When it comes to Alishan's festivals, the most iconic is the annual Alishan Cherry Blossom Season held every spring. This romantic event lasting approximately two months attracts visitors from around the world to witness the pink floral seas sweeping across the mountains at altitudes exceeding 2,000 meters. Here, the festival is not a lively street celebration, but a unique experience combining natural scenery with Tsou culture, allowing visitors to feel a different festive atmosphere in the misty mountain town.
Festival activities at Alishan mainly revolve around the natural seasonal cycles, with the most famous being the Cherry Blossom Season (late February to mid-April). Each year during this time, Yoshino cherries, double-petaled cherries, and Taiwan mountain cherries bloom in succession, dyeing the entire mountain in梦幻的粉红色. Cherry blossoms at different altitudes bloom at different times, allowing visitors to enjoy distinct layers of cherry blossom scenery from the lower altitude Alishan Highway climbing upward. Additionally, the winter sea of clouds season (November to April of the following year) is also a favorite among photography enthusiasts, especially when the northeast monsoon arrives, when the probability of morning and evening cloud seas is particularly high, creating spectacular natural canvases when paired with sunrise or sunset.
Speaking of Alishan festival experiences, the Alishan Forest Train cannot be overlooked. This century-old forest railway launches the themed train "Blooming Dance of Cherry Blossoms" during cherry blossom season, using the No. 31 steam locomotive paired with hinoki wood carriages,，带领旅客穿梭于樱花隧道中, with a ticket price of NT$2,999 per person—a truly unique railway festival experience. 2026 is even more exciting, as the newly upgraded "Senri" will officially debut, featuring a color scheme of Forest Railway Black, Alishan Red, and Sacred Light Gold, with more spacious and comfortable seating. The 2025 ecological-themed train "Xu Yu" offers a different mountain forest exploration experience.
During the festival period, there are also multiple attractions and experiences worth visiting around Alishan. Alishan Hotel (No. 16, Xianglin Village, Alishan Township, Chiayi County) is a classic accommodation choice on the mountain, with its 1950s café serving afternoon tea and often introducing themed meals during the festival period, allowing visitors to enjoy coffee while appreciating the sea of clouds or cherry blossoms outside the window. Not far from Alishan, the Shizhuo area houses "Zuo Yi Tea House" (8:30-20:00), which is famous for Alishan high-mountain tea; tasting tea while viewing cherry blossoms during the festival period is especially romantic.
For those wanting to deeply experience local culture, "Ajang's Home" (Leye Village, Alishan Township, Chiayi County, closed Wednesdays and Saturdays, 09:00-12:00, 13:00-16:30) is a must-visit Tsou cultural experience spot. Founder Ajang combines traditional Tsou bamboo houses with modern creativity, where visitors can enjoy authentic Tsou cuisine and admire handcrafted items. "Ajiang Tsou Flavor Restaurant" (08:00-15:00) offers traditional Tsou dishes such as Alishan high-altitude vegetables and specialty mountain produce, allowing your taste buds to experience the festivity's abundance as well.
【Practical Information】
Regarding transportation, visitors can take the Taiwan Tour Bus or drive to Alishan. During the cherry blossom season (2026: March 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 29-30, and April 3-6), traffic control is implemented, with private vehicles required to take shuttle buses uphill between 6:00-11:00 AM. Alishan Forest Train tickets cost NT$540-600 for the main line, and the sunrise train on the Zhushan Line costs approximately NT$100-150; advance booking through KLOOK or KKDAY is recommended.
For accommodation, advance booking at Alishan Hotel is advised, as room rates are higher during the festival period. For those wanting to experience deeper mountain tranquility, Youbasi Tsou Banquet Restaurant (Meishan Township, Chiayi County, 09:00-18:00, closed Wednesdays), which was renovated in early 2025, combines Tsou cuisine with modern culinary aesthetics and is also an excellent choice.
【Travel Tips】
Alishan has a high altitude with significant temperature differences. Visitors during the festival period are advised to dress in layers. For sunrise viewing, prepare a warm hat, gloves, and down jacket. Self-driving visitors are advised to head up the mountain in the morning and drive slowly, avoiding the afternoon fog period. The Zhushan Line sunrise train must be reserved between 13:00-16:00 the day before. If stars are clearly visible at 3 AM, there is a high probability of seeing the sunrise the next day. Remember to bring rain gear and altitude sickness medication to fully enjoy this mountain town festival celebration.
