Liangshan Waterfall (涼山瀑布 [Liángshān Pùbù])

Majia Township / Kaohsiung, Pingtung County, Taiwan

About Liangshan Waterfall (涼山瀑布 [Liángshān Pùbù])

For Subscribers Only. See Membership Options.

Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

The Liangshan Waterfall (涼山瀑布 [Liángshān Pùbù]; meaning “Cool Mountain Waterfall”) was really a series of three distinct waterfalls all on the Niujiaowan Stream (牛角灣溪 [Niújiǎowān Xī]; something to do with cow horns).

The view of the first waterfall was the most accessible and it had a modest 20m drop or so.

Liangshan_Waterfall_101_10282016 - Liangshan Waterfall
Liangshan Waterfall

We were only able to view this waterfall from a distance on a bridge spanning the Niujiaowan Stream.

The second waterfall was small (maybe 5m or so), but it was a very popular swimming hole.

The third and last waterfall was the most impressive (pictured above) as it featured a towering two-tiered drop that was probably at least 30m in cumulative height.

A pretty well-made trail (apparently newly built after a powerful typhoon damaged the original trail) allowed us to take in all three of these waterfalls.

Liangshan_Waterfall_058_10282016 - The steamy and mostly uphill hike taking in all three of the Liangshan Waterfalls felt like a jungle adventure in mountainous terrain
The steamy and mostly uphill hike taking in all three of the Liangshan Waterfalls felt like a jungle adventure in mountainous terrain

Speaking of the trail, it really felt like we were on some kind of jungle adventure as we were on paths that hugged steep mountainsides amidst a very lush ravine.

Belonging to the Liangshan Recreational Park, this was also a very popular hike despite how long it took us to finish the trail.

When Mom and I finished the hike, our clothes were literally drenched in sweat.

Liangshan Waterfall Trail Description – from the trailhead to the first and second waterfalls

From the well-signed and busy car park and entrance area (see directions below), we paid the entrance fee and proceeded to walk along a wide and very developed road alongside the Niujiaowan Stream.

Liangshan_Waterfall_146_10282016 - Looking upstream at the first of the Liangshan Waterfalls
Looking upstream at the first of the Liangshan Waterfalls

After about 800m of walking along this road, we crossed a bridge leading to a little shop and cafe area.

Then, we reached another bridge where we got a look at the first of the Liangshan Waterfalls.

Beyond the bridge, there was another lookout (albeit obstructed) of the first waterfall before the trail climbed up a series of steps going past a strangely-out-of-place cross.

At the top of this climb was a shelter, but the trail continued along a wooden-planked walkway as it continued climbing.

Liangshan_Waterfall_142_10282016 - The climb beyond the first of the Liangshan Waterfalls passed by this curious cross
The climb beyond the first of the Liangshan Waterfalls passed by this curious cross

By this point, the climb wasn’t as steep, but the trail clung to the bush-clad steep mountainsides flanking the Niujiaowan Stream way down below.

After about 600m beyond the shelter (or about 750m past the bridge with the view of the first waterfall), we reached a fork.

The path on the left descended steeply into the gorge while the path on the right was the continuation of the main trail as it continued climbing.

That steep path on the left ultimately led down some very steep steps before dropping off some 3-4m cliff face.

Liangshan_Waterfall_069_10282016 - Looking down at the very steep bottom of the descent to the second of the Liangshan Waterfalls
Looking down at the very steep bottom of the descent to the second of the Liangshan Waterfalls

I saw that someone had set up a rope to facilitate this dicey descent.

Moreover, I had to wait in a bit of a queue before it was my turn to go down.

But once I was at the bottom, I found myself in front of a popular swimming hole right before a modestly-sized (maybe 5m or so) waterfall.

This waterfall was what I’m calling the second Liangshan Waterfall.

Liangshan_Waterfall_077_10282016 - Checking out the second of the Liangshan Waterfalls
Checking out the second of the Liangshan Waterfalls

There was also a shack here as well as some makeshift bridges to help people get across the Niujiaowan Stream.

Liangshan Waterfall Trail Description – continuing to the end

Back at the main trail, it continued to climb high above the Niujiaowan River for the next 400m.

The last 100-200m involved a bit of a rocky stream scramble as the well-developed trail disappeared into a section where the gorge narrowed.

In these tight confines of the gorge, there wasn’t an alternative but to go right alongside the stream.

Liangshan_Waterfall_122_10282016 - Beyond the second waterfall, the hike up to the last of the Liangshan Waterfalls involved some degree of rough hiking along the banks of the Niujiaowan Stream, especially where the gorge was narrow
Beyond the second waterfall, the hike up to the last of the Liangshan Waterfalls involved some degree of rough hiking along the banks of the Niujiaowan Stream, especially where the gorge was narrow

Once we emerged from the narrowing of the gorge, we found ourselves staring right up at the third and most impressive of the Liangshan Waterfalls.

We had to engage in a bit of a rocky stream scramble in order to get right up to the misty bottom of the Liangshan Waterfall, but that was where the temperatures were the coolest.

Given all the work it took to get to this waterfall (we had hiked about 2.3km just to get here or at least 4.6km round trip), it was understandable why this waterfall was very popular and busy.

Yet at the same time, it was as the result of all the work we had to do to get up here that it was surprising to see so many people here as well.

Liangshan_Waterfall_106_10282016 - Quite a few people cooling off at the base of the Liangshan Waterfall after a long and sweaty uphill hike to get here
Quite a few people cooling off at the base of the Liangshan Waterfall after a long and sweaty uphill hike to get here

Indeed, we noticed a lot of young people as well as even one of the custom-guided tours here.

Clearly, this place was pretty well-known, and I guess it being part of the Luoshan Recreational Area certainly helped its notoriety.

When we had our fill of this spot and did the long downhill hike back to the car park, we got to experience a lot of the scenery once again.

However, this time we got to experience it with more panoramic downstream views along the way.

Liangshan_Waterfall_128_10282016 - The return hike from the Liangshan Waterfall allowed us to see (and fell) the jungle environment all over again
The return hike from the Liangshan Waterfall allowed us to see (and fell) the jungle environment all over again

Of course, it was also quite hazy and steamy in this part of Taiwan so all that steam in the air conspired to make even the closest mountains hard to see through that shroud of steam (not to mention drenching us in our own sweat).

All in all, Mom and I had spent about 2.5 hours away from the car with a total hiking distance of about 4.6km with around 250m of elevation gain.

So if you’re planning to do this excursion, it’s definitely worth it to allow yourself a solid half-day.

Authorities

The Liangshan Waterfall resides in the Liangshan Recreational Area (part of the Maolin National Scenic Area) near the town of Majia in the Pingtung County, Taiwan. It is administered by the Taiwan National Government. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, you can try visiting the Maolin NSA website.

Maps and Routing Content are for annual members. See Membership Options.
Content is for members. See Membership Options.
Tagged with: sandimen, majia, pingtung, county, southern taiwan, recreational area, taiwan, waterfall, swimming, kaohsiung, gaoxiong



Visitor Comments:

Got something you'd like to share or say to keep the conversation going? Feel free to leave a comment below...

No users have replied to the content on this page


Share your thoughts about what you've read on this page

You must be logged in to submit content. Refresh this page after you have logged in.

Visitor Reviews of this Waterfall:

If you have a waterfall story or write-up that you'd like to share, feel free to click the button below and fill out the form...

No users have submitted a write-up/review of this waterfall


Have you been to a waterfall? Submit a write-up/review and share your experiences or impressions

Review A Waterfall

Nearest Waterfalls



How To Build A Profitable Travel Blog In 4 Steps

Johnny Cheng

About Johnny Cheng

Johnny Cheng is the founder of the World of Waterfalls and author of the award-winning A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls. Over the last 2 decades, he has visited thousands of waterfalls in over 40 countries around the world and nearly 40 states in the USA.
Read More About Johnny | A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls.