Wuqiji Railroad Introduction
The Alishan Forest Railway is a renowned mountain railway in Taiwan, famous both domestically and internationally. Originally built for transporting timber, it has now transformed into a scenic railway for forest tourism. The main line of the Alishan Forest Railway spans 72.7 kilometers, connecting Chiayi City with Alishan. After 15 years of restoration, it will officially reopen on July 6, 2024, allowing tourists to take a train directly from Chiayi Station to Alishan Station. Major stops along the route include Chiayi, Beimen, Zhuzhong, Zhangnaoliao, Duli Mountain, Liyuanliao, Jiaoliping, Shuishaliao, Fenqihu, Duolin, Shizilu, Erwanping, and Alishan, totaling 13 stations. The entire journey takes approximately 4 hours and 56 minutes, with a 1-hour stop at Fenqihu, allowing visitors to enjoy local delicacies. Currently, there are five main branches within the park: - Zhushan Line: This is Taiwan’s first self-built high-altitude railway, designed for visitors heading to Zhushan to watch the sunrise, offering magnificent morning views. - Zhaoping Line: This branch connects Alishan Station and Zhaoping Station, spanning about 6 kilometers with a travel time of approximately 7 to 10 minutes. It passes through Zhaoping Park and the Taiwan Lady's Slipper Education Park, making it an ideal route to the Sisters Ponds. - Shenmu Line: This branch goes through dense forests straight to the towering giant trees in the Shenmu area, an important choice for experiencing magnificent natural scenery. - Mianyu Line: Originally a railway for transporting timber, this 9.2-kilometer branch has now been transformed into a hiking trail. It reopened on May 1, 2022, becoming a new option for hiking enthusiasts. The trail offers beautiful views and features several bridges and tunnels, taking about 4 to 5 hours one-way. - Shuishan Line: This branch was originally a forest railway to Dongpu, starting from Zhaoping Station, currently remaining only up to Shuishan Station, with a length of about 1.6 kilometers. The trail showcases remnants of the old railway and the Shuishan giant tree (Red Cypress), which is approximately 1,080 years old, making it one of the largest giant trees in the Alishan National Scenic Area. Starting from Zhaoping Station, a round trip takes about 1 hour, making it very suitable for families and general visitors. Additionally, the historic steam trains No. 25, 26, and 31, which were left from the early days, have been meticulously restored and are now operational, allowing tourists to experience this historic steam train journey. The Alishan Forest Railway is not only an important destination for nature lovers but also a part of understanding Taiwan's history and culture.
