Nine Dragon Pool Trail, Kunyu Mountain

The Nine Dragon Pool Trail (Jiulongchi) starts from a dedicated entrance in the southern section of Kunyu Mountain National Forest Park in Muping District, reached by taxi or Didi from Muping town in about 20-30 minutes; a paved lot and ticket booth sit at the trailhead, and the park's standard entrance fee applies. The route runs roughly 4-6 km round trip with a gentle 200-300 m of elevation gain, following well-maintained stone steps and packed dirt paths that stay mostly shaded under mixed forest cover. The trail traces a stream valley past a series of nine linked pools and small waterfalls that give the trail its name, with wooden viewing platforms and railed lookouts at the more scenic cascades. Footing is generally secure, though stone steps near the waterfalls can be slick with spray after rain. The main landmarks are the pools themselves, spaced along the ascent, with most visitors treating the largest and most photogenic pool, roughly midway up, as a natural turnaround point for a shorter outing. There are no refuge huts, but several pavilions along the stream offer shade and a place to rest. A small snack kiosk operates near the entrance during peak season, though bottled water is not reliably available past that point, so hikers should bring their own. The trail can close temporarily after heavy rain when the stream crossings become difficult.