Viewing the Shifen Waterfall 十分瀑布

I finally reached the famed Shifen Waterfall 十分瀑布 here in Taiwan. It is dubbed Taiwan’s answer to the Niagara, though it may be a stretch to compare it against that, it is still quite impressive to look at. The waterfall is obviously much fuller because of the rain and all that rain is coming from all over and into the Keelung River which feeds the waterfall. There is a viewing deck to the left of the mouth of the waterfall and you can safely admire the waterfall from there. It is actually close enough that it makes you want to try standing near the mouth itself. This is no doubt a dangerous activity and it should by no means be attempted.

Further on, there is a much more complicated path which brings visitors to the top. I just realized how much further down the trail has brought use since the top of the viewing area is so high up. From there you can also have another look at the waterfall. But it doesn’t stop there. There is yet another trail which leads visitors to what arguably is the best spot to view the waterfall. This part opens up into a what I can describe as a small amphitheater where you can view the waterfall straight on. This is also the spot which is the wettest. You can see the place is all wet, fortunately, it wasn’t slippery. The spray of the water ensures that it is constantly wet, so you have to take your chance taking a photo of the waterfall from this spot. My camera was so wet from the spray that I couldn’t get a proper shot of the waterfall. It was fun though. There is a set to stairs alongside the hill to bring you back to the first viewing platform.

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