Text / Edited and reported by the editorial team of MOOK Scenic Spots Travel Life Network
Shihfen Waterfall is Taiwan’s largest curtain-style waterfall and one of the must-visit attractions for travelers in Pingxi. However, in the past, the land around the waterfall was acquired by a private company, which erected tall fences as barriers, forcing visitors who wanted to go there to pay an “admission fee” to view the full cascading view.
With a drop of about 20 meters and a width of approximately 40 meters, Shihfen Waterfall features outer rock layers that incline opposite to the direction of the water flow, classifying it as a reverse inclined-layer waterfall. This characteristic is similar to that of North America’s Niagara Falls, earning it the reputation of the “Niagara of Taiwan.” (Photographer / Hsu Kunlun, Image provided by New Taipei City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau)
But today, many in the public believe that Shihfen Waterfall is a nationally precious natural landscape and should be a vital natural asset owned and shared by all citizens. Every member of the public deserves the right to freely approach and appreciate the waterfall, and a public waterfall like Shihfen should not become a profit-making tool for certain private companies.The New Taipei City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau stated that in order to open Shihfen Waterfall and protect the visiting rights of numerous tourists, the city government began planning to establish the “Shihfen Waterfall Park” as early as 2008 (the 97th year of the Republic of China). In June 2010 (the 99th year), the urban plan changes were completed and announced. After the Ministry of the Interior approved the land expropriation plan for this project in March this year, the city government completed the expropriation procedure on August 6 of the same year.
The pool beneath Shihfen Waterfall is extremely deep, with year-round mist that never fully dissipates. When sunlight refracts through the vapor, a pristine rainbow arches over it, earning it another nickname, the “Rainbow Pool.” It is a popular sightseeing spot along the Pingxi Line. (Photographer / Kao Weisen, Image provided by New Taipei City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau)
The city government will continue to carry out takeover procedures, returning Shihfen Waterfall to the entire public, while conducting safety inspections and repairs on facilities. Therefore, starting from August 6, 2014 (the 103rd year of the Republic of China), Shihfen Waterfall will be temporarily closed to the public. Visitors are advised not to enter to ensure their safety.It is expected that renovations will be completed by the end of this year (2014), and the park will reopen to all visitors for “free” admission.
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