Currency Exchange
Please visit http://www.xe.com/.     Time Difference Please refer to the following link: http://www.worldtimezone.com/     Emergency Hotlines Police = Dial 110 Ambulance = Dial 119     Climate Having a subtropical climate, summers in Taiwan are usually hot and humid with an average temperature of 29 degrees Celsius (84.2 degrees Fahrenheit). July is typically the hottest and has a record of reaching 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) in the past. The occurrences of typhoons are also more frequent during the summer. Winter may consist of strong wind and rain with an average temperature of 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit). Spring is the blooming season with an average temperature of 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit), but it is also the raining season as well. Autumn is probably the best time for tourism with temperatures at around 23 degrees Celsius (73.4 degrees Fahrenheit). For more information, please refer to: http://www.cwb.gov.tw/eng/index.htm  
Directions:
Visitors may take TRA train to Chiayi Railway Station, and then transfer to Alishan Railway Station/ Fengchihu Scenic Area by taking Chiayi Bus. The Chiayi Bus Station is located right next to the Chiayi Railway Station.

For visitors who take THSR to Chiayi Station, please take the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) bus to TRA Chiayi Back Station, and then transfer to Alishan Railway Station/ Fengchihu Scenic Area by taking Chiayi Bus.

P.S. The Alishan Forest Railway is temporarily closed due to Typhoon Morakot effects. It might be reopened in 2012 or 2013.

TRA Ticket Fare (Taipei to Chiayi):
Zihciang (Tzuchiang) express: TWD 600 per adult; TWD 300 per child under twelve years old
Fusing (Fuhsing) express: TWD 386 per adult; TWD 193 per child under twelve years old
Jyuguang (Chukuang) express: TWD 462 per adult; TWD 231 per child under twelve years old

TRA Ticket Fare (Kaohsiung to Chiayi):
Zihciang (Tzuchiang) express: TWD 246 per adult; TWD 123 per child under twelve years old
Fusing (Fuhsing) express: TWD 158 per adult; TWD 79 per child under twelve years old
Jyuguang (Chukuang) express: TWD 190 per adult; TWD 95 per child under twelve years old

BRT Fare (THSR to Chiayi Station to TRA Chiayi Back Station):
TWD 42 per person

Daily Bus Timetable:
Chiayi to Alishan
TWD 212 per adult; TWD 106 per child under twelve years old
Chiayi Bus Station>>>> Alishan Railway Station (last stop)
06:10                                  08:40
08:10                                  10:40
10:10                                  12:40
12:10                                  14:40
14:10                                  16:40

Chiayi to Fengchihu
TWD 154 per adult; TWD 77 per child under twelve years old
Chiayi Bus Station>>>> Fengchihu Scenic Area (last stop)
07:10                                  09:40
15:10                                  17:40

Alishan to Chiayi
TWD 212 per adult; TWD 106 per child under twelve years old
Alishan Railway Station>>>> Chiayi Bus Station (last stop)
09:10                                          11:40
11:10                                          13:40
13:10                                          15:40
15:10                                          17:40
17:10                                          19:40

Fengchihu to Chiayi
TWD 154 per adult; TWD 77 per child under twelve years old
Fengchihu Scenic Area>>>> Chiayi Bus Station (last stop)
09:00                                           11:30
17:00                                           19:30

One-way bus ride takes approximately two hours and thirty minutes.

  What to bring Coat Although Taiwan has a very hot summer; it can get very cold in some mountain areas especially at night. Please bring an extra coat to keep warm.   Comfortable Shoes It takes lots of walking when you travel to Alishan and there are many encounter stone roads and steps.Therefore, you should wear comfortable and non-slip shoes. Do not wear slippers, high-heels, or dress shoes.   Umbrella It is very common to rain in Alishan, so you should bring an umbrella or a raincoat. In addition, you can buy them in local stores.   Sunscreen Lotion Since high mountains have thinner air, it’s easier to get sun burn. Therefore travelers should bring sunscreen lotion, sunglasses, or hats.   Medicine Before you come to Alishan, if you have symptoms of mountain sickness, it is better for you to ask your doctor or pharmacist first. Even though the altitude does not exceed 2,500 meters, it would still be dangerous if your body cannot adjust, and it is hard to find a drugstore or hospital in the mountain area.     Awareness Poisonous plants There are many kinds of beautiful plants in Alishan such as the colorful wild mushrooms. They can be extreme toxic, so do not touch or taste anything that you do not know.   Landslides The steep mountains of the Alishan area are prone to landslides, especially during or after a heavy rain or typhoon. The safest way is to avoid driving during bad weather. If landslides happen when you are hiking on a mountain trail, you should turn back rather than cross the landslide.   Wasps Wasps rarely attack human, but they can get very aggressive if someone approaches their nests. If you see a wasp nest, you should move away quickly and quietly. Please be nice to animals.