Explore Hengchun by Sightseeing Bus: 4 Must-Visit Attractions in One Go!

Photos & Text byLing (Hengchun Peninsula - Kenting Notes)

How do you usually plan your trip to Hengchun (Kenting)? Do you hop around or explore along the way? Have you really visited all the spots on the Hengchun Peninsula after coming to Kenting so many times? How can you enjoy Kenting without driving yourself and still take in all the stunning sights?

Speaking of Hengchun, it’s located at the southernmost tip of Taiwan—a seaside and mountain-fringed town that’s both beautiful and captivating. Here, you can witness breathtaking sunrises and admire the sun setting over the ocean. Some people often describe Hengchun as a place with great nature but nothing much to do (which isn’t true...), don’t you think Hengchun is actually an incredibly rich environment?

For example: When news reports mention scattered showers across Taiwan, with the north getting rain, Hengchun somehow ends up with perfect weather (maybe the weather bureau got it wrong). I’ve also heard from people who relocated to Hengchun that they moved here for their children’s health—the abundant sunshine, local climate, terrain, and even the occasional seasonal downslope winds mean flu cases are almost nonexistent here. There’s even a friend who comes to Hengchun 2–3 times a month. They didn’t just fall in love with Hengchun’s blue seas and great weather, but also with the warm hospitality of the locals.

A while back in March, during a lull in my schedule and with the weather being pleasantly cool, I bookedHengchun Sightseeing Bus’sPeninsula Tour Guide Package,which also gave me a chance to enjoy the West Peninsula Half-Day Tour during a quieter period in March. Since I had registered for the 1:40 PM slot and the weather that day was cool, I only brought water and a camera, then started my relaxing journey exploring the west of Hengchun by sightseeing bus.

As soon as I boarded, the guide began introducing the day’s itinerary and informed us that the bus offers Wi-Fi, bottled water, raincoats… etc. Thoughtfully, each seat has a USB charging port, so you can stay connected even if your phone’s out of battery or signal—pretty handy, right? (Also, the guides are fluent in English, and each bus is equipped with tablet devices providing multilingual commentary infour languages(English, Japanese, [possibly missing language], and Chinese), so no matter where you’re from, you can choose your preferred language.)

The interior of the bus is super clean—five stars all the way ★★★★★☆

Little Dolphin Undersea Sightseeing Semi-Submarine
The first stop is theLittle Dolphin Undersea Sightseeing Semi-Submarinein West Peninsula’s Red Fire Pit area. Boats depart every 30 minutes regardless of passenger numbers, with around 30 minutes of sea viewing time. If you’re prone to seasickness, remember to take motion sickness medication half an hour before boarding (there are vomit bags on board, a thoughtful touch!)

Outdoor waiting area for the boat—while waiting, you can stroll around or snap some seaside photos. The fishing harbor here is really laid-back, part of a village close to the sea, and also a great sunset spot. There are also several seafood restaurants nearby, which I highly recommend checking out when you have time.

Since I arrived just as the boat was about to depart, I got on without waiting. Inside the cabin, there are two rows of seats. After choosing a spot, I settled in to enjoy the 30-minute underwater wonderland. There’s also an audio guide explaining the marine ecosystem onboard.

The boat sails around the waters near Red Fire Pit and Shanhai Sea Area—areas 100% unaffected by downslope winds (northeast monsoon). You can see large swaths of colorful coral of all shapes and sizes, various schools of fish, and if you’re lucky, even adorable sea turtles. Midway through the tour, I unexpectedly spotted a group of green surgeonfish. Even though the weather wasn’t great that day, I still got up close and personal with these lovely fish. Riding the semi-submarine feels a bit like diving, except you don’t have the weight of an air tank, giving you a more relaxing way to admire the rare beauty of the underwater coral reefs.

Introduction to the Red Fire Pit area:http://uukt.com.tw/_tw/photomap/photomap.php?kd=3&ad=10&bd=35

Baisha Beach (White Sand Beach)
The next stop is the famously picturesqueBaisha Bay (White Sand Bay),which gained fame after being featured in the 2008 movie Cape No. 7 and the 2011 Ang Lee film Life of Pi. Thanks to the huge success of those two films, Baisha Bay has become a well-known attraction, drawing many visitors eager to see its scenic shoreline. Aside from water activities, the bay also has shops, campgrounds, and a kids’ sand play area—you could easily spend 3–4 hours here.

Since I was on a guided sightseeing bus tour, the guide handed each passenger a small discount voucher that could be redeemed at partner shops for cute souvenirs and drinks. You can enjoy your drink on the beach while soaking up the sun and sea breeze. We spent about an hour to an hour and a half at Baisha Bay—timing may vary by season. In winter, the sun sets around 5:30 PM, and in summer around 6:00 PM, so there’s plenty of time to leisurely explore the whole beach without feeling rushed.

I noticed how good foreigners are at making the most of their time—even on vacation abroad, they still find time to read.

This hanging chair was handcrafted by an elderly man around 80 years old. He said the chair may not look impressive, but using it as a prop to capture the sea view in a photo creates a unique kind of beauty. (He warmly invited me to sit on the chair that day and offered to take my photo—oh dear... I really wanted to, but I was afraid I might break it and end up super embarrassed~~ haha!)

This sunset photo was taken during my second trip to Baisha Bay, where the shimmer on the water highlighted the beauty of the entire beach.

The beach where A-Jia and Youko embraced (Baisha): http://uukt.com.tw/cape7/bs.htm

Maobitou (Cat’s Nose)
The third stop is Maobitou, known to many for the little cat seemingly lying on the water’s surface. Can you spot where the cat’s head is? Don’t worry—if I’m honest, it took me a while to see the shape of the cat too. It really depends on your standing direction and angle to make out the cat’s form.

Maobitou boasts a lofty vantage point, offering sweeping views of the Bashi Channel and the Taiwan Strait. You can also admire its stunning fringing reef coastline. Walk up to the observation deck for a distant view of the Eluanbi Lighthouse, Nanwan Bay, and Houpihu Bay. If you’ve got a steady hand, you can even capture a full 360-degree panoramic shot of Maobitou’s beautiful landscape from the deck—guaranteed to leave you awestruck.

The final stop is Guanshan, recognized as one of the top ten sunset spots in the world. When I arrived at Guanshan that day, the sky just didn’t cooperate—I didn’t get to see the fiery red sunset I’d hoped for. Needless to say, I was a bit disappointed... ah.

That day at Guanshan, I experienced something rare for me—hardly any crowds. Usually, Guanshan is packed with people. Whenever I wanted to photograph the sunset, I’d rush to the front to secure a good spot; otherwise, all you’d see in the photo from the back would be a sea of heads instead of the sunset. I highly recommend anyone wanting to watch the sunset to arrive early at Guanshan to claim a good spot. Also, sunsets here fade fast—you’ve got to seize those fleeting moments of golden light.

Thinking back, I used to visit here quite often. Guanshan isn’t particularly big or small—it’s the kind of place you can easily wander around. And because sunset times vary with the seasons, weather conditions, typhoon approaches, and lunar phases like the new moon or full moon, the colors and shapes of the sunset can differ greatly. It’s truly amazing how wonderful our planet is.

Guanshan

The angle captured in this shot is simply breathtaking.

This sunset photo was another sight I only got to witness on my second trip. Now I finally understand why Guanshan—ranked among the world’s top ten sunset spots—is such a must-visit destination when coming to Hengchun~

For this trip, I created marked maps to help everyone understand the route. The whole activity took about four hours. This guided experience gave me a deep appreciation for Hengchun’s terrain and culture. It’s a well-planned short trip—you don’t need to drive yourself, worry about parking, or rush. Just enjoy a relaxing journey with scenic views along the way. I highly recommend anyone visiting Hengchun (Kenting) to try this unique kind of holiday experience~

The sightseeing bus offers the following route options—feel free to sign up based on your schedule and preferred spots~

1. Ancient Town Hot Spring Tour at 16:00: Includes Dongmen of the ancient town, Fu’an Temple, and Sichongxi Hot Springs. (Includes transportation, insurance, local cuisine meal, entrance fees, and guided commentary)

2. West Coast Line of Hengchun Peninsula at 13:30: (Route A) National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, Maobitou, and Guanshan sunset. (Route B) Hongchaikeng, Baisha, Maobitou, and Guanshan sunset. (Includes transportation, insurance, ferry ticket, currency exchange, and guided commentary) I joined the West Coast Line Route B.

3. Kenting Land & Sea Experience Line (May–Sep) at 13:30: Includes Houpihu, Maobitou, and Guanshan sunset. (Includes transportation, insurance, combined water activity fee, and guided commentary)

4. Full Island Tour of Hengchun Peninsula at 08:00: Includes Harbor Suspension Bridge, Longpan Park, Taiwan’s Southernmost Point, Eluanbi, Shell Sand Island, and Sail Rock. (Lunch included) (Route A) National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, Maobitou, and Guanshan sunset. (Route B) Hongchaikeng, Baisha, Maobitou, and Guanshan sunset. (Includes transportation, insurance, local cuisine meal, entrance fees, ferry ticket, currency exchange, and guided commentary)

5. East Coast Line of Hengchun Peninsula at 08:00: Includes Harbor Suspension Bridge, Longpan Park, Taiwan’s Southernmost Point, Eluanbi, Shell Sand Island, and Sail Rock. (Includes transportation, insurance, entrance fees, and guided commentary)

To sign up for activities, you can directly contactKending Ticket Office “I Love Kenting” or the Sightseeing Bus official websiteto book your tickets~

Check out the Sightseeing Bus Facebook event page

For more Kenting info, head to ＞＞＞Explore Kentingandtheir fan page.