Shifen Waterfall is the greatest screen curtain-style waterfall in Taiwan, which is known as the "Little Niagara of Taiwan". It is one of the most famous and popular waterfalls in Taiwan. When the sun shines on the mists caused by the impact of the streams, you could see rainbows over the pool, so the waterfall is also called "Rainbow Pond".
Shifen Waterfall is named after the nearby Shifen village. The word "Shifen" means "10 portions" because the original 10 families of the village used to ask for 10 portions of the supplies. Other neighboring areas such as Jiufen and Bafen are also named in this way.
If you are traveling in Taipei and New Taipei area, this waterfall is definitely worth a visit. Other than that, if you want to see scenes from the movies You Are the Apple of My Eye (那些年，我们一起追的女孩) and 18×2 Beyond Youthful Days(青春18×2 通往有你的旅程) with your own eyes, a visit to the Shifen Area is the way to go.
Facts:
- Chinese name: 十分瀑布
- Opening hours: June to September: 9am to 6pm (last entrance: 5:30pm)
October to May: 9am to 5pm (last entrance: 4:30pm) - Size: 40 meters (131 feet) wide, 20 meters (66 feet) high
- Ticket: free
- Visit duration: 1–2 hours
- Location: Pingxi District, New Taipei City, Taiwan (about 40–50mins by car from Taipei)
- Suggested time: late autumn (October to November)
Shifen WaterfallContent Preview
How to get to Shifen Waterfall from Taipei?
Shifen Waterfall is about 40 kilometers from Taipei, and there is no direct train available. Therefore, a private car is recommended for convenience, which takes 40–50 minutes. You could stop at the Shifen Visitor Center (a 20–30 minute walk to the waterfall) or at the start of the Shifen Trail (a 10–15 minute walk to the waterfall).
If you choose to take the train, start from Taipei Station to Ruifang, then transfer to the Pingxi Line to reach Shifen Station. From there, it's a 20-minute walk to the Shifen Visitor Center and another 20 minutes to the waterfall. Walking from Shifen Station to the Visitor Center, you would pass by the Shifen Old Street.
How to explore the Shifen Waterfall?
There are mainly two routes to reach the waterfall. One is the walking route from Shifen Visitor Center. The other is driving directly to the start of the Shifen Trail and then walking 10–15 minutes to reach the waterfall.
Experiencing the Shifen Waterfall isn't just about soaking up the view of the waterfall itself. The stroll around there would light up the whole adventure.
For the most of visitors, we would highly recommend the first walking route:
Shifen Visitor Center — Siguangtan Suspension Bridge — River Trail — Waterfall Observation Suspension Bridge — Viewing Platform
This route requires walking the entire way, including stairs and two suspension bridges, making it unsuitable for visitors with babies or in wheelchairs. It's the traditional path to Shifen Waterfall, featuring other attractions, food stalls, and souvenir shops along the way.
- Siguangtan Suspension Bridge: Offers stunning views of the Keelung River, with unique, holey rocks shaped by erosion, resembling cheese.
- Waterfall Observation Suspension Bridge: Located next to a railroad bridge on the Pingxi Line, where you might see a vintage train about once per hour. It provides a view of the small "Yanjingdong Waterfall", named for its eyeglass-shaped erosion hole at the base.
Yanjingdong WaterfallUpon reaching the waterfall, you'll find four viewing platforms. The most recommended is Platform 3, which offers a slightly oblique angle for a full view of the waterfall. Its optimal distance allows for great photos with the waterfall in the background. Using the surrounding trees as a foreground could enhance your pictures.
Swimming is prohibited in the deep pond below the waterfall for safety reasons. However, the exploration of Shifen Waterfall are still stunning. Walking among the trees, feeling the cool breeze and mist, and watching the river cascade like silver silk creates a soothing natural experience.
Scenic Shifen WaterfallThe Best Times to Visit the Shifen Waterfall
The best time to visit the Shifen Waterfall is the late Autumn from October to November(18℃ to 25℃/64℉ to 77℉), which is the same as the best time to visit Taipei. Temperatures are pleasant for outdoor activities.
Daytime lows in this region are around 12°C in winter, while daytime highs are around 32°C in summer. The temperatures are favorable throughout the year, with no scorching summers or bitter winters. Therefore, Shifen Waterfall is suitable to be visited for most of the year.
Shifen Waterfall has a dry period which is in Summer, from July to August, but trees and mountains in this area usually remain the same through the seasons. The summer gurgling flow among the rocks surely has a special charm. Other than these months, the flow volume mainly changes due to rainfall.
Trees above the waterfallTips:
- No matter when you choose to visit, it's a good idea to bring an umbrella or raincoat. The weather in the area could be unpredictable with rainfalls from time to time.
- If you happen to visit the waterfall on a clear day, you might see a rainbow hanging over the falls.
- The best time of the day to visit the Shifen Waterfall is in the morning. With fewer tourists in the morning, you could fully enjoy the peaceful natural scenery and take photos without crowds.
What to do with Shifen Waterfall when taking a day trip from Taipei?
People usually plan day trips to Yehliu, Shifen and Jiufen, and the following attractions are included in the itinerary. I'm going to list the attractions in the order of your likely pathway.
- Yehliu Geopark (1–2 hours): Located 30 km from Shifen Station (about a 40–minute drive), this park is famous for its uniquely shaped coastal rocks. The most iconic is the Queen's Head, a must-visit spot for a memorable photo.
- Shifen Station & Shifen Old Street (0.5–1 hour): Right next to Shifen Station lies the vintage Shifen Old Street. Here, you could capture retro-style photos on the railroad, inscribe sky lanterns with your wishes, and release them into the sky.
- Houtong Cat Village (0.5–1 hour): Once a coal mining village, this mountainous locale is now a paradise for cats. The streets are full of cats, you could pet them or feed them. On top of that, there are some cat-themed cafes in the village. It's worth a visit for cat lovers.
- Golden Waterfall (10–20 mins): You would pass by this waterfall when traveling from Shifen to Jiufen. This waterfall gets its name from the golden color of the water, caused by heavy metals. Though smaller than Shifen Waterfall, it's a beautiful sight worth a stop.
- Yin Yang Sea (10 mins): Located next to the Golden Waterfall, it's where the mineral-rich Golden Waterfall meets the sea. The yellow water floats on the surface of the sea, creating a distinct half-golden, half-blue spectacle.
- Jiufen Old Street (2–3 hours): Larger and distinct from Shifen Old Street, Jiufen is lit by lanterns at night, creating an enchanting atmosphere. Bustling streets, beautiful lanterns, traditional-style buildings, and a wide range of street foods are what make Jiufen so fascinating. The scenery of this street is very similar to the scene of the famous anime movie Spirited Away.
Night in Jiufen Old Street