Chushan is the main sunrise-viewing platform in Alishan, reached by a short branch line of the forest railway that departs from Alishan station in the dark before dawn. Visitors come for the "sea of clouds" (雲海) — the moment when the rising sun illuminates jagged peaks protruding from a rolling ocean of mist below — one of Taiwan's most famous natural spectacles.
The platform can be reached on foot in about 40 minutes from the resort village, but most visitors take the dedicated sunrise train. The experience depends entirely on cloud conditions, which are most reliable from October to April. The platform is open year-round; on clear days the view is simply beautiful mountain scenery without the cloud sea effect, which is still worth making the journey for.