Rueili Scenic Area Swallow Cliff
Rueili Scenic Area Swallow Cliff
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
26 reviews
Excellent
13
Very good
11
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Lardylove
Taichung, Taiwan576 contributions
Jun 2015 • Couples
The swallow cliff is about halfway through the youth ridge trail. The actual trail is 2400 meters long and you have two options where to start. Firstly you can start at the trailhead next to the police station in ruili or the second option is at the 72.2km road marker (it is clearly signposted). Having been twice I would personally suggest that you take the 72.2 km trailhead, hike to the swallow cliff and bat cave and then turn back around. This option is less strenuous and would mean you won't need to backtrack a longer distance or walk on the road to your transport. If you are spending a whole day hiking in the region then the youth trail interconnects with the yuan tan and yun tan trails.
the cliff itself is teeming with the small Asian house martins and if you stand under the waterfall you can see the little heads of their young peeping out to be fed. Other, less abundant, species are evident, so twitchers may want to bring their binoculars.
the steps leading to the cliff can be slippy so be careful.
from the 72.2km trailhead it's around 30-45 minutes, mainly downhill (steps) to the cliff.
as one reviewer mentioned earlier, ruili doesn't have anywhere near the numbers of tourists seen in other parts of chiayi and in fact I didn't see anybody else in the whole time I was on the youth trail.
definitely worth it 4 stars
the cliff itself is teeming with the small Asian house martins and if you stand under the waterfall you can see the little heads of their young peeping out to be fed. Other, less abundant, species are evident, so twitchers may want to bring their binoculars.
the steps leading to the cliff can be slippy so be careful.
from the 72.2km trailhead it's around 30-45 minutes, mainly downhill (steps) to the cliff.
as one reviewer mentioned earlier, ruili doesn't have anywhere near the numbers of tourists seen in other parts of chiayi and in fact I didn't see anybody else in the whole time I was on the youth trail.
definitely worth it 4 stars
Written June 30, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan T
162 contributions
The spot to the area was not visible. We had to ask the locals around and then found out that you just walk through path opposite a school. The path starts with very steep steps and sheltered by a lot of trees. We descended down about 200+ steps when we gave up. Cause after that we realize that there are like another 1300+ steps to go. We decided to go back up the steps. We took about total of 30 mins just to do the 200+ steps. if you are not fit, don't even attempt it. Now I understand why the locals name it the Youth Ridge Trail. I believe the views are beautiful and wish the authorities would build a cable car for others to enjoy. Too bad I didn't get the chance to see it after traveling 1 over hour to get there.
Written December 21, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
borntobeotaku
Nantou, T'ai-wan, Taiwan201 contributions
Aug 2014 • Solo
Though it's popular among Taiwanese people, there aren't too many tourist to make you feel unconfortable. And it's one of a few places in Chiayi where you can't find any Chinese tourists. (you know, there are too many Chinese tourists in Taiwan now, especially at Ali Mountain!)
I will expect to see the waterfall above cliff reaches its best time next summer, and I believe it'll be an exciting experience to walk through it.
I will expect to see the waterfall above cliff reaches its best time next summer, and I believe it'll be an exciting experience to walk through it.
Written August 27, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KrisD_pl
Warsaw, Poland7,677 contributions
Oct 2018
Actually the rock formation consists of swallow cliff and bat caves. The erosion processes curved part of the rock in such way that it formed kind of long shelves where swallows were nesting. The bat cave part is an extension of the upper part of swallow cliff - the alternating layers of sandstone and shale are covered in holes like a honeycomb. The holes are quite large, so the bats use to live there.
To get there you need to make a hike (wooden stairs) and cross the suspension bridge. I would count at least 2 hours least for "down and up" hike. The trail is quite rich in flora as you walk in the forest. We also spotted some monkeys and interesting insects.
To get there you need to make a hike (wooden stairs) and cross the suspension bridge. I would count at least 2 hours least for "down and up" hike. The trail is quite rich in flora as you walk in the forest. We also spotted some monkeys and interesting insects.
Written September 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jaoxi2015
Hualien, Taiwan345 contributions
Aug 2017 • Solo
nice place, just 30 minutes off the road 166(go down at km 72.2 marker), the trail end (or start) in ruili so you can go along or you can go back and get another path and reach by a nice pedestrian trail the yuntan falls in 30 min
Written August 11, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
frenchguyinkl
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia211 contributions
Feb 2016 • Family
The walk to Rueilli swallow cliff is quite tough as it goes downhill all the way from the start to the cliffs and then uphill or rather upstairs all the way back. Nothing flat here. Hundreds of steps down to go, hundreds of steps to climb back. The swallow cliff and the stream passing nearby are average, but the trail remains a good exercise provided you do it early morning when the air is still cool and when the trail is in the shade
Written March 8, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tanja I
41 contributions
Sep 2015 • Couples
the swallow cliff is an awesome spot in taiwan. probably one of the most beautiful spots you can find. if it has rained, there will be some waterfalls falling of the cliffs, which makes it more mystical. it looks like you timetravelled back to the dinosaurs age. don't miss this place! it's a cool daytrip from chiayi by scooter (and u can stop on your way in fanlu and discover 2 amazing suspension bridges and in fenqihu to have the best railway lunchboxes ;))
Written January 3, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eunice
Singapore372 contributions
Dec 2016 • Family
It is a 25-min interesting walk to the Swallow cliff. The water volume of the falls was low during the winter month of December but still worth the while to visit.
Written December 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matt P
Tainan, Taiwan152 contributions
Feb 2016
Look guys , this walk to really tough. I've cycled 100 miles Ina day and I'd think twice about doing the whole 'youth trail ' in a day . That said , you can come in from the easier side (not Ruili) and it's ok . Very pretty walk .
Written February 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chauada
Hong Kong, China21 contributions
Aug 2015
It is easy for beginners but the view is absolutely great! It only takes around 2 hours and is a very good way to spend a morning.
Written October 20, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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