Location: Southern tip of Taiwan, Pingtung County

Established: 1984 (Taiwan’s first post-war national park)

Kenting occupies the Hengchun Peninsula at the very bottom of Taiwan, where the island narrows to a point between the Taiwan Strait and the Pacific Ocean. It was Taiwan’s first modern national park. The climate here is warm year-round, the water is clear, and the landscape combines coral cliffs, limestone caves, uplifted reef terrain, sand beaches, and low forested mountains.

For Western travellers, Kenting often functions as the beach holiday portion of a Taiwan itinerary — a contrast to the urban density of Taipei or the mountain landscapes further north. That is a reasonable way to use it. But it is also worth understanding that Kenting is a park of genuine ecological significance, particularly for marine biodiversity, migratory birds (over 300 species have been recorded), and the unusual geological features created by uplifted coral.

The park attracted international attention as a filming location for Ang Lee’s Life of Pi (2012), which used the coastal scenery around Jialeshuei（佳樂水）.

What to look for:

Eluanbi Lighthouse（鵝鑾鼻燈塔）, at Taiwan’s southernmost point, marks the geographic tip of the island and has operated since 1883. The views south, with ocean on both sides, have a peculiar finality to them. The Kenting National Forest Recreation Area, which sits within the larger park boundary, contains uplifted coral reef caves and a range of walking trails through subtropical forest. Jialeshuei is a coastal erosion zone of weathered sandstone and coral formations on the Pacific side, usually less crowded than the main beach area.

The Kenting town strip itself — the narrow road of bars, stalls, and hotels — caters heavily to domestic tourists. The famous night market is worth passing through, but the more interesting ecological areas lie away from this commercial centre.

Who it suits: Beach and water sports enthusiasts, birdwatchers, those interested in tropical geology, and travellers wanting a slower-paced end to a Taiwan trip.