Things to do in Chiayi

It was a long drive from Kaohsiung but it was smooth and comfortable. The guide, Mr Charlie was also very informative and gave us some “photography lesson” while walking around the forest. The tour was informative and enjoyable at the same time.

This was a very well-organized trip. I wasn’t expecting much and this exceeded my expectations. From the confirmation whatsapp messages to answering my questions, the tour operator was quick to reply and understood what I was asking (in English). The day before, you are put into a large whatsapp group and everyone going on the tour is blasted messages to let them know which transfer vehicles they will be boarding. Different drivers and guides appear along the way. An information package with vouchers, maps, and the itinerary are given out the moment you meet your first driver. Large luggage are driven up to the hotel, the train ride up Alishan was fun and beautiful in an old swaying train, and upon arrival there is someone waiting to pick you up. Timings of when to be back are verbally given out, use a translator app if you cannot understand. Watch your timings. There are a lot of people waiting for the sunrise train, you get an option to switch to a bus to go to another location too.

I booked to an English guide however they sent out an guide which speaks very little English. However he did all his best to make sure that I understood everything as possible

We had an amazing experience with Apple Tour Guide on our trip to Alishan Forest. Apple was knowledgeable, friendly, and made the entire day smooth and enjoyable from start to finish. He shared interesting facts about the area, nature, and local culture, and made sure everyone was comfortable and well taken care of. I can’t recommend him enough.

The service was very good. 1 hr of foot massage includes 10-15 mins of shoulder/neck massage and free cupping (3-5 min) on the feet after the massage. There were free tea, dessert and snack after it too. Overall it is value for money!👍🏻

As soon as you enter, you smell the aroma of wood. After entering the park, you can take photos with your children and experience the indoor playground. There are various small games made of wood, and even adults are immersed in the games. For a 100 yuan ticket, it's great value for money.

This is my third visit, and the restrooms are still clean. However, there's a minor drawback: this time, only one of the women's restroom stalls had hot water... Hopefully, this can be improved as winter is approaching. The afternoon meal was delicious, and the BBQ set was just right. Breakfast was also delicious 😋, and the rooms were comfortable.

I highly advise against visiting on a Monday. The price is the same, but you don't get the same benefits. The cafe is closed, and since there are no other guests, the DJ isn't there either. There are no craft classes or clam digging activities, which differs from what was advertised. Towels and toothbrushes are only provided upon request. There's also no water dispenser, and I was extremely thirsty in the middle of the night (but we called and they kindly brought us mineral water, which we really appreciated). If this bothers you, I suggest calling ahead to inquire. The other stars are for: the staff's excellent service, the pet-friendly atmosphere, and the campsite dogs who are very cute. My dog had a great time. The oysters and seafood were delicious and fresh.

Going to Alishan was an incredible experience! It was so much easier having the transportation and hotels sorted through the tour. I hope to be back soon! Our guide Joanna was incredible! She was really welcoming, answering our various questions about the area and about Taiwanese culture in general. She went above and beyond, introducing us to local delicacies and taking us to see the sunrise in Taichung on the way back to Taipei!