#KUinTAIWAN: The Alishan Mountain range
CHIAYI CITY, Taiwan – With trees that rival those found in the redwood forests of California, the Kansas baseball team spent Saturday embracing the Taiwanese culture found atop the Alishan Mountain range.
Known to the locals as “Mount Ali,” the range is the most visited national park in Taiwan with an average altitude of 2,500 meters, or 8,202 feet. The area was settled by Taiwanese aborigines and later the Chinese in the 19th century.
“I thought it was important for our players to be able to experience something they probably will never experience again in their lives,” head coach Ritch Price said. “There is so much history and culture in Taiwan, and I hope our players have a better appreciation for it now.”
The trek to the top of Mount Ali takes a 2.5-hour bus ride to the Alishan Mountain Railway. The drive twists and turns around the mountain, overlooking the entire valley. Tea fields and bamboo line the roadway to the top.
Once to the top, it is a 10 minute train ride from Alishan Station to Chaoping Station, the final destination.
Upon exiting the train, tourists are greeted with giant Taiwanese red cypress trees, some which have been growing for over 2,000 years. The hour walk through the forest highlights some of the rich culture that Taiwan presents:
- Alishan Mountain Railway developed by the Japanese in 1912
- Cihyun Temple, built by the Japanese
- 1,000-year old cypress
- The three-generation tree
- Pagoda of the Tree Spirit
- Alishan Museum
- Alishan Sianglin Sacred Tree
- Dr. Kawai Memorial
UP NEXT
Kansas plays Japan Sunday, July 8 at 12 a.m. (CT) at Chiayi City Baseball Field. The game will be streamed live on YouTube.com/SSUTV.
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