阿里山的姑娘高山青 澗水藍阿里山的姑娘美如水呀阿里山的少年壮如山高山長青澗水長藍姑娘和那少年是永不分呀碧水長圍著青山轉
There's a popular Taiwanese folksong, "阿里山的姑娘", (ah li shan de gu niang, or The Girls of Alishan) about the green mountains and the blue creek waters, and that they will stay forever so (I believe they would because Taiwanese are big on conservation). OH and the song also mentions how the girls in Alishan (referring to those of the Tsou aboriginal tribe) are as beautiful as water and the men as strong as mountains and that they will never part. Be sure to come see if it is true for yourself!
Alishan is not a single mountain, but a range of mountains, averaging 2,500m in height and with the highest peak Datashan (大塔山) reaching 2,663m. Taiwan's highest mountain, Yushan (3,952m) is can be seen from Alishan.
We arrived at Alishan around midday and it was drizzling as we explored the Alishan train station and took the railway into the forest.
From Chaoping Station
Thank goodness the days of logging are long over, making it possible for some trees to grow to a ripe old age of 2,000 years. For a moment, you are transported into Hayao Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke's world.
As we ventured along the Tashan Trail
The Pond-Shore Boardwalk
Green Assets - The Forests
The T(h)ree Brothers
The Pig-Shaped Tree Stump
Do you see a heart?
Before we finally reached Shenmu Station
The photos don't do the forest justice, it's worth a visit. The trees are amazingly tall and thin. The air, as always, is pristine. A much easier climb (there's a train afterall) as compared to Huangshan or Sapa.
I think it is possible to walk all the way down to the station, but it's best to catch the train if it is late. There's much to do about town afterall.
More pictures are available on my Flickr (simply click any photo).
Related Posts:
Taiwan Day 5 - Alishan, Day 1:
Taiwan Day 6 - Alishan, Day 2, Kaoshiung, Day 1:
那首“阿里山的姑娘”的歌也是我們上學時經常唱的歌曲，多謝分享！
ReplyDeleteReally nice and interesting virtual tour! :) Thanks for sharing. Bye. Kamila
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for dropping by, Kamila. I would say, the place looks even better irl. Highly recommend a visit.
ReplyDeleteI sang it in primary school too! Guess it's a pretty catchy song...
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