The historic Alishan Forest Railway in Taiwan has resumed full
operations on 6 July 2024, for the first time since 2009. The scenic
70-kilometre route, which runs from Chiayi city to Alishan at 2,200
metres above sea level, now offers a complete journey through Taiwan's
mountainous landscape.
The railway, built during Japan's colonial rule in the early 20th
century, originally served to transport high-quality cypress timber.
Today, it's a popular tourist attraction, with tickets selling out
quickly after release.
The stretch between Shizilu and Alishan stations, closed since 2009
due to typhoon damage, has now reopened. This restoration allows
passengers to travel the entire route without switching to alternative
transportation.
The journey from Chiayi to Alishan takes four to five hours,
featuring unique engineering elements to navigate the steep terrain.
These include switchbacks, spiral loops, and U-turns.
In addition to the reopening, new Formosensis carriages are set to
begin service on 28 July. These carriages, named after the Taiwan red
cypress, feature cypress wood interiors and exteriors.
The Alishan Forest Railway is often compared to other famous mountain
railways, such as India's Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and South
America's Trans-Andean Railroad. Its full reopening is expected to boost
tourism in the region.