Taiwan Alishan Forest Railway Journey

Taiwan Alishan Forest Railway Journey is an international co-production by PTS Taiwan and NHK. It is the world’s first documentary to present the beautiful Alishan mountain scenery and the rich century-old forest railway culture in 8K resolution with 22.2-channel sound.

The documentary is packed with captivating details, showcasing the unique features of Taiwan’s Alishan. In addition to utilizing the latest filming techniques, the team captured breathtaking landscapes and distinctive railway engineering feats, such as the figure-eight loop, Z-shaped turns, horseshoe curves, and the restoration of century-old steam trains. They also filmed the all-Taiwanese cypress train, "Formosensis," which has yet to begin operation. Both NHK and PTS fielded award-winning teams, and the documentary is enhanced by contributions from renowned Japanese composer Kiyoshi Yoshida and Taiwanese actress Gwei Lun-mei, who provides the Mandarin narration, elevating the film to international standards.

The documentary focuses on the history, cultural significance, and unique features of the Alishan Forest Railway, its stations, natural scenery, and surrounding communities. Starting at Chiayi Station, viewers are taken on a journey through notable stations and attractions, including the iconic Fenqihu Bento, Alishan’s high-mountain oolong tea plantations, the cypress forest and trails around Shenmu Station, and the peak sunrise views from Zhushan Station at an altitude of 2,451 meters. This comprehensive journey reveals the full charm of Alishan.