Kenting 墾丁in Taiwan is known for its colourful coastline, sandy beaches, excellent surfing and Kenting National Forest, not to mention its night-life scene and summer festivals.
Southern Taiwan’s tropical paradise in Pingtung, Kenting is accessible by bus, car or moped and around a 2 to 3 hour journey from Kaohsiung.
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We’ve stayed in Kenting on a couple of occasions, most recently in March 2026 staying at the glorious GLORIA MANOR – as well as Kenting National Park and the iconic Eluanbi Lighthouse. We’ve also visited some local nearby attractions too like Paradise of Capybara and Hengchun.
From street-eats at Kenting Night Market (one of the longest in Taiwan) to how to get there by bus, here is our guide to Kenting 墾丁in southern Taiwan.
This article was originally published on 27 March 2025.
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How to get to Kenting
The closest High Speed Rail train station to Kenting is Kaohsiung’s Zuoying HSR (the High Speed Railway station), and the closest TRA train station is Fangliao station (just south of Kaohsiung).
From both stations you can catch the Taiwan Tourism shuttle bus to Kenting, but you are best to board at Zuoying HSR station for a better chance of getting a seat.
Read our full guide on how to ride the Kaohsiung to Kenting shuttle bus >
On our latest 2026 Kenting trip, we hired a private driver for 8 hours to take us from Kaohsiung to Kenting via stops like the southernmost point, and then took the GLORIA MANOR hotel shuttle bus back to Kaohsiung as we were guests at the hotel.
Alternatively you can book a day tour to Kenting from Kaohsiung >
We also saw places to hire cars, mopeds and electric scooters in Kenting town.
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Kenting Accommodation and Hotels
Kenting hotel prices can vary considerably during the time of the year, based on seasonality and events. Some of the recommended hotels in Kenting include:
GLORIA MANOR
Our number 1 recommendation for Kenting accommodation is GLORIA MANOR, located in the heart of Kenting National Forest and one of the most gorgeous and unique properties we’ve ever stayed in.
From sunset pool sessions to balcony views overlooking Mt. Dajian and Big Bay, this fantastic forest retreat is a nice way to spend some time exploring Kenting National Park.
We stayed in a DELUXE ROOM (40 m²) which was spectacular – from the bath-tub looking out towards the ocean to the balcony where we spent both evenings watching the sun go down over Kenting or having coffee in the morning with a sea breeze.
Poolside breakfasts at the MU LOUNGE was a marvellous morning ritual and shuttles are provided by the hotel to get around Kenting. We also enjoyed their sublime swimming pool at sunset and relaxing in the poolside loungers – truly a relaxing way to end the day after a day of exploring Kenting.
Check rates and availability on booking.com | agoda.com | expedia.com | hotels.com
Kenting Chateau Beach Resort 墾丁夏都沙灘酒店
For our first trip to Kenting in 2025, we stayed at Chateau Beach Resort for several days as it is one of the few Kenting hotels with direct beach access, plus it is about a 5 minute walk from the nearest Kenting shuttle bus stop.
The resort has several pools, sun loungers on the beach plus a beachside bar – it is about a 10 minute walk to the start of the famous Kenting Night Market.
Check rates and availability on booking.com | agoda.com | expedia.com | hotels.com
Caesar Park Kenting 墾丁凱撒大飯店
A 5* Kenting hotel, Caesars is a sprawling resort with many food and drink options including an even buffet which we highly rated.
Caesar Park Resort also has its own section on the small beach in front exclusive to their guests.
Check rates and availability on booking.com | agoda.com | expedia.com | hotels.com
Howard Beach Resort Kenting 墾丁福華渡假飯店
This is another beachfront resort in Kenting next door to Caesar Park with its own shopping center, underground karaoke center plus swimming pool and a Starbucks outfront.
It is also a couple of minutes walk from the final Kenting shuttle stop (Xiaowan).
Check rates and availability on booking.com | agoda.com | expedia.com | hotels.com
Kenting – when is the best time to visit?
We’ve been to Kenting once in February when the weather was cold and grey and again in March this year (2026) when it was gloriously sunny and warm.
Taiwan’s weather is notoriously changeable and given the National Park and coastal setting, it is best to try and visit when the weather is good.
When it is raining, the beaches are empty and the Kenting surfers seem to love the conditions (surfing in Kenting is year round).
The best time to visit Kenting is in the summer months (the temperature is cooler than the cities given the ocean breeze) or in Autumn / Spring when the weather is pleasant. Kenting hotel room rates may also be a little lower outside of peak season.
One of Taiwan’s biggest festivals, the eponymous ‘Taiwan Music Festival’ (formerly known as the Spring Scream Festival) takes place in Kenting in April.
Things to do in Kenting, Taiwan
Kenting Beaches
We start our Kenting to do list with perhaps the most obvious natural attraction – the golden sands of Kenting’s beaches.
There are a few beaches large and small dotted around the main town but but when we stayed at Kenting’s Chateau Beach resort and were lucky enough to be able to walk right onto the hotel’s private beach everyday.
Apart from the beachfront hotels at the far end, this beach in Kenting is gloriously undeveloped; there is a small beachfront bar at Chateau Beach and little else.
Sadly no swimming is allowed at this beach but the sunsets are epic – our regular evening ‘entertainment’ in Kenting was to watch the beach sunset every time then head to Kenting Night Market.
Other highly rated beaches in the Kenting area include Baishawan (White Sand Beach), Xiaowan (Small Bay) and Nanwan (South Bay).
Shadao Beach in Kenting is possibly Taiwan’s most beautiful beach and most photogenic pitstop – however, no-one is allowed on the beach as it is a protected environmental area so you will just have to view it from afar.
Baishawan (White Sand Bay)
Of all the beaches in Kenting, perhaps the best one to swim and relax on is Baishawan Beach – we visited in March 2026 and it was surprisingly quiet on a weekday afternoon although we expect it would be much busier during the weekends and peak periods.
There are several signs noting that Baishawan was the beach filming location for Ang Lee’s The Life of Pi (standing in for Mexico) and there are several stalls and cafes near the beach selling souvenirs and fresh coconuts.
Baishawan Beach in Kenting is definitely worth a visit with its palm trees and white sandy shoreline – beach chairs can be hired plus there are lifeguards on duty. It is also usually a but quieter than Nanwan Beach.
Kenting National Forest Recreation Area
Taiwan’s oldest national park, established in the mid 1980s, get back to nature by visiting the forest area in Kenting (very easy access if you are staying at GLORIA MANOR and using their shuttles).
Best accessed by car, moped or on a day tour, the huge arched entrance gate can be seen near Kenting main street and is the gateway to ancient trees, birds and wildlife and numerous limestone caves.
We visited Kenting National Forest in March 2026 and honestly, it is such an amazing natural space and very good value for money (there is a small admission fee).
One of our highlights was the Kenting Fairy Cave, around 130 meters long with stalactites hanging down and increasingly narrow walls and lowered ceilings – luckily there is a staircase so it is fairly accessible (but possibly not if you are claustrophobic).
Along the way, we also walked through bamboo forests, mangroves and saw deer and monkeys – the Kenting Forest Visitor Center also has DAOYU cafe (run by the GLORIA MANOR team), temporary exhibits plus one of the best Taiwan souvenir ink stamp collections we have ever seen (there are over 10 free ink stamps to collect).
Kenting Forest Recreation Area is open from 8am to 5pm daily and a park pass is required costing NT$150 per person.
Taiwanderers tip – save a third off the Kenting National Forest admission price and buy a discounted ticket for NT$99 from Klook >
GADUGADU / Seaview Tower and Rooftop
We also enjoyed a lovely lunch at their GADUGADU seaview tower located in Kenting National Forest.
Located on the sixth floor with spectacular views of Hengchun Peninsula, this is a blissful brunch spot with panoramic vistas, serving light lunches, snacks and hot drinks – talk about brews with views.
We dined early one afternoon and enjoyed a lovely chicken salad and seafood risotto, followed by a coffee and cheesecake – the staff were lovely and the food good. We also thought it was reasonably priced given the unique setting.
“GADUGADU” means “mountain forest” in the Paiwan language and after lunch, do head up to the free rooftop observation deck on the seventh floor for unspoilt views of the Kenting and the Taiwan Strait – we visited on a sunny clear day and it was one of our Taiwan highlights.
Kenting Night Market
Unlike any other Taiwan night market we’ve been to, Kenting Night Market sprawls over 1km along both sides of the main road and through Kenting township.
Part night market, part party place, there are almost as many pop-up bars and alcohol stalls as there are food vendors – loud speakers boom out loud music as bartenders try to entice you over with exotic sounding cocktails and shot combinations.
The food at Kenting Night Market is all fairly standard Taiwanese fare like xiao long bao, stinky tofu, grilled meats and sliced fruit – there are even some fun looking international food-stalls like a British fish and chips stand.
Many of the permanent restaurants also open pop-up stalls and grills in front of their premises as part of the Kenting Night Market – if you want to sit down, you might want to eat in a restaurant instead.
As we’ve been to Kenting in low season on both trips (February 2025 and March 2026) so maybe we didn’t get a proper night market experience but we certainly got a glimpse into the potential of the Kenting strip as a party place. Cheers!
Southernmost point of Taiwan and Eluanbi Lighthouse
Another place to visit in Kenting if you have transport access is to go to the southernmost point of Taiwan – admission to Eluanbi Lighthouse and the surrounding coastal area is NT$60 per person, correct as of March 2026.
Usually very windy and blustery, you can park very close to the final boardwalk then walk the final 500 meters to the marker.
We found a couple of observation decks and pagodas to look out over the Pacific and the Taiwan Strait – surprisingly we had them all to ourselves which is kinda cool, looking out over the ‘end’ of Taiwan with no-one else around.
In the warmer months, you’ll find a few enterprising locals with vans and trestle tables selling souvenirs.
On the way, you can visit Eluanbi lighthouse, often referred to as the ‘Light of East Asia’ – once the only artillery lighthouse on the island, it was built in the 1880s but subsequently rebuilt 70 years later after damage. There is also a small one-room museum – access is included as part of your NT$60 admission.
PS if it is a hot day, you might want to stock up on cold drinks and snacks from Kenting 7-Eleven immediately outside of the Eluanbi Park light house – we think this is probably the most southern 7-Eleven in Taiwan!
Sail Rock
A great Kenting photo opportunity and brief stop, Sail Rock 船帆石 (map) is a cool coastal landmark, etched out of coral-reef rock and eons of wind and wave erosion.
As with Houbihu harbor, the waters are a gorgeous blue and green colour and this truly is a magical place. There are several B&Bs, cafes and a 7-Eleven in the local area meaning this could be a peaceful place for an overnight stop.
Free to visit, it gets its name as it is said to look like the sail of a traditional junk ship blowing in the wind – we’ve also heard it said that some locals refer to it as ‘Nixon Rock’ as it looks like Richard Nixon’s head, the former US President. We aren’t so sure about this!
Guanshan Observation Deck / Sunset Viewing Park
Found here on Google Maps 關山夕照觀景園區 (map), this is a sunset lookout point that is fine any time of day. There are several observation decks and boardwalks looking out over the ocean.
We went one midweek afternoon and had the whole place to ourselves – a few people have also said it is prone to mosquitos in the evening so take repellent as part of your Taiwan packing list.
Please note there is a NT$60 fee to go to the lookout, taken by a man and his dog at a small cabin – there is a carpark at the foot of the hill and a small toilet block.
Maobitou Park
The southernmost point of Taiwan, the coastal views here are stunning (and equal to those of nearby Eluanbi) – you will likely go past here on your way into Kenting National Park.
Maobitou Park 貓鼻頭公園 is sometimes known as Cat’s Nose Cape / Cat Rock because the peninsula resembles a crouching cat (well, if you squint quite hard!), caused by wind and wave erosion.
Whilst here, we also made a ‘purrfect’ discovery – we stumbled across a cat themed shelter. The cat shelter was built and designed by Hengchun artist Yang Tsung Hsun using branches from the Hengchun Peninsula for the inner layer which was then covered with local red clay mortar.
Kenting Houbihu Submarine
We hope this article gives you a deep-dive into Kenting, in particular this superb semi-submarine experience in Houbihu.
Kenting’s largest harbor and fishing port, the waters around Houbihu are turquoise and crystal clear – it almost reminds us of the Greek Islands in Europe.
This makes it the perfect place to jump aboard the Houbihu submarine – well, it is a semi submersible and possibly best described as a glass bottom boat.
Grab a life-jacket and sit in the boat below the water – the views are incredible especially on a sunny day and we see thousands of fish, colorful coral and even a couple of turtles – but they can be hard to photograph so be alert!
The Kenting submarine / glass bottom boat experience costs NT$300 each – book it in advance on Klook here >
Houbihu Seafood Restaurant 後壁湖漁之香海鮮
This sublime seafood, sushi and sashimi spot was recommended by our local driver Gordon.
Quite possibly the best sashimi in Taiwan we’ve eaten (so fresh and inexpensive too) Houbihu Seafood Restaurant 後壁湖漁之香海鮮 (map) is a family-run business and a perfect pitstop for lunch, cold drinks and a toilet break.
It was TWD 100 for an iced plate of 20 big slices of assorted sashimi and tamago. The air-conditioned restaurant has an extensive menu and we tried several fish dishes and a clam dish that were all delicious.
The owners also have the cutest son ever who ‘helps’ out in the dining area. All in all, a homely place with lovely staff and spot-on seafood.
Hengchun
An easy bus ride from Kenting beach and the main shopping and market area, Hengchun is the largest town in the local area.
We spent half a day exploring Henchung, including its famous old wall and historic gates – it is the only ‘castle’ / walled town in Taiwan where the old main gates are standing.
They were originally constructed during the Qing Dynasty in 1879 but have been rebuilt on several occasions due to earthquakes, weather and war.
Hengchun is home to one of the most manic markets with mopeds we’ve ever visited (Hengchun Public Market) – it is very photogenic with lots of fresh fruit and veg stalls plus traditional Taiwanese snacks. Just try not to get run over!
Hengchun is also famous as the filming location for the Taiwanese movie ‘Cape No.7’.
One of the highest grossing movies of all time in Taiwan, Cape No. 7’s main character Aga lives in the post office in the movie (first picture) which is now a popular attraction.
You might like – The best Taiwan travel phone apps to download or our guide to the Taiwan Online Arrival Card
Paradise of Capybara 墾丁鹿ㄦ島水豚生態園區
Taiwan is capybara crazy – from the newly crowned Capybara Rock near Keelung to Taipei’s Capybara Knight cafe, there are lots of Taiwan capybara things to do and Kenting is no different.
We visited Paradise of Capybara 墾丁鹿ㄦ島水豚生態園區 (map) and got up close to feed the capybaras – as well as a themed souvenir stamp trail, there is the opportunity to swim with capybaras (although we didn’t).
Admission is NT$200 and that includes the stamp-trail and grass to feed the animals – here is our full guide to Pingtung’s Paradise of Capybara near Kenting >
Surfing in Kenting
We personally didn’t to any surfing in Kenting this trip but we did see some brave souls surfing in abysmal weather at Nanwan / South Bay (南灣遊憩區) on our way to Hengchun.
As well as South Bay, the other popular surfing beach in Kenting is Jialeshui Beach – surfing is year round in Kenting and board / wetsuit hire is easily available as is cheap hostel style accommodation near the beaches.
Kenting Town Shops
If you are staying near Kenting beach itself, the main shopping area in the local area is a great area to stock up on supplies, grab some souvenirs or beach gear – it also comes alive in the evening with the night market vendors and mobile bars.
Whilst it may have seen better days, there are around 200 shops, restaurants and businesses dotted along the main road including a very cool Havaianas shop (complete with a huge sandal out front) plus all the usual Taiwan convenience stores like FamilyMart, HiLife and 7-Eleven.
You might like – Our suggested Alishan itinerary including how to get to the bus to Alishan from Chiayi
Caesar’s Resort Kenting Beach
If you are ‘hungry’ for an epicurean evening in Kenting, we’d recommend the buffet dinner at Caesar’s Resort which had a nice panoramic view of the coast from the outside deck.
The buffet was great value and there was plenty of choice food wise. We loved the roast beef, sashimi, prawns, tea infused crème brûlée and Movenpick ice cream. Soft drinks and pour your own beers were also available.
Check out Caesar Resort Kenting accommodation rates on booking.com | agoda.com | hotels.com | expedia.com.
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qua qua pizza
OK so we know this isn’t traditional Taiwanese food and there is the famous Kenting Night Market – but if you fancy a pretty good pizza in Kenting, we liked qua qua 瓜瓜披薩/窯烤披薩(map), which opened in 2025 and is one of the busiest Kenting restaurants we encountered.
Serving up wonderful woodfire pizzas and ice cold beer on the main Kenting strip, this was a popular place with visiting families and overseas tourists.
It can be quite difficult to find good pizza in Taiwan so this place was a good discovery – they also serve seafood, specials, pasta, soup and more.
Kosanen Fude / Guanshan Temple 高山巖福德宮
Just a short 2 minutes drive, this tranquil Taoist temple is a cave shrine and is located on a cliff edge – there are several shrines looking out to the ocean plus panoramic views of Hengchun and the surrounding countryside.
This natural coral cave site dates back to the 1630s, making it one of the oldest temples in Taiwan.
We found Guanshan generally very quiet and sleepy but the main place of worship here at Kosanen Fude was very busy as we seemed to visit on a special day of worship – dozens were praying and there was even a kid’s disco set up outside!
Our final thing to do in Kenting
Starbucks Kenting
Ok, we know this isn’t exactly a must do in Kenting, but when it rains (like it did for us…a lot!), this is a nice coffee brew bolt-hole with an upstairs balcony overlooking the ocean.
Kenting Starbucks also serves hot food like wraps, sandwiches and croissants plus lots of sweet treats – you can find it at the far end of Kenting town, close to the final Kenting Express bus-stop.
And yes, if you are a Starbucks Taiwan mug collector, there is an exclusive Kenting Starbucks mug (you can buy other mugs here as well).
Other resources
Check out the Kenting interactive / VR map here >
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Beautiful post! I’m inspired to experience it myself!