Taiwan Food Atlas

Shifen Waterfall

A wide curtain-style waterfall where the Keelung River cuts through sandstone
📍 New Taipei · Pingxi District · Shifen🏞️ Nature🔖 Curtain waterfall · Pingxi Line · Keelung River

Shifen Waterfall is a waterfall on the upper Keelung River in Pingxi District, New Taipei City, about 40 meters wide and 20 meters high. Because the water falls as a continuous sheet rather than a single column, it is classified as a curtain-type waterfall — one of the larger examples of this type in Taiwan. Its rock strata dip opposite to the water flow, a geological feature similar to Niagara Falls, earning it the nickname "Taiwan's Niagara Falls"; it is the most-visited natural attraction along the Pingxi Branch Railway.

Shifen Waterfall is about 40 meters wide with a drop of roughly 20 meters. Because its rock strata dip in the opposite direction to the water flow, it is geologically classified as a reverse-fault-type waterfall — a formation similar to Niagara Falls, which is why it is nicknamed "Taiwan's Niagara Falls." The deep pool beneath the falls is perpetually shrouded in mist, and rainbows often appear on sunny days, giving it the alternate name "Rainbow Abyss."

Highlights of Shifen Waterfall

From Shifen Old Street, a trail leads to the waterfall viewpoint in about 20–30 minutes. The path follows a tributary valley of the Keelung River, shaded by forest canopy and mostly gentle in gradient. The viewing platform faces the waterfall head-on, giving a complete view of the entire water curtain as it falls; after heavy rain when the volume is high, spray mist can reach the platform itself, making the on-site experience noticeably different.

The geological formation at Shifen Waterfall has created plunge pools through pothole erosion; the water color shifts between blue-green and murky depending on the season and water level. The overall trail environment is an informal recreational area with relatively few facility restrictions, but the ground is slippery in wet season — be careful. There are no large restaurants near the waterfall; stocking up on food in Shifen Old Street before heading out is advisable.

How to make the most of your visit

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Visit after rain for high water volumeOne to two days after a typhoon or prolonged rainfall, the waterfall is at its most powerful, with a visually striking curtain — but the trail is slippery, so wear non-slip shoes.
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Take the Pingxi Branch LineTake Taiwan Railways to Shifen Station on the Pingxi Branch Line, walk to the old street, then hike to the waterfall. Along the way you can observe the railway-community scenery.
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Separate the waterfall and sky lantern experienceCrowds for the sky lantern experience at Shifen Old Street peak in the afternoon. Going to the waterfall trail in the morning, then launching a lantern at the old street on the way back, makes for a smoother itinerary.
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Wear trail-appropriate footwearSome sections of the trail have loose gravel and wet rock surfaces. Shoes with good grip are recommended — avoid sandals or dress shoes.

Practical information

Getting there & timing

  • From Taipei, take Taiwan Railways to Ruifang or Jingtong and transfer to the Pingxi Branch Line to Shifen Station. Trains are infrequent — check the Taiwan Railways official timetable for schedules.
  • The Pingxi Line is very crowded on weekends; non-holiday or early-morning trips are recommended. By car, note the winding mountain roads and limited parking in Pingxi.

Nearby connections

  • Shifen Old Street offers sky lantern launches; multiple operators provide the service year-round, with an official Lantern Festival event during the Yuanxiao (Lantern Festival) period.
  • The Pingxi Branch Line also serves Lingjiaoliao Waterfall and the Jingtong coal-mining heritage site — riding the branch line lets you string multiple stops into a rail day trip.

Sources: Taiwan Railways Pingxi Branch Line official information, Wikipedia entry for Shifen Waterfall. Photos pending replacement with Dio's own shots.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Shifen Waterfall called Taiwan's Niagara Falls?

Its rock strata dip opposite to the water flow, a reverse-fault formation geologically similar to Niagara Falls, which is why it earned the nickname.

How wide and how tall is Shifen Waterfall?

Shifen Waterfall is about 40 meters wide with a drop of roughly 20 meters, one of the larger curtain-type waterfalls in Taiwan.

How long is the walk from Shifen Old Street to the waterfall?

The trail to the viewing platform takes about 20 to 30 minutes on foot.

Sources

🗺️ View on the map ← All New Taipei attractions