Qiedong Waterfall 茄冬瀑布

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Qiedong Waterfall (aka Qiedong Falls) is a tall set of waterfalls in Xizhi District of New Taipei City, Taiwan. It is easily accessible via a flat hiking path that takes about 3 minutes to walk there, and includes a large swimming pool and amazing natural scenery. It's spectacular cascading falls and pools have made it one of the most popular waterfalls in the area. 

Background:
Qiedong Waterfall is roughly 22 meters high (70 feet) and is broken up by four sections. It is largest waterfall on Dajianshan in terms of scale. 
The rock formations that form the Waterfall formed as sediment under the ocean millions of years ago and were then uplifted thanks to the collision of the Eurasian and Phillipine plates. The rocks are mainly sedimentary and are part of the same formation that forms the special rock formations on the northern coast around Keelung.
The area also has some coal deposits, and there is an abandoned mine on the trail. 
The rocks here easily erode, making for odd shapes in the riverbed. 
Due to its ease of access and large pool, it is usually full of people, especially on weekends. 

Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free

When to go:
Go in the spring time when there is more rain. If you go during the dry season, the waterfall will be quite small. 
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Difficulty:
​Easy

How to get there:
By Bus: From Xizhi TRA station, take bus F911 to Fuji Mountain Villa stop, then walk through the neighborhood, which will take you to a mountain road on the back side. The waterfall is about a 15 minute walk from Fuji Mountain Villa. 
By Car/Scooter: From provincial highway 5 in Xizhi, turn up the mountain after reaching the Xizhi Administrative Building (汐止行政中心). Then go up the mountain and turn into Xiufeng Road, aka Fuji Mountain Villa. After that, drive through the neighborhood, which will take you to a mountain road on the back side. The waterfall is about a 3 minute ride from Fuji Mountain Villa. 
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Map:
Please see below

Our Journey:

I have been to Qiedong Waterfall about five times. It is not far from my house, and is one of the best river tracing spots around, and it is fun for the whole family. I don't go that often though because whenever I go there are always tons of people and dogs. 

The entrance to the trail has a pavilion right there and there are some steps to get to the falls. 

People looking for crayfish in the river I assume. 

Beware of snakes and monkeys.

The trail here goes all the way to the top of Sifenweishan which is 3.1 KM away. 

A more private part of the falls is right below the main pool. There is a smaller pool here but big enough for a few people to enjoy. Usually no one comes here even when it is crowded.

Looking up the small waterfall on the lower pool. 

Looking down stream from the lower pool. 

Another view down stream. 

There are a few picnic tables near the falls too. 

The falls are big enough to get a nice back and shoulder massage. 

Looking down from the main falls section. It is a little too far to jump and the pool below is shallow.

View of the upper part of the falls captured with tlower shutter speed. 

Another view looking down at the main pool from the trail. 

More people enjoying the falls. 

Another view of the picnic area. 

Kids playing in the pool below the falls. 

Another view with slower shutter speed. 

One last view with lower shutter speed.

Technically you are not supposed to swim here. Right.

Trail back. There is plenty of parking on the side of the road here. 

The last time I visited in June 2021 the trail was closed due to COVID. Hopefully it will open again for good after cases have gone down and most of the people in Taiwan have been vaccinated. 

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more of our blogs on Taiwan to come!

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