Traveling Taiwan: At the emerald green Shifen waterfall

Just a short drive from the center of Taipei - my report on the visit  here - is one of the island's hidden natural beauties, formerly known as Formosa - a Portuguese term that means “beautiful”. It's not a trick of the tourist office. It's true. You can get there by train on the Pingxi Branch Line, or alternatively you can take the Taipei Bus 795 to Shifenliao. Right at the stop is the information center, from which a short hike leads to the waterfall, which is actually a whole family of falls.

Of course, the name "Little Niagara of Taiwan" has its emphasis on "little", because the largest of the Shifen waterfalls is only 20 meters high and is not particularly impressive compared to the original on the border between Canada and the USA. Even Taiwan has bigger cases, but Shifen is just the widest in measures.

The main cascade is around 40 meters wide - and not only incredibly powerful and majestic, but also with a fascinating play of colors. The water flow of the Shifen Da Pubu (Chinese 十分 Wass 瀑布), which is fed by the Keeling River, is emerald-colored, a deep, lush green that dissolves into a brilliant white when the streaming water tumble down the slope and dive into the lower basin. Clouds of mist always rise up around the pool, and if you are lucky you can even see shimmering rainbows floating over the water on sunny days. But you better bring a umbrella!

The popular excursion destination of the Taiwanese has earned the name "Little Niagara" through the alignment of the rock layers and the oppositely running water flow too, which is strongly reminiscent of its big American brother. In contrast to this, however, Shifen can be hiked completely on foot: From Shifen train station or - if you would like to walk longer - from Sandiaoling, you first go to a small waterfall. You then climb up and down over stairs and excellently developed paths along the Sandiaoling Waterfall Trail until you reach the largest pool.

If you want to complete the entire route, you should plan three or four hours, but you also get an impressive impression of the mountain area in the north of the Taiwanese capital. The shorter way only takes about half an hour. It goes along the river, through beautiful forest and  beautiful wildflowers. Due to the gradient and distance, the route is suitable for all levels.

The highlight of the hike, however, is the main fall, Taiwan's largest cascade fall, which has earned the city of Shifen the nickname "home of water". Taking photos, one of the great hobbies of the Taiwanese, is easy here, because viewing platforms have been set up everywhere that lead almost up to the falls. Since the government has managed the former private water park itself, there is no longer an entrance fee to visit. The best time to go to Shifen is autumn, from mid-September to October when the days are dry and cool.

Directly at the waterfall, which is very typical for Taiwan, whose inhabitants always seem to be hungry, are a multitude of food stalls and stalls with all kinds of food, including drinks, from simple cola to Chinese tea and normal coffee. Best choice is to make the waterfalls early at the day, because the town Shifen has more to offer for tourist: more to offer: An ancient train drives through the middle of a very, very narrow shopping street that is famous for selling sky lanterns which tourists then let go of in the air, putting their lives at risk. But that's another story I'll tell soon.

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I'm happy too if you give me an upvote - a few more pictures from out trip.

Short film from the fall: https://3speak.co/watch?v=koenau/ewpfcsqj

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