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| 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.
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| Bridge over the Jingmei River |
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| 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.
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| 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.
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
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