Seeking - Alishan Sunrise

For travelers seeking an “authentic” Alishan experience, this local hostel offers a great deal. It lacks many of the amenities that tourists accustomed to Western lodgings will miss, but it is well-situated in the small township of Longtouping and is a great value for the area. Longtouping is on the bus route to Alishan national recreation area, about an hour further up the mountains. It is close to Shizhuo to the north, where you’ll find restaurants and tea shops, and Eryanping to the south, where a worthwhile trail begins. Our room was spacious as was the bathroom. The only less than ideal feature were the mattresses, which we found too hard; they also sat right on the wooden floor. The includes breakfast buffet was excellent and featured unique (and delicious) items such as steamed oolong bread and oolong tea baked bread. The proprietors were friendly and extremely helpful with suggestions.We managed our visit without a car, although we did hire a taxi for a full day of touring to Fenqihu, Shizhuo, and other sights.