Last updated: July 2026
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Book Tours & Activities in Kenting National Park
Book Tours & Activities in Kenting National Park
Hand-picked Kenting experiences you can book online — classic sightseeing loops, snorkeling and a historic coastal hike:
Kenting National Park is Taiwan’s original national park and its southernmost tip — a 333-square-kilometer sweep of coral coastline, monsoon forest and windswept grassland at the very end of the Hengchun Peninsula, where the Taiwan Strait, Pacific Ocean and Bashi Channel all meet. It’s the anchor of any Pingtung itinerary and, for many Taiwanese travelers, the classic summer beach escape. Here’s how to plan a visit — what it costs, how to get there from Kaohsiung, and which corners of the park are worth your time.
A Little Context
Established on 1 January 1984, Kenting was Taiwan’s very first national park, created to protect a landscape found nowhere else on the island: uplifted coral reef terraces, limestone caves, sand dunes shaped by wind and river, and one of the last patches of tropical monsoon forest in Taiwan. The park covers roughly 181 km² of land and 152 km² of sea (333 km² combined), stretching across Hengchun, Checheng and Manzhou townships. Its name, Kenting (墾丁), means “pioneers’ land,” a nod to the Qing-dynasty settlers who first farmed this remote peninsula. Today the park protects 26 species of land crab (the highest diversity recorded anywhere in the world), reintroduced Formosan sika deer, migratory raptors and some of Taiwan’s richest coral-reef diving. The town of Kenting itself, with its beach strip and famous night market, sits inside the park boundary and makes the obvious base for exploring it.
Quick Facts & Costs for 2026
💡 Prices checked on 23 July 2026. Kenting National Park itself has no entrance gate or park-wide fee — only a few specific sites inside it charge admission. Fees change; always confirm on the official sites below or the booking widgets on this page before you visit.
| Item | Cost | Notes & source (checked) |
|---|---|---|
| Most of Kenting National Park (Nanwan, Baisha, Chuanfan Rock, Kenting Street, etc.) | Free | Open park land — no ticket needed. — Kenting National Park HQ (ktnp.gov.tw), checked 23 Jul 2026 |
| Kenting National Forest Recreation Area | NT$100 weekday / NT$150 weekend (≈ $3.1 / ≈ $4.6) | Coral-forest boardwalks and caves. — Taiwan Forest & Nature Conservation Agency (recreation.forest.gov.tw), checked 23 Jul 2026 |
| Eluanbi Park (lighthouse grounds) | NT$60 full / NT$40 half (≈ $1.9 / ≈ $1.2) | Under-6, disabled visitors + 1 companion free. — Kenting National Park HQ Q&A, checked 23 Jul 2026 |
| Kenting Express Bus 9189 (Zuoying HSR → Kenting), one-way | NT$418 (≈ $12.9); round-trip NT$650 (≈ $20.1) | ~1.5–2 hr; round-trip valid 14 days. — Taiwan Tourist Shuttle, checked Jun 2026 |
| Kenting Express Bus 9188 (Kaohsiung Station → Kenting), one-way | NT$306 (≈ $9.5) | ~3 hr; use an EasyCard to tap on/off. — Taiwan Tourist Shuttle, checked Jun 2026 |
How to Get There
There is no train into the park — Hengchun Airport exists but flights are rare and weather-dependent, so almost everyone arrives by road. The easiest option for visitors without a car is the Kenting Express bus from Kaohsiung, which runs directly to Kenting’s main strip.
| Getting there | Details (checked 23 Jul 2026) |
|---|---|
| Bus 9189 (fastest) | Zuoying HSR Station → Fangliao → Checheng → Marine Biology Museum → Hengchun → Nanwan → Kenting, every ~30 min, 09:00–19:00, ~1.5–2 hr |
| Bus 9188 | Kaohsiung Railway Station → Kenting, every 30–60 min, first 06:00 / last 22:00, ~3 hr |
| By THSR + bus | Take the High Speed Rail to Zuoying Station, then transfer to Bus 9189 at the same station |
| By car / scooter | Follow Provincial Highway 26 south from Kaohsiung along the coast, ~2 hr; parking available at most beaches and attractions |
| Headquarters address | No.596, Kenting Rd., Hengchun Township, Pingtung County 946008 · ☎ +886-8-886-1321 |
Getting Around Inside the Park
Kenting National Park is large, and its highlights are spread along roughly 25 km of coastline plus an inland forest reserve, so most visitors either rent a scooter, join a day tour, or hop on the local Kenting street shuttle bus. The main areas worth building a day around are, roughly west to east and north to south:
- Kenting National Forest Recreation Area — coral-limestone caves, banyan roots and boardwalk trails through subtropical monsoon forest
- Sheding Nature Park — an easy loop trail known for Formosan macaques and reintroduced sika deer
- Longpan Park — dramatic grassy coral cliffs above the Pacific, a favorite sunset and photography stop
- Eluanbi Park & Lighthouse — Taiwan’s southernmost point, marked by a fortified 1883 lighthouse
- Nanwan (South Bay) & Baisha — the park’s best swimming beaches, popular for snorkeling and watersports
- Kenting Street — the beach town’s main strip, home to the famous night market
Try a Kenting snorkeling & SUP day trip (live prices):
Eluanbi Lighthouse & Park
At the very tip of the peninsula stands Eluanbi Lighthouse, completed in 1883 after a string of shipwrecks along this coast prompted American and Japanese pressure on the Qing government to build it. It’s one of the few fortified lighthouses in the world — the original structure had cannon emplacements and a protective ditch against attacks from local tribes. The white tower still stands 21.4 meters tall, and the surrounding Eluanbi Park has coastal boardwalks looking out over the point where the Pacific Ocean, Taiwan Strait and Bashi Channel converge. Opening hours run roughly 6:30 AM–6:30 PM (April–October) and 7:00 AM–5:30 PM (November–March) — reconfirm on the official site, as they shift seasonally.
Sheding Nature Park
Sheding Nature Park sits just inland from Kenting town and is the park’s best short wildlife walk — a network of boardwalks and limestone-cave trails through raised coral forest, with a good chance of spotting troops of Formosan macaques and reintroduced Formosan sika deer grazing at dusk. Loop trails here take anywhere from 40 minutes to two hours depending on the route, and it’s free to enter, making it an easy add-on to a Kenting town day without a car.
Nanwan (South Bay) & Kenting’s Beaches
Nanwan, or South Bay, is the calm, crescent-shaped beach most visitors picture when they think of Kenting — warm, clear water good for swimming, banana boats, jet skis and beginner snorkeling. Baisha (White Sand Bay), a little further north, has finer sand and calmer water and was a filming location for Life of Pi. For surfing, locals head to Jialeshui on the park’s eastern side, which catches a reliable Pacific swell. None of these beaches charge admission, though some watersports operators rent gear by the hour.
Kenting Street & the Night Market
By day, Kenting Street is a fairly quiet strip of surf shops and 7-Elevens; after sunset it turns into one of southern Taiwan’s liveliest night markets, with grilled seafood, sausage stalls, fruit shakes and bars spilling onto the sidewalk. It’s free to wander and pairs naturally with a beach day — most visitors eat dinner here after an afternoon at Nanwan or Baisha. Stalls generally run from early evening into the late night; it’s busiest on weekends and holidays.
Map: Kenting National Park at a Glance
Practical Tips
- The park stretches roughly 25 km along the coast — renting a scooter or car (or booking a day tour) is far more efficient than relying on the limited local shuttle.
- Summer (June–September) is peak season with warm seas but also typhoon risk and the heaviest crowds; spring and autumn are quieter with similar weather.
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and water — shade is scarce on the coral cliffs and beaches, and the tropical sun is intense even on cloudy days.
- Roads inside the park have limited streetlighting after dark; if self-driving, plan to be back in Kenting town by evening unless you know the route.
- Always confirm current hours and admission for Eluanbi Park and the Forest Recreation Area on the official Kenting National Park site before you go, as they change seasonally.
Where to Stay
Kenting Street / main strip is the obvious base — walkable to Nanwan beach, the night market and bus stops, with the widest choice of hotels and hostels. Houbihu (Kenting’s fishing-harbor side) is quieter and better for watersports and boat trips, while staying in Hengchun Old Town a little further north is a budget-friendly option with easy bus connections into the park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an entrance fee for Kenting National Park?
No — the park itself is free and open. Only a handful of specific sites inside it, namely the Kenting National Forest Recreation Area and Eluanbi Park, charge separate admission.
How many days do you need in Kenting?
A full day covers the highlights (Eluanbi, Sheding and a beach), but 2–3 days lets you add snorkeling, the forest area and a relaxed night at the market without rushing.
What is the best way to get to Kenting without a car?
The Kenting Express bus (route 9189) from Zuoying HSR Station is the simplest option, running roughly every 30 minutes and taking 1.5–2 hours.
When is the best time to visit Kenting?
Spring and autumn offer warm weather with fewer crowds and lower typhoon risk than peak summer (June–September), though the sea is warmest in summer.
Final Word
Kenting National Park packs coral cliffs, a lighthouse at the edge of Taiwan, forest trails full of wildlife, and one of the country’s best beach-town nightlife scenes into a single peninsula. Base yourself on Kenting Street, rent a scooter or book a day tour, and give yourself at least a full day to work your way from Eluanbi to Nanwan and back for dinner at the night market.
This post contains affiliate links. If you book or buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Hours and prices can change — always confirm on official sources before you visit.
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