The Best Time to Visit Alishan National Forest (And When I’d Go Again) 2025

The Alishan National Forest Recreation Area, or just Alishan Forest, as most people call it, is for sure one of my favorite places I visited in all of Taiwan.

It’s a magical mountain forest area with beautiful hiking trails, ancient giant cypress trees, incredible sunrise views, and the super famous Alishan Forest Railway. The whole place has a really cool misty, fairytale vibe that makes it feel totally different from anywhere else in Taiwan.

I’ve already put together a few travel guides on Alishan Forest, but in this one, I want to talk specifically about the best time to visit Alishan, because trust me, the weather, the cherry blossom season, and the crowds can make or break your trip.

In a Rush? Here Are Our Favorite Hotels in Alishan Taiwan

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Alishan Hotel – Click here for rates & availability

⭐️⭐️ Dafong Hotel Alishan – Click here for rates & availability

⭐️ Chinshan Villa – Click here for rates & availability

The Best Time to Visit Alishan National Forest (And When I’d Go Again) 2025

Best Time to Visit Alishan – My Quick Answer

visited Alishan Forest in April, and honestly, I thought it was the perfect time to go. At that time, the rest of Taiwan was absolutely roasting, we had around 35°C (about 95°F) in Kaohsiung and Tainan, and I was seriously melting just trying to walk around.

Arriving up in the mountains at around 2,200 meters (7,200 feet) above sea level felt like the best relief ever. It was so much cooler, perfect hiking weather, and for once I wasn’t sweating through my shirt just by existing outside.

I was also surprised by how few crowds there were. Yes, there were other tourists, but I never felt like the trails were busy or that we were stuck in lines anywhere. We even managed to get a ticket for the famous Alishan train pretty easily at that time.

We just missed cherry blossom season (which is usually around late February to March in Alishan), which was a bit of a shame. But apparently, the crowds go absolutely crazy during that time, so maybe it was for the best.

So if you want my quick answer: I’d say the best time to visit Alishan is in spring or fall. Summer in Taiwan is just way too hot, and winter can get pretty chilly up there. If you don’t care about cherry blossoms and want to avoid the big crowds, I’d go for early April or maybe October with perfect temperatures and fewer people.

Alishan Weather by Season

Spring (March – May): My favorite time to visit Alishan. Temperatures are around 10–18 °C (50–65 °F), perfect for hiking. This is cherry blossom season (mainly March), but expect more tourists at this time of the year.

Summer (June – August): Way too hot and humid for me. Temperatures can hit 25 °C (77 °F) even up in Alishan. Also typhoon season, so lots of rain and fog which is not ideal at all and can even be dangerous.

Fall (September – November): Another great option is the fall. Similar temps to spring, nice and cool, with beautiful autumn colors and fewer crowds.

Winter (December – February): Can get pretty cold, close to 0 °C (32 °F) in the mornings and at night. Possible frost or a bit of snow which sounds nice but makes hiking less fun.

Cherry Blossom Season in Alishan

So, I personally missed the cherry blossom season when I went to Alishan (kinda sad, but oh well). But from what I’ve heard and researched, Alishan actually has one of the latest cherry blossom seasons in Taiwan. That’s because it’s up in the mountains (around 2,200 meters or 7,200 feet high), so it stays cooler up there.

The season usually starts around mid-March and can last until mid-April. Compared to places like Taipei or Taichung where the blossoms pop earlier (sometimes even February), Alishan is a bit behind, which is pretty cool if you missed the first blooms elsewhere.

During this time, Alishan gets super popular. The whole place turns pink with different types of cherry trees, and it looks amazing. But keep in mind, it also means crazy crowds and hotel prices shoot up like crazy. If you really want to see it, book your accommodation way in advance and be prepared for big tour groups.

If you ask me, it looks incredible in photos, but I also kinda liked visiting with fewer people around. So up to you!

Where and When to See Alishan Sunrise

So, the sunrise in Alishan is a pretty big deal. You’ll need to stay the night because the only way to see it is to wake up super early and either hike or take the special sunrise train up to Zhushan Station. Zhushan is the most popular spot (and yes, it gets crowded), but there are a few other viewpoints like Xiaoliyuanshan and Duigaoyue that are a bit quieter if you want to avoid the big groups.

The sunrise time changes throughout the year, but in general, expect to get up around 4 or 5 AM since the train leaves about 30–40 minutes before sunrise. The best months for a clear sunrise are usually October to April when you get those famous sea of clouds. It does get pretty cold up there early in the morning, so bring some warm clothes.

Overall, if you have the time and don’t mind the early wake-up, I think catching the sunrise at Alishan is totally worth it and looks incredible from what I’ve seen (even though I didn’t do it myself).

Where to Stay in Alishan Forest

So the big thing with staying in Alishan is that you basically have no choice but to stay up there if you want to do the sunrise or take the famous Alishan train. But here’s the catch, there aren’t many accommodation options, and the ones that exist book out super fast and are honestly pretty overpriced for what you get.

If you decide to stay (which I do recommend so you can really make the most of it), book as early as you can and ideally avoid weekends because prices jump even more. Also, double-check the location when you book, it’s easy to accidentally book something far away from the actual Alishan village area.

A couple of good options:

Alishan Hotel: Definitely the nicest choice, super beautiful and a bit more upscale. The design has traditional touches that fit perfectly into the forest surroundings, and if you come during cherry blossom season there are loads of cherry trees around.
Dafong Hotel: A more basic and affordable option. It’s not fancy but totally fine for a night or two if you just want somewhere simple to sleep after a long day of exploring.

FAQs About the Best Time to Visit Alishan National Forest

How to get on the Alishan Forest Railway Train?

The easiest way is to book your ticket online exactly 14 days before your planned ride, they go on sale at 6am Taiwan time and sell out super fast. You can also try your luck in person at Chiayi Station the day before, as sometimes people cancel.

How to get from Taipei to Alishan?

First, take a train (either high-speed or normal) from Taipei to Chiayi. From Chiayi, you can take the Alishan Forest Railway train, a bus, or a private transfer up to Alishan. If you’re short on time, there are also guided day tours directly from Taipei.

Where to stay in Alishan?

There aren’t many options, and they book up fast (and can be quite pricey). I recommend booking early and staying near the actual Alishan village area so you don’t have to deal with extra transport.

How to get from Chiayi to Alishan?

You can take the Alishan train (if you get tickets), a direct bus from Chiayi Railway Station, or arrange a private transfer or shared taxi.

Final Thoughts on the Best Time to Visit Alishan Taiwan

Overall, Alishan was for sure one of my favorite places I visited in Taiwan, and I’d go back in a heartbeat. I personally think the best time to visit Alishan is in spring or fall when the weather is perfect, not too hot or cold, and the crowds are a bit smaller outside of cherry blossom season.

Whether you go for the sunrise, the famous train ride, or just to wander around the magical cedar forests, it’s really worth it. Hopefully, this little guide helps you figure out the best time to visit Alishan and makes planning your trip a bit easier!