How to spend 1 day at Ali Shan

As my time in Taiwan was pretty limited, we didn’t have too much time to spend at each given destination. Ali Shan is one of those places that people generally spend at least one night so they have time to see all the attractions, but we opted for a one-day tour in the interest of time.

I see why people might want to spend some more time on the mountain- just getting up it took quite a while. Our trip from Chia Yi to the Ali Shan park took about two hours. This was two hours of winding hairpin switchbacks, through lush green mountains. Seriously, the mountains are completely green and covered in foliage from vines and bushes growing thickly on the forest floor to towering cedars to fluffy patches of tea plants growing in manicured rows. As we climbed higher and higher, our mini bus became enveloped in cloud and the air was thick with dew by the time we arrived.

Upon arrival to Ali Shan park, we had lunch at a local restaurant before boarding the Forest Train to go even higher and deeper into the mountains. The train was super cute and the route very scenic as it wound around the trees, stalks of young bamboo, and mini waterfalls.

Then it was time for the forest walks. It was magical and serene. The air felt fresh beyond belief. Maybe I appreciated the difference more because I’ve spent the last year in New York City rushing about amidst car exhaust and skyscrapers, but I was just so taken aback by the cleanliness of the air here at Ali Shan. The auditory mixtape of footsteps on gently creaking wooden planks, leaves swishing in the breeze, and the continuous hum of cicadas was wondrously soothing. I should have recorded a bit of it to play back at home the next time I have trouble sleeping.

Our trail through the forest was far from hiking- the wooden pathway is very well maintained and felt sure-footed the entire way. It was easy for members of our group of all ages to enjoy. The trail led us through countless Taiwanese cedars, with the biggest of all saved for last. The big mama tree was estimated to be 2300 years old! The bridge walkway leading up to this biggest cedar was also perfumed of cedar wood- I’m not sure if this fragrance was natural and coming from the planks or if it is added periodically (likely the latter), but either way it added to the experience of witnessing such a natural marvel.

Ali Shan Tea

On our way back down the mountain, we also stopped at a tea farm! I was super excited about this part of the trip- Ali Shan is known worldwide for its production of high quality tea. The shopkeeper brewed a pot each of green oolong and red oolong for us to try, and I loved how she took the time to explain how the elevation and water quality of the land surrounding Ali Shan were what made the difference in their tea. She also showed us some of the leaves after steeping and the leaves were huge! Much bigger than other full leaf teas that I’ve purchased in America and even in other parts of Taiwan. The green oolong was bright yet still earthy, almost grassy, clean with a lightly sweet aftertaste. The red oolong legit smelled like a beer brewery, and I mean that as a complement as I absolutely love that malty, earthy, wheaty aroma. I’d never come across a tea that smelled like that before, and I didn’t even mind that I scalded the inside of my nostrils because I was too impatient to get a whiff of the steaming tea. We brought some of each variety back home with us.

Our day trip to Ali Shan was a long one, filled with lots and lots of driving. The drive itself is quite scenic and enjoyable, as long as you don’t get motion sickness! I could feel my tea sloshing around my stomach on the way down. Now for the question of the day- is one day enough to see Ali Shan, and give it proper justice? I’d have to say no. People say two of the best things to see at Ali Shan are the sunrise and the sunset. You just won’t be able to see either if your visit is only one day. However, I do think that the single day trip option is still very worth your while if you find that like me, your time here is limited. The forest walks are still going to be enchanting, the tea still delicious. Plus, the sunrise and sunset are very weather-dependent. That perfect “cloud sea” photo can be marred so easily if the position of the clouds aren’t timed just right with rising or falling of the sun. Maybe when I have more time I’ll spend a few days up here at Ali Shan and take the time to meander through each forest path and get the perfect cloud sea picture, but for now these memories are more than enough.