This Stunning Forest Train in Taiwan Travels Through 4 Climate Zones and 77 Tunnels

"Built in 1912 during Japanese colonial rule as a narrow-gauge line to haul lumber, this red-and-cream heritage train now provides a five-hour, 44-mile scenic journey from Chiayi through Zhuqi and Meishan up into the Alishan National Forest Recreational Area, climbing from about 131 feet to 12,965 feet. The route threads tropical to frigid climate zones and fragrant coniferous forests of cedar, Chinese fir, incense cedar, and oak, and negotiates 50 bridges, 77 tunnels, spirals and switchbacks—highlighted by the Dulishan Spiral, which holds the Guinness World Record for the longest spiral railway. After years of earthquake-, typhoon-, and landslide-related closures it reopened in summer 2024 and is celebrated as both a nostalgic, living monument to local history (important to nearby Indigenous communities) and one of the most picturesque ways to experience Taiwan’s misty mountain scenery; tickets are available via the operator’s website or tour providers." - Rachel Chang Rachel Chang Rachel Chang is a travel and pop culture journalist who contributes to Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Lonely Planet, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines