Legendary waterfall returns to Kaohsiung after months of heavy rain

The legendary White Water Spring waterfall has reappeared in Kaohsiung’s Shanlin District after months of heavy rain. Water now pours through an opening in the high cliff like a white dragon, creating a striking scene that local residents had not seen in recent years.

The waterfall, in Muzili, drops roughly 20 to 30 metres. Its appearance changes dramatically with the seasons. From May to October, during the rainy season, abundant water forms a bright white cascade. From November through April, the flow can shrink to a trickle or disappear altogether, leaving the vertical gap in the mountainside exposed.

Historical accounts describe White Water Spring as a man-made waterfall. The original Baishuiquan stream reportedly had no direct outlet and often caused flooding during heavy rain. Earlier residents carved an opening in the rock to create a drainage channel, unintentionally producing the waterfall.

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When I was young, White Water Spring had a very abundant flow, and the waterfall poured down like thousands of galloping horses.

Local folklore offers a different explanation. Elder Ye Zaifa said the nearby Erlong Mountain was believed to possess an auspicious “Seven Stars Falling to Earth” landscape. According to the tale, a feng shui master used a copper needle and black dog blood to disrupt the site’s geomancy, creating the waterfall and later suffering a troubled life without descendants.

Residents say the waterfall once thundered down with the force of galloping horses. It is difficult to reach despite not lying deep in the mountains, and visitors can see either the top from a nearby rural road or the full waterfall only from a distant river embankment. That limited access has helped give it the name of a “legendary waterfall.”

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The waterfall resembling a white dragon has returned after months of heavy rain, and it is deeply震撼.