Taiwan 12-Day Vacation ; Day 8 - Sun Moon Lake

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Sun Moon Lake (日月潭) is a popular destination both for the locals and the tourists. We were here several years ago for a day trip from Taipei. We like the place and this time we decided to stay 2 nights which gave us sufficient time to see the beauty of the lake and its attractions.

Sun Moon Lake is the largest fresh-water reservoir in the center of Taiwan at an altitude of 750 meters. It is sometimes referred to as the pearl of Central Taiwan and is the largest natural lake in Taiwan nestled amongst beautiful green mountains. The Eastern part of the lake is round like the sun, while the Western part is shaped like a crescent moon therefore giving it's name "Sun Moon Lake"

There is an island in the middle of the lake called (Lalu) which is a sacred place for the Shao people. Visitors are not allowed to visit this island as only the Shao people can go there to worship their ancestors. However the cruise that is included in your tour does pass by it.

The beauty of Sun Moon Lake is found in the surrounding mountains. From the lake, tier upon tier of countless peaks can be seen rising up into the sky. The nearby mountains appear dark with vegetation. The mountains that echo farther and farther away appear less and less distinct until they fade into the sky.

Many visitors come to appreciate Sun Moon Lake's beauty. It is also a popular domestic tour spot, so the weekends are very crowded. On weekdays you can enjoy a peaceful drive along the shore and a boat ride on the lake, or view it from the ropeway to the Formosan Culture Village.

We started early and got ferry tickets from the Shuishe pier which is beside our hotel.

The first destination was the Xuanguang Temple. Nothing special, just a Toaist temple and Pagoda up on a little hill.

Next, we quickly took the next ferry and headed for the Cable Car station to take the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway. We reached there early enough and the crowds were not there yet.

Below are some images of our experience on the cable car ride. We enjoyed it. It was certainly a wonderful experience. I highly recommend it.

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Taiwan 12-Day Vacation ; Day 7- Fenqihu and Ride on Alishan Forest Railway

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Fenqihu is located at an elevation of 1,405 meters in Zhuqi Township, Chiayi County. Surrounded by mountains on three sides and often shrouded in mist, creating the illusion of a dustpan-shaped lake, the location was previously known as “Bungi’o” in the Minnan dialect. “Bungi” means “dustpan,” and “o” means “lake,” or in this case, “low-lying land,” because a lake is nowhere to be found in the area. “Bungi’o” was later replaced by the more refined name “Fenqihu.” With an abundance of ecological resources, lovely natural sights, and a forest railway that winds its way into high mountains, the Fenqihu area is a popular tourist destination.

Fenqihu Centenarian Station:


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This refers to the old station of Fenqihu, which lies south of the present station. Fenqihu Station is about half way up the Alishan Forest Railway. This wooden structure is constructed entirely of precious Taiwanese cypress and now serves as the Fenqihu Superintendents’ Office. A rare species of rhododendron growing outside the station adds an antique charm to this old building.

Fenqihu Station 

In earlier days, Fenqihu Station was a repair depot for steam locomotives to refuel, using coal and water, and change engines. Comprised of two platforms, it was also the biggest station on the Alishan Line and functioned as one of the line’s repair depots. It is easy to imagine what it looked like in its prime. In addition, there is another county-designated historic building next to the station: The “garage” (a place that formerly housed locomotives) has been converted into an exhibition center, displaying an early steam locomotive, a patrol train, and valuable old railway photos to transport visitors back to the past through a tunnel of time.

The “garage” (a place that formerly housed locomotives) has been converted into an exhibition center

inside the 'garage'

an old locomotive exhibit

Fenqihu Old Street:
Currently the highest old street in Taiwan, Fenqihu Old Street is lively and crowded with tourists on weekends. Stalls selling local culinary delights accompanied by the warm welcomes of shop owners to passing tourists line the street’s narrow alleyways. There are stalls selling very famous local snacks such as Train Cakes and the Fenqihu Bento Lunch Box.

Fenqihu Old Street

the street’s narrow alleyways

try the famous Fenqihu Bento Lunch Box - that's what the railway works had in the old days

Roads and stairs stemming out from the old street are paved with flagstones, so a walk through the village gives one the impression of being in Jiufen in Northern Taiwan, giving Fenqihu its name “the Jiufen of the South.” The old street offers a dazzling array of local specialties, take-away snacks, and souvenirs. However, in addition to great food and groups of visitors to mingle with, the old street also provides a window into Fenqihu’s rich and varied history, and is well worth an extended stay

 Train Cakes - delicious

 many stalls selling very famous local snacks

sample what you like

very good muah-chi from this stall

The beautiful waterfalls and lovely refreshing streams are calming and peaceful. At Fenqihu you can try many different mountain vegetables such as bamboo shoots. The area is easy to explore and gives a feeling of freedom.

Alishan Forest Railway
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 Chiayi 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 47 tunnels and 72 bridges, and passes through a cross-section of climates and terrain types.

the train has arrived

looks old but it works well

inside the cabin of the train - very comfortable

one of the many scenes of the train ride

From Chiayi, 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 Zhaoping Railway Station.

The Alishan Forest Railway is an unforgettable experience. It is actually one of the only three remaining alpine railways in the world. The Japanese first built the railway so they could carry lumber from the forests.

The Alishan Railway ascends into the mountains at a height above sea level (over 2,000 metres). The mountain is very steep so the train has to zig zag upwards. This makes the journey interesting.

It is useful to know that the train is only scheduled once a day during the week and twice a day during the weekend and holidays.

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Taiwan 12-Day Vacation ; Day 6- Alishan

After the breathtaking Yushan tour we move on to  ...

Alishan (阿里山) ... this is one of the most well known scenic attractions in Asia. The area is popular among tourists and mountain climbers, and Alishan itself has become one of the major landmarks associated with Taiwan. 

The song, “the girls of Alishan” which refers to the beautiful girls of the Zou aboriginal tribe, is one of Taiwan’s most popular folk songs. This song is also well known in several foreign countries and the People’s Republic of China. 



Besides, high altitude tea, Alishan Forest Railway, sunrise, sea of clouds, wildlife, and giant trees are made the 2000+ meters elevation high mountains popular all year long. In spring, the white cherry blossoms are in bloom. In summer, it’s a good place to city folk for a cool retreat. In autumn, the chance to see sea of clouds is higher. However, it’s quite cold in winter.

Boarding the railway

In Taiwan, the most beautiful place to watch sunrise is the Alishan Forest Recreation Park. Due to its gifted advantages: a location at an elevation of over 2000 meters above sea level, with Jade Mountains in the east, next to the Jade Mountain National Park, with the Chianan Plain in the west, surrounded by all high mountains, and cool weather all year round, an average of 10.6 degree Celsius, the Park is very famous for the sunrise, the cloud sea, and the rosy clouds just before the sunset here. 

Giant cypress trees

the cypress tress are majestic

Nice walk in the midst of  the beautiful trees

The Alishan area sits astride on all tropical forest zone, subtropical forest zone, temperate forest zone, and frigid forest zone of Taiwan, so it got very unique scenery. You get to see them all in one trip, unbelievable! Its rich forest resources result in a multi-dimensional ecological appearance. Especially for the “cypress” trees here; they are famous worldwide. It is also the best place to go watch birds from mid and high elevations. 


The Alishan Forest Recreation Park was an important wooded land when the Japanese were here. In order to get the economic benefits out of the cypress trees, the Japanese built railways and chopped off the woods for 30 years. When Taiwan was returned to the Chinese after World War II, the original cypress trees were almost gone.

 Therefore the Taiwan Forest Forestry Bureau made Alishan and the Jade Mountain area, a total of more than 39600 hectares of public forests, “the Alishan Forest Recreation Park”, to protect the natural resources here. 

Late March/April is a good time for cherry blossoms

Cherry blossoms make everyone happy

Very well designed walkways 

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Taiwan 12-Day Vacation ; Day 6- Yushan

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After a good night rest at the homestay, we are ready to explore Alishan.

We met a friendly couple that morning during breakfast at the homestay. We got to know them and decided we shared to hire a driver/guide and vehicle to bring us round the Yushan and Alishan region for the whole day.

Our first stop is at  ....

Yushan (Jade Mountain) National Park (玉山國家公園; yùshān guójiā gōngyuán) is the second national park in Taiwan. Covering an expanse of some 105,490 hectares, this is the biggest national park by area in Taiwan. Yushan (3,952 m), located in central Taiwan, is the highest mountain in Taiwan. 

Breathtaking views

Yes, it was cold for us - March

the Twin Brothers

One for the memory

a very old cedar tree - one of the few remaining ones still standing

Taiwan 12 Day Vacation - Day 6 Alishan Homestay

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Don’t stay at a hotel on Alishan Mountains because it’s crawling with tourists and there is nothing much to see. Try out a homestay. 


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We booked a homestay directly -  Alishan YunMinGi  No.4, Shizhuo, Alishan Township, Chiayi, Taiwan.

When we arrived it was about 7.30 pm. The bus stopped us at the small village in Shizhuo. Fortunately there was a local restaurant there. We had our dinner and then the homestay owner came and picked us up to his place.   

It is beautifully nested among tea plantations, some of which belong to the owner. The Alishan mountain views were also stupendous.

Serene and fresh - the scenic Alishan at the background with tea leaves in the foreground

The rooms and attached toilet is very clean and well kept.

There are about 5 rooms and two of them are seen here

Inside the room - clean and well kept

Two double beds are comfortable and plenty of blankets to keep warmth

Local breakfast was provided every morning at about 7.30 am. 

Dinning area which is rather opened - here we have our breakfast. Self service tea, coffee and bread

The owner will cook her local breakfast and each of us are given a portion of porridge, eggs, cabbage and nuts

There is also a nice trail round the area. We enjoyed the fresh air and the beautiful scenery.

The homestay is surrounded by tea plantation

We were there in March and it was rather cold in the mornings in Alishan, good time of the year for hiking and cherry blossoms

Nice path to walk and enjoy the scenery and fresh air

The trail is very well maintained and proper stairway for steep gradients

We enjoyed spending two nights in this homestay