Alishan National Scenic Area - Chukou Visitor Center

Alishan is composed of 18 high mountains, a branch of the Yushan Mountain Range, facing the main peak of Yushan across the Tonfu River. The New Central Cross-Island Highway now connects the Alishan and Yushan scenic areas. Sunrise, sea of clouds, sunset glow, forests, and high-mountain railway are collectively known as the 'Five Wonders of Alishan,' and the cultural resources of the Tsou aboriginal tribe further enhance its tourist appeal. The famous Alishan sunrise varies in location and time throughout the four seasons (due to the Earth's revolution). The Zhushan Sunrise Viewing Platform is the best spot for sunrise viewing. To reach Zhushan, you can take the Zhushan Sunrise Train from Alishan Station or Zhaoping Station (approximately a 25-minute ride) or walk up the steps from the Zhaoping Park Sunrise Trail Archway (approximately a 40-minute walk, with signposts along the way). In front of the viewing platform plaza, there is a boundary marker for Chiayi and Nantou counties and a detailed map of the sunrise. The Alishan Sea of Clouds, listed as one of the Eight Wonders of Taiwan, usually appears at sunrise or dusk when the weather is clear and there are floating clouds. Layers of mist and clouds undulate like waves, covering nearby peaks, resembling small islands emerging from a vast ocean. The best season to view the sea of clouds is autumn. The splendor of the Alishan sunset glow is due to the thin air in the high-mountain area, over 2,000 meters above sea level. Strong solar radiation leads to intense ultraviolet rays in the air, making the sky appear more vibrant blue than in flatter areas, and consequently, the sunset glow is more brilliant. Alishan boasts abundant forest resources, with the primordial cypress forests being the most precious. Influenced by altitude, Alishan's plant distribution showcases tropical, subtropical, temperate, and frigid zones. From the plains to the area around Mount Du-li (Independent Mountain) at 800 meters above sea level, it's a tropical forest, where prominent plants include longan, acacia, fir, giant bamboo, and makino bamboo. From Mount Du-li to Pingzhena at 1,800 meters above sea level, it falls within the subtropical forest zone, with representative tree species like camphor, paper mulberry, and nanmu. The Cryptomeria japonica forests in the Fenqihu and Shizilu areas are a unique flora for this zone. The temperate forest refers to areas above Pingzhena and below 3,000 meters above sea level, where Alishan's 'Five Woods'—Taiwan Hemlock, Taiwan Cypress, Taiwan Red Pine, Taiwania, and Taiwan Red Cypress (sacred trees)—are primarily distributed. As for the frigid forest zone, from 3,000 meters to 3,500 meters above sea level, it mainly grows Taiwan Fir. After the Japanese discovered the Alishan forests in 1899, they developed this primordial forest into an important logging area. After World War II, logging was prohibited for conservation purposes, and it was transformed into a forest recreation area. During the Alishan Flower Season, from mid-March to mid-April each year, mountain cherries, Yoshino cherries, and double-petal cherries adorn the entire mountain into a beautiful and colorful sea of flowers. Walking on the tree-lined paths beneath towering ancient trees, in addition to inhaling forest phytoncides, visitors can also listen to the beautiful calls of birds from families such as babblers, warblers, tits, and thrushes (Alishan is one of Taiwan's top ten birdwatching spots, belonging to the mid-elevation bird zone). Even the remains of ancient trees, originally logged thousands of years ago, with their half-trunk and root shapes, are worth appreciating. Attractions such as the Sister Ponds are, of course, not to be missed. In 2001 (Republic of China year 90), in response to the maturing trend of tourism and the vast demand in the domestic tourism market, and based on the needs for promoting tourism development and resource conservation in the greater Alishan area, the Alishan National Scenic Area Administration was established. It is specifically responsible for planning, constructing, and managing tourism businesses to serve the influx of visitors to the greater Alishan area, hoping to enhance recreational quality and assist in the flourishing development of local tourism industries. This park area is adjacent to Provincial Highway 18, owned by Taiwan Sugar Corporation's Niupu Farm. Its flat terrain and central location make it suitable as an entrance visitor service and transportation hub. After multiple site evaluations by the administration, the land was acquired from Taiwan Sugar Corporation through negotiated purchase in 2002 (Republic of China year 91). Subsequently, planning and development applications were initiated, and after 11 years, the main building was completed in February 2013 (Republic of China year 102). The entire park area was designed by architect Liao Wei-li, with the goal of preserving the natural land and conforming to the original topography. Using design techniques such as 'landscape weaving,' 'floating,' and 'dynamic circulation,' the aim was to create a natural and harmonious landscape architecture. Now, ten years later, all power lines along the highway have been buried underground, making the skyline particularly clear. The orographic rain that falls on summer afternoons fills the air with a fresh herbal scent. Various birds, butterflies, and countless reptiles make this place even more vibrant, and the egrets circling low over the great meadow seem to wave their wings in welcome to visitors. This is the Chukou Administration and Visitor Center, a stunning new pearl along Provincial Highway 18.