Hotel Indigo Alishan

Hotel presentation

The Hotel Indigo Alishan is located 58 kilometers from the Alishan Highway, the first point of entry into Alishan Forest. It is near the Xiding Eryanping Trail, 20 minutes from the Fenqi Lake Station and 45 minutes from the Alishan Forest Recreation Area. The hotel is a gold-grade green building that pays the highest tribute to Alishan. The exterior of the hotel is made of stone walls. Its grille design was inspired by the cypress carriages of the Alishan Forest Railway, evoking the image of the trains. The walkway from the hotel’s drop-off point to the entrance of the lobby features a train platform and sleepers, symbolizing the start of the journey to discovery.

When you enter the lobby, you feel like you are in a bamboo forest, interconnected with the greenery of the mountains. Walking through the tunnel of light and shadow, you will be greeted by millet fields, sparking the joy of abundance. The hotel is a combination of nature, forest, neighborhood culture and history. It is a key to Alishan that awaits travelers, so they can explore and create their own stories.

Meeting Facilities

ehohamo
ehohamo means myth in the Tsou language and also connotes the telling of stories. Each banquet in ehohamo’s Mythology Hall is a story of every traveler. The 149-square-meter space is suitable for small- and medium-sized meetings, business banquets and family gatherings, and skillfully integrates the texture and colors of traditional Tsou weaving.

hufu
In the past, the Tsou used to build a hufu outside of their homes, a pavilion where neighbors could gather, talk and share their resources. The Tsou word hufu also means to share and the hufu pavilion. Located outside the first floor, is an 82-square-meter sharing space with an open kitchen, standalone restrooms, a large LCD screen and sliding glass doors that can be fully opened or closed to provide a private and comfortable space for customized banquets, wine tastings or dining seminars.

Restaurant & Bars

ton’u kitchen
ton’u means millet in the Tsou language and was one of the food staples cultivated by the Tsou people in the past. The restaurant is designed with a seating area surrounded by millet decorations, creating a festive atmosphere and symbolizing a bountiful harvest. The restaurant combines Chiayi snacks, local ingredients from Alishan and features of Tsou cuisine to create a global cuisine with a multitude of layers. The outdoor seating area is perfect for al fresco breakfast dates during spring and summer, allowing the warm morning sun to wake you up. There is a romantic wedding pedestal on the side, allowing the mountains to bear witness to your love.

’a veo veo yu
The clouds, sunset and starry sky are able to create the most romantic atmospheres without any special designs required. Whether it’s the magnificent sea of clouds, the setting sun or the vast starry sky, you can enjoy it all. Have a sip of the classic Alishan coffee and Alishan alpine tea, as well as the bartender’s various cocktails that incorporate the local culture’s specialties, and get a taste of some exquisite and delicious afternoon tea snacks.

Location & Access

By car

• By National Highway No. 3: Take National Highway No. 3 and exit at the 297km marker (Zhongpu), and take Taiwan Provincial Highway No. 18 (Alishan Highway) and head in the direction of Alishan. Turn left at the 57.6km marker and you’ve arrived.
• By National Highway No. 1: Take National Highway No. 1 to the 272 km marker, exit at the Chiayi system exit, take Taiwan Provincial Highway No. 82 and head in the direction of Shuishang. Head east and take National Highway No. 3 in the direction of Zhongpu, exit at the 297km marker (Zhongpu) and take the Taiwan Provincial Highway No. 18 (Alishan Highway) in the direction of Alishan. Turn left at the 57.6km marker and you’ve arrived.
• From Chiayi High Speed Rail Station: Head south on HSR West Road. After you cross Bautie Eighth Road, take Taiwan Provincial Highway No. 37 (the Chiayi section under the HSR railway), turn right at Luhuan East Road (County Highway No. 167), take Taiwan Provincial Highway No. 82 and head in the direction of Shuishang. Head east and take National Highway No. 3 in the direction of Zhongpu, exit at the 297km marker (Zhongpu) and take Taiwan Provincial Highway No. 18 (Alishan Highway) in the direction of Alishan. Turn left at the 57.6km marker and you’ve arrived.
• From Chiayi Railway Station: From Zhongshan Road in front of the station, take Linsen West Road, turn right at Minquan Road, go all the way to Minquan East Road, turn left at Dahua Highway (County Highway 159A) and then keep going. Once you reach Chiayi Township Road No. 126, turn right, switch to the left lane and take the Chiayi Township Road No. 126-1, go straight until the end when the road connects to Taiwan Provincial Highway No. 18 (Alishan Highway) and head in the direction of Alishan. Turn left at the 57.6 km marker of Highway No. 18 and you’ve arrived.

• From Chiayi High Speed Rail Station: Take “Bus No. 7329 Alishan Line A” or “Bus No. 7329A Alishan Line A (via Fenqi Lake)” at Exit 2 of Chiayi High Speed Rail Station and get off at Longtouping Station.
• From Chiayi Railway Station: Take the 7302, 7314, 7322C (Alishan Line B) or 7322D (Alishan Line B - via Fenqi Lake) bus from Chiayi Railway Station and get off at Longtouping Station.

• Take the Alishan Forest Railway from Chiayi Station to Fenqihu Station, get off and transfer to a Chiayi-bound bus, and get off at Longtouping Station. After which, you can reach the hotel on foot (if there is no direct service, you must take the bus to Dingshizhao Station).

Surroundings

Sacred Trees
Among the group of sacred trees in the mountains, the oldest is about 3000 years old. “Why are sacred trees so silent? In their ancient memories, how many rings have been spun from their hearts?” In Yu Kwang-Chung’s writing, the sacred trees are like silent storytellers that have witnessed the passage of time in Alishan. The wooden reception counter in the lobby features the pattern of growth rings, symbolizing the starting point of exploration. Travelers are like explorers who will begin their exploration of the inexhaustible treasures of Alishan here.

Mountain Forest
The Alishan Mountain covers several climes. Longan, betel nut, and acacia trees grow on the plains; as the mountain ridge climbs upward, one sees tea plantations, Ficus pumila and bamboo forests; even higher, one begins to see Japanese cedar, hinoki cypress, Taiwania and Formosan cypress. Strolling on the forest path, you can feel the mountain, the forest and the land resonating with one another. The garden area is partitioned with sifang bamboo, giving the entire space a sense of privacy and creating the atmosphere of a secret paradise; the greenery of the bamboo forest continues into the lobby, extending from top to bottom to create the Zen feeling of one finds deep in the bamboo forest, transforming people’s mood into vacation mode.

Forest Railway
Alishan, with its abundant resources, used to be an important production area for forestry, so a railroad was laid in response. Later, with lumber harvesting prohibited for the sake of environmental conservation, the trains that used to transport logs were transformed into today’s Forest Railway, carrying travelers and their endless imagination of Alishan. In the past, the train cars were made of cypress, so we incorporated this bit of history into the exterior of the hotel using wooden grilles to evoke the mood of being on a train. The design of the long hallway at the entrance of the hotel was inspired by the sleepers of rail tracks. Entering the hallway from the lobby is like being on a train passing through a mountain tunnel, the dark walls undulate like a cave, and the light and the shadow shift and change, just as how it would on train windows. Like the apprehensive mood that comes when facing the unknown. At the end of the tunnel, you will be greeted with anticipation. From your imagination, you will then begin a relaxing journey.

Cherry Blossom Season
Alishan, with its abundant natural resources, used to be one of the top three lumber production areas in Taiwan. In the past, the Japanese carried out forestry development here and because of their nostalgia for the cherry blossoms in Japan, they planted many cherry trees on Alishan to relieve their homesickness. At present, there are more than 3,000 cherry blossom trees and as many as 30 kinds in the Alishan area. Every year, in February and March, when cherry blossoms are in full bloom, you are surrounded by Somei-Yoshino cherry, Taiwan cherry, Wushe cherry and many other varieties. Whenever there is a breeze, it sends a shower of pink petals fluttering downward, which is very romantic. But to experience standing in a shower of cherry blossom petals requires a bit of luck, so the design team has brought the romantic pink atmosphere into the hotel. The carpet of cherry blossom petals in the elevator lobby extends to the cherry blossom pink elevator doors. Once you enter the elevator, press the floor button, and you can enjoy a romantic cherry blossom shower while the elevator goes up.

Sunrise
The sun rises quietly from behind the mountains, giving the mountaintop a golden crown and then in an instant, ten thousand rays of light fall upon the earth, awakening the land. Due to the high elevation of Alishan and the position of the sunrise changing according to the seasons, there are many spots to watch the sunrise. You can enjoy the most classic view of Alishan from the top floor of the hotel or from your own room. The view is magnificent from that vantage point, so you can’t miss it.

Sea of Clouds
The clouds are coiled among the high mountain peaks, which peak out from time to time like small islands dotting the sea, giving rise to the name “Sea of Clouds” for this scenery. It undulates and flows like waves with the wind, and it is as if you’ve reached the land of the gods or a mirage in the sky. At the rooftop pool, the water, the sky and the clouds become one, so you can picture yourself floating on the sea of clouds.

Sunset
Li Shangyin lamented in Ascent to Leyouyuan: “The sunset is infinitely beautiful, but it is near dusk.” When I see the sun about to set, I forget my worries because of the beauty of the scenery. However, unfortunately, the beauty will not last long, and it will be over in a moment. You can’t say good night until you’ve said goodbye to the sun, so order a drink from Shanzhi Bar and be in tune with Li Shangyin’s state of mind in the company of the setting sun.

Room Accomodation

The hotel has 84 guest rooms and suites (including one disabled-accessible room) located on five floors with different views of Alishan. Each room has its own balcony and outdoor sofa seating area, allowing travelers to relax and be baptized by phytoncides, a gift of nature.

The design of the guest rooms is based on Tsou culture and Taiwanese blue magpies, with red and blue headboards, carpets and cabinets, creating two different versions of guest rooms. The bathroom space incorporates woven textures and firefly imagery on the wall, embodying the culture of those who dwell near Alishan in the overall design.

Activities & Leisure

Gym
Enjoy the greenery and phytoncides of the mountain forests, and feel the warmth of the sun on your body. Run with all of your might, catch your breath and then take a short break. The sweat will not only bring endorphins but mark milestones in your triumph over your own limitations.

Pool
Located on the top floor, the water of the infinity pool becomes one with the blue sky and stretches over the sea of clouds. Being in the pool is like floating in the clouds. As you look up, you feel as if you are a little closer to the sky. As the fiery red sunset is reflected on the water’s surface, you can say good night to the land as you keep the sun company while it sets, transforming the day into the evening.

Jacuzzi The rhythm of air bubbles against your skin in the midst of the dense steam forms a soothing, relaxing concerto that allows travelers to sleep well for the night.

Stargazing Deck Alishan, which is seldom affected by light pollution, is one of the best places for stargazing. The hotel has set up a stargazing deck on its top floor, which allows travelers to view the starry sky easily. When the weather is clear, you can see the cloud-like galaxy hanging across the sky.

Services

Alishan, surrounded by clouds and fog all-year-round, always has a touch of mystery to it. The history and splendor of this place are continuously recorded in the growth rings of sacred trees as time goes on. Feel the call of the primeval mountain forests and express your respect for them; go see the rising light from the sea of clouds, for here is the way to hope. Brew a pot of tea, wait for a cup of coffee, rest and then settle down. Discover the unique cultural heritage of the Tsou tribe. Alishan is a treasure trove wherein every traveler is bound to find inexhaustible treasures.