Beyond the concrete jungle and bustling night markets, Taiwan is a great destination to get up close with nature. From epic beaches to lush jungles to a staggering 200 peaks to concur – there’s a lot to keep nature seekers busy. While there is no shortage of natural beauty, one of Taiwan’s best-kept secrets is its abundance of magnificent waterfalls! Here are 7 of the absolute best Taiwan waterfalls not to miss during your itinerary in Taiwan.
Ready to explore the most beautiful waterfalls in Taiwan? Let’s go!
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7 of the Best Waterfalls in Taiwan
Taiwan has no shortage of incredible waterfalls. While some of these waterfalls are popular places to visit in Taiwan and relatively easy to reach, others are completely off the tourist grid and may require a bit more planning. But don’t worry, I’ve also included loads of tips throughout this post so that you can explore each of these falls stress-free.
Eternal Spring Shrine Waterfall
Location: Taroko Gorge National Park
Opening hours: 24 hours
Entrance fee: free
Address: 972, Hualien County, Xiulin Township, 283-3 (See on Google Maps)
Traveling time: 40 minutes from Hualien
The Eternal Spring Shrine Waterfall is located in Taroko Gorge National Park and one of the most picturesque waterfalls on this list.
The waterfall runs beneath a beautiful little shrine built right into the cliffside. Besides the waterfall’s sheer beauty, the Eternal Spring Shrine is an iconic attraction in Taroko Gorge and nearby Hualien. The Shrine was built during the 1950s to commemorate workers who died while building the Taiwan’s Central Cross-Island Highway.
The shrine complex is roughly 300 meters from the trailhead, making it relatively easy to reach. However, since natural spring water trickles into the cave tunnel, the trail is often quite slippery. Therefore it’s best to wear proper footwear before attempting this walk. After exploring the Shrine, be sure to make your way to the bridge, which offers exquisite views of the Liwu River Valley.
If you want to get the best shot of the waterfall, head to the little cafe opposite the waterfall. It’s near the bus stop, so you can’t miss it!
Shifen Waterfall (十分大瀑布)
Location: New Taipei City, Pingxi District
Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 (Oct-May) and 9:00-18:00 (Jun-Sept)
Entrance fee: Free
Address: 226, New Taipei City, Pingxi District, 乾坑10號 (See on Google Maps)
Travel Time: 1h30-2 hours from Taipei
Nestled in the lush jungles around Shifen Village in Ruifang District lies Shifen Waterfall – the Little Niagara Falls of Taiwan.
While there are several other waterfalls in the area, such as Wanggu and Sandiaoling Falls, Shifen Waterfall is arguably the most spectacular. And for a good reason. It is not only the most famous Taiwan waterfall but also the widest. The 40-m wide waterfall offers jaw-dropping scenery and a stunning setting that’s hard to find anywhere else in Taiwan. With a lush jungle as a backdrop and so many vantage points to explore, Shifen is a great place to really get up close with nature.
There are several vendors here, too, selling all kinds of local Taiwanese snacks where you can grab some grub and admire the scenery.
It’s a low-key 20-minute walk from Shifen Old Street to get to the waterfall. Along the way, you’ll be greeted with lovely landscapes no matter which way you turn. Be sure also to read my detailed guide on getting from Taipei to Shifen.
Golden WaterFall (黃金瀑布)
Location: New Taipei City, Ruifang District
Opening hours: 24 hours
Entrance fee: Free
Address: Jinshui Road, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, 224 (See on Google Maps)
Travel Time: 1-2 hours from Taipei
Golden Waterfall might not be the biggest waterfall in Taiwan, but it definitely deserves a spot on your must-see Taipei attractions list.
Located in Ruifang District, just outside the quaint villages of Jiufen and Jingguashi, this beautiful roadside waterfall overlooks a lush valley and the Yin Yang Sea (陰陽海) in the distance.
Apart from its great setting, Golden Waterfall is also one of Taiwan’s most unique tourist attractions. What really sets this waterfall apart from other Taiwan falls is its distinctive golden color. The fall’s unusual color is due to precious metal deposits such as copper and iron that have seeped through the ground from the old gold mine in the area. The contrast between the cascades plunging over rust-colored rocks and lush greenery surrounding the falls creates a phenomenal setting that no picture can ever do justice to. While Golden Waterfall is unique and beautiful, it is sadly not safe to swim in the water due to its toxicity levels.
Golden Waterfall is one of the easiest waterfalls to access on this list. Catch the 856 Taiwan Tourist Shuttle bus at Jiufen Old Street to Huangjin Waterfall. Buses come every 30-40 minutes, and a ride costs NT$15. Make sure also to read my detailed guide on how to get to Jiufen from Taipei.
Qingshan Waterfall (青山瀑布)
Location: New Taipei City
Opening hours: 24 hours
Entrance fee: Free
Address: 253, New Taipei City, Shimen District (See on Google Maps)
Travel Time: 1:30-2 hours from Taipei
Located roughly 1h30 away from Taipei City is one of Taiwan’s most serene waterfalls, Qingshan Waterfall. Unlike other waterfalls in Taiwan, Qingshan Falls’ beauty isn’t just in its power or height. In fact, it is quite the opposite.
This charming waterfall is situated among some of the lushest landscapes in Taiwan. Surrounded by jaw-dropping greenery, a visit to Qingshan Waterfall is sure to guarantee you a peaceful moment with nature. The 30-meter high waterfall empties into a dreamy pool – perfect for a refreshing dip during summertime in Taiwan. Qingshan Waterfall is actually one of the few Taipei waterfalls where you can swim, so don’t forget your swimsuit!
Once you enter the trailhead, it’s roughly a 30-minute hike through dense jungle before even setting eyes on this magnificent waterfall. While the walk starts easily enough following a footpath, once you reach the inner jungle, expect to break a sweat following a mixture of forest trail and stacks of boulders to scramble over.
It’s free to enter Qingshan Waterfall, but since it is located in Yangmingshan National Park’s far-flung corners, it’s not the easiest Taiwan waterfall to reach. Therefore, best to self-drive or join a day tour. If you must take public transport, catch the MRT Red Line to Tamsui and then bus 867 to Shuntian Shengmu Temple. You’ll still need to hike another 20 odd minutes before reaching the trailhead.
Although Qingshan Waterfall is relatively unknown to tourists, it is a popular spot among locals. Because of this, it’s best to arrive before the crowds set in at midday.
Frog Rock Waterfall (青蛙石瀑布)
Location: Jianshi Township, Hsinchu County
Opening hours: 8:00 -17:00
Entrance fee: NT$100
Address: 313, Hsinchu County, Jianshi Township (See on Google Maps)
Traveling time: 40-50 minutes from Hsinchu City.
Frog Rock Waterfall is a gorgeous waterfall located in Hsinchu County and can easily be touted as one of Taiwan’s best-kept secrets. Seeing that it’s a relatively unknown spot among tourists, it’s the perfect place to visit with minimal crowds.
As one of the most peaceful waterfalls in Taiwan, Frog Rock Falls guarantees beautiful views of lush surroundings and several scenic walking trails to follow. To get the best view of the waterfall, make your way to the glass-bottom sky bridge. From here, you can enjoy panoramic views of the 40-meter high waterfall, which flows through a rocky canyon into a serene azure-colored pool. It looks like an amazing place to swim, but sadly, the pool is not accessible.
Since the waterfall is completely off the beaten track, it’s not the easiest place to reach. Although it is possible to catch a local bus at Neiwan Bridge, the best way to get here would be to self-drive.
Wulai Waterfall (烏來瀑布)
Location: Wulai Aboriginal Village
Opening hours: 24 hours
Entrance fee: free
Address: No. 16, Pubu Road, Wulai District, New Taipei City, 233 (See on Google Maps)
Traveling time: 45 minutes from Taipei
Another beautiful waterfall in New Taipei City is Wulai Waterfall and arguably one of Taipei’s easiest day trips.
While Wulai might be revered for its steamy hot springs and excellent aboriginal cuisine, there is another reason to visit here. And that’s to see the stunning Wulai Waterfall up close.
Set among verdant greenery, this 80-meter tall waterfall gushes out of a cliff creating an incredibly tranquil setting. While it is one of the top attractions in Wulai, most travelers tend to stick to the Wulai Old Street or soak in the hot springs making it a great place to enjoy a bit of peace and quiet. You can even take a gondola to the top of the waterfall for picture-perfect views of the valley below!
During the afternoons, especially, the sunlight creates a beautiful shimmering effect above the waterfall, and you’re almost guaranteed to see a rainbow overhead.
To get here, you can take a mini-train to the waterfall’s base or opt for a gentle stroll along the Lover’s Trail. It’s a scenic walk along the Nanshi River, offering plenty of photo opportunities. The walk is easily completed in under 30 minutes.
Songlong Rock Waterfall (松瀧岩瀑布)
Location: Zhushan Township, Nantou County
Opening hours: 7:30 -17:00
Entrance fee: NT$250
Address: 557, Nantou County, Zhushan Township (See on Google Maps)
Traveling time: 2 hours from Taichung City
Songlong Rock Waterfall is a beautiful waterfall within the Sun Link Sea Forest Recreational Area – a 40-hectare privately owned nature resort in Nantou.
While Sun Link Sea offers loads of hiking opportunities, its star attraction is the majestic Songlong Rock Waterfall. What really makes this waterfall such a must-see sight is that it sits right beside a huge cave which you need to walk through to get right in front of the waterfall. The scenery here is truly magical – stalactites hang from the cave’s ceiling, and a beautiful valley filled with calm streams and lush greenery is just the added bonus.
A shuttle service runs from the visitors center to the waterfall’s trailhead at regular intervals, but if you’re up to it, you can also walk. The trek is about 3km long and follows a paved road that winds up the mountain. Along the way, there are loads of trails leading off to other attractions in the park, such as flower fields, secret waterfalls, and misty forests lined with towering cypress trees.
It is not the easiest day trip from Taichung, so consider joining this day tour for a stress-free trip.
Taiwan Waterfalls Packing List
Before exploring these epic Taiwan waterfalls, here are a few things you might need for a stress-free trip.
- Pack a good mosquito repellant like this one to avoid any bites.
- Apart from bringing along a cap, it’s also best to pack eco-friendly sunscreen to stay protected from the sun.
- If you plan on swimming, bring a quick-dry towel along. These Dock & Bay microfibre towels are gorgeous and won’t weigh you down.
- Keep all your belongings safe with this lightweight waterproof backpack.
- Since it’s not safe to drink tap water in Taiwan, it’s best to travel with a refillable water bottle. By doing so, you can stay hydrated without having to spend extra money on bottled water.
- While most of these waterfalls require little effort to reach, it’s still a good idea to wear proper hiking boots or water shoes.
- And lastly, don’t forget your camera because you are going to need it!
While this post barely scratches the surface of beautiful waterfalls in Taiwan, it should give you a well-rounded glimpse of the absolute best falls not to miss on your Taiwan adventure. Have you visited any of these falls yet? Let me know in the comments below if you have any other suggestions on must-see Taiwan falls!
thank you for listing all these great waterfalls. My family is planning to visit Taiwan for the first time this summer. I understand that i will be very hot and would love to do these hikes and wanted to know which of these water falls allow us into the water? it would be great to know which one has hikes along the water if we want to walk in the water when it gets hot, and which ones will allow us to swim in the water when we reach the waterfall.
Hey Linda, you can definitely swim at Qingshan Waterfall. There are a few other ones near Taipei where you can also swim, but they are not on this list. Search for Lingjiao Waterfall and Wanggu Waterfall on Google Maps. Hope that helps!