Shifen Waterfall is the widest waterfall in Taiwan, and perhaps the most picturesque in all of Taiwan. It is easily accessible by foot from Shifen Train Station, and includes restaurants, gardens, and suspension bridges along the way. It's spectacular cascading falls are definitely worth a stop for anyone in Taiwan.
Background: Shifen Waterfall is 20 meters high and 40 meters wide (66 x 130 ft.), and is the widest waterfall in Taiwan. It is located near the town of Shifen, which was originally named for the ten families that lived there in the Qing Dynasty, who needed ten portions of goods (Shi = ten Fen = portion). The waterfall lies on the Keelung River which runs through Pingxi and Ruifang, creating a cluster of waterfalls. The rocks here easily erode, making for odd shapes in the riverbed. The waterfall is also known as Taiwan's "Niagra Falls." Before 2010, some government officials illegally charged tickets to see the waterfall. However, since then the waterfall has been made into a park free of any entrance fee. You will also notice that there is a small 1 foot dam on top of the falls. This unnatural feature is according to Taiwan researcher Mike Fagan, "...not a dam, it's a broad-crested weir [that] allows the northern WRA office to calculate flow volume rates." Now you know. Hours: Winter ( October to May): 9 AM -4:30 PM (last people admitted, park open till 5:00 PM) Summer (June to September) 9 AM -5:30 PM (last people admitted, park open till 6:00 PM) Price: Free Tours of Shifen Waterfall: You can book a tour to Shifen on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. There are many tour itineraries that you can enjoy in Shifen that will take you to multiple destinations and arrange transportation. Activities Around Pingxi: Don't forget that there are many activities available around Pingxi such as Rock Climbing, Hiking, kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling, SUP / paddle boarding, water biking, Diving, River Tracing / Canyoneering, ATVing, Horse Riding, Cooking Class, photo shoot, Jingtong Sky Lantern Police Station, Shifen Sky Lantern Experience, Waterfall Zipline, Waterfall Diving, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Hotels Near Pingxi: We recommend Fullon Hotel which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). We have stayed at and recommend Gold Mountain Ranch, which is a horse ranch and glamping destination in Jinshan. You can book a night at Gold Mountain Ranch on Klook here. You can also check out our full blog on the ranch here. We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. How to get there: By Train: Take the TRA to Ruifang Station, and then switch to the Pingxi Railway line. Get off at Shifen Station, then walk along the main road south until you reach the Shifen Waterfall trail. It will be hard to miss; there are signs along the way. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on Pingxi Railway Line on Klook here or KKday here. You can also book a travel pass on Klook here. By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 east toward Pinglin, then get off the main highway once you reach Shifen. The waterfall is to the left of the main bridge across the valley, and parking is plentiful. Scooter parking is free at the entrance. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Taxi: You can take short rides for about 150 NT, or hire a Taxi for a day for around 150 USD on Klook here. By Bus: You can also book tickets to travel to Shifen via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can also book a Taipei Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off Open Top Bus on TripAdvisor here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Please see below Our Journey: Please see below for our drone footage of the falls:
I have been to Shifen Waterfall a total of three times, and I have enjoyed it every time. It is truly one of the most grand waterfalls in Taiwan.
You can book a tour to Shifen on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. 
From Shifen Station, you can walk along the river down to Shifen Waterfall.
The parking lot in front has plenty of room for cars and scooters are free.
The main entrance also has some bathrooms and restaurants.
Siguang Suspension Bridge 四廣吊橋 
Walking from the parking lot, you will first come across Siguang Suspension Bridge （四廣吊橋) which gives some great views of the Keelung River.
Another view of Siguang Suspension Bridge.
View of the Keelung River to the south; notice the many fallen lanterns in the background polluting the water.
Characteristic of the rocks along the Keelung River in Pingxi are small holes which are carved out by erosion.
A small waterfall pouring into what looks like a perfect swimming hole.
Guanpu Suspension Bridge 觀瀑吊橋 
The next bridge you will come across is Guanpu Suspension Bridge (觀瀑吊橋) which is the final connection to Shifen Waterfall. The railroad bridge sits right next to it.
Yanjingdong Waterfall (眼睛洞瀑布) 
From Guanpu Suspension Bridge you can see Yanjingdong Waterfall (眼睛洞瀑布), which is literally translated "Eye Glasses Hole Waterfall" because of the shape of the eroded holes at the bottom of the waterfall which look like glasses (pictured above).
Walking across Guanpou Bridge.
View of the railroad bridge, Guanpu Bridge, and Yanjingdong Waterfall. Notice you have to walk some stairs in between.
View underneath Guanpu Waterfall.
Down below is some private land on which are some shops and things to take photos with, like an entire train full of real coal!
Also there are some fake horses and an abandoned suspension bridge to take selfies with.
Red ribbons tied to a tree as part of a Buddhist shrine next to the waterfall.
Four Sided Buddha 四面佛 
Here you can see the shrine to the four sided Buddha, with the four sides representing success in business, love in marriage, wealth and prosperity, and peace.
You have to walk through a bunch of overpriced shops in order to get to the waterfall.
A tea drinking area with carp pond.
There are also many souvenir shops along the way.
First view of the waterfall after walking through the tourist traps.
Map of the waterfall and hiking trails.
Side view of Shifen Waterfall.
Some people have been dumping coins in the waterfall over the ages. You can also see plenty of fish in these pools.
A view higher up of the falls.
For the full frontal view of the falls, you have to hike on a steep trail to the other side of the pool.
Front view of the falls.
Closeup on the falls.
View of the falls via drone.
You can book activities such as Waterfall Zipline, Waterfall Diving, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. 
View of the falls from straight up in the air. The waterfall pool makes a heart shape!
After we were done looking at the falls, I wanted to get a good shot of the train going by next to Guanpu Waterfall, but I was just too late.
And when we were walking away, I saw another train go by. Just my luck.
Well I guess there is always a good reason to go back.
But I did capture the train going by with my drone, and the rest of Shifen in the background.
To read our blog on the nearby Shifen Old Street, click here. You can book a tour to Shifen on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Don't forget that there are many activities available around Pingxi such as Rock Climbing, Hiking, kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling, SUP / paddle boarding, water biking, Diving, River Tracing / Canyoneering, ATVing, Horse Riding, Cooking Class, photo shoot, Jingtong Sky Lantern Police Station, Shifen Sky Lantern Experience, Waterfall Zipline, Waterfall Diving, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Thanks for reading! For our full guide to the Pingxi Railway, click here. Check out our guide to Taipei’s Waterfalls here. Check out our Taipei hiking and trails guide here. Check out our guide to the best day trips from Taipei here. Check out our full guide to Taiwan’s Northern Coast here. Also be sure to check out our guide to Taipei here. You can also check out our full travel guide to Taiwan here.
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Author 作家We are US Expats that have extensive experience living, working, and travelling in Taiwan. In our day, we had to learn many things about Taiwan the hard way. But we have come to learn that Taiwan is one of the best places in the world for Foreigners to live. Our blog does not represent the opinions of every foreigner in Taiwan. We are just trying to help others learn more about this beautiful country. Archives 檔案
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