The sacred tree is a red cypress which has been guarded by the Tsou for generations, and later widely known during the Japanese colonial period in 1945. The tree is the tallest and the most imposing one in Taiwan with a height of 53 meters, a trunk of 4.66 meters in diameter, and a circumference of 23 meters. The sacred tree was vigor and able to withstand typhoons and earthquakes over the years. However, it was struck by lightning and burned on the inside in 1956. The Forestry Bureau decided to cut and lay the giant tree in 1998 due to its slant in 1997. Nowadays, visitors may see a pavilion built alongside of the sacred tree.
Many Alishan hiking trails will bring you to the Alishan Sacred Tree. Enjoy a healthy forestry journey hiking the sacred tree plank, more than 36 noted giant trees can be seen. Most of them are over 1000 or 2000 years old. Indulge an interesting Alishan travel exploring the age of each giant tree!
From Chiayi Train Station (嘉義火車站) to Alishan Forest Recreation Area(阿里山國家森林遊樂區):
Take train to Chiayi Train Station (嘉義火車站) and take Chiayi Bus (Alishan route) 嘉義客運(嘉義-阿里山)to the Alishan Forest Recreation Area(阿里山國家森林遊樂區). It takes about 2.5 hours from the Train station to get to Alishan. Chiayi Bus runs at the following times: 06:10 08:10 10:10 12:10 14:10.
From HSR Chiayi Station (嘉義高鐵站) to Alishan Forest Recreation Area (阿里山國家森林遊樂區):
Take HSR to HSR Chiayi Station (嘉義高鐵站) and take BRT to Chiayi Train Station. From there, take Chiayi Bus (Alishan route) to the Alishan Forest Recreation Area (阿里山國家森林遊樂區). It takes about 2.5 hours from the Train station to get to Alishan. Chiayi Bus (嘉義縣公車) runs at the following times: 06:10 08:10 10:10 12:10 14:10.
Today, visitors may visit the Alishan Sacred Tree, Zhaoping and Zhushan by Alishan train at the Alishan Train Station.
Sacred Tree Route 神木線 :
Train runs every 15minutes from 09:30 through 16:30.
(Travel time about 10 minutes)
Zhaoping Route 沼平線:
Train runs every 15 minutes from 09:15 through 16:15.
(Travel time about 10 minutes)
Zhushan Route 祝山線:
Train runs once a day at 06:00. (Travel time about 30 minutes)
Time will be adjusted according to the estimated sunrise time of the day (Visitors may contact the Alishan Train Station at +886-5-267-9833 for more information).
Note:
Time may be adjusted slightly without advance notices.
Drive on your own:
No. 1 National Highway (國道一號): exit from Chiayi Interchange (嘉義交流道) -> 159 County Road (159縣道) -> Chiayi City (嘉義市) -> Wufeng South (North) Road (吳鳳南(北)路) or Mituo road (彌陀路) -> 18 Provincial Highway (18號省道) -> Tsukou (觸口) -> Laitou (瀨頭) -> Shizhuo (石卓) -> Alishan Forest Recreation Area(阿里山國家森林遊樂區)