Kenting National Park Coast in Kenting

Part of the Kenting travel guide — see every topic in All Kenting Guides.

Kenting National Park opened in 1984 and is the oldest national park in Taiwan. It covers about 333 square kilometres, almost half of it sea. On land you find raised coral rock, grassland, cliffs and coastal forest. Three places show this coast well: Eluanbi Park with its white lighthouse, the open cliffs of Longpan Park, and the shady coral trails of Sheding Nature Park. All three are short, easy walks.

Eluanbi Park and the lighthouse

Eluanbi is near the southern tip of the main island of Taiwan. The park here is a coastal walk through raised coral rock and tropical trees, with views over the open sea. At the centre is the white Eluanbi Lighthouse, finished in 1883 and about 21 metres tall. It is one of the brightest lighthouses in Taiwan, and people call it the Light of East Asia. Paths loop through the park in about one hour at an easy pace. A short walk away, a viewpoint marks the southernmost point of the island. There is an entry fee for the park.

Longpan Park, cliffs and grassland

Longpan Park is on the east side of the peninsula. It is a wide, open grassland on top of tall limestone cliffs that drop straight into the Pacific Ocean. There are no big buildings here, just the wind, the grass and the sea. It is one of the best places in Kenting to watch the sunrise. At night it is also a popular place to look at stars, because there are few lights nearby. The cliff edges have no fences in many places, so stay well back, hold on to children and take care in strong wind.

Sheding Nature Park

Sheding Nature Park is close to Kenting town, but it feels far from the busy street. Marked trails lead through coral rock, small gorges and shady forest. Along the way there are lookouts over grassland and the coast. You may see macaque monkeys, birds and butterflies. Many people take about one to two hours to walk the main loop. The paths are uneven in places, so wear proper shoes rather than sandals. Bring water and insect repellent. Entry to the trails is free, though there may be a small parking fee.

Wildlife and the reef

The park is rich in nature. More than 300 kinds of birds have been recorded here. In autumn, large groups of grey-faced buzzards pass over the peninsula on their way south. Land crabs live in the coastal forest and cross roads to reach the sea in the rainy season, so drive slowly at night. Under the water, coral reefs line much of the coast, with tropical fish and sometimes sea turtles. Please do not feed monkeys, pick plants or take coral. Rules in protected areas are strict, and some zones are closed to visitors.

Planning your visit

A scooter or car is the easiest way to link these places, as they are spread around the peninsula. Eluanbi and Longpan are both on the southern coast road, so you can see them in one morning. Sheding is a short ride from Kenting town and fits well into an afternoon. Opening hours for Eluanbi Park are in the daytime, roughly from early morning until early evening, so check locally. The national park visitor centre near Kenting has maps and simple exhibits. In summer, go early in the day or late in the afternoon to avoid the strongest heat.

Kenting National Park Coast at a glance

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