Kenting National Park covers the Hengchun Peninsula, the southern tip of Taiwan, where the Taiwan Strait, the Bashi Channel and the Pacific Ocean meet. Established in 1984 as Taiwan’s first national park, it protects coral reefs and raised-coral cliffs, tropical forest, grasslands and a long coastline of bays and beaches, and it is the island’s main beach destination: water is warm enough to swim for much of the year, the sun shines through the dry winter, and the town of Kenting comes alive at night with a busy street market. Beyond the beaches are the Eluanbi Lighthouse at the southernmost point, the wind-swept grasslands of Longpan facing the Pacific, the forest trails of Sheding and the Kenting Forest Recreation Area, birdwatching in autumn when raptors migrate, and the walled old town of Hengchun. The park is busiest from April to October and on summer weekends; winter brings strong northeast winds but dry, sunny weather and much quieter beaches.
Right now in Kenting National Park (Kenting)
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Top tours in Kenting National Park
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Kenting at a glance
- Best for: beaches, snorkeling and diving, coastal walks, cycling and scooter tours, birdwatching and night markets.
- How long: 2–3 days; one more for diving or a slow coastal loop.
- Best time: October to May for dry, sunny weather; June to September for the warmest sea, but with heavy rain and typhoon risk.
- Getting there: the high-speed rail to Zuoying in Kaohsiung, then the Kenting Express and other buses in about 2–2.5 hours.
- Entry: most of the park is free; parking and the forest recreation area charge fees.
- Good to know: strong winds blow from about October to April, especially on the east coast.
- Before you go: visa-free entry, the online arrival card, money and general safety are in our Taiwan travel guide.
Park rules, fees and protected areas
Kenting National Park Headquarters manages both land and sea within the park, and its zoning sets aside ecological protection areas, special landscape areas and recreation areas. Most beaches, viewpoints and trails are open without a ticket; according to the headquarters, Sheding Nature Park is free and admission to Maobitou Park has been made free, while parking lots at the main sites charge by the hour, from NT$20 to NT$60 depending on the lot and vehicle, with daily caps at some. The visitor center, on the main road north of Kenting town, opens from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and has exhibitions, maps and the latest notices on closures and construction.
- Don’t collect coral, shells, sand or plants, and don’t walk on reefs or the protected coral beach at Shadao.
- Fishing, spearfishing and collecting sea life are restricted in the marine zones.
- Keep to marked trails in Sheding and the forest areas, and don’t feed wild animals, including deer and macaques.
- Drones need permission, and fires are allowed only in designated areas.
- Some ecological protection areas, such as the Nanrenshan area, require advance permits with daily limits.
Landscapes and wildlife
The peninsula was lifted from the sea, so much of its rock is raised coral reef, eroded into cliffs, caves and sinkholes. Tropical monsoon forest covers the hills, with banyans and strangler figs; the east coast is grassland shaped by the wind. Look for Formosan sika deer, reintroduced at Sheding, Formosan macaques, land crabs that march to the sea to spawn in summer, and hundreds of bird species, especially during the autumn migration.
Kenting’s areas and where to stay
The park wraps around the southern end of the peninsula, from Guanshan in the west to Jialeshuei in the east, plus a strip of sea along the coast. Most visitors stay in or near Kenting town.
Kenting town and Kenting Street
The center of the park, with hotels, hostels, bars, dive shops and the nightly street market along the main road, beside Kenting Beach (Xiaowan, or Little Bay) and the Kenting Youth Activity Center’s traditional-style buildings.
Nanwan (South Bay)
A long sandy bay west of Kenting with water sports, surf and jet skis, and many guesthouses; it gets crowded in summer.
Hengchun
The peninsula’s old walled town, about 10 km (6 miles) north of Kenting, with gates from the 1870s, cheaper hotels, local food and a quieter atmosphere.
Houbihu and Baisha
The west coast: Houbihu, a fishing harbor with sashimi restaurants and the main snorkeling and diving launch; Baisha, a white-sand beach popular with families. Beach resorts and guesthouses line the coast.
Manzhou and the east coast
Remote and windswept, with surf at Jialeshuei, the Gangkou river, hot springs at Sichongxi and a scattering of homestays.
Top things to see in Kenting
Eluanbi Lighthouse
A white lighthouse built in the 1880s at the southern end of the island, inside the Eluanbi Park, with coral-rock trails, views over the Bashi Channel and a nearby marker for Taiwan’s southernmost point. Arrive in the late afternoon for the light.
Longpan Park
Grassy coral-limestone tablelands on the east coast above sheer cliffs, with no buildings, no shade and wide views over the Pacific; a famous spot for sunrise and stargazing. The wind is strong in winter.
Sheding Nature Park
According to Kenting National Park Headquarters, entry to Sheding is free. Easy trails lead through raised coral reefs, caves and grassland grazed by cattle, home to Formosan sika deer, butterflies and birds; join the ecotours run by the Sheding village community to learn about local plants and animals.
Kenting Forest Recreation Area
Run by the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, this tropical forest park on the hill above Kenting has paths through limestone gorges and caves, giant banyan trees and a viewing tower; an entrance fee applies.
Beaches
Baisha (white sand, calm sunsets), Nanwan (water sports), Little Bay by Kenting town, the coral beach at Shadao (protected; look but don’t walk on it) and the wild surf beach of Jialeshuei each have a different character. See our guide to beaches.
More classic sights
- Maobitou Park: a cat-nose-shaped coral headland with tide pools; Kenting National Park Headquarters has made admission free.
- Guanshan: a hill on the west coast, one of the best places to watch the sunset.
- Chuhuo: natural gas seeps where small flames burn from the ground.
- Longluan Lake: a 175-hectare reservoir with birdwatching for wintering ducks and herons.
- National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium: a large aquarium in Checheng, north of the park.
- Hengchun Old Town: 19th-century gates and walls, one of the best preserved in Taiwan.
Beaches, snorkeling, diving and surfing
Kenting has Taiwan’s best coral reefs on the main island. Snorkel and dive at Houbihu, Wanlitong and Hongchai on the west coast, and around Little Bay; local dive shops run courses and boat dives, and visibility is best in the calm months. The east coast and Nanwan have surf breaks, best from fall to spring when the northeast monsoon brings swells. Protect the reef: don’t touch or stand on coral, don’t feed fish, and use reef-safe sunscreen. See our guides to snorkeling, diving and surfing.
Other things to do in Kenting
Cycling and scooter loops
The coastal roads make a scenic loop of about 60 km (37 miles) from Kenting via Eluanbi, Longpan, Jialeshuei and back through Manzhou and Hengchun. Bikes and e-bikes are available to rent; scooters are popular, but you need a valid license and an international permit. See our cycling guide.
Birdwatching
Every autumn, from September to October, tens of thousands of migrating raptors, especially gray-faced buzzards and Chinese sparrowhawks, pass over the peninsula, and the park organizes counts from viewpoints such as Sheding. Longluan Lake has wintering waterbirds.
Food and the night market
Kenting Street’s night market sells grilled seafood, squid, Thai-style dishes, fruit and cocktails. In Houbihu, fresh sashimi and grilled fish are served at the harbor; in Hengchun, try onion pancakes, local shrimp rice and the peninsula’s famous sweet onions in spring.
Festivals
Kenting is known for its spring music festivals, usually in April, when the town fills with young visitors; the autumn raptor migration is celebrated with events, and in winter the Hengchun Peninsula’s folk singing and the town’s old gates host cultural activities.
Day trips and side trips
- Kaohsiung: Taiwan’s big southern port, 2–2.5 hours by bus. See our Kaohsiung guide.
- Xiaoliuqiu: a coral island famous for sea turtles, by ferry from Donggang, about 1.5 hours north.
- Sichongxi hot springs: a hot-spring village in Checheng, 20 minutes from Hengchun.
- Alangyi Trail and the South Link: one of the last undeveloped coastlines in Taiwan, northeast of the park (access is limited and may need permits), and the Southern Cross-Island route to Taitung.
- Tainan: the old capital, about three hours north. See our Tainan guide.
Nearby destinations
- Kaohsiung87 km
- Tainan129 km
- Alishan171 km
- Sun Moon Lake210 km
- Taroko National Park249 km
Getting there and getting around
From Kaohsiung
Most visitors take the high-speed rail to Zuoying station in Kaohsiung (NT$1,490 from Taipei for a standard reserved seat, according to Taiwan High Speed Rail), then the Kenting Express bus or other Pingtung buses from the bus station next door to Hengchun and Kenting in about 2–2.5 hours. Buses also run from Kaohsiung’s main railway station and from Kaohsiung International Airport. The southern railway line ends at Fangliao; buses continue from there.
By car
From Kaohsiung, Provincial Highway 1 and then Highway 26 run down the coast to Kenting in about two hours without traffic, but expect jams on summer weekends and holidays.
Getting around the park
The local Taiwan Tourist Shuttle buses link Hengchun, Kenting, Eluanbi and other sights on several routes, and some accept EasyCards. Many visitors rent a scooter or e-bike, or hire a car or a taxi for a day; distances are short, but buses are infrequent.
When to go and how long to stay
Kenting has a tropical climate with two clear seasons. The dry season, from about October to April, is sunny and warm, but the northeast monsoon brings strong, gusty winds, locally called the “falling-mountain wind,” especially to the east coast. The wet season, from May to September, is hot and humid, with afternoon thunderstorms and typhoons. The table shows the Central Weather Administration’s 1991–2020 normals for its Hengchun station, about 6 km (4 miles) north of Kenting town; rain days count days with at least 0.1 mm of rain.
| Month | Average high / low | Rain (rain days) | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24 °C (76 °F) / 19 °C (65 °F) | 22 mm (0.9 in), 5 days | Dry and sunny; strong winds |
| February | 26 °C (78 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F) | 23 mm (0.9 in), 5 days | Pleasant; Lunar New Year crowds |
| March | 27 °C (81 °F) / 20 °C (69 °F) | 16 mm (0.6 in), 3 days | Driest month; good for walks |
| April | 30 °C (85 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F) | 35 mm (1.4 in), 4 days | Warm; spring music festivals |
| May | 31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (76 °F) | 147 mm (5.8 in), 9 days | Hot; plum rains begin |
| June | 32 °C (89 °F) / 26 °C (78 °F) | 351 mm (13.8 in), 15 days | Beach season; afternoon storms |
| July | 32 °C (90 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F) | 391 mm (15.4 in), 16 days | Busiest month; typhoon risk |
| August | 32 °C (89 °F) / 26 °C (78 °F) | 533 mm (21.0 in), 18 days | Wettest month; typhoons |
| September | 31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F) | 320 mm (12.6 in), 14 days | Typhoons; raptor migration begins |
| October | 30 °C (85 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F) | 125 mm (4.9 in), 9 days | Raptor migration; winds pick up |
| November | 28 °C (82 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F) | 58 mm (2.3 in), 5 days | Sunny and windy; quiet beaches |
| December | 25 °C (77 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F) | 29 mm (1.1 in), 4 days | Mild, dry and breezy |
The figures add up to about 2,050 mm (81 in) of rain a year, more than 85% of it from May to September. The sea is warmest from June to October.
2 days in Kenting
Day one, the west coast: Guanshan, Houbihu for snorkeling and sashimi, Baisha beach and sunset, then Kenting Street. Day two, the east loop: Eluanbi Lighthouse, Longpan Park, Jialeshuei and Sheding Nature Park, ending in Hengchun’s old town.
3 or 4 days
Add a dive or snorkel trip, the Kenting Forest Recreation Area, the aquarium in Checheng and a soak in the Sichongxi hot springs.
Where to stay
- Kenting town: the widest choice, from hostels to beach resorts, close to the night market.
- Nanwan: guesthouses and surf hostels by the bay.
- Hengchun: cheaper hotels and a local atmosphere.
- Baisha and Houbihu: beach resorts and dive lodges.
- Manzhou and the east coast: quiet homestays for nature lovers.
Prices peak in July and August, on weekends and during spring festivals; book early.
What a trip to Kenting costs
Prices are approximate, for October 2026, converted at about NT$31.8 to the US dollar.
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| High-speed rail, Taipei to Zuoying, standard reserved seat | NT$1,490 (about US$47) |
| Kenting Express bus, Zuoying to Kenting, one way | about NT$350–420 (about US$11–13) |
| Sheding Nature Park and Maobitou Park | free |
| Kenting Forest Recreation Area, adult | about NT$100–150 (about US$3.10–4.70) |
| Parking at major park sites | NT$20–60 per hour (about US$0.60–1.90) |
| Scooter rental, per day | NT$400–700 (about US$13–22) |
| Snorkeling trip with gear | NT$500–1,000 (about US$16–31) |
| Night market dinner | NT$250–500 (about US$7.90–16) |
| Hostel or guesthouse double, per night | NT$1,500–3,500 (about US$47–110) |
| Beach resort double, per night | NT$5,000–12,000 (about US$155–380) |
Practical tips for Kenting
- Weekends: visit midweek if you can; prices and crowds double on summer weekends.
- Buses: buy Kenting Express tickets in advance for holiday weekends.
- Wind: in winter, swim on the west coast, which is sheltered from the northeast wind.
- Reef: wear water shoes, don’t touch coral and take your rubbish home.
- Cash: many stalls and small guesthouses take cash only.
Safety
The sea: rip currents and big waves are common, especially on the east coast, at Jialeshuei and in typhoon swells; swim only at lifeguarded beaches in season and never alone, and watch for jellyfish in summer. Typhoons: from about July to October, follow the Central Weather Administration’s warnings; boats and diving stop and coastal roads can close. Wind: winter gusts can be strong enough to knock over scooters and cyclists on the east coast. Roads: traffic on Highway 26 is heavy with scooters and tour buses, and drunk driving is a problem at night in summer; ride defensively and wear a helmet. Sun and heat: use sunscreen, shade and water. Earthquakes: in a strong tremor on the coast, move to higher ground if officials warn of a tsunami. In an emergency, call 110 for the police or 119 for fire and ambulance.
What to pack for Kenting
Swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, a rash guard, water shoes, a light windbreaker for winter, a rain jacket from May to September, insect repellent, and a waterproof bag for boat trips. Taiwan uses 110 V and flat two-pin plugs.
Kenting travel FAQ
How do I get from Taipei to Kenting?
Take the high-speed rail to Zuoying in Kaohsiung (about 1 hour 35 minutes on the fastest trains), then the Kenting Express bus in about 2–2.5 hours.
Is there an entrance fee for Kenting National Park?
No, most of the park is free, including Sheding Nature Park and Maobitou Park; parking and the Kenting Forest Recreation Area charge fees.
When is the best time to visit Kenting?
October to May for dry, sunny weather and fewer crowds; June to September for the warmest sea, with more rain and typhoon risk.
Can I swim in Kenting in winter?
Yes, on calm days at sheltered west-coast beaches such as Baisha and Little Bay; the sea is cooler and the northeast wind makes the east coast rough.
Where is the best snorkeling in Kenting?
Houbihu, Wanlitong and Hongchai on the west coast, and Little Bay near Kenting town, when the sea is calm.
How many days do I need in Kenting?
Two to three days covers the beaches, the lighthouse, Longpan and Sheding; add a day for diving.
Do I need a scooter in Kenting?
It helps, but you need a valid motorcycle license with an International Driving Permit. Alternatives are tourist shuttle buses, e-bikes, taxis or a car with driver.
What is Kenting Street?
The main road through Kenting town, which becomes a night market every evening, with food stalls, bars and shops.
Is Kenting good for families?
Yes. Baisha and Little Bay have calm water on good days, and Sheding, the aquarium in Checheng and the forest park suit children.
When can I see the raptor migration in Kenting?
From about September to October, when tens of thousands of birds of prey pass over the peninsula, best seen from Sheding and other viewpoints.
Plan your trip
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Sources · last reviewed 4 October 2026
Researched and last reviewed on 4 October 2026. Free entry to Sheding and Maobitou parks, parking fees and visitor center hours: Kenting National Park Headquarters; climate normals (1991–2020): the Central Weather Administration; high-speed rail fares: Taiwan High Speed Rail; visa-free entry and the arrival card: the Bureau of Consular Affairs and the National Immigration Agency; exchange rate: the Central Bank. Park history, lighthouse and town dates, bus routes, times and fares, the forest recreation area’s fee, festival timing, raptor numbers and typical prices are general references or estimates, flagged for checking. Rules change, so check the official sites before you go. For entry rules, money and general safety, see our Taiwan travel guide.
Data: Weather: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0) · Sea temperature: NOAA CoastWatch · Air quality: OpenAQ · Rates: ECB · Wikidata (CC0)