Shifen Sky Lantern & Waterfall

Shifen Old Street (十分老街) is the most popular stop in Pingxi Line (平溪線). Many people came to sending wishes using sky lanterns (天燈), it’s pretty interesting area and kind of dangerous too coz visitors actually stand on the tracks to release the sky lanterns, and have to move away when a train comes along. But don't worry cause shopkeepers are all very familiar with the train timings and will told you to move away before the trains pass through. The lantern price range start from 150-200 NTD (~ 4.5 - 6 USD), and each color have a different meaning like orange=love, blue=carrier, red=health (that's what the seller told me.. Hahaha..). You can also buy souvenir gift small lantern for your friend and family.

Shifen is also well known for its Shifen Waterfall (十分大瀑布), a 20 meter tall waterfall the most scenic in all of Taiwan, its nickname is "Mini Taiwan's Niagara Fall". Recently its under construction on October 2014 and reopen again at the end of the year, and the good new is the entrance to this amazing waterfall is free, previously you have to pay 80 NTD (~ 2,5 USD). From Shifen Old Street (十分老街)  you  can walk uphill around 15-20 minutes to this scenic waterrfall (just follow the sign, some of it is in Chinese).

How to get to there by public transportation :  

• Train : From Taipei Main Station (台北車站) take the train to Ruifang (瑞芳車站), the journey around 35-50 minutes depend on train type and then transfer to the Pingxi Line (平溪線) and get off at Shifen Station (十分車站).
• Bus (via MRT) : MRT Muzha Station (捷運木柵站), take1076 Taipei Bus and get off at Shifen (十分) the journey around 1 hour