Located in the northeast part of the Jiayi County in Taiwan
Province, Ali Mountain is in fact the general name of the eighteen
hills including Zhu Hill and Tower Hill. The highest peak of Ali
Mountain is Tower Hill with the height of 2,663 meters (about 8,736
feet). Ali Mountain is world famous for its 'five rare sites'
including the Sunrise, the Ali Mountain Forest Railway, the famous
Alishan Sacred Tree, the Grand Sea of Clouds, and the Flamboyant
Cherry Blossom. It is said that one who has not been to Ali
Mountain will never know its wonderful beauty.
The sunrise is a must for everyone who travels the Ali Mountain.
Many have said "to miss viewing the sunrise on Ali Mountain is like
returning empty after entering the Golconda." The best place to
view the sunrise is on the top of Zhu Hill. The place and time of
the sunrise are different due to the changes of the four seasons.
If you plan to view the sunrise it is best to ask the local people
the time of sunrise, so you don't miss this magnificent
opportunity. When the sun is rising slowly from the peak, it sends
out the golden rays for a short time which provides a spectacular
scene.
The Ali Mountain Forest Railway is regarded as one of three
mountain climbing railways. Traveling along the 72-kilometer-long
railway, the train climbs from 30 meters (about 98 feet) to 2,450
meters (about 8,038 feet) above sea level. Its gradient is so great
that it is rarely seen in the whole world. From the bottom of Ali
Mountain to the top, the train crosses four forest areas – tropic,
subtropical, temperature and the frigid zone. While traveling up
the mountain the forest scenery is spectacular including eucalypt
trees, coconut trees, conifers and the Frigid Zone forest.
There is a Chinese Juniper within the Ali Mountain forest area,
with some 53 meters (about 174 feet) high, and 23 meters (about 75
feet) wide. This Juniper is so huge that more than ten people can
surround the circumference. It has a history of more than 3,000
years, thus is called Alishan Sacred Tree. The most wondrous tree
is a 'three-generation' tree. The three generations of this tree
exist in the same trunk. Now since the first and second generations
have faded, the third generation is still flourishing. This tree is
really a wonder of nature. The forest sea on Ali Mountain creates a
relaxed and pleasant environment for the people living in the city
nearby.
The sea of clouds and the cherry blossom should not be overlooked.
If you want to avoid sunstroke, the comfortable climate in
midsummer on Ali Mountain will be a good choice.
