Sacred trees
Giant cypress.
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A forest mountain resort above two thousand metres in the mountains of central Taiwan, surrounded by giant red cypress forest, some trees more than a thousand years old, with shaded trails among moss, ferns and mist. It is one of Taiwan's best-loved getaways. Wooden trails link the huge sacred trees and their massive trunks, the calm Sister Ponds mirroring the forest and a small wooden pavilion, and little temples among the trees. In March and April cherry trees bloom across the park. The classic experience is sunrise from the Zhushan platform, where visitors ride the forest train up before dawn to watch the sun rise over Yushan, Taiwan's highest peak, above a sea of clouds filling the valleys below. The ticket is about TWD 300 for foreign visitors, per visitor guides. It is cold even in summer, so bring a jacket; staying overnight makes sunrise easy. Taiwan's typhoon season runs from June to October, peaking July to September, so check forecasts before heading to mountains and coasts, per UK travel advice.
Giant cypress.
Forest reflections.
At dawn.
Alishan township, Chiayi County, at about 2,200 metres
Take the forest train that climbs before dawn to the Zhushan platform; staying overnight makes it easy, and times change by season.
