The visitor info counter at TRA Chiayi station can provide you with all your timetable info for trains and buses. I took the bus from out front of TRA Chiayi station. Suggest you get there at least 30 minutes early as you have to line up. If the bus is full before your turn you will have to wait for the next bus. I visited on a weekday. I'd imagine weekends are packed with visitors. I used my easycard and when we arrived at Alishan Transport Station the bus driver will give you a coupon which will entitle you to a 50% discount on the park entry fee. A saving of TWD$150. There is a 7-11 at the bus station. I took the train to Chaoping station (TWD$100) and from my research decided to followed the Sister Ponds Trail. Quite enjoyable with a temple with surrounding food shops, cypress trees, tree forest scenery. I walked until I reached Schumen station where I took the train (TWD$100) back to Alishan. It is very cool up there so I would strongly suggest shies and socks and a jacket. I returned by bus although I had wanted to take the bus to Shitzulu and then the train but the last train departs at 1.10pm which was too early for me. There are a couple of hotels there if that interests you but by far most visitors are daytrippers.

This area is quite an excursion -- a long drive and expensive to stay in. But the forests are extraordinary. Great hiking trails, some beautiful old trees. Great views if you are lucky with the weather. It is managed by the indigenous community whose land it is on but their organization is pretty slick. The early morning train ride to see the sun rise over Jade Peak is memorable, especially if it is clear.

We will start with the bad, the drive up is rough. We went with a tour bus and it was two hours of sharp turns, windiness and very slow driving. We thought the driver was joking when he handed our barf bags to everyone, but the joke was on us, as half the bus started barfing on the way up. But once you made it up the mountain. Explicit beauty! One of the most beautiful places I've been, and I've been to places. The cypress forest was great and the artistic arrangement told the story of the place. Very magical. Also appreciated that the displays were in English as well as Chinese. We took a train ride and then hiked the trails. I think the train ride is kind of a waste of money, just hike up the path where the train goes (it's adjacent) and you get better views and the hike is not to bad. Make sure you bring a jacket cause it can get kind of chilly in the higher elevation. For food, there are tons of places to eat up there, from expensive restaurants to convenient store food to Seven. Up to you. We only stayed one day, but I wish we stayed for two. That was my only regret.