Surrounded by the rugged mountains of Gukeng Township, Caoling is a largely rural village in the heart of Taiwan. It’s renowned for the short-lived barrier lakes created during its historic landslides, with a 70-metre-high dam formed during the 1941 Chungpu earthquake.
For sweeping views across Caoling Village, head to the Xincaolingtan Lookout where you’ll find several stalls selling authentic Taiwanese snacks and home-style dishes. It’s also home to the Caoling 921 Earthquake Memorial, honouring those who were impacted by the earthquake that rocked Taiwan on September 21, 1999.
On the other side of Caoling Village is Penglai Waterfall, which cascades more than 200 metres into the Shibi Valley. Follow the hiking trail that leads to its base, ending with a short section of rock hopping. Coincide your visit with the monsoon season to experience the waterfall at its most dramatic.
Getting there
Caoling Village is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Chiayi City and Chiayi Airport, which has regular flights to Kinmen and Penghu. The much larger Taichung International Airport is just under two hours away. Buses connect to Caoling from Douliu railway station and the village is small enough to explore on foot.