Hiking Through Shizhuo: Tea Plantations and Mountain Views
Ready to explore the quieter side of Alishan? This guide covers everything you need for hiking the beautiful trails around Shizhuo—from tips and trail highlights to what you can expect along the way.
HOW MANY DAYS |
1 day
BEST TIME TO VISIT | spring & autumn
WHERE TO STAY |
TOP THINGS TO SEE |
Sunset Trail & Mist Trail
HOW TO GET AROUND | hiking and bus
Nestled in the foothills of the Alishan Mountains, Shizhuo is a quiet mountain village that most travelers pass by—but definitely shouldn’t. It’s not only a great base for visiting the Alishan Forest Recreation Area, but also a destination in its own right. Surrounded by rolling tea plantations, misty trails, and sweeping mountain views, Shizhuo is perfect for slowing down. Breathe in the fresh mountain air, walk through peaceful bamboo groves, and catch the sunset over the Yushan range—without the crowds you’ll find in the more popular parts of Alishan.
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HOW MANY DAYS FOR SHIZHUO?
Spend at least one day in Shizhuo to go hiking, but feel free to add one day to explore the surrounding village of Fenqihu or the Eryanping Trail. If you consider this your base stay for Alishan plan one full day for the Forest Recreation Area.
WHEN TO VISIT SHIZHUO?
Shizhuo sits a bit lower than Alishan, so it’s slightly warmer, but the weather is still pretty similar. It’s a great spot to visit any time of the year, but spring (Mar–May) and autumn (Sep–Nov) are ideal, thanks to their mild temperatures and drier weather. Check out our guide to Alishan for more detailed information.
READ | Discover Alishan: A Complete Guide to Taiwan’s Mountain Gem
HOW TO GET TO SHIZHUO?
All buses traveling from Chiayi to Alishan pass through Shizhuo. Bus 7329 or 7329A (also known as the Alishan Shuttle A) departs from Chiayi HSR station to Alishan via Shizhuo. The journey to Shizhuo takes approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes, with an additional 45 minutes from Shizhuo to Alishan.
WHERE TO STAY IN SHIZHUO?
The guesthouses in Shizhuo are scattered across the area. Some are located quite a distance uphill from the bus stops along the highway, so it’s important to choose wisely. For those located further out, you can arrange a pick-up from Fenqihu or the Shizhuo bus station if you request it in advance. While there are more budget-friendly options in Fenqihu, getting around can be a bit trickier due to fewer direct connections to Chiayi and Alishan. If you want to catch the sunrise from the famous viewpoint in Alishan, ask your hotel to arrange a taxi to the park.
BUDGET | Zhengji Zhicha Suo Homestay is located at the main street with a bus directly at our doorstep that goes to Alishan. The rooms are modern, clean and in a Japanese style, but it doesn’t offer views over the tea farms.
COMFORT | At Legendary Bed and Breakfast, you are treated with a balcony and stunning mountain views. Well maintained facilities and an attentive staff make it worthwile staying.
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THE TRAILS
The map above highlights all the key trails directly accessible from Shizhuo. We hiked the Mist Trail and Sunset Trail, which are connected by roads (shown in grey), early in the morning. This 2- to 3-hour hike offers stunning views throughout the journey. We recommend wearing light, breathable clothing with layers, along with hiking shoes or sneakers. Be sure to bring enough water and a snack to keep you energized.
The trails are mostly uphill, so mentally prepare for some steep sections along the way. While the paths are generally well-maintained, they can occasionally be covered in slippery bamboo leaves, so walk carefully. Having an eSIM really helped us stay on track; staying connected made it easy to navigate between trailheads without getting lost.
Mist Trail
Its a 10 min walk from the main bus stop start at this road with a very steep 5-minutes ascend to the trailhead. You will see the trail well marked under the trees on the right and continue a path until you see some stairs and go up until you reach a small road. Here is where we got lost, there is a sign that points left towards a parking lot. Follow this and you will see more stairs to your right that will take you up. Follow this stairs to continue on the trail. The trail starts uphill through a tea plantation. Near the top, the steep path winds through a bamboo forest before reaching the 培仔桶林到 road. The trail will split up and convert into the Tea Trail.
We turned left to follow the road until the beginning of the Sunset Trail.
DURATION | 40 minutes
LEVEL | medium
Sunset Trail
Wooden stairs guide you downward through a tea plantation, offering some of the most stunning views of the tea farms. We arrived early in the morning and were lucky enough to see laborers harvesting the tea leaves. As the trail continues, it descends through a tranquil bamboo forest. At the end, turn left onto the road, where you'll be treated to breathtaking views of Shizhuo village and the surrounding mountains. This is the perfect spot to watch the sun dip behind the clouds, painting the sky with beautiful shades of red as it sets.
If you're looking to catch the sunset without much hiking, head to Dingshizhao Lookout instead.
DURATION | 15 minutes
LEVEL | easy
Tea Trail
This trail continues from the Mist Trail and isn’t particularly challenging, though it features a lot of stairs. The views can become a bit repetitive as you ascend through the bamboo forest. While it doesn’t offer the classic town views found on other trails, it rewards you with sweeping vistas of the mountains and tea plantations as you near the top. It's not essential, but if you're up for more hiking, why not give it a go?
DURATION | 40 minutes
LEVEL | medium
Alishan Sakura Trail
At just 500 meters long, this is the shortest of all five trails. The highlight is, of course, the cherry blossom trees, which make this trail particularly popular from mid-February to mid-March when they bloom. Even outside of cherry blossom season, however, it’s still worth the walk for its peaceful atmosphere and natural beauty.
DURATION | 10 minutes
LEVEL | medium
Cloud Trail
The trail primarily takes you through a forest of bamboo and giant cedar trees. There are fewer stairs, and while it doesn’t offer views of the village, it does provide scenic vistas over the surrounding tea farms.
DURATION | 30 minutes return
LEVEL | easy
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WHERE TO EAT?
After your hike, you’ll likely be hungry, and we highly recommend Saji Tea House for a late breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The view is absolutely incredible, so we suggest visiting during the day to fully take in the stunning landscape of mountains and tea farms. The food is fantastic, and you can indulge in some delicious tea as well. While it is on the pricier side, it’s definitely worth the splurge. We were sad to have discovered this gem on our last day—if we'd found it earlier, we would have come every day!
WHERE | Saiji Tea House
PRICE | NT$500 - $800 | €15 - €20 | US$15 - $20
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