Qingshan Waterfall Trail Introduction
Traveling through Shimen, in addition to following the coastline to witness the magical changes created by nature, you might want to drive into the mountains for a tranquil journey through the forest, enjoying the comfort and ease of being away from the hustle and bustle. Along Taiwan Route 2, the scenery before you is filled with the blue sea and sky. About 26 kilometers ahead, turn right at the sign (opposite Laomei Elementary School) towards Qingshan Waterfall. After turning onto County Road 17, the familiar blue promptly transforms into shades of deep green as you find yourself amidst rolling hills, where you can see terraced fields cultivated according to the mountain's shape. The towering Zhujian Mountain gathers abundant water from the mountains, with streams flowing through a gorge with significant elevation changes, forming the Qingshan Waterfall in Shimen's forest, which is about 8 meters high and was formerly known as Jianshan Lake Waterfall. To visit the picturesque Qingshan Waterfall, you must climb along the Kan Diliao Canal, originally constructed for irrigating the terraced fields. Following the sound of flowing water, you can leisurely stroll along the path. Surrounding you are the Qingshan and Laomei Creek, with Miscanthus swaying in the wind and various uniquely shaped trees flanking the trail. At times, you can look back at the coastline, seeing the hills rise and fall from the mountains, showcasing terraced fields everywhere, enjoying the pleasure of appreciating the view from above; or you can continue forward, turn a corner into the gorge, and walk along the stream while stepping on stones to experience the natural joys of playing in the water. This Qingshan Waterfall, located within Yangmingshan National Park, has a total length of 1.3 kilometers and takes about 40 minutes to traverse.
