Updated: 2026-07-02 | For real-time information, always refer to official announcements.

A one-stop guide to how the Alishan Forest Railway routes are divided, the ticket-buying details, and how the Zhushan Line trains for watching the sunrise work—so even first-timers won't get confused.

The Alishan Forest Railway isn't an ordinary sightseeing train—it's one of the few narrow-gauge railways still in operation anywhere in the world, purpose-built for mountain climbing. From the lowlands of Chiayi it winds all the way up to a forest over 2,000 meters above sea level, passing through spiral climbing sections, scaling Duli Mountain, and finally connecting to the Zhushan Line dedicated to watching the sunrise. For travelers coming to Taiwan for the first time who want to get the "Alishan sunrise" experience right, the real sticking point is usually not the scenery, but rather not understanding how the routes are divided, how to buy tickets, and how the sunrise trains operate. This article explains all three at once.

First, the thing people most often only discover once they arrive: the so-called "Alishan little train" actually consists of two separate systems, and tickets are bought separately.Main linerefers to the classic long-distance mountain railway between Chiayi and Alishan, departing from Chiayi Station and passing through stations like Beimen, Zhangnaoliao, Duli Mountain, Fenqihu, and Shizilu, climbing all the way up to Alishan Station. After being out of service for many years, this section fully resumed operation on July 6, 2024, and is currently the way to reach Alishan directly by train. Including the stopover time at Fenqihu, a one-way trip takes close to 5 hours; there aren't many departures and seats are often hard to come by, so booking early is strongly recommended.

Once inside the Alishan Forest Recreation Area, there are three short in-parkbranch lines, each with its own purpose: the Zhushan Line is dedicated to watching the sunrise, and its terminus Zhushan Station is the highest station on the entire line at about 2,451 meters above sea level; the Shenmu Line connects Alishan Station with Shenmu Station, taking just a few minutes one way and ideal for seeing the giant tree groves; the Zhaoping Line heads toward Zhaoping Park, convenient for cherry-blossom viewing and strolling. Simply remember: the main line handles "getting up the mountain," and the branch lines handle "getting around on the mountain," with each having its own separate tickets.

As for fares, below are the reference prices announced by the Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office; for the actual amounts and whether discount tickets are available, please refer to theofficial ticketing systemannouncement on the day (real-time information is subject to official announcements).

Seniors aged 65 and over, children aged 6–11, persons with disabilities and their companions, etc., can mostly enjoy half-price discount tickets, with the actual eligibility and amounts likewise subject to official information.

How ticket buying and the sunrise trains work

The Alishan Forest Railway uses online real-name booking, and foreign travelers must enter their passport number when booking; when boarding, be sure to carry the original ID matching your booking details. Online booking is available 1 to 14 days before travel, with daily open hours of roughly 06:00–24:00; the main line and popular sunrise trains sell out quickly, so it's best to grab tickets the moment booking opens. On-site ticket sales at stations are generally 08:00–17:00 (the second floor of Alishan Station is roughly 08:30–16:30), still subject to the latest official announcements.

The sunrise trains are where the most foreign travelers get confused, becauseThe Zhushan Line departure time is different every day—they are adjusted to match that day's sunrise time. The authorities announce the next day's Zhushan Line departure times at 4:30 PM the day before travel, with announcement locations including the booking system, Alishan Station, the park entrance, and the visitor center. So the safest approach is: on the afternoon you arrive at Alishan, first go to the station or ask your accommodation to confirm the next day's schedule, then go back to the booking system to confirm. Alishan's sunrise time varies by season, and the official announced reference range roughly falls between just after 5 AM and just after 7 AM, with a clear difference between winter and summer; the train usually departs before sunrise so you can make it to the best moment at the Zhushan sunrise-viewing platform. For the actual sunrise time and train schedule, please refer to the official "Zhushan Sunrise Viewing Overview Table."

For pre-trip preparation, Alishan has a large day-night temperature difference, and even in summer it can be only single-digit temperatures when watching the sunrise at dawn, so a warm jacket is essential; in winter you'll need to bring a thick coat, hat, and gloves. Mountain signal comes and goes, so it's reassuring to take screenshots of your booking record and schedule information before setting out. To stay reliably connected on the mountain or on the train—to check schedules and send photos—preparing a Taiwan eSIM before you land is a smart move, so you won't have to hunt for a SIM card on-site.

Get online the moment you land with a Holafly eSIM

Also, tickets for this line and the Zhushan Line are limited and require registration under your real name, so if your itinerary is fixed, you can also book Alishan tours and tickets on KKday to skip the on-site queues. The above are affiliate links, and we may earn a small commission as a result at no extra cost to you; seeAffiliate Disclosure. Alishan is usually combined with Chiayi and Sun Moon Lake into a central Taiwan itinerary; to plan it more smoothly, you can first check out ourTaiwan Itinerary PlanningwithTransport Guide, to arrange trains, buses, and accommodation all at once; for accommodation choices on the mountain, you can refer toAccommodation Recommendations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to take the train from Chiayi up to Alishan?

Not necessarily. This line has few departures and takes a long time (nearly 5 hours one way), so many people choose to take the bus up the mountain and then ride the branch lines within the park; treating the train as an experience and the bus as transport is a common combination.

Can Zhushan Line sunrise tickets be bought far in advance?

Online booking opens at the earliest 14 days before your trip, and the departure time isn't announced until the afternoon before. We recommend booking on the day it opens once your itinerary is set, and confirming the actual departure again on the day you arrive.

What documents do foreigners need to book tickets?

You'll need to enter your passport number when booking, and carry the original passport matching your booking details for inspection when boarding. For detailed rules, please refer to the official ticketing information.

How warm should I dress to watch the sunrise?

Temperatures in the mountains at dawn can be very low, so a warm jacket is recommended even in summer; in winter, be sure to bring a thick coat, a hat, and gloves.

What if I can't get tickets for the Zhushan Line?

You could arrange, with help from your accommodation, to take a shuttle or walk part of the way, or switch to a different viewpoint; we recommend heading to the station in person as soon as you arrive to ask about the waitlist and same-day information.