Kenting National Park

Kenting National Park

Located on the southern side of Hengchun Peninsula at the southern tip of Taiwan, Kenting Park is surrounded by the sea on three sides. It is the only forest park on the island that encompasses both land and sea areas, as well as the only tropical region on the main island of Taiwan. With its unique terrain, abundant flora and fauna, and distinctive local customs, it serves not only as a natural museum for conservation, research, and environmental education, but also as a relaxing resort for leisure travelers.

Introduction

The name “Kenting” originates from the third year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty (1877), when the Qing government’s Pacification Bureau recruited a large number of able-bodied men from the Chaozhou area of Guangdong to reclaim land here. To commemorate these pioneers who braved hardships to open up the wilderness, the place was named “Kenting,” meaning “pioneers reclaiming land.”

Kenting boasts rich natural resources, a warm climate, beautiful scenery, and convenient transportation. The park features exquisite and diverse landscapes, such as Nanshen Lake, Longluan Pond, Dawan Stone Mountain, and Sail Rock, as well as a variety of wildlife including Formosan sika deer, Taiwanese macaques, and grey-faced buzzards. These elements have made Kenting the first large-scale forest park officially established in Taiwan.

Covering an area of 33,268.65 hectares, Kenting National Park’s land area includes regions from Turtle Mountain to the Red Clay Terrace cliffs and coastal zones, Longluan Pond, Mao Bi Tou, Nanwan, Kenting Forest Recreation Area, Eluanbi, the eastern Pacific coastline through Jialeshuei, and north to the Nanshen Mountain area. The marine area of Kenting National Park includes the waters of Nanwan and the one-kilometer coastal zone extending from Turtle Mountain through Mao Bi Tou, Eluanbi, and north to Nanshen Bay.

Kenting National Park is divided into five management zones: ecological reserves, special scenic areas, historic preservation areas, recreational areas, and general control areas. Among these, the ecological reserves of Kenting National Park include both terrestrial and marine ecological reserves.

There are five terrestrial ecological reserves: Banana Bay Ecological Reserve, Nanshen Mountain Ecological Reserve, Shadou Ecological Reserve, Longkeng Ecological Reserve, and Sheding High Elevation Coral Reef Ecological Reserve. The four marine ecological reserves are Marine Ecology Reserve I, Marine Ecology Reserve II, Marine Ecology Reserve III, and Marine Ecology Reserve IV.

Kenting Park is home to over a thousand species of tropical trees, making it Taiwan’s first tropical botanical forest and one of the world’s eight major experimental forests. Notably, the park attracts large numbers of migratory birds flying from the north to winter here each year, creating a spectacular sight. The coral formations under the park’s waters are vibrant and colorful, forming one of its most stunning attractions. Additionally, Kenting features many unique landscapes such as the giant Taikuei tree, artificial lakes, the Stone Bamboo Treasure Cave, silverleaf buttress roots, the Sea View Pavilion, Fairy Cave, the One-Line Sky crevice, the Banyan Valley, and the Ape Cliff—scenic spots that are well worth visiting.

Note: Barbecuing, camping, and picking plants or flowers are prohibited within the national park. Violators will be prosecuted according to the law.

Address: Hengchun Town, Pingtung County, Taiwan

Type: National Park / Hiking

Recommended Duration: 1–3 days

Phone: +886-8-8861321

Official Website: http://www.ktnp.gov.tw/

Opening Hours:

The park is open all day, but some attractions and protected areas within have specific opening hours.

Ticket Information:

Entry to the park is free. However, certain attractions and protected areas within charge admission fees.