Public roadway 8.7 km

Grade 0 （ Check Difficulty Level ）

2 hr 10 min. walk

Chashan Tribal Village / Xinmei Tribal Village

For ChashanBus stop: Take the Happiness Alishan Route 1 bus and get off at Chashan Station to reach the destination.
For XinmeiBus stop: Take the Happiness Alishan Route 1 bus and get off at Xinmei Station to reach the destination.

Grocery stores and community kitchens in Chashan Tribal Village (Reservation prior visit is highly recommended); food stands and restaurants along the streets of Xinmei Tribal Village

Tun’abana Trail, Kuanxiting Trail Park, Dagubuyanu Fish Watching Trail, Sinvi Niahosa Hunter's Camp, Shinmei Camphor Forest Trail, and Presbyterian Church (Rebirth Hall)

Chashan is the first Tsou tribal village visitors reach along the trail and one of three southern villages. Located next to the Zengwen River, Chashan is the southernmost village of Alishan Township and was originally named “Cayamavana,” meaning “the plain on the mountainside.” Legend has it that the earliest settlers of Chashan were the vanished Dagubuyanu people. The current inhabitants of Chashan include the Tsou, the Bunun, and Han Chinese. In recent years, Chashan has become famous for its hufu (pavilions), many of which can be found in this area. Additionally, the Tun’abana Trail is known for its diverse ecosystems. When travelers visit Chashan Tribal Village via the greenway, take the industrial road past Chashan Village (1st Neighborhood), Kuanxiting Trail Park, the entrance of the Dagubuyanu Fish Watching Trail, Shinmei Bridge, and Sinvi Niahosa Hunter's Camp to arrive at Xinmei Tribal Village.

In recent years, Chashan has become famous for its pavilion lifestyle, a variety of pavilions (hufu) can be seen in the village. The Chashan Hufu Pavilion Festival is held every November, allowing visitors to experience Tsou culture.

Public roadway 7.9 km

Grade 0 （ Check Difficulty Level ）

1 hr 50 min. walk

Xinmei Tribal Village / Shanmei Danaiku Ecological Park

For XinmeiBus stop: Take the Happiness Alishan Route 1 bus and get off at Xinmei Station to reach the destination.
For DanaikuBus stop: Take the Happiness Alishan Route 1 bus and get off at Danaiku Station to reach the destination.

Xinmei Tribal Village and Danaiku Ecological Park

Sinvi Niahosa Hunter's Camp, Xinmei Camphor Forest Trail, Presbyterian Church (Rebirth Hall), Tsou tribe murals, and Fumei Drawbridge

Located in the upper reaches of the Zengwen River, Xinmei Tribal Village is one of the three southern villages of the Tsou people. Legend has it that after Koxinga defeated the Dutch, Dutch soldiers f led through the area and stopped for mountain spring water here. The “Dutch Water” is now located in Yaisana. During Japanese ruling period, Xinmei land was used as farmland, and most local residents were from Dabang and Lijia tribes. Because of the lack of water resources, the local economy is currently dominated by the afforestation industry and under-forest economy. To visit the Xinmei Village via the greenway, depart from Xinmei Tribal Village and pass by Xinmei Catholic Church and Rongsan Shop; take the industrial road to see endless mountains with amazing views; enter Shanmei Tribal Village where you will see Tsou tribe murals all along the streets; and cross the Fumei Drawbridge to arrive at the entrance of Danaiku.

Xinmei Tribal Village contains a Presbyterian Church (Rebirth Hall), the Dagubuyanu Fish Watching Trail, the Xinmei Camphor Forest Trail, a wealth of natural ecological resources, and the Sinvi Niahosa Hunter's Camp, which provides in-depth information on Tsou hunting practices.

Mountain trail 1.1 km

Grade 2 （ Check Difficulty Level ）

Danaiku → Tsou Farmland, 1 hour 10 minutes walk
Tsou Farmland → Danaiku, 50 minutes walk

Danaiku / Tsou Farmland

For DanaikuBus stop: Take the Happiness Alishan Route 1 bus and get off at Danaiku Station to reach the destination.

Visitors are recommended to bring their own food and beverages or purchase them at Danaiku Ecological Park.

Danaiku Ecological Park, Danaiku Drawbridge, pavilions, and scenic viewpoints

Located in Shanmei Tribal Village, Alishan Township, Chiayi County, Danaiku (pronounced “tanayiku” in the Tsou language) means a place without anxiety. It is the first of best practices for community-based management of ecological park in Taiwan. Located at the upstream of the Zengwen River, Danaiku was once a popular tourist destination because of the majestic scenery yet the terrain was seriously destroyed due to Typhoon Morakot and other natural disasters. Local villagers devoted themselves and worked hand-in-hand to restore the enchanting natural landscape. Today, Danaiku Ecological Park is known for its conservation of Taiwan shovel-jaw carp. Visitors can spend their time wandering around the Danaiku Trail, crossing the Danaiku Drawbridge to arrive at Tsou Farmland.

From the Danaiku Drawbridge, visitors can enjoy the fascinating scenery of the Zengwen River Valley and observe Taiwan shoveljaw carp swimming in the stream. On the either side of the mountain path are secondary forestland, bamboo groves, Taiwan sugar palms, and banana orchards.

Mountain trail 1.6 km

Grade 4 （ Check Difficulty Level ）

Tsou Farmland → Viewing platform, 2 hr. walk
Viewing platform → Tsou Farmland, 1hr. 40 min. walk

Tsou Farmland / Viewing platform

Visitors are recommended to bring their own food and beverages since there is no shops along the way.

suspension bridges, wood pavilions, and viewing platform

The Limei Refuge Trail was originally a trail connecting Lijia and Shanmei Tribal Villages of the Tsou. During Japanese ruling period, a new trail was built, and the original trail was gradually abandoned. In 2009, Typhoon Morakot severely damaged the newer trail, severing the link between the two tribes. Local villagers subsequently came up with the idea of using the historical trail as a place of refuge and made a proposal to FANCA to repair and reopen it. The trail was thus restored and renamed the “Limei Refuge Trail.” The trail connects the Jushiban Trail and the Danaiku Trail, and is of high historical and tourism value; however, it cannot be reached by car. To reach it, visitors may depart from the Tsou Farmland crossroads. Along the trail, they will cross three suspension bridges and pass by wooden hunting pavilions before going uphill and arriving at the 0K viewing platform.

The mountain path leads visitors into a jungle-like adventure in a subtropical broad-leaved forest. There, they can see Ma bamboo and a wealth of ecological resources. From the viewing platform, visitors can enjoy views of the Zengwen River Valley and two drawbridges.

The slopes here are steep with a climb of approximately 500 meters. Visitors must assess whether they are physically fit for the climb.

Mountain trail 0.72 km

Grade 3 （ Check Difficulty Level ）

View platform → Jushiban Trailhead Parking, 50 min. walk
Jushiban Trailhead Parking → View platform, 40 min. walk

View platform / Jushiban Trailhead Parking

Visitors are recommended to bring their own food and beverages since there is no shops along the way.

Viewing platform and wooden arch bridge

The flat and spectacular jushiban (literally “boulder plate”) is approximately 700 meters long and 30 meters wide, and sits at a 15° slope. Originally a densely forested area with watercourses, Jushiban came into being because of Typhoon Herb in 1996. Jushiban contains many naturally formed potholes, and visitors can stroll across it during the dry winter season. The Jushiban Trail starts at the 0K viewing platform. Once on the trail, visitors will pass through forest, and a bamboo grove before they arrive at Jushiban. Next, take the fork in the road along Jushiban to reach the top of jushiban and exit the area to enjoy great views. The other route leads visitors past a bamboo forest before arriving at a parking lot. The two routes are straightforward and without detours.

Jushiban is a large sloping plate of bedrock that provides visitors with unique, extensive views. On either of the mountain path is thill bamboo (stone bamboo), a unique bamboo which grows in Alishan.

The slope here is steep with a climb of approximately 130 meters. Visitors must assess whether they are physically fit for the climb.

Industrial road 6.9 km

Grade 0 （ Check Difficulty Level ）

1 hr.40 min. walk

Jushiban Trailhead Parking / Lijia Forest Trail

For LijiaBus stop: Take bus 7314 to Dabang Station, then transfer to Happiness Alishan Route 3 (Reservation Required) and get off at Lijia Station and walk there.
Or take bus 7322A (around Fenqihu) to Shihzih Station, then transfer to bus Happiness Alishan Route 3 (Reservation Required) to Lijia Station and walk from there.
*Note: The Lijia end is some distance from the trailhead; you can contact local operators for shuttle service.*

Visitors are recommended to bring their own food and beverages since there is no shops along the way.

Limei Refuge Trail (visitors must take the same route back) and scenic viewpoints

Depart from the entrance of the Jushiban Trail, facing Lijia Village, you first wander through a bamboo forest and a mixed broad-leaved forest with two or three excellent scenic viewpoints, from which you can see Xiang Mountain and Xiding streets. Finally, you will arrive at the Limei Refuge Trailhead; currently, visitors to the trail must take the same route back. Then, take the Wujiha Stream Industrial Road where one will see silver grass and Taiwan hibiscus. Cross the bridge past the Far Land Camping Area to arrive at the trailhead of the Forest Trail.

There are several locations where visitors have uninterrupted views of the magnificent Xiang Mountain and endless mountain ranges.

This section of trail has steep ascending and descending slopes and a total climb of approximately 320 meters. Visitors must assess whether they are physically fit for the climb.

Mountain trail 0.52 km, Industrial road 0.31 km

Grade 2 （ Check Difficulty Level ）

Industrial road → Lijia Maple Viewing Trail, 40 min. walk
Lijia Maple Viewing Trail → Industrial road 30 min. walk

Lijia Forest Trail / Maple Viewing Trail

For LijiaBus stop: Take bus 7314 to Dabang Station, then transfer to Happiness Alishan Route 3 (Reservation Required) and get off at Lijia Station and walk there.
Or take bus 7322A (around Fenqihu) to Shihzih Station, then transfer to bus Happiness Alishan Route 3 (Reservation Required) to Lijia Station and walk from there.

Visitors are recommended to bring their own food and beverages or purchase them at Lijia Village.

Alishan National Scenic Area Headquarters - Lijia Information Station and Fengdongliu Trail

Lijia Village is one of the tribal villages in the Dabang community. It is a paradise-like village with fresh mountain air, crystal water streams, and rich ecological resources. At night, dazzling stars sparkle like diamonds in the sky. Thus, it is also known as the “blue tribe.” Legend has it that two brothers surnamed Wen discovered this place during a hunt. To visit Lijia Village, travelers have to depart from the Forest Trail by Wujiha Stream, then pass through bamboo groves and large camphor trees before arriving at the village. Strolling around the village is like reading a book about tribal customs, and the Maple Viewing Trail is in the vicinity. According to the legend, in ancient times, God Hamo descended to the top of Mt. Jade and shook maple trees. The seeds that fell down from the trees became human beings, and it is believed that they were the Tsou’s ancestors. Thus, the Tsou people love to plant maple trees in remembrance of their forefathers.

In autumn, roaming along the Maple Viewing Trail, hikers can immerse themselves in the picturesque scenery as the Taiwanese sweet gum and maple leaves turn yellow and red. Lijia is a charming indigenous village with distinctive culture and social customs. The haverst season of jelly figs is between August to next January; during that time, visitors may have a chance to view the process of drying jelly figs.

Public roadway 16.3 km

Grade 0 （ Check Difficulty Level ）

3 hr 50 min. walk

Maple Viewing Trail / Dabang Village

For LijiaBus stop: Take bus 7314 to Dabang Station, then transfer to Happiness Alishan Route 3 (Reservation Required) and get off at Lijia Station and walk there.
Or take bus 7322A (around Fenqihu) to Shihzih Station, then transfer to bus Happiness Alishan Route 3 (Reservation Required) to Lijia Station and walk from there.
For DabangBus stop: Take bus 7314 and get off at Dabang Station to reach the destination.

Visitors are recommended to bring their own food and beverages or purchase them at Dabang Village.

Tea Plantation Boulder, Japanese Police Building, Tsou Nature and Culture Center, and Dabang Kuba

Depart from the entrance of the Maple Viewing Trail and take County Highway 169, one passes by the Lijia Tea Factory and Lijia Bamboo Shoot Processing Plant. The facilities were sponsored by the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company to support the area after the devastation inflicted on Alishan’s agricultural industry by Typhoon Morakot. During the trip, visitors will see Taiwanese sweetgum trees as well as tea plantations, among which the Tea Plantation Boulder is most distinctive. Visitors can stop at a scenic viewpoint to enjoy views of endless mountains and tea plantations on the route to Dabang Village. The village was established more than 300 years ago. Its subsidiary tribes are the Shinmei, Chashan, and Shanmei, whose tribal villages are located near the confluence of the Hasegawa and Yisijianna streams in the upper reaches of the Zengwen River. Dabang and Tefuye, two villages on each side of the Yisijianna stream facing each other, both possess a Kuba. A kuba is a sacred place that is closely tied in with the culture and spiritual beliefs of the Tsou people. Only adult men of the tribe are allowed to enter the Kuba from its main entrance.

Tribal bamboo shoot and tea industries, tea plantations, and Taiwanese sweet gum trees (which turn a flaming yellow, orange, and red in the fall) can be seen along the way. The kuba in Dabang Village is a major feature of the Tsou culture, and the Mayasvi of Tsou is great in strength and impetus.

Because this region contains a long county highway, please pay attention when traveling on foot. When entering tribal areas, please refrain from entering the kuba out of respect for the cultural values of the Tsou people.

Mountain trail 1.6 km, Industrial road 0.2km

Grade 1 （ Check Difficulty Level ）

Dabang Village → Tefuye Village, 1 hr 10 min. walk
Tefuye Village → Dabang Village, 50 min. walk

Dabang Village/Tefuye Village

For DabangBus stop: Take bus 7314 and get off at Dabang Station to reach the destination.
For TefuyeBus stop: Take the 7322A (around Fenqihu) bus to Shihzih Station, then transfer to the Happiness Alishan Route 3 (Reservation Required) bus and get off at Tefuye Station.

Visitors are recommended to bring their own food and beverages or purchase them at Dabang Village.

The Dabang Drawbridge and Tefuye Kuba

Enter from the Dabang Pavilion and cross the Dabang Drawbridge to see the Yisijianna Stream, valley, and red arch bridge.Continue hiking, the lush bamboo forest, giant camphor trees, and a tribute stone can be seen along the way. The tribute stone is large stone selected by the people of the tribe to pray to the God of soil and earth for protection when traveling between tribes. The trail runs through a large camphor tree forest before ending at Tefuye Village. From the mid-nineteenth century to the early twentieth century, camphor wood was one of Taiwan’s major export products due to its use in making camphor. At the time, the Alishan mountain area was a crucial place for camphor trees.

From the Dabang Drawbridge, visitors will see awe-inspiring views of the Zengwen River valley in the distance; once on the path, they will enjoy the scenery presented by the bamboo groves and giant camphor trees.

Please refrain from entering the kuba out of respect for the cultural values of the Tsou people.

Industrial road 6.1 km

Grade 0 （ Check Difficulty Level ）

2 hr 30 min. walk

Tefuye Village / Tefuye Historical Trailhead (6.2k)

For TefuyeBus stop: Take the 7322A (around Fenqihu) bus to Shihzih Station, then transfer to the Happiness Alishan Route 3 (Reservation Required) bus and get off at Tefuye Station.
*Note: You can contact local operators for shuttle service to reach historical trailhead.*

Visitors are recommended to bring their own food and beverages or purchase them at Tefuye Village.

Tefuye Kuba

Legend has it that an ancient god trampled the mountains into two flat areas to form the Dabang and Tefuye communities.They are major communities of the Tsou people, and both have Kuba, a vital social, political, and cultural symbol among the Tsou. Tefuye is larger than Dabang, yet quieter and more rustic. Depart from the Tefuye Kuba and enter Tefuye Village; take the industrial road through a mixed broad-leaved forest and bamboo groves before arriving at the entrance of Tefuye Historical Trail.

Stroll through Tefuye Village to see its Kuba, golden grassy dendrobium orchids, and sea fig. During the bamboo season, visitors can also see tribal people harvesting thill bamboo.

Please refrain from entering the Kuba out of respect for Tsou cultural traditions. Because the route includes an industrial road with poor road conditions, only four-wheel drive vehicles are allowed. Alternatively, visitors may book community service to pick them up and drop them off at the designated locations.

Mountain trail 6.4 km

Grade 2 （ Check Difficulty Level ）

Tefuye Historical Trail (6.2k) → Zizhong, 3 hr 40 min. walk
Zizhong → Tefuye Historical Trail (6.2k), 2 hr 30 min. walk

Entrance of the Tefuye Historical Trail (6.2k) / Zizhong

For TefuyeBus stop: Take the 7322A (around Fenqihu) bus to Shihzih Station, then transfer to the Happiness Alishan Route 3 (Reservation Required) bus and get off at Tefuye Station.
*Note: You can contact local operators for shuttle service to reach historical trailhead.*
For ZizhongBus Stop: take Yuanlin Bus 6739 bus and get off at Zizhong Station. (Please call Shuili Station to make a reservation 3 days in advance.)

Visitors are recommended to bring their own food and beverages since there is no shops along this route.

Pavilions, the old Shuishan Railway, wooden trestle bridg

Located in Alishan Township, Chiayi County, the route was initially a hunting path used by the Tsou people. During Japanese ruling period, the Japanese built a railway (the old Shuishan Railway) along the historical trail to transport red cypress and Taiwan cypress logged in the Alishan area, transforming the trail into a timber-transporting section of the Dongpu Railway Line. However, as the logging era came to an end, the railway was eventually demolished in 1971, leaving behind railroad tracks and wooden bridges. In 2001, the Chiayi Branch, Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (reorganized from Chiayi Forest District Office) restored the historical trail while retaining some of the railway tracks and trestle bridges. Depart from Tefuye, climb a steep slope, and pass through a mixed coniferous and broadleaf forest to arrive at the Tiziban Mountain fork road. The historical trail then becomes less steep and the remains of the railway and a Japanese cedar forest are found along the way. At the end of the route is Provincial Highway 18 (Zizhong).

In addition to the surrounding tall Japanese cedars and the old Shuishan Railway, leftover Taiwan cypress stumps and an ecologically rich virgin forest perfect for birdwatching can be found.

The route from Tefuye to the Tiziban Mountain fork road is relatively steep. Visitors must assess whether they are in appropriate physical condition for the climb.