The beautiful waterfalls, rocks and jungle of Chiedong Old Trail

The blame for this state of affairs (or rather the credit, as the lack of visitors makes it a blissfully peaceful place for those in the know) can be laid firmly on the shoulders of the large private housing estate that lies at the mouth of the only road to the waterfalls. Almost all the cars traveling up Chinjin Road towards Xichi's most popular scenic spot, Big Sharp Mountain (大尖山) ignore the turnoff at a sharp bend on the left halfway up the hill, assuming from the guardhouse and smart houses lining the road that the area is nothing more than a smart (and private) housing estate.

However, drive in and soon the houses are replaced by a country lane winding through pleasant countryside for a kilometer or so, until a big sign announces Chiedong Waterfall. The sign is hardly necessary, as the lowest of the three waterfalls is clearly visible to the right as the road crosses a small bridge over the stream.

Just above the road the stream drops over three smallish but shapely falls (there's a small overhang behind the top one, although you'll get wet trying to crouch behind the fall - not necessarily unwelcome this time of year).

The scenery of the sylvan glen here is gentle rather than grand or imposing, and it's a tempting place for a hot summer afternoon, assuming you've lucked out and you have the place to yourself (not uncommon, even at weekends), and below the lowest fall is a large, shallow pool, great for paddling.

Chiedong Waterfalls, being right beside a road, are certainly a very convenient place to reach, but more active explorers may well feel just a little restless reclining beside the stream listening to the sound of falling water for more than a few minutes. No problem! Chiedong Waterfall marks the start of a fine trail that heads upstream past several small but very shapely cascades before heading into rougher, more challenging territory.

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