Kenting National Park is among one of the most beautiful parks in Taiwan. It is located in the very south of the island and has a pleasant temperature all year round. An ideal way to explore the park is by scooter, so you can see the highlights on your own. And there are some! Apart from beautiful viewpoints, you will also find waterfalls, caves, temples and the most beautiful beaches in Taiwan. Do you already have this beautiful park on your list?
Are you planning to visit Kenting National Park? And would you like to learn more about the special history and culture of this beautiful park in southern Taiwan? In this travel guide, I’ll tell you more about its interesting history, read all about the best attractions and discover the best accommodation in town. The perfect visit to Kenting National Park starts here….
This Travel Guide to Kenting National Park contains affiliate links. This means that if you make a booking through one of the links on this website, Travel4history gets a small compensation for it. This does not cost you anything extra by the way!
In this travel guide…
- Practical Information – Best travel time and how many days?
- History – What makes Kenting National Park historically interesting?
- Sightseeing – 7x Things to See and Do!
- Accommodation – Where to stay at Kenting National Park?
- Transportation – How to get there?
Book your trip to Kenting National Park & Taiwan
- Accommodation: Hotel of Hostel?
- Activities: Tickets & Tours
- Transport: Bus & Traintickets or Flight tickets
Practical Information
Best travel time?
January to May and September to December
Kenting National Park is located in the extreme south of Taiwan. This means that the temperature here is pleasant all year round. It is around 20 degrees in the winter months and between 30 and 35 degrees in the summer. Summer does see the most rain, so the best time to travel is autumn (September to December).
For how many days?
Minimum 2 days
In one day you can already see much of the park. But it is recommended to stay here at least 2 days. Or maybe add a third day? If you love a beach vacation, the south of Taiwan is just right for you. Beautiful beaches, beautiful nature and the cozy town of Kenting are the ingredients for a visit to this region.
History – What makes Kenting National Park historically interesting?
Kenting National Park was established in 1984, making it the oldest national park in Taiwan. After local farmers neglected the nature of the park, it was decided to establish a protected nature reserve.
The park consists of beautiful sandy beaches, some mountains with impressive limestone caves, beautiful views and stunning nature. Also, you will find a large amount of flora and fauna. The sika deer is one of the animals living in Kenting National Park, as well as a special number of birds including the buzzard.
Sightseeing in Kenting National Park – 7x Things to See and Do!
Looking for the best sights of this beautiful park in southern Taiwan? Below are some fun options to see and do during your visit to Kenting National Park.
Kenting National Forest Recreation Area
This area is located north of the town of Kenting. Here you will find a visitor center, a beautiful forest and some impressive caves to visit. The most famous of these is the Fairy Cave. Finally, you can also enjoy the view from the observation tower in the park. This one is not to be missed and definitely recommended. Take a walk through this area and enjoy this beautiful piece of nature in Taiwan.
The Eluanbi lighthouse
This is perhaps Taiwan’s most famous lighthouse. It is located almost at the southernmost tip of the island. It was built in 1883, so it already has a rich history behind it. The lighthouse was placed here because the current off the coast was strong and many ships sank here in the past. The lighthouse is also known as “The Light of East Asia,” because of the large amount of light it gives off. You can visit the lighthouse all year round.
Go to the southernmost tip of Taiwan
If you continue walking south at the lighthouse, you will arrive at the southernmost tip of Taiwan. After walking 500 meters along the footpath, you will arrive at a monument and you are there. From here you have a view of the sea and the beautiful coast of Kenting National Park.
Visit the National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium
Would you like to learn more about all the living things found in Kenting National Park? Then visit this interesting museum northwest of the town of Hengchun. You can also spot penguins, dolphins and other fish in the beautiful aquarium. The museum is open every day and highly recommended to learn all about Taiwan’s nature.
Jialeshuei
Jialeshuei is located in the east of Kenting National Park. At the entrance, you can buy a ticket that will take you on a half-hour bus ride along the beautiful east coast of Kenting. Beautiful rock formations and rugged coastline is what you get to see here. It takes you further along the frog rock and past the Jialeshui Falls.
Longpan Park
Looking for that beautiful view from the photo at the top of this article? Then you must be at Longpan Park. From here you have a beautiful view of the coast of Kenting National Park. There is not much else to see here, but drive down the road along the coast, because this is a really beautiful route.
The old town of Hengchun
Kenting is the nicest place in this region. Still, a visit to the town of Hengchun is highly recommended. Here you can stroll through the quaint streets and enjoy good food. But you can also discover a bit of history through a few historic buildings. You will find an old city gate and a piece of a city wall. You can even walk a bit over the latter. Hengchun is not a big place, but certainly fun to visit (and possibly stay overnight).
Accommodation – Where to stay at Kenting National Park?
Would you like to visit this magnificent park in southern Taiwan during your trip? But not sure yet where the best place to stay is? Below you will find more information on the best place to stay in Kenting National Park.
Kenting: Surely the nicest picture in the far south of Taiwan is Kenting itself. From here you can best explore the National Park. You will also find the super fun Night Market here every night, and from your hotel or guesthouse you can easily visit Kenting’s beautiful beach. All within walking distance of your accommodation. Book your hotel or hostel in Kenting here.
Hengchun: I stayed in this place northwest of Kenting. In itself a great base for visiting Kenting National Park. The town has plenty of restaurants and some old city gates. But if you would also like to spend a day at the beach, you are better off in Kenting. In Hengchung, I rented a scooter to explore Kenting National Park on my own.
Transportation – How to get to Kenting National Park?
Kenting National Park is located in southern Taiwan. Like many places in the country, it is easily accessible by public transportation.
Plane: The nearest airport is Kaohsiung International Airport. From here, it takes about 3 hours to reach the park. In addition to Taoyuan International Airport near Tapei, Kaohsiung Airport can also be reached from many international destinations, especially from Asia.
Train: Kenting National Park cannot be reached by train. The southernmost station in Taiwan is Fangshan. From there, the train heads east toward Taitung. The best way to get to Kenting is by bus.
Bus: The bus to Kenting National Park leaves every 30 minutes in the morning from Kaohsiung Zuoying HSR station (高鐵左營站). This station is located near one of the city’s main attractions, the Lotus Pond. Kenting Express Bus takes about 2 hours and enters the main towns of the park, such as Hengchun, Nanwan and the town of Kenting as its final destination. Buses leave between 8:30 in the morning to 7 in the evening. Check the PTbus.com website for more information.
Do you have any tips, comments or ideas about Kenting National Park? If so, feel free to leave a message below.
Explore Taiwan
- Hualien
- Kaohsiung
- Kenting National Park
- Taichung
- Tainan
- Taipei
- Taitung
- Tam Sui
- Taroko National Park
1 comment
awesome