A steam-powered train on the Alishan Forest Railway basks in autumn foliage in this undated photo. Photo courtesy of Huang Yuan-ming
Taipei, Nov. 2 (CNA) The Alishan Forest Railway will offer five special tours in December, giving passengers a chance to view autumn foliage in the mountainous area aboard a historic steam locomotive and carriages made from Taiwan cypress.
The tours, each costing NT$3,250 (US$100) per person and limited to 100 passengers, will run on Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 (all Tuesdays), the Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office said in a press release Monday.
The tours leave from Alishan Station and go to Zhushan and Erwanping stations before returning to Alishan Station.
The fee covers train tickets, meals, a guided tour, admission to the recreation area and a souvenir, the office said, adding that reservations for the first tour will be accepted starting at 10 a.m. on Nov. 17.
All five tours will be led by Huang Yuan-ming (黃源明), an Alishan nature photographer and administrator of the Facebook page "Walking in the Clouds in Alishan (漫步在雲端的阿里山)," who will take participants to scenic spots to see and photograph the foliage.
The tours will give passengers the chance to get off the train at Duigaoyue and Zhushan stations to take pictures of the steam locomotive No. 31 being used, in some cases against the backdrop of colorful foliage.
Passengers will also be able to get off at Erwanping Station to see the steam locomotive change directions on a wye track (a triangular set of tracks that allows train to perform something like a three-point turn).
Reservations must be made online at https://afrts.forest.gov.tw/OT03_1.aspx, as tickets for the special tours will not be sold at station counters. Bookings open at 10 a.m. 15 days before each departure date.
Further details are available on the railway office's official website and Facebook page.
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