The Alishan Forest Railway, after 15 years of reconstruction, officially reopened its full line in July. On July 19, President Lai Ching-te, accompanied by Minister of Agriculture Chen Chun-ji, visited Alishan to offer encouragement and express gratitude to everyone involved in the reconstruction efforts. He emphasized that the full-line reopening is just the beginning, with plans to continue promoting the Alishan major axis development project, aiming to boost cultural tourism in Chiayi County and the city and attract more international visitors.
President Lai Ching-te Extends Gratitude and Encouragement to Alishan Forest Railway Staff (Image / Source: Ministry of Agriculture Website)
President Lai stated that the achievement of having the century-old forest railway fully operational is the result of collective efforts. Attending the reopening event, he experienced Alishan's beautiful scenery and pleasant climate and believes that both domestic and international travelers will find their visit worthwhile.
Reflecting on his tenure as Premier, President Lai recalled inspecting the Chiayi City forestry park and instructing full restoration of the forest railway, emphasizing the importance of safety, full line operation, and cultural integration. With the forest railway now fully operational, he promised to continue developing Alishan and attracting more tourists.
Minister Chen Chun-ji reminisced about his precious childhood memories of visiting Alishan with his family, noting that the Alishan Forest Railway has transitioned from forestry transport to tourism, preserving a century-old history and becoming a vital part of Taiwan's tourism industry. Minister Chen thanked President Lai for approving the budget during his tenure as Premier and establishing a dedicated management agency, which enabled the successful reopening of the entire line. The Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Transportation, and Ministry of Culture are now jointly promoting the project, using local and rural revitalization to drive tourism with new attractions and perspectives, aiming to attract more domestic and international visitors.
Director Lin Hua-qing of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency stated that the 15-year reconstruction of the Alishan Forest Railway involved significant efforts from colleagues, contractors, and support from the Ministry of Agriculture, overcoming many challenges. During his tenure as Premier, President Lai approved the establishment of the "Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Management Office," providing a dedicated management agency and clear cultural asset positioning for the century-old railway. The Executive Yuan also strongly supported the funding in the Forward-looking Infrastructure Program. Since the establishment of the heritage office, it has actively reconstructed Tunnel No. 42 and promoted the "Alishan Forestry Cultural and Ecological Axis" policy in coordination with the Forestry Conservation Agency, improving route safety, vehicle updates, and service aesthetics, leading to the Alishan Forest Railway's remarkable transformation.
The Ministry of Agriculture noted that the main line of the Alishan Forest Railway was interrupted by the Typhoon Morakot disaster, and the reconstruction faced difficulties such as transportation challenges, steep gradients, and fragmented geology. However, it was completed in 104 (2015). Before the full reopening, Typhoon Dujuan caused severe collapse of Tunnel No. 42. After extensive efforts, the line is now fully operational, with trains passing through the forest, intertwining Alishan's forest ecology, forestry history, and settlement culture, ushering in another century of history for the Alishan Forest Railway and promoting sustainable prosperity in the Greater Alishan and Chiayi regions.
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