Taiwan is a fascinating place for those interested in railways. The extent and variety of rail systems is unusual for such a small place, and encompasses both traditional style operations and the latest high speed and metro technologies. One fundamentally traditional railway system has adapted from it's original concept as a forestry railway to a tourist carrier, and links central Taiwan's Alishan mountain area with the West Coast main line at Chiayi.

The Alishan Forest Railway runs two pairs of long distance passenger trains each day, covering some 71km from Chiayi to Alishan. The journey takes 3.25 hours and in that time the train climbs more than 2km. The speed of the train isn't fast, but this allows a better chance to take in the scenery which changes with each climate zone it passes through. Not content with just taking tourists to the mountain resort of Alishan, a purpose built branch line to a sunrise viewing area at Jhushan mountain was opened a few years ago. Every morning before sunrise one or more trains loaded full and standing with tourists climbs up to the mountain at Jhushan, returning about 20 minutes after the sun has risen. At the time of our visit that meant catching a train from Alishan at 04:20 and a return at 06:30, but it was well worth the journey.