Shifen Scenic Area (Shifen Visitor Center) Introduction
Shifen Scenic Area is located in the Pingxi District of New Taipei City, famous for its waterfalls, the Pingxi Line train, and sky lanterns. Its geographical position is on the main course of the Keelung River, classified as a waterfall valley type in Taiwan's scenic areas. Due to the erosion at the source and the nearby rugged terrain, many faults and unique rock formations have formed. As the river flows through these faults and rock formations, the high speed creates numerous spectacular waterfalls. Starting from Houtong to Sandiaoling, and extending to Shifenliao and Pingxi, a series of cascading waterfalls are formed, among which the most notable is Shifen Waterfall, which is 20 meters high and 40 meters wide, making it the widest curtain waterfall in Taiwan, commonly referred to as the "Niagara of Taiwan." The Pingxi Branch Line is one of the three existing railway branch lines in Taiwan. Built along the winding Keelung River, it has a total length of 12.9 kilometers and was completed and opened in 1921. Originally constructed for coal transportation, the Pingxi Line is now one of the most popular railway travel routes. The annual Pingxi International Lantern Festival during the Lantern Festival period attracts tens of thousands of visitors and has been voted by the Discovery Channel as the second largest carnival in the world.
