Taiyao Waterfall: An intriguing, unknown scenic wonder in Hsinchu County

Take a closer look, and at regular intervals there are small gaps in the barrier at ground level, each guarded with a small trap that snaps shut on any unfortunate creature trying to pass through onto the forested mountainside beyond. As we walked, we saw several small mice and a bird had fallen victim to these cunning devices, though we never found out what use the poor dead things could be put to.

Although it starts off easy enough at first, the way becomes more difficult after about fifteen minutes, as small landslips have almost wiped out the path in a few places. After half an hour or so, the sound of falling water is heard far below, and the trail swings round into the ravine of the Shilei Stream.

Finally, after another 20 minutes, at one point following a short but scary stretch as the water channel (and trail) gingerly edge round a sheer cliff face (the bamboo safety rails are a welcome addition here), the water channel abruptly meets the stream at a small pool right at the brink of Taiyao Waterfall, which leaps over a bare cliff into the abyss below. Peering cautiously over the bamboo rail into the ravine, we can see only the first few meters of the drop, and it’s impossible to tell exactly how high the waterfall really is.

Sitting on the rocky bank at the base of a smaller waterfall above the main plunge, we have to be content that we did, finally, find this secret place. Maybe if we ask a few more locals, they’ll share with us another secret: how to get to the bottom of the big leap. But for now we’ll have to be satisfied with just finding it. Anyway, it’s oddly fitting that a place that took us 10 years to finally find should retain a little of its mystery.

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