If you go to Alishan, of course you can’t miss an iconic sea of clouds sunrise. But hey, this site is about sunsets! And seeing the sunrise here, while truly amazing, requires getting up at…well too early.
The sunset here is much more of a relaxing experience – Shangxin is just a five-minute drive from the tourist village with hotels/dining at Alishan, or a 20-30 minute walk. And you can see the sea of clouds above the mountains at sunset.
Also for what it’s worth, the sunset was even prettier than the sunrise when I went, though will definitely go back to see both!
The view from either of the platforms at Shangxin is hard to put words to, with mountain tops jutting above rolling clouds and the sun setting on the horizon. You could spend a few minutes here, but you could also spend more than an hour taking in the scenery and constantly changing colors.
There is a roadside platform that was pretty packed when I went, with people fighting for good spots. But if you take the slightly steep stairs to the left up through the trees for 5 minutes or so, you’ll arrive at what in my opinion is an even better, higher platform that gives a different angle of the sea of clouds and sunset above the trees, and there’s likely less people there.
Sunset lovers: please add Shangxin to your Alishan itinerary.
FYI: I’ve heard Ciyun Temple is a pretty good spot too, so will go there next time and update accordingly.
Map Link
Nearest Station(s)
- N/A
Parking Info
Alishan Transport Station | For more travel info and bus options, see here
Entry
Free
Lit After Dark?
No
Sunset Perspective Rating (1-10; 1 is the least perspectives to see the sunset, 10 is the most)
5
Crowded Factor (1 is the least crowded, 10 is the most crowded)
7
Hike Difficulty (0-10; 0 = no hike, 1 = easiest, 10 = hardest)
0; 2 if you go up the stairs to the higher platform
Return Factor (1-10; 1 = simplest, 10 = hardest/most dangerous)
5
Popular for Night Views?
No
View album and buy prints
I’ve been here! To see an album containing the shots above and more, and/or to purchase prints, click the link below.