 6 kilometers with a travel time of about 7 to 10 minutes. It passes through Zhaoping Park and the Taiwan Orchid Education Area, making it an ideal pathway to Sisters Ponds. Shenmu Line: This branch traverses dense forests and leads straight to the giant tree area, making it an important choice for experiencing natural grandeur. Mianyu Line: Originally a railway branch for timber transport, this 9.2-kilometer line has now been transformed into a hiking trail. It reopened on May 1, 2022, becoming a new option for hiking enthusiasts. This trail offers beautiful scenery along the way and features multiple bridges and tunnels, taking approximately 4 to 5 hours for a one-way trip. Shuishan Line: This branch was originally a forest railway leading to Dongpu, starting from Zhaoping Station and now preserved up to Shuishan Station, covering about 1.6 kilometers. Along the trail, one can see remnants of old railway tracks and the Shuishan giant trees (hinoki), which are approximately 1,080 years old, making them some of the largest trees in the Alishan Forest Recreation Area. A round-trip walk from Zhaoping Station takes about 1 hour, making it very suitable for families and general tourists. In addition, the steam locomotives No. 25, 26, and 31, preserved since early times, have been meticulously restored and are now operational, allowing visitors to experience this historic steam train journey. The Alishan Forest Railway is not only an essential site for nature lovers but also a part of understanding Taiwan's history and culture.
