Alishan Gou Hotel

The food was a highlight. You can reserve breakfast or dinner a day ahead with the hotel's QR code. We tried the dinner hot pot buffet, with lots of fresh Alishan vegetables and a choice of pork or beef. The restaurant was bright and clean, and the boss was friendly and helpful. We paid about USD 150 a night for a quadruple room for two people. It was spacious, with comfortable beds and pillows, a thick quilt that kept us warm at 2° Celsius, and a large bathroom with a standing shower and bathtub. There was no bidet, and hot water was available only from 5 p.m. to midnight. The room also had plenty of hangers, a heater, fridge, dining table and chairs, and a pleasant corner for enjoying the view over a cup of tea. For first-time visitors like us, the location, comfort, and price were a great combination. The hotel is in Zhouping, a few minutes' walk from the entrance to Da Shan trail and about ten minutes from Sisters Pond. Zhouping station is around three minutes away, and a train from there to Alishan main station costs TWD 100. At the main station, you can buy tickets to explore other parts of Alishan. We went to see Shen Mu, the 3000-year-old tree. It's quite a hike, and there's a nice temple, Ciyun, where Amituofo is. I loved the atmosphere. The hotel runs a free shuttle bus from Alishan service center every 30 minutes. If you're arriving with luggage, call to confirm the timing. They recommend having lunch in the main area before heading to the hotel. We had a fantastic stay.