Fenqihu

The weather wasn't bad, and the tour guide was very professional and gave detailed explanations. We were lucky enough to see fireflies after dinner on the first day. We were upgraded to a four-person room at the Sakurayama Hotel with a view, and it was very close to Alishan Station with a 7-Eleven nearby. The next day, we took the mini-train and saw both a sea of clouds and the sunrise. I would definitely come back again.

The guide was incredibly kind. Even though we weren't fluent in Chinese and had to use a translator to communicate, the guide explained everything clearly and seamlessly, and he pointed out many interesting stops along the way, making our trip highly satisfying. Rather than simply dropping us off at each attraction and waiting for us, he accompanied us to each stop, explaining why each location was famous and what to see. This made it easy to understand, even for first-time Alishan visitors. The itinerary was flexible, allowing ample time to take photos and rest. The vehicle was a nine-seater, and the interior was very clean, making the long journey comfortable. I was worried about the route's mountainous terrain, but the driver was reliable, making the overall journey comfortable. We were able to contact the guide via LINE before the tour, which made communication easy. The guide also arranged our pick-up and drop-off locations within Chiayi City, making the trip extremely convenient. The pick-up and drop-off right in front of our accommodation was a huge plus. Alishan's mountainous terrain can be a source of motion sickness, so if you're prone to motion sickness, we recommend taking motion sickness medication in advance. However, thanks to our guide's exceptionally reliable driving, we didn't experience any motion sickness. Overall, the tour was satisfying, with everything from the friendliness and schedule to the vehicle's condition and communication. If I ever visit Alishan again, I would travel with the same guide without hesitation.

I was staying in Taipei and was able to catch the 6:30 AM high-speed train from Taipei Station, which would allow me to make it in time for the meeting. Although the guide only spoke Chinese, I connected with the travel agency via LINE in advance and received a Japanese-language summary of the hike and preparation notes and itinerary, so I had no worries at all. The tour consisted of four people: a Singaporean couple and myself. Our guide, Mr. Xu, naturally spoke mostly Chinese, but he made sure to confirm important points. The mountain trail was full of hairpin turns, but our guide, Mr. Xu, was an excellent driver, making the trip safe and comfortable. He took us to various photo spots and took lots of fun photos. He also provided explanations. The train ride took about 12 minutes, with two stops. The Alishan hike involves stairs and slopes, but the well-maintained walking trails make it easy to walk in sneakers. The bento lunches were also delicious! It was fun to wander through the narrow alleys of Fenqihu Old Street, and the food was delicious everywhere! It was a short but satisfying experience in Alishan. After the tour, we were supposed to end at Chiayi Station, but we wanted to visit the Wenhua Road Night Market in Chiayi City, so we asked our guide, Mr. Xu, and he was flexible enough to change our plans. We had dinner at the night market, then took the bullet train from Chiayi Station at around 9:30 PM, arriving back in Taipei at 11 PM. I highly recommend it.