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    Kenting National Park

    Taiwan

    Kenting National Park

    Point of InterestBeachNature

    Kenting National Park encompasses the southernmost tip of Taiwan on the Hengchun Peninsula, about 90 kilometers south of Kaohsiung.

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    9. Kenting National Park
    Kenting National Park encompasses the southernmost tip of Taiwan on the Hengchun Peninsula, about 90 kilometers south of Kaohsiung. It marks the island's tropical end with beaches, coral limestone cliffs, and forests, perfect for a few days by the sea.Founded in 1984, the park is Taiwan's oldest national park and covers land and marine areas between the Pacific Ocean, Taiwan Strait, and Bashi Channel. Its landmark is the Eluanbi Lighthouse from 1883; not far from it, a monument marks the island's southernmost point. The park is an important resting place for migratory birds, and the Formosan sika deer, extinct in the wild, was reintroduced to the park starting in 1994.
    The national park occupies the tip of the Hengchun Peninsula. The main town is the small city of Hengchun, with a bus station and scooter rentals. The tourist center is Kenting Street, featuring hotels, eateries, and an evening night market right by the beach. Along the coast are beaches like Nanwan, viewpoints such as Longpan, and the Eluanbi lighthouse at the southern tip. In summer it's crowded here; in winter, thanks to the tropical climate, it's still warm.

    More districts in Kenting National Park

    Hengchun

    Hengchun

    Hengchun is the small capital of the peninsula at the southern tip of Taiwan and the practical gateway to Kenting National Park. A part of the old city wall is preserved. The Kenting Express from Zuoying stops here, local shuttle lines depart from the bus station, and you'll find most scooter rentals nearby.

    Sights in Kenting National Park

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Eluanbi Lighthouse
    Historic Landmark

    Eluanbi Lighthouse

    The lighthouse, completed in 1883, was built after several shipwrecks off the coast and designed like a small fortress due to attacks during its construction. From the park, a short path leads to the monument at the southernmost point of the main island.
    Open in Google Maps
    Longpan Park
    Park

    Longpan Park

    This open park lies north of Eluanbi on the peninsula's Pacific side, offering sweeping views of cliffs and sea. It is one of the most scenic spots in the National Park, with hardly any shade at midday.
    Open in Google Maps
    National Museum for Marine Biology and Aquarium
    Museum

    National Museum for Marine Biology and Aquarium

    The large aquarium at the National Park's northern edge showcases three main areas: the underwater world of the region and oceans, with an underwater tunnel. An ideal spot for families and rainy days.
    Open in Google Maps

    Sights in Kenting National Park

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Eluanbi Lighthouse
    Historic Landmark

    1Eluanbi Lighthouse

    The lighthouse, completed in 1883, was built after several shipwrecks off the coast and designed like a small fortress due to attacks during its construction. From the park, a short path leads to the monument at the southernmost point of the main island.
    Open in Google Maps
    Longpan Park
    Park

    2Longpan Park

    This open park lies north of Eluanbi on the peninsula's Pacific side, offering sweeping views of cliffs and sea. It is one of the most scenic spots in the National Park, with hardly any shade at midday.
    Open in Google Maps
    National Museum for Marine Biology and Aquarium
    Museum

    3National Museum for Marine Biology and Aquarium

    The large aquarium at the National Park's northern edge showcases three main areas: the underwater world of the region and oceans, with an underwater tunnel. An ideal spot for families and rainy days.
    Open in Google Maps

    Restaurants in Kenting National Park

    1

    天麟食苑 (Taiwanese Cuisine)

    The restaurant on Kenting Street serves classic Taiwanese dishes and has very good reviews on Google. A good alternative to the night market for a sit-down dinner.
    Show on Google Maps
    2

    Nossa

    The bistro in Kenting, with over 900 Google reviews and a rating of 4.8, is among the best-rated spots on the southern tip.
    Show on Google Maps

    Food and Beverages

    In Kenting, a lot revolves around seafood and the night market on Kenting Street.

    Kenting Street Night Market

    Evenings, the main street becomes a night market with seafood and international eateries. With almost only tourists, prices are a bit higher than elsewhere.

    Freshly Caught Seafood

    Fish and seafood are on the menu in many restaurants in Kenting and Hengchun.

    History at the Southern Tip

    The area around Kenting was settled by Han Chinese during the Qing Dynasty. The Eluanbi Lighthouse was built in 1883 at the urging of the USA and Japan, after several ships had sunk off the coast. It had to be protected from attacks during construction and is one of the few fortified lighthouses in the world.In Hengchun, a section of the old city wall is preserved. The National Park itself has existed since 1984 and is Taiwan's oldest; it protects not only land but also marine areas with coral reefs.

    Getting there and around

    From Taipei, you take the high-speed rail to Zuoying in Kaohsiung. From Exit 2, the Kenting Express 9189 departs approximately every half hour to Hengchun and Kenting; the journey takes about three hours. Additional lines also run from Kaohsiung Station.Scooter: Most travelers rent a scooter in Hengchun or on Kenting Street, for which you'll need an International Driving Permit.Kenting Shuttle: Local bus lines connect Hengchun with beaches, Eluanbi, and Jialeshui. Shuttle tickets are available as a package with the express bus.Rental Car: You can pick up cars at Zuoying High-Speed Rail Station.

    Accommodations in Kenting National Park

    Find perfect stay in Kenting National Park

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    Nearby

    Hengchun

    Hengchun

    Hengchun is the small capital of the peninsula at the southern tip of Taiwan and the practical gateway to Kenting National Park. A part of the old city wall is preserved. The Kenting Express from Zuoying stops here, local shuttle lines depart from the bus station, and you'll find most scooter rentals nearby.
    South Taiwan

    South Taiwan

    The south is warmer, more leisurely, and for many, the culinary heart of Taiwan. Tainan, the island's oldest city, the port city of Kaohsiung, and the beaches in Kenting National Park are only a few hours apart.In Tainan, the Dutch founded Fort Zeelandia in 1624; later, the city was long the island's capital. Kaohsiung is the terminus of the high-speed rail from Taipei and the starting point for buses to the southern tip. There lies the Kenting National Park, founded in 1984, Taiwan's oldest national park.
    Kaohsiung

    Kaohsiung

    Kaohsiung is a major port city in southern Taiwan and the terminus of the high-speed rail from Taipei. The city boasts a revamped harbor district filled with art, colorful pagodas on Lotus Lake, and a short ferry ride to Cijin Island, home to beaches and seafood restaurants.Near Zuoying Station on Lotus Lake stand the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, which, according to tradition, you enter through the Dragon's mouth and exit through the Tiger's. In the former warehouse district by the harbor, the Pier-2 Art Center has established itself with galleries, installations, and cafes. Formosa Boulevard Metro Station is renowned for its glass dome, the Dome of Light, and the Liuhe Night Market is located nearby.
    Dulan

    Dulan

    Dulan is a small coastal town on Route 11 north of Taitung, popular with surfers, as you can surf here all year round. There is no train line along the coast; you can reach Dulan by bus, scooter, or rental car. Many travelers stay overnight here instead of in Taitung City.
    Luye

    Luye

    Luye, located in the East Rift Valley north of Taitung, is accessible by train and especially known for its hot air balloon festival, which attracts thousands of visitors in summer. The high plateau Luye Gaotai offers expansive views over the valley. Like Chishang, Luye is well suited as a quiet base in the east.