Four Dragons Waterfall 炮仔崙瀑布(四龍瀑布)

Four Dragons Waterfall

 

This family friendly walk in the Shenkeng District leads to a tall waterfall located in a green, leafy gorge.  It is easy to get to and a well-known spot. However, on the day that we visited it did not feel crowded. It's an easy escape from the city and on a hot day it's a pleasure to sit at the base of the rushing white column and feel the mist and the wind from the plunging water. 

Distance/Time:  4.5 km/ 2 hours (including time spent at the waterfall. Actual hiking time was 1.5 hours) More information as well as a map can be found here: http://rblr.co/OdqTZ

The Trail: This is an easy, family friendly walk. It would be even easier if driving to the trail head. We took a bus and walked on the road for about 2 km. The walk from the road to the waterfall is less than 400 meters.  The highest point is at the waterfall which is 188 m. 

The trail was wet in some places but not slippery.

There is a portable toilet at the trailhead and a rustic toilet at the waterfall. There are some tables and chairs on a platform next to the waterfall.

What to bring: Nothing special is needed. Shoes without adequate tread might slip on some of the wet stones. I wore Chaco sandals and the other people with me wore sneakers. 

It was very hot on the day we were there and though the trail is shaded, sun protection on the road is a good idea. 

There is a 7-11 at the bus stop in ShenKeng.

Transportation: We took the MRT to Muzha Station and then took bus 660 to the Shenkeng bus stop.  The bus ride is only about 10 minutes or more depending on how many people are getting on or off. 

On the way back we took bus 679 because it was coming sooner. As we were standing at the stop we noticed that buses 666, 795 and of course 660 all go to Muzha MRT station.

The hike:  We got off the bus at the Shenkeng stop just next to a 7-11 and then took the first turn on the right. 

After turning right,  the entrance to Shenkeng Old Street can be seen on the left hand side. 

We went straight ahead crossing a bridge over the Jingmei River. 

Bridge over the Jingmei River

After the bridge we walked for 250 meters till we came to road 106 and a CPC gas station. 

We crossed the street, turned right and then took the next left--a smaller road with a betel nut stand on the corner. It took us about 12 minutes to reach this point.

Left at the bing lang stand

 From here its a 30-40 minute walk to the waterfall. We stayed on the road all the way to the trail head. We passed what looked like garden centers and then a driving range. After the driving range the road began to feel more rural and soon was parallel to a stream on the right. 

Ignoring a right turn with an arrow and a sign reading Paozilun Trail, we continued straight on the road. 

Continue straight here

The trailhead is on the left and is marked with a sign in Chinese. Several cars were parked at the side of the road.

The trail is made of gravel-filled tires, stone and dirt. It sometimes climbs--sometimes is level and passes through dense forest. It's not a long walk. Just before getting to the waterfall there is a rushing stream next to the path.

There were a few people already at the falls and a very friendly dog. 

 There is a shallow (about calf deep) pool at the base of the waterfall.  Some children were playing in another pool a little downstream. 

A path made of sandbags made it easier to reach the bottom of the waterfall. Some of the rocks are slimy and very slippery so be careful if stepping off the sandbag path. A wooden pallet propped against the stone made it possible to climb up right under the flow and some older men were taking turns climbing up to be pummeled by the water.  

I was tempted to try it as well but in the end I was content to just sit with my feet in the water feeling the spray and the cool breeze. 

We walked back to Shenkeng Old Street the same way we had come.

 

GPS coordinates and map:

Four Dragons Waterfall trailhead: 24.988446, 121.606223

http://rblr.co/OdqTZ