Shifen waterfall, Waterfall in Pingxi District, New Taipei City, Taiwan
Shifen waterfall is a cascade over a rock formation in Pingxi with the largest water volume of any falls in Taiwan. The width of the curtain and height of the drop create a dramatic display that looks different depending on seasonal water levels.
The site took its name from early settlers in the 1800s who founded a community in the area around the Keelung gorge. Over generations, this location became a recognized landmark along the river valley.
The name comes from ten families who settled here and requested equal shares of supplies, a story still remembered by people in the area. Locals enjoy visiting when water volume is highest after rainfall, treating it as a gathering spot throughout the year.
The site is open daily and has multiple viewing platforms at different elevations, each offering a distinct angle of the cascades. The main path from the entrance is well-marked and easy to follow, taking visitors down to the primary observation area.
The location is often overlooked by travelers because of nearby former mining towns, though it sits within a landscape shaped by Taiwan's coal industry heritage. Many visitors only discover the abandoned mine sites while exploring the surrounding area and gain a fuller picture of the region's past.
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