‘Drink in’ the tea-filled views of Shizhuo – this traditional Taiwanese town high in the hills is small but sublime, which makes it easy to explore with several Shizhuo trails 石棹步道群.
Taiwan’s tea fields are aplenty around here and thankfully, the green and verdant valleys of Shizhuo are just a bus ride away from Alishan and Chiayi
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Whilst staying in Alishan in early 2025, we hopped on a bus to Shizhuo 石桌 using our EasyCards and spent some time doing some of the easier Shizhuo trails within walking distance of the town – the weather was amazing and the place was just our ‘cup of tea’.
We rocked up with no real plans and made good use of the English Shizhuo trail maps at the bus stop, and used Google Maps to navigate around (so make sure you have a Taiwan SIM).
From bus times to Shizhuo trail views, tea-fields to tranquil temples, here is our guide to visiting Shizhuo’s trails 石棹步道群 and town with photos.
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Taiwan checklist
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For booking tours, transfers and SIM cards/eSIMs we recommend Get Your Guide, Viator, KK Day or Klook. You can also purchase eSIMs from Airalo.
For booking rental cars visit Discover Cars.
How to get to Shizhuo in Chiayi County
Shizhuo’s trails and tea plantations are best reached by bus unless you have your own car / moped (Uber and local taxis are not so common around here).
Shizhuo buses depart several times daily from Alishan and Chiayi – tickets for buses stopping at Shizhuo 石桌 cannot be booked in advance unless you pay for the full fare for the Alishan to Chiayi (or vice-versa) journey and hop off early at Shizhuo.
If you do not want to book a seat you can use your EasyCard to pay for your bus fare. We paid with EasyCard for our return journey from Alishan Transport Center and were able to board the both buses easily (we did however travel on a February weekday – weekends and public holidays may be more difficult).
The main Taiwan shuttle buses that go through Shizhuo are bus numbers 7329 and 7322.
7329 goes to and from Chiayi High Speed railway station (HSR) and Alishan, whilst 7322 goes to and from Chiayi TRA (local) train station and Alishan.
The bus fares are as follows:
- Chiayi TRA to Shizhuo – $NT158
- Chiayi HSR to Shizhuo – $NT196
- Alishan to Shizhou – $NT82
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Alishan to Shizhuo Bus Timetable 2025
| Bus number | Buses departing from Alishan | Estimated time of arrival at Shizhuo |
|---|---|---|
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7329A | 09:10 (via Fenqihu) | 10:10 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322D | 10:10 (via Fenqihu) | 11:23 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322C | 11:40 | 12:20 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322C | 12:40 | 13:20 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7329 | 13:30 | 14:12 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322C | 13:40 | 14:20 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322D | 14:10 (via Fenqihu) | 15:20 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322C | 14:40 | 15:20 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7329 | 14:40 | 15:22 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322C | 15:10 | 15:50 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322C | 15:40 | 16:20 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322C | 16:10 | 16:50 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7329 | 16:40 | 17:22 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322C | 17:10 | 17:50 |
The full bus timetable including all the stops between Alishan and Chiayi TRA can be found here, and between Alishan and Chiayi HSR (the second page of the PDF is in English language)
Shizhou to Alishan Bus Timetable 2025
| Bus number | Buses departing from Shizhuo bus stop (estimated time) | Buses departing from Ding Shizhuo bus stop (estimated time) | Estimated time of arrival at Alishan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322C | 07:40 | – | 08:40 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322C | 08:40 | – | 09:40 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322C | 09:40 | – | 10:40 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322C | 10:15 | – | 11:10 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322C | 10:45 | – | 11:40 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7329 | 11:10 | – | 12:00 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322D | 11:15 (via Fenqihu) | 11.41 | 12:40 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322C | 11:45 | – | 12:40 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7329 | 11:50 | – | 12:40 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7329A | 12:40 (via Fenqihu) | – | 14:05 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322C | 12:45 | – | 13:40 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322D | 13:45 (via Fenqihu) | 14.11 | 15:10 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7329 | 14:50 | – | 15:40 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322C | 15:45 | – | 16:40 |
Chiayi to Shizhuo Bus Timetable 2025
| Bus number | Buses departing from Chiayi HSR station | Buses departing from Chiayi TRA station | Estimated time of arrival at Shizhuo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322C | 06:05 | 07:40 | |
| 7302 | – | 07:06 | 08:39 |
| 7314 | – | 07:07 | 08:36 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322C | – | 07:10 | 08:40 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322C | – | 08:10 | 09:40 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322C | – | 08:40 | 10:15 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322C | – | 09:10 | 10:45 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7329 | 09:30 | – | 11:10 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322D | – | 09:40 | 11:15 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322C | – | 10:10 | 11:45 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7329 | 10:10 | – | 11:50 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7329A | 11:00 | – | 12:40 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322C | – | 11:10 | 12:45 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322D | – | 12:10 | 13:45 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7329 | 13:10 | – | 14:50 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322C | – | 14:10 | 15:45 |
| 7302 | – | 15.03 | 16.38 |
| 7314 | – | 17.07 | 18.55 |
Shizhuo to Chiayi Bus Timetable 2025
| Bus number | Buses departing from Shizhuo | Estimated time of arrival at Chiayi TRA station | Estimated time of arrival at Chiayi HSR Station |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7314 | 08.21 | 10.03 | – |
| 7302 | 09.21 | 10.45 | – |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322D | 10:10 (via Fenqihu) | 11:55 | – |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7329A | 11:23 (via Fenqihu) | – | 13:10 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322C | 12:20 | 14:10 | – |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322C | 13:20 | 15:10 | – |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7329 | 14:12 | – | 16:10 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322C | 14:20 | 16:10 | – |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322C | 15:20 | 17:10 | – |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322D | 15:20 (via Fenqihu) | 17:10 | – |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7329 | 15:22 | – | 17:10 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322C | 15:50 | 17:40 | – |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322C | 16:20 | 18:10 | – |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322C | 16:50 | 18:40 | – |
| 7302 | 17.12 | 18.45 | – |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7329 | 17:22 | – | 19:10 |
| Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 7322C | 17:50 | 19:40 | – |
| 7314 | 19.31 | 21.13 | – |
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Shizhuo Accommodation
We stayed at Chinshan Alishan Hotel and took the shuttle bus from Alishan to Shizhuo but there also several recommended Shizhuo hotels to stay in as well.
There are also lots of homestays and B&Bs in Shizhuo including Alishan B&B YunMinGi, Legendary Bed and Breakfast, Siang Tiang Homestay and Shih Yuan Homestay of which we saw signposted during our Shizhuo hikes.
There are also some lovely looking hotels that are just a short drive away from the trails including:
Hotel Indigo ($$$)
Possibly the best known Shizhuo hotel with incredible sunrise views and looking out directly over the tea-fields. The roof terrace has to be seen to be believed. Check rates and availability on Agoda | Booking.com | Hotels.com | Expedia
Seeking-Alishan Sunrise ($$)
Very well rated cosy accommodation with a sunrise viewing spot within walking distance. Guests reviews says they serve an excellent breakfast and there are many cats! Check rates and availability on Agoda | Booking.com | Hotels.com | Expedia
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Shizhuo Itinerary / things to do
Before you start your stroll to Shizhuo’s trails and tea-plantations, you might want to stock up on soft drinks and snacks.
Once you leave the town, there aren’t many other places to get drinks other than the odd tea room (many of which were closed when we visited in early 2025 on a weekday).
Based on the Shizhuo trail map, you could potentially follow the main Shizhuo trails.
We only managed three of the easiest and nearest trails to town as it was just a quick visit, this was our Shizhuo itinerary:
- Shizhuo town
- Mist Trail
- Sunset Trail
- Detour to Wu Feng Temple
- Sakura Trail
- Back to Shizhuo town
If you have more time you could walk the Tea Trail and Cloud Trail as well. We intend to walk these later this year so we can update this guide.
If you have longer, you might want to tackle other further trails a short drive away such as Longyinshan Trail (more bamboo), but the above ones we did is a nice 2 to 3 hour loop (longer if you stop for tea!)
Taiwanderers tip – Shizhuo toilets are few and far between. For instance, there is a rather rancid (and full) portable toilet at the start of the Mist Trail but but toilets are quite infrequent- so make full use of the public toilet in Shizhuo HiLife convenience store near to where the buses drop off in town. There are also free (and clean) toilets at Wu Feng Temple.
Mist Trail
Heading from town, we started with Shizhuo’s famous Mist Trail. Use Google Maps to direct you and take a short but steep 5 minute uphill walk to the start of the trail – it is easy to spot as there is a big brown / maroon signpost.
Shizhuo’s Mist Trail is just under 1 km long and heads up the hill with tea plantations on either side before heading into bamboo forest.
As the information panels state at the start of the trail, it was originally used by local farmers to transport sweet potatoes, bamboo shoots and other crops.
Don’t forget to occasionally turn around as you walk up to see the views of the mountains behind.
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Tea Trail and Shizhuo Cloud Trail
Sadly we didn’t get to do these trails ourselves as we turned left before the tea trail started and headed towards the sunset trail instead.
So if you want to do these too, get here earlier in the day than we did, hire a car or stay overnight in a nearby hotel.
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Sunset Trail
We next headed over to the start of the sunset trail (Google Maps link). You gradually walk up through a bamboo trail and as the elevation rises, you start to emerge amongst a clearing in the tea-fields.
At the top, amongst all the trees, there is a wooden viewing platform where you can rest and enjoy the tranquility of forest and surrounding natural wonders.
Incredibly, when we visited, it was around 3pm on a weekday afternoon and we had the whole place to ourselves.
We just sat at the top of the trail in the tea-field, looking back in awe at the panoramic vista – this is one of those many ‘pinch me – is it real’? moments in Taiwan.
From here, you can also take a sneaky peek at Alishan B&B YunMinGi or walk back down to start your hike back via the Shizhuo Sakura Trail.
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Wu Feng Temple 石棹吳鳳廟
Before we headed back to the bus stop via the sakura trail, we took a short detour to Wu Feng Temple (google maps link), Or as we like to call it, Shizhuo’s temple in the tea fields!
Wu Feng Temple stands majestically on top of the hill and backs directly onto the tea-fields – if you walk up the path immediately behind it, you can get a postcard perfect photo of the temple and tea-fields, accompanied with stunning views.
We’ve seen on Google reviews that many people only get to encounter Wu Feng Temple 石棹吳鳳廟 amongst the mists but we were lucky enough to visit on a clear day so we could see the temple in all its glory.
Dedicated to Wu Feng Gong, this recently restored temple can also be visited inside but it is quite small – it is also a handy toilet stop (the bathrooms here are free to use).
It was also here that a neighborhood dog took interest in Caroline and I and proceeded to follow us, until it lost interest at the Sakura Trail.
The view from here were also one of our favourites parts of the day in Shizhuo – we were blessed with amazing sunshine and could look down across tonnes of tea plantations; it was green tea leaves in every direction.
From afar, we could see tea plantation workers picking tea-leaves or spraying crops, all wearing huge straw hats to protect them from the sun.
Sakura Trail
Alas we visited Shizhuo in February 2025 which was too early for the Shizhuo Sakura Trail to be in blossom. It is a short Shizhuo trail that leads from the Sunset Trail back to town with Zhongxing Elementary School on the right hand side.
Obviously in full bloom it will be resplendent but on our visit, it was simply a nice, quiet walk and an easy way to get back to the bus stop and town.
That said, we saw a lot of sakura and plum blossom on the trees along the main road in Shizhuo town including a remarkable display outside the 7-Eleven store.
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Shizhuo Town Centre
With around 30 or so shops, restaurants and local businesses, the main road through Shizhuo (and where the main buses pick up) is the commercial hub.
If you don’t fancy a restaurant or proper sit down meal, there is a small sit-down area in the convenience stores where you can enjoyed ready meals bought in store
Incidentally, we just missed one of the popular Taiwan Tourism shuttle buses back to Alishan by a few minutes as they often arrive ahead or behind schedule.
So be sure to check Google Maps or your chosen transport app as we found another bus back to Alishan that departed from Ding Shizhuo bus stop.
Other things to know about Shizhuo’s trails and tea walks
- There are warning signs on some of the trails about looking out for snakes (we didn’t see any), bees and falling rocks.
- No collecting of plants or specimens is allowed.
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