Top 10 Waterfalls in Taiwan
Taiwan is one of the most mountainous islands on earth, with peaks rising over 3,900 metres just a short distance from the sea, and the heavy rain of the typhoon season and the East Asian monsoon feeds waterfalls everywhere the rivers cut through the steep terrain. Marble gorges, subtropical forest, and volcanic hills all hold falls, most running fullest in the wet summer (May to September). The selection below spans the island. All ten are on the map.
1. Shifen Waterfall, New Taipei
Shifen, on the Keelung River near the old mining town of Shifen, is often called Taiwan's Little Niagara — a wide curtain about 20 metres high and 40 wide, dropping into a green pool. Easily reached by the Pingxi branch railway (famous for sky lanterns), it is one of Taiwan's most visited falls. Fed by year-round rain, it runs strongly, especially after typhoons.
2. Wulai Waterfall, New Taipei
Wulai, in the indigenous Atayal township south of Taipei, drops about 80 metres in a single thread down a forested cliff opposite the hot-spring village. A small cable car and an old log-railway trolley reach viewpoints. Fed by the wet mountains, it runs year round and pairs with Wulai's famous hot springs, busiest in autumn foliage.
3. Baiyang Waterfall, Hualien (Taroko Gorge)
The Baiyang falls in Taroko Gorge drop through the marble canyon on a trail that passes through tunnels to a suspension bridge facing the fall, and on to the famous Water Curtain Cave where springwater pours through a tunnel roof. The marble-walled setting is among Taiwan's most spectacular; fed by the Liwu river system, strongest after rain.
4. Shanyue / Changchun (Eternal Spring) Shrine Falls, Taroko
The Changchun (Eternal Spring) falls in Taroko Gorge emerge from the marble cliff beside a memorial shrine built for workers who died building the Central Cross-Island Highway, the water flowing out beneath the shrine into the Liwu river. The combination of marble gorge, shrine, and spring-fed fall is one of Taroko's iconic images. Runs year round.
5. Maolin / Longxing Waterfall, Kaohsiung
In the Maolin valley of southern Taiwan, the Longxing and other falls drop through subtropical forest in an indigenous Rukai area famous for its winter purple-crow butterfly valley. Reached by trail, the falls run strongest in the wet summer; the area combines waterfalls, hot springs, and indigenous culture.
6. Sandiaoling Waterfalls, New Taipei
The Sandiaoling trail near Shifen links three waterfalls — Hegu, Motian, and Pipadong — in a forested gorge, with ladders and a path leading behind one of the falls. One of the best waterfall hikes near Taipei, accessible by train. Fed by year-round rain, the falls are strongest after typhoons and in the wet season.
7. Wufengqi Waterfall, Yilan
The Wufengqi (Five Peaks Flag) falls near Jiaoxi in Yilan drop in three tiers through forested hills above the hot-spring town, reached by a stepped trail. The upper fall is the tallest. Combined with Jiaoxi's hot springs, it is a popular day trip from Taipei via the Xueshan tunnel; fullest in the wet season.
8. Liangshan Waterfall, Pingtung
The Liangshan falls in southern Pingtung drop in multiple tiers through subtropical forest, the upper fall reached by a riverside trail. Set in the green hills of the far south, it is a refreshing escape with pools, fed by the wet southern mountains and strongest in the summer rains.
9. Neidong Waterfall, New Taipei
The Neidong falls in Neidong Forest Recreation Area near Wulai are a series of three falls through subtropical forest rich in birdlife and the Taipei tree frog, reached by an easy boardwalk trail. A popular family destination near the capital, fed by year-round rain and strongest after typhoons.
10. Shuanglong (Twin Dragon) Waterfall, Nantou
The Shuanglong falls in Nantou, central Taiwan, are reached by a spectacular suspension-bridge trail across a gorge in indigenous Seediq territory, the falls dropping through forested mountains. The combination of long suspension bridges and the fall makes it a dramatic outing; fed by the wet central mountains.
Planning a Taiwan waterfall trip
The north around Taipei (Shifen, Wulai, Sandiaoling, Wufengqi, Neidong) holds the densest and most accessible cluster, much of it reachable by train and an easy day trip from the capital. Taroko Gorge in Hualien (Baiyang, Changchun) is a destination in its own right, combining marble canyon scenery with the falls. The south (Maolin, Liangshan) and centre (Shuanglong) reward longer trips. Summer (May to September) brings peak flow but also typhoons, which can close trails.
Typhoons, trails, and safety
Taiwan's waterfalls are at their most powerful during and after the typhoon season (roughly July to September), when storms dump enormous rainfall on the mountains and rivers surge. This is also the most dangerous time: trails in gorges like Taroko close during and after typhoons because of rockfall and flooding, and river levels can rise with terrifying speed. The authorities monitor conditions closely and close affected areas, so always check whether a trail is open before setting out, and never enter a gorge or riverbed when rain is forecast upstream. Outside typhoon events, Taiwan's falls are wonderfully accessible — many by train and short walks — and the island's dense rail and trail network makes it one of Asia's easiest places to see waterfalls.
Explore on the map
Every waterfall above is plotted on the interactive map — filter to plan a Taipei-based train trip to Shifen and Wulai, a Taroko Gorge visit, or a southern tour through Maolin and Liangshan.