TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Lonely Planet (孤獨星球) featured Taiwan's Alishan Forest Railway (阿里山林業鐵路) among the world's 200 most iconic rail routes in its latest publication Monday (Nov. 17). The Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office (林業及自然保育署阿里山林業鐵路及文化資產管理處, AFRCH) announced the international recognition in "Epic Train Trips of the World."
The recognition celebrates the historic railway's significance in Taiwan's mountain culture and tourism appeal. The book titled "Out of the Woods on the Alishan Forest Railway" introduces Alishan through first-person travel narrative. The publication details the journey from Chiayi to Alishan National Forest Recreation Area (阿里山國家森林遊樂區), including scenic stops at Fenqihu (奮起湖) and Zhushan (祝山).
The book portrays the railway as a symbol of human-nature coexistence, featuring tea plantations, cloud seas, and sunrise vistas. The railway fully reopened in 2024 after extensive renovations, marking a renaissance for Taiwan's mountain railways. Lonely Planet praised the railway's engineering ingenuity, ecological diversity, and rich history in Asian mountain culture.
The AFRCH stated the Lonely Planet listing affirms international recognition of the railway's natural and cultural value. The office emphasized ongoing efforts to promote Taiwan's mountain beauty and enhance global understanding of the region's landscape. ◼