Yangmingshan Summer Getaway: Discover Tianmu Water Pipe Trail, Cuifeng Waterfall and Shamaoshan
Once part of the Grass Mountain Waterworks from the Japanese Era, the Tianmu Water Pipe Trail (aka Tianmu Old Trail) is now a beloved hiking route in Taipei. Starting in Tianmu, the trail takes you past the stunning golden Cuifeng Waterfall and up to the uniquely shaped Mt. Shamao.
This trail combines historical significance with natural beauty, offering stunning waterfalls, peaceful woods, and panoramic views, especially with the hidden gem of Cuifeng Waterfall awaiting exploration.
Affiliate disclaimer: Taiwan Hikes may include affiliate links. When you purchase through these links, you support our ability to continue providing FREE content — at no additional cost to you.
Table of Contents:
- Trail Information, Map, and Transportation: Tianmu Water Pipe Trail, Cuifeng Waterfall, Hengling Old Trail to Mt. Shamao/Yangming Lake Trailhead – Easy Route
- Trail Information, Map, and Transportation: Tianmu Water Pipe Trail, Cuifeng Waterfall to Mt. Shamao/Dapu Trailhead – More Challenging Route
- About Tian Water Pipe Trail and Mt. Shamao
- Free Guides: How to Apply for Hiking Permits in Taiwan. Or Hire Me!
- Related Posts
Uncover Taiwan's hidden gems - hotels, restaurants, transport, and more — on 
Trail Information, Map, and Transportation: Tianmu Water Pipe Trail, Cuifeng Waterfall, Hengling Old Trail to Mt. Shamao/Yangming Lake Trailhead – Easy Route
Distance: 8.6 km (5.3 miles)
Route type: point-to-point
Days/Hours Needed: 4-6 hours
Total Ascent/Descent: 802m/432m
Best Time to Go: All seasons.
Permits: Not required
Difficulty Level:
Route type: point-to-point
Days/Hours Needed: 4-6 hours
Total Ascent/Descent: 802m/432m
Best Time to Go: All seasons.
Permits: Not required
Difficulty Level:
Peaks or Places to Reach
- Cuifeng Waterfall
- Mt. Shamao, or Shamaoshan, is 643 meters (2,109 feet) above sea level. On its top is a Class 3 Triangulation Stone. The summit offers a great view of Mt. Qixing Main and East Peak.
Prepare for your next adventure with high-quality gear from Decathlon (shipping in Singapore only.) 
GPX Track From My Hike
Click Menu in the map to download, print, or share the map.
You can see more options after clicking the Play button.
Click
to change the speed to meet your condition.
You can see more options after clicking the Play button.
Click
to change the speed to meet your condition.
How to Get There by Public Transport: To the Mt. Shamao Yangming Lake Trailhead
Your location ➔ Yangmingshan Bus Terminal ➔ Mt. Shamao Trailhead
Take bus R5 紅5 from MRT Jiantan Station 捷潭捷運站, bus 260 from Taipei Station 台北車站, or Bus 230 from MRT Beitou Station 北投捷運站, and get off at the last stop.
Walk to the Mt. Shamao trailhead after getting off the bus.
Uncover Taiwan's hidden gems - hotels, restaurants, transport, and more — on
How to Get There by Public Transport: To the Tianmu Water Pipe Trailhead:
There are several buses going to Tianmu. Here, I only list those leaving from MRT Shipai Station 捷運石牌站.
Your location ➔ MRT Shipai Station ➔ Tianmu Stop ➔ Mt. Shamao Trailhead
Your location ➔ MRT Shipai Station ➔ Tianmu Stop ➔ Mt. Shamao Trailhead
You will get off around this Tianmu Bus Stop (map).
- Bus R19 information: get off at the last stop, Tianmu Stop
- Bus 224 information: get off at the last stop, Tianmu Stop
- Chongqing Metro Bus 重慶幹線 information: get off at Tianmu Stop
Prepare for your next adventure with high-quality gear from Decathlon (shipping in Singapore only.)
Brief Itinerary
Tianmu ➔ Tianmu Water Pipe Trailhead ➔ junction to Chinese Culture University ➔ junction to Cuifeng Waterfall ➔ Cuifeng Waterfall ➔ junction to Banling Trail and Banling Suspension Bridge ➔ Banling Suspension Bridge ➔ Ming Xuan Temple 明玄宮 ➔ Parking Lot ➔ Hengling Old Trail ➔ Yangmingshan Qianshan Park 前山公園 ➔ Mt. Shamao Yangming Lake Trailhead 紗帽山陽明湖登山口 ➔ Mt. Shamao ➔ Mt. Shamao Yangming Lake Trailhead ➔ Bus 260 stop
Your support empowers Taiwan Hikes to create more FREE content, making your hiking adventures in Taiwan even more enjoyable. Click "Buy Me A Coffee" or use our affiliate links to support.
My Hike: from Tianmu Water Pipe Trail, Cuifeng Waterfall, to Mt. Shamao Via Yangking Lake Trailhead
I did the easy route with a friend in March 2023, and 1,300 steps awaited us.
10:23 Got off at the Tianmu stop.
10:30 Arrived at the Tianmu Water Pipe Trailhead at Lane 232, Section 7, Zhongshan North Road in Shilin District, and started tackling the 1,300 steps.
10:48 Reach the pond. We took a short break to enjoy the view.
11:07 We reached Zizai Pavilion 自在亭. We took a short break to enjoy the city view again. Taipei 101 can be seen here.
You will see a stone house under big trees, which is Adjustment Well 調整井. I can't find the jargon for this name, so I translate it literally from Chinese. This adjustment well was finished in 1929.
The adjustment well was completed in 1929. Water was stored here and then flowed through a large black pipe, using gravity to power the Sanjiaopu Power Plant 三角埔發電廠 from an elevation of about 300 meters down to 90 meters. However, this function was replaced after the completion of the Feicui Reservoir in 1987.
Uncover Taiwan's hidden gems - hotels, restaurants, transport, and more — on
If you take the steps next to the Adjustment Well, you will find toilets on the right and reach the Chinese Culture University.
We took the left, and no more steps or steep slopes from here. It was pleasant to walk here. Mt. Datun and Sulfur Valley Geothermal Scenic Area 硫磺谷遊憩區 can be seen from here, too.
11:44 We arrived at the junction to Cuifeng Waterfall and sat at Cuifeng Pavilion for another break.
The slope descending to Cuifeng Waterfall was steep and slightly rugged, and finally, my feet could touch the soil instead of concrete steps.
Cuifeng Waterfall Bathed in the Golden Hue
12:07 We reached Cuifeng Waterfall. I did this hike on Friday, and there weren't many people around. I could smell sulfur from the waterfall, which is why the boulders in the waterfall and Song Creek (Songxi 松溪) have a golden hue.
If you are looking for a place to avoid the summer heat in Taipei, this is the perfect place. The water, sunlight, colors, and sounds are so soothing. I made myself a cup of coffee and sat there to savor the tranquility.
After the break, we continued the hike. I made a wrong turn during my first hike. If you visit here, remember to go downhill by following the creek.
Following the creek, we reached a road. The signage points in two different directions to Banling Trail and Banling Suspension Bridge. We went uphill to the bridge.
Banling Suspension Bridge is small, and you will see residential houses and farms again. Not far from the houses, we reached City View Platform (lookout) 市景平台.
13:32 The view was great, but the scorching heat from both my hikes made me continue without staying too long. From here, I saw the Chinese Culture University on my right and Mt. Shamao ahead of me.
13:34 We reached a junction and Ming Xuan Temple 明玄宮. This place is a perfect place to have a break. There are toilets (remember to donate some money) and cold drinks if you want to buy one.
Ming Xuan Temple is also where you decide whether to take the easy or more challenging route to Mt. Shamao. I took both. You will find details of the more difficult route later.
Prepare for your next adventure with high-quality gear from Decathlon (shipping in Singapore only.)
From Ming Xuan Temple to Banling Trail 半嶺步道and Hengling Old Trail 橫嶺古道
We passed some houses and walked on the road before reaching the steps of Banling Trail. We followed the directions to Hongtan 紅壇 and saw a parking lot.
14:08 The entrance of Hengling Old Trail was easy to spot. Soon, we were surrounded by beautiful bamboo woods. This section was shaded and flat to enjoy.
14:42 Hengling Old Trail is short, around 800 meters. You will see a sign of Datunshan, and the end of the trail is connected to Hushan Road Section One 湖山路一段. Turn right, and you will see the Yangmingshan Bus Terminal.
You can call it a day by taking the bus back home or continuing your hike to Mt. Shamao.
From Shamaoshan's Yangming Lake Trailhead to the Summit
But if you persist, you will be rewarded with great views. The distance from the Yangming Lake Trailhead to Mt. Shamao is 1 km.
15:23 It didn't take long for us to reach the Yangming Lake Trailhead. From there, follow the steps.
The first section of the Shamaoshan Trail is the zig-zag steps, and it isn't as steep as some to Mt. Qixing.
We passed the Chen He boundary border 陳何界石 and the old tomb of the mother of Chen Xialin 陳霞林, built in 1832. Chen Xialin was a Juren 舉人 in the Qing Dynasty. A juren was a successful candidate in the imperial examinations at the provincial level in the Ming and Qing dynasties. That's the explanation I found on the internet.
16:05 We arrived at Mt. Shamao, 643 meters above sea level. Standing at the deck, Mt. Qixing Main Peak, East Peak, and Zhongshan Building 中山樓 were in front of us.
If you are based in Taipei or a visitor, I'm sure you have seen this building. Zhongshan Building is depicted on the back of Taiwan's 100-dollar banknote.
After spending time admiring the view, we headed to the trailhead.
15:03 It took longer than I anticipated to reach the trailhead. It usually takes less than one hour.
Trail Information, Map, and Transportation: Tianmu Water Pipe Trail, Cuifeng Waterfall to Mt. Shamao/Dapu Trailhead – More Challenging Route
Distance: 7.1 km (4.4 miles)
Route type: point-to-point
Days/Hours Needed: 4-6 hours
Total Ascent/Descent: 769m/397m
Best Time to Go: All seasons.
Permits: Not required
Difficulty Level:
Route type: point-to-point
Days/Hours Needed: 4-6 hours
Total Ascent/Descent: 769m/397m
Best Time to Go: All seasons.
Permits: Not required
Difficulty Level:
GPX Track From My Hike
Click Menu in the map to download, print, or share the map.
You can see more options after clicking the Play button.
Click to change the speed to meet your condition.
You can see more options after clicking the Play button.
Click
to change the speed to meet your condition.
Prepare for your next adventure with high-quality gear from Decathlon (shipping in Singapore only)
Brief Itinerary
Tianmu ➔ Tianmu Water Pipe Trailhead ➔ junction to Chinese Culture University ➔ junction to Cuifeng Waterfall ➔ Cuifeng Waterfall ➔ junction to Banling Trail and Banling Suspension Bridge ➔ Banling Suspension Bridge ➔ Ming Xuan Temple 明玄宮 ➔ Banling Irrigation Canal ➔ Songxi Waterfall Platform and return the junction ➔ Mt. Shamao Dapu Trailhead ➔ Mt. Shamao ➔ Mt. Shamao Yangming Lake Trailhead ➔ Bus 260 stop
My Hike: from Tianmu Water Pipe Trail, Cuifeng Waterfall, to Mt. Shamao via Dapu Trailhead
On May 11, 2024, I revisited this route and decided to explore the Banling Irrigation Canal 半嶺圳幹線 after Ming Xuan Temple and ascended Shamaoshan via the Dapu Trailhead. The trail remained the same until Ming Xuan Temple. Thus, the following highlights our hike from Ming Xuan Temple to Mt. Shamao via the Dapu Trailhead.
13:22 After the break at Ming Xuan Temple, we followed the Banling Irrigation Canal. Although it was pretty hot in early May, following this canal gave us a fresh breeze to escape the summer heat.
13:42 After climbing a few steps, we reached a footpath with a deck overlooking a creek. A beautiful waterfall was right next to it, and the rocks around it still had a golden hue.
A door blocked the footpath, and a sign posted there stated that this was the residents' water source and asked visitors NOT to dip their feet in it.
13:46 We returned from the door to locate an entrance to a shortcut to Shamaoshan's Dapu Trailhead.
14:52 The shortcut was short and had some rough terrain, but we quickly reached the Dapu Trailhead.
According to the signage at the Dapu Trailhead, the distance from here to Mt. Shamao is 1.2 km. Little did I know it took me almost 1 hour to reach Mt. Shamao. The hot and humid weather made this step climbing worse, too.
14:43 After the painful ascending, we reached a flat area with building structures. This building was the Crown Prince's Pavilion 太子亭, built for Crown Prince Hirohito during Japanese Rule. But he never visited here. You probably won't see this if you go from the Yangming Lake Trailhead.
Within 2 minutes, we reached Mt. Shamao's Class 3 Triangulation Stone and the observation deck to enjoy the view.
15:54 Reached to the Yangming Lake Trailhead and called it a day.
About Tian Water Pipe Trail and Mt. Shamao
Tianmu Water Pipe Trail (aka Tianmu Old Trail)
The Tianmu Water Pipe Road, also known as the Tianmu Old Trail, features a large black water pipe and the Sanjiaopu Power Plant 三角埔發電廠, both part of the "Grass Mountain Waterworks System" built during the Japanese era.
This historic system is a designated municipal heritage site in Taipei and is the only heritage site classified as an engineering system. Sanjiaopu is also the old name of Tianmu.
The Tianmu Old Trail is the later section of the ancient Fish Road Trail 魚路古道, which was an important route connecting Jinshan 金山 and Tianmu. Starting from Tianmu, hikers must climb 1,300 steps to reach the Adjustment Well, after which the path becomes a flat forest bath trail. Source.
Mt. Shamao or Shamaoshan
Located at the southwest end of Yangmingshan National Park, Shamaoshan is a parasitic volcano of Qixing Mountain, part of the Datun volcanic group. Its name comes from its resemblance to the traditional black hats 紗帽 worn by ancient officials in China.
The trail, which mainly consists of stone steps, has two trailheads: Yangming Lake Trailhead in the north, near the Yangmingshan bus terminal, and Qianshan Park, which offers a gentler climb. Dapu Trailhead in the south, near the first lookout on Shamao Road, is steeper.
Shamao Old Trail is one of the 33 historic trails in Yangmingshan National Park. It is known as one of the "Top Ten Legends of Yangmingshan 陽明山十大傳奇," written by a Taiwanese mountaineering pioneer, Mt. Lin Zong Sheng 林宗聖, who dedicated his life to exploring Yangmingshan.
Get Free Guides on Public Transport and Applying for Permits. Or Hire Me!
Free Bus Guides to Hike Popular Mountains in Taiwan
Taking buses to hike in Taiwan can be tricky if you don't read Chinese. Therefore, I've made several public transport guides to help you get to the trailheads. Or click the image below to see more details.
You can download the free Yangmingshan bus guide with the locations of bus stops if you need to save it in your phone. Click the image below to download the guide.
Hire Me: Simplify Your Taiwan Hike with Our Services
Tackling the intricacies of permit applications and deciphering public transport routes in Taiwan can be daunting. We're here to make your hiking adventure hassle-free.
Our service takes care of all the nitty-gritty details, from permit applications to transportation arrangements, weather reminders, and more. Let us handle the complexities, so you can focus on the breathtaking trails and unforgettable experiences. Visit our commission page or click the button for all the details.
Disclaimer:
All content provided is for inspirational and informational purposes only. Creating, using, hiking, or traveling with Taiwan Hikes' suggested services or itineraries is at your own risk. Please use your best judgment and follow all safety precautions, as Taiwan Hikes and Anusha Lee are not liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from using this information.
Please also note that Taiwanese government agencies tend to change their URLs without bothering to redirect to the new ones. As a result, you will find some external sites on the Taiwan Hikes website are not working from time to time. Taiwan Hikes will try to update those URLs if possible.
Taiwan Hikes is not responsible for the content of external sites.
All content provided is for inspirational and informational purposes only. Creating, using, hiking, or traveling with Taiwan Hikes' suggested services or itineraries is at your own risk. Please use your best judgment and follow all safety precautions, as Taiwan Hikes and Anusha Lee are not liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from using this information.
Please also note that Taiwanese government agencies tend to change their URLs without bothering to redirect to the new ones. As a result, you will find some external sites on the Taiwan Hikes website are not working from time to time. Taiwan Hikes will try to update those URLs if possible.
Taiwan Hikes is not responsible for the content of external sites.
