Jialeshui 佳樂水

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Jialeshui Scenic Area is one of the most famous geological parks in Taiwan, with its most famous landmark being the Shanhai Waterfall which flows into the ocean. These rock formations have been forming for thousands of years through erosion of soft sandstone due to wind and water. Hurry and see these formations soon before they are gone forever!

Background:
Jialeshui's original name was Gaoluoshui (高落水) meaning water falling from a high place, referring to Jialeshui Waterfall. Later when president Chiang Jingkuo visited the place, he renamed it Jialeshui (佳樂水), meaning a peaceful and happy place, and named the waterfall Shanhai Waterfall (山海瀑).
The sandstone that forms the rocks in Jialeshui were created between 10 and 20 million years ago, and was pushed out of the sea along with southern Taiwan thousands of years ago. 
The many rocks along the shore are thought to look like animals and have varying names as such. 

Hours:
7:30 AM to 5:30 PM

Price:
Entrance fee: 80 NT per person (includes bus ride)
Parking: 50 NT per car ro 30 NT per scooter
​
Can I touch the rocks?
Don't you dare touch the rocks! 

How to get there:
​By Bus: Take bus 8247 from Hengchun about half an hour to Jialeshui.  
By Car/Scooter: Take Provincial highway 26 to its easternmost point to enter Jialeshui. There is a parking lot at the end of the road with paid parking. 

Map:
Please see below:

Our Journey:

I have been to Jialeshui twice, once to the beach and another time to see the rock formations. The beach is a popular surfing spot, but Jialeshui's geopark is also very much worth a visit. 

For an overview of the area, see our drone footage above. 

On the way to Jialeshui, you will pass Gangkou suspension bridge. Beyond is a somewhat rocky beach but also one of the most popular surfing spots in Taiwan due to its constant waves. There are quite a few surf themed hostels nearby. 

View up the river. In 2016 Typhoon Nepartak ravaged the area, and you can see a few fallen trees.

View near Jialeshui Beach with a few surf themed hostels. 

Jielehshui Scenic Area entrance. 

Entrance sign to the park. 

There was plenty of parking when we went. You can only drive your car up to this point, and then you have to take a bus inside to the very end of the road. 

Some snack shops along the way. I don't know how these are legal. 

View from the shore, you can see Fengchuisha on the opposite shore. 

Along the road there is a viewing pavilion, restroom, and lots of rocks. 

Many of the rocks have names, especially the ones shaped like animals. 

For more photos near the entrance, see the gallery above.

I beliueve this one is called Rhino Horn rock (犀牛石)

A natural rock arch. 

Pavilion above. 

I beleive this is Guanyin Rock, because it looks like the goddess Guanyin (觀音石)

Another view of the rock fields. 

An explaination of how the sea shore was lifted up over time.

A better view of Taod Rock. 

I think this one is called pig feet rock, because it looks like a pig tipped over (豬脚石)

Toad rock (海蛙石)

Seal rock (海豹石).

Rabbit Rock (兔石)

Whale rock?

Honeycomb rock (蜂窩石)

Square Rock (方格石)

Another view of Squre Rock. 

This is Shanhai Waterfall, alson known as Jialeshui Waterfall. Unfortunatley when we went there was not much water, so better to go in the rainy season (spring and summer). 

Near the waterfall there is also a face in the rock. 

View from the end of the road. 

View along the shore looking north. 

More coastal rocks. 

View looking East out to sea. 

Another view of the falls and the road. 

View along the shore. 

Appearently there are also many tide pools here where you can see marine life. 

There is also a pavilion here. 

Interesting designs in the sandstone. 

Last view of the rocks around Jialeshui. 

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more of our blogs on Kenting to come. 

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