National park · Taiwan
Kenting National Park墾丁國家公園
Give Kenting one full day with a scooter: ride the east coast at sunrise, walk the forest trails before 10:00, and swim at South Bay or Baisha in the afternoon; skip Maobitou and go to Longpan instead.Give Kenting one full day with a scooter: ride the east coast at sunrise, walk the forest trails before 10:00 AM, and swim at South Bay or Baisha in the afternoon; skip Maobitou and go to Longpan instead.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
333 km² (129 sq mi)129 sq mi (333 km²)
approximate
Established
1984
Best months
Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Taiwan ↗Check visa-exemption length, passport validity and the online arrival card (TWAC) on the official sites before you fly.
- Taiwan ↗An EasyCard (or iPASS) covers MRT, buses, local trains and many convenience-store purchases; buy one at the airport or a station.
- Taiwan ↗When a local government declares a typhoon day, transport and sights can close for the day; follow the official notice, not the forecast alone.
At a glance
- Country
- Taiwan
- Area
- 333 km² (129 sq mi)129 sq mi (333 km²)
- Land and sea combined; the land portion is roughly 180 km² (check).
- Established
- 1984
- Best months
- Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Kaohsiung
Kenting National Park covers the southern tip of the Hengchun Peninsula in Pingtung: coral limestone hills, a tropical forest recreation area, two public beaches and a rocky coast that runs from the lighthouse at Eluanbi up to Jialeshui. It is Taiwan's oldest national park and its warmest corner, which is why it fills with domestic visitors on summer weekends and empties in the winter monsoon. Most of the park is free to enter; you pay only at the forest recreation area, the lighthouse park and a few car parks. The park is a wide area, not a single gate, so a scooter or car matters more here than at any other park on the island.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1984.
Size and age
333 km² (129 sq mi)129 sq mi (333 km²) · national park since 1984
Land and sea combined; the land portion is roughly 180 km² (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Kaohsiung.
Why go
- Taiwan's only tropical forest recreation area, with coral limestone caves, gorges and a 300-year-old Chinese pistache.
- Two swimmable public beaches, South Bay and Baisha, plus surf at Jialeshui and Nanwan.
- A coast road you can ride end to end in a day, from Eluanbi lighthouse to the dunes at Fongchueisha.
- Winter is dry and mild here while Taipei is grey, and the migratory raptors pass through in October.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanDry, mild, windy; quiet
- FebDry; strong northeast wind on the coast
- MarWarm, clear, low crowds
- AprWarm and dry; spring break crowds late in the month
- MayHot; sea warm enough to swim
- JunHot and wet; domestic holiday crowds
- JulTyphoon season; beaches close when waves rise
- AugTyphoon peak and the busiest month
- SepStorms tail off; still hot
- OctDry, clear, raptor migration
- NovDry and mild; good walking
- DecCool and windy; quiet
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formosan macaques on the forest trailsAll year · Do not feed them and keep food inside your bag. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Migratory raptors — Chinese goshawk, grey-faced buzzard, oriental honey-buzzardSep–Nov · Autumn passage over the peninsula; October is the peak. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Wintering birds — cattle egrets, brown shrikesNov–Feb | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Butterflies and insects in the forestMar–Jun | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Coral and reef fish off the west coastApr–Sep · Best on calm days outside typhoon season. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Kaohsiung
Bus 9188 from the Kaohsiung bus terminal to Hengchun and Kenting; the express service leaves on the hour.
2.5 h
Open the page →
From Taipei
High-speed rail to Zuoying, then bus 9188 or the 24-hour line 88 down the coast.
4.5–5.5 h
Open the page →
From Fangliao or Fangshan
Coastal buses 9117, 9127, 9188 and 9189 stop along the road; ignore map apps that show 3–5 h for this leg.
1 h
From Hengchun
Local buses and scooters cover the last 10 km (6.2 mi) to Kenting village and the park.Local buses and scooters cover the last 6.2 mi (10 km) to Kenting village and the park.
15–20 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Kenting National Forest Recreation Area | The inland forest, limestone caves, gorges and the old pistache tree. | Ticketed, 08:00–17:00.Ticketed, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. |
| Eluanbi and the southern tip | Lighthouse park, coastal trails and the southernmost point sculpture. | Ticketed at the lighthouse; the point charges parking only. |
| East coast | Longpan, Fongchueisha dunes, Chuanfan Rock and Jialeshui. | Open; the coast road runs through it. |
| Beaches | South Bay and Baisha, with surf schools at Nanwan and Jialeshui. | Open; closed when typhoon waves rise. |
| Hengchun and Chuhuo | The old town wall and the eternal flame where natural gas burns through the rock. | Open; the flame is best after dark. |
Sketch map
- 1Kenting village · Town≈21.945, 120.799Map ↗
- 2Kenting National Forest Recreation Area · Gate≈21.959, 120.812Map ↗
- 3Sheding Nature Park · Trail≈21.957, 120.819Map ↗
- 4Eluanbi Lighthouse · Viewpoint≈21.902, 120.853Map ↗
- 5Southernmost point of Taiwan · Viewpoint≈21.898, 120.858Map ↗
- 6Longpan Park · Viewpoint≈21.927, 120.848Map ↗
- 7Fongchueisha dunes · Beach≈21.947, 120.840Map ↗
- 8South Bay · Beach≈21.959, 120.763Map ↗
- 9Baisha (White Sand Bay) · Beach≈21.934, 120.718Map ↗
- 10Maobitou · Viewpoint≈21.921, 120.738Map ↗
- 11Houbihu marina · Dive site≈21.945, 120.745Map ↗
- 12Hengchun old town · Town≈22.006, 120.744Map ↗
- 13Chuhuo eternal fire · Cave≈22.008, 120.758Map ↗
Take the points offline
13 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions along the coast road from Hengchun to Eluanbi, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenting National Forest Recreation Area entry | TWD 100–150 (≈ US$4–5) | person | Weekday and weekend rates differ; 2026 estimate (check). |
| Eluanbi Lighthouse park entry | TWD 40–60 (≈ US$2) | person | 2026 estimate (check). |
| Maobitou entrance | TWD 30 (≈ under US$1) | person | Concession rate lower; 2026 estimate (check). |
| Car park at the southernmost point | TWD 50 (≈ US$2) | car | No admission charge for the point itself. |
| Scooter rental in Hengchun | TWD 300–500 (≈ US$10–17) | day | Fuel-powered; electric scooters in Kenting cost more, about NT$500–800. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Forest recreation area ticket permit or guide
Scooter or car licence permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- NT$100–150≈ US$4–5
- NT$40–60≈ US$2
- NT$30≈ under US$1
- NT$50≈ US$2
- NT$300–500≈ US$10–17
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Kenting National Park Headquarters (official site) before you go.
Park rules
- Helmets
- Required by law for riders and passengers on scooters and motorbikes.
- Beach closures
- All beaches close when typhoon waves make the water dangerous; follow the flags and lifeguard notices.
- Wildlife
- Do not feed the macaques; keep rubbish and food out of reach.
- Coral
- Do not stand on or collect coral; snorkelling operators should anchor away from reef.
- Fires
- No open fires outside the designated Chuhuo area; carry out all rubbish.
Where to stay
In the park
Kenting village
Guesthouses and hostels along the main strip, walking distance from the night market.
Near the park
Hengchun
Cheaper rooms and better scooter prices, 15–20 min from the park.
Near the park
Nanwan and Baisha
Beach hostels and surf lodges, quieter at night.
Safety
Typhoons high
Scooter riding medium
Sun and heat medium
Strong currents medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Eluanbi lighthouse park and the southernmost point have paved paths and car access with short walks.
- The forest recreation area trails and Sheding gorges are stepped and uneven; not suitable for limited mobility.
- Buses 9188 and 88 stop in Kenting village, but the forest entrance has no public bus service.
Visiting lightly
- Rent an electric scooter in Kenting village where charging is free at the pickup point.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen and never stand on coral at Houbihu or the west coast coves.
- Carry your rubbish out of the forest and beaches; bins are scarce along the coast road.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Kenting National Park?
Most of the park is free. You pay at three places: the Kenting National Forest Recreation Area (about NT$100 on weekdays and NT$150 at weekends), the Eluanbi lighthouse park (about NT$40–60) and Maobitou (about NT$30). Car parks at the southernmost point and the forest cost NT$20–50. Prices are 2026 estimates — check at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Kenting National Park?
The forest recreation area trails (2–3 hours, walk to the back at First Gorge), the free Sheding Nature Park loop (1.5–2 hours, coral gorges and a view to the southern tip), and the easy coastal paths around Eluanbi lighthouse. All three are short; there is no long-distance trekking in this park.
When is the best time to visit Kenting National Park?
March to May and October to November. Those months are warm and mostly dry, the sea is swimmable from about May, and the October raptor migration passes over the peninsula. Avoid August, the peak of typhoon season and the busiest domestic holiday month.
Do I need a car or scooter in Kenting?
Yes, practically. The park is a wide coastal area with no single gate, and the forest entrance has no public bus service. Scooters rent from about NT$300 per 24 hours in Hengchun and NT$500–800 in Kenting village; you need a Taiwan or international driving licence and a helmet.
Can I swim in Kenting National Park?
Only at the two public beaches, South Bay and Baisha, and at private beach clubs. The rest of the coast is rocky with strong currents and no lifeguards. All beaches close when typhoon waves rise, usually between July and September.
How do I get to Kenting from Taipei or Kaohsiung?
From Taipei, take the high-speed rail to Zuoying in Kaohsiung (about 90 minutes), then bus 9188 or the 24-hour line 88 down the coast (about 2.5 hours). From Kaohsiung, bus 9188 from the main bus terminal is the direct option. Book high-speed rail seats ahead at weekends.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go