You may have known about Kenting from the movie "Life of Pi", but the national park, which encompasses the southern tip of Taiwan, has always been popular among travelers and backpackers who are looking for a more relaxed experience of Taiwan.
From the beautiful coastline, warmer climate, and the plethora of outdoor activities waiting for you to enjoy, here is a comprehensive backpacking guide on things to do in Kenting for solo travelers. Without further ado, let's first examine the itinerary map:
Kenting Things to Do Itinerary Map
Quick Summary
| ♥️ Must Visit: | Little Bali Rock (小巴里島岩) |
|---|---|
| 🏛️ Best Museum: | Eluanbi Park |
| 🥘 Place to Eat: | Kenting Night Market |
| 🛌 Place to Stay: | Kenting Peninsula Inn |
9 Best Things to Do in Kenting, Taiwan
1. Admire the Southern Coastline of Taiwan at Longpan Park
- 📍 Location: Longpan Park [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "This is a nice viewpoint to see the stunning coastline of Kenting. You will see why this place is so popular among surfers!"
One of the first things you should do on your first day in Kenting is to find a place to rent an e-scooter. We will be covering both the east and west areas around Kenting Town, beginning with Longpan Park. So, be sure to rent an e-scooter before embarking on the journey.
Longpan Park is an open grassland along the southern coastline of Taiwan, with a clear view of the Pacific Ocean. From the viewpoint, you will be able to see some of the most stunning coastlines in Taiwan, along with wild buffalos and vivid grassland.
Be warned, Longpan Park is known to receive strong winds all year round, so be sure not to stand too close to the cliff and make sure that you are on steady ground.
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To get to Longpan Park, you can simply ride east from Kenting Town Area, continue along the main road passing Eluanbi Lighthouse before the road turns north with the coastline on your right, and then arrive at Longpan Park. You can't miss it as you will see a large parking lot on your left when you approach the park.
Since it is located on the eastern side of the island, Longpan Park is the perfect place to go watch the sunrise, given that it is a clear day, of course, and if you don't mind waking up super early for it.
The road is paved entirely, and it will take you only about 30 minutes on an e-scooter to get from Kenting Town to Longpan Park.
Where to Stay in Kenting, Taiwan?
2. Walk Around the Sandy Beach of Fengchuisha
- 📍 Location: Fengchuisha [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "It's a nice beach to stroll around. There was barely anyone around when I was there. Be sure to rent an e-bike to get around!"
After admiring the stunning coastline of Kenting, continue north on your e-scooter for about 5 minutes and you will arrive at Fengchuisha, a beautiful roadside beach area where you can stroll or, given that it's not too windy or cold, swim.
If you are not interested in swimming, the viewpoint from the road is pretty stunning on its own, and since it's not too far from Longpan Park, Fengchuisha is definitely worth the extra 5-minute ride.
To get to Fengchuisha, just continue north along Jiae Road for about 5 minutes, and you will find a small parking lot just before a bridge. On your right is the sandy beach of Fengchuisha.
3. Visit the Southern Most Point of Taiwan
- 📍 Location: Southern Most Point of Taiwan [Map Link]
- 💰 Entry Fees: 20 TWD (~0.6 USD)
After visiting Fengchuisha, make your way back down along Jiae Road until you arrive at the Southern Most Point of Taiwan, a monument built on a wooden platform overlooking Taiwan's rocky coast and the Pacific Ocean.
It is a great place to take photos commemorating the fact that you have traveled to the southernmost tip of Taiwan. The walk is also quite peaceful and only 500m away from the parking lot.
Also, if you are there at the right time (no moon phase) and you visit the monument at night, you will be rewarded with a stunning sight of the Milky Way displaying itself across the sky. If you like stargazing, be sure to visit the Southernmost Point of Taiwan at night.
To get to the southernmost point of Taiwan, simply drive back from Longpan Park and just before the road u-turns itself to go back up the other side of the coast (just before Eluanbi Park), continue south along the road until you find a large parking lot. From there, you can walk about 500m until you reach the monument.
They do charge you for parking, but you don't really have to park there, especially if you are on an e-scooter. Just park outside the parking lot, under one of the many trees along the road, and you can avoid the 20 TWD parking fee.
4. Visit Eluanbi Lighthouse and Stroll Around Eluanbi Park
- 📍 Location: Eluanbi Park [Map Link]
- 💰 Entry Fees: 60 TWD (~2 USD)
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "This is a lovely seaside park to visit where you can spend hours. Too bad the lighthouse was closed when I was there."
Not too far from the Southern Most Point of Taiwan, you will find another beautiful park where you can spend hours walking around the nature trail that goes through some of the most stunning viewpoints around Kenting.
Within Eluanbi Park, there are several walking trails you can take. Some go through an open-air museum showing what the life of the indigenous people was like. Others take you to stunning viewpoints. All of them are worth visiting, so be sure to spend some time in the park.
Unfortunately, when I was there, the 19th Century Eluanbi Lighthouse was under renovation, so I was unable to get inside and see the museum or go up the lighthouse to check out the view from above. If you have better luck than I did, please let me know how it goes.
Other attractions worth seeing in the park are all three pavilions located along the coast that will reward you with a stunning viewpoint of the coast, the prehistoric village, Shadow Valley, and the narrow gorge. You need at least an hour to really enjoy what the park has to offer.
The entrance to the park is 60 TWD, which includes the lighthouse. But even if the lighthouse is closed, the whole park and all the scenic trails are definitely worth the 2 USD price tag.
Beware that some areas have dense forest, and there are known to be some snakes lurking around, so avoid walking outside the walk paths. I was warned by a kind-hearted local not to walk through a dense forest area, although it took us quite some time to communicate due to the language barrier 😅.
5. Check Out Chuan Fan Rock
- 📍 Location: Chuan Fan Rock [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "It's not a must-see, but you can easily stop here on the way back to Kenting Town for a few photos."
After spending an hour at Eluanbi Park, make your way back to Kenting Town but right before you arrive, stop at Chuan Fan Rock and check out this peculiar-looking rock. From the photo above, what do you see?
It somewhat looks like a sailboat raising the sail, ready to set off into the unknown, doesn't it? This coral limestone has been eroded for years by seawater, which in turn created the peculiar shape you see today.
There is also a kayak rental or a place to sit if you wish to relax by the beach and absorb the sight of Chuan Fan Rock. If not, it's a good place for a few photos before we go back to Kenting, change the battery of our e-scooter, and continue to explore the western part of Kenting.
6. Snorkel at Little Bali Rock (小巴里島岩)
- 📍 Location: Little Bali Rock (小巴里島岩) [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "This is tucked away along the rocky coast of Kenting, which makes for a great place to swim. If you have snorkeling gear, you can snorkel around here too."
If you have your own snorkeling gear or wish to swim a bit, the Little Bali Rock (小巴里島岩) is a beautiful hidden gem tucked away along the twisty road of Kenting's western section.
The place is known for its beautiful coral reefs, clear calm water, and quieter than other beaches in Kenting, making it the perfect getaway place to visit.
To get to Little Bali Rock, you will have to ride west from Kenting Town to Nanguang Rd. Intersection and from there continue west until you arrive at another intersection. Go left and take Shawei Road down to Houbihu Harbor. Continue along the right side of the waterway until the road turns right, and that is where you will find Little Bali Rock.
7. Visit Maobitou Park
- 📍 Location: Maobitou Park [Map Link]
- 💰 Entry Fees: 30 TWD (~0.9 USD)
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "It's not super big, so you should be done in 20 to 30 minutes. Just be careful of the wind! It gets surprisingly strong here, especially in the late afternoon!"
Since you are already in the western section of Kenting, it would be a shame if you didn't visit Maobitou Park, although I think the ticket is a little overpriced compared to other parks you can visit in Kenting.
That said, the black limestone reef coast and the greenery around the area make it one stunning viewpoint that is hard to pass by. From Maobitou Park, you can also see Kenting Town as well as the landscape that surrounds it.
The entrance fee for Maobitou Park is 30 TWD, and an additional 10 TWD is required to park your e-scooter. You can spend approximately 15-30 minutes walking around the park and enjoying the viewpoint. However, be warned that it gets extremely windy here, so make sure you are on steady ground at all times.
To get to Maobitou Park, continue south from Little Bali Rock along the road until it merges with Xiaquan Road, and you will arrive at a small roundabout with a parking ticket booth where you will have to pay for your parking space before entering Maobitou Park.
8. Lay Down in the Sun at White Sand Bay (Baisha Beach)
- 📍 Location: White Sand Bay (Baisha Beach) [Map Link]
- 💰 Entry Fees: 300 TWD (~9 USD)
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "If the weather is good, this is an awesome place to come and hang out. The sand is fine to the touch, and the waves are quite calm compared to other parts of Kenting."
After spending a few minutes at Maobitou Park, I would recommend you travel further west to White Sand Bay (Baisha Beach), a beautiful strip of white sand beach where you can relax and enjoy the sunset.
You can also buy food and drinks, as well as rent out a kayak or an umbrella (300 TWD for a day), or enjoy other water activities. White Sand Bay is the kind of place where you can spend hours just relaxing.
The White Sand Bay is also a great spot for the sunset, so if you follow this itinerary in its exact order, you should arrive at White Sand Bay in time for the sunset.
To get to White Sand Bay from Maobitou Park, simply go back up Xiaquan Road until it merges with Daguang Road, where you can then continue west until you arrive at White Sand Bay.
9. Eat at Kenting Night Market
- 📍 Location: Kenting Night Market [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: 6 PM onwards
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "Unlike other night markets, which often have dedicated zones, the night market here stretches along both sides of the road. Be careful when walking, as the crowds often spill onto the road while cars and motorbikes continue to come and go."
After spending the whole day exploring Kenting, it is time to return to Kenting Town, give back your e-scooter, and continue exploring Kenting and its awesome night market on foot.
Kenting Night Market starts from 6 PM until later in the night and is located along the side of the main road through Kenting Town. Here, you will find all sorts of delicious street food, seafood restaurants, and many other food stalls for you to indulge yourself in.
What to Eat and Drink in Kenting?
1. Try Xiao Long Bao
- 📍 Location: Kenting crispy soup dumplings [Map Link]
- 💰 Price Range: 60 TWD (~2 USD)
At Kenting Night Market, I found a really delicious Xiao Long Bao street food truck that serves the iconic soupy dumplings Taiwan is known for, and it is only 60 TWD per box. If this isn't a great deal, I don't know what is!
2. Eat Taiwanese Sticky Rice Sausage
- 📍 Location: Kenting Night Market [Map Link]
One of the food trucks I really like at the Kenting Night Market is the one that sells Taiwanese Sticky Rice Sausage, the Taiwanese version of hot dogs. Instead of a bun, they use glutinous rice, and instead of the regular hot dog, they use the Taiwanese sweet hot dog instead. If you find one, I highly recommend you try it!
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When to Visit Kenting, Taiwan?
The best time to visit Kenting is generally from March to May, when the weather is warm without the peak summer heat and humidity, making it a great time for beaches, coastal rides, and outdoor activities.
Summer and early autumn are hotter, wetter, and carry a higher risk of typhoons. I wouldn't automatically rule out a trip during these months, but I would keep an eye on the weather forecast and avoid locking yourself into outdoor plans if a tropical storm is approaching Taiwan.
Winter is also a perfectly reasonable time to visit Kenting. Southern Taiwan is generally much drier and warmer than the north at this time of year, although Kenting can get extremely windy when the northeast monsoon picks up. Swimming is still possible on warmer days, but the wind and sea conditions can make beach activities less appealing.
How to Get to Kenting, Taiwan?
In order to get to Kenting from abroad, you will first have to travel to Taipei, and to do that, you will have to fly into Taoyuan International Airport. Thankfully, there are several airlines you can fly to Taipei.
From the US, there are several direct flights from big cities like New York and LA via United Airlines. Alternatively, you can also fly directly to Taipei via EVA Airlines, its national carrier.
From within Europe, you can also fly directly via EVA Airlines or popular carriers like KLM or AirFrance to Taipei. You can also fly via Asian Airlines such as Singapore Airlines or Thai Airways, but you will have to transit in their respective home countries.
From Asia, traveling to Taiwan gets a lot easier and cheaper with several low-cost airlines operating this route from hub cities like Bangkok and Singapore. Lion Air, as well as AirAsia, have many flights flying from Bangkok/KL to Taipei every day, so you should have no problem finding one if you are planning to fly from Asia.
To find a cheap flight to Taipei, I would recommend that you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and pick the best one.
How to Get from Taipei to Kenting?
From Taipei to Kenting, you will be traveling from north to south, so I would recommend that you take the high-speed train (HSR) from Taipei Main Station to Zuoying HSR Station in Kaohsiung City, where you can then catch a shuttle bus to Kenting National Park.
By High-Speed Train
The HSR high-speed train ticket from Taipei to Zuoying in Kaohsiung will cost you about 1490 TWD, and it will take you about 1.5 hours. There is no direct train to the national park, so from Zuoying HSR Station (Kaohsiung City), you will then have to take the shuttle bus to Kenting.
In order to take the Kenting Express shuttle bus, when you arrive at Zuoying HSR Station, go to Exit #2 and before you take the escalator down to the bus stop, there will be a kiosk where you can buy a ticket.
If you already have an EasyCard, you do not have to buy the ticket. Just tap the EasyCard when you get on the bus and tap it again when you arrive in Kenting. That is the beauty of having an EasyCard!
After you get down from the escalator, all you have to do is wait for the yellow/white bus with the word "Kenting" plastered all over to arrive at Zuoying HSR Station Bus Stop and get on it.
The 9189 Kenting Express still connects Zuoying HSR Station with Kenting. As of 2026, the official one-way fare from Zuoying to Kenting is 401 TWD, or 600 TWD for the discounted roundtrip ticket, and the journey takes around 140 minutes. Timetables change, so check the current 9189 schedule rather than relying on the old 8:30 AM - 7:10 PM timetable from my trip. The bus stops around Kenting's main tourist area, making it one of the easiest ways to reach Kenting without renting a car.
For the high-speed train schedule from Taipei to Kaohsiung or if you want to book online: Book the HSR High-Speed Train from Taipei to Kaohsiung.
By Normal Train
You can also travel south from Taipei on a regular Taiwan Railway train instead of the HSR. It is considerably slower, but it can be useful if you are traveling on a tighter budget or want to stop elsewhere along the west coast.
Train types, departure times, journey lengths, and fares have changed since my trip, so I would not rely on the old 6:10 AM - 7:30 PM timetable or the old 635-824 TWD fares. Check Taiwan Railway's current timetable for your date and compare it with the HSR before deciding; the HSR remains the much faster option.
If you take a regular train south, Xinzuoying Station is the most convenient place to connect with the 9189 Kenting Express, as the railway station connects directly with Zuoying HSR Station. From there, you can continue by bus to Kenting.
Do not get off at Zuoying Station! Otherwise, you will have to take another train to Xinzuoying Station to catch the shuttle bus to Kenting.
For the regular train schedule from Taipei to Kaohsiung or if you want to book online, be sure to check out: The Official TRA Ticket Information and Timetable.
How to Get from Taroko Gorge (Hualien) to Kenting?
If you are currently traveling on the east coast of Taiwan and want to make your way down from Hualien to Kenting, as I did, you can take the regular train from Hualien Station to Fangliao Station (one of the stops of the Kenting Shuttle Bus) where you can then catch the same Kenting Shuttle Bus to Kenting National Park.
The east-coast rail connection still makes this route possible, but the exact Hualien - Fangliao timetable has changed since my trip. Taiwan Railway continues to operate trains along the South-Link Line through Fangliao, so check the official timetable for your travel date rather than relying on my old figure of five trains between 6:08 AM and 5:54 PM. If you want to continue to Kenting on the same day, I would still leave Hualien early so you have plenty of time to make the bus connection at Fangliao.
After you arrive at Fangliao Station, walk out to the main road and wait for the Kenting-bound bus at the Fangliao Station Bus Stop. The 9189 Kenting Express still stops at Fangliao on its way south, but departures are not necessarily every 30 minutes, so check the current timetable before you leave Hualien. From Fangliao, allow roughly an hour or more to reach the Kenting area depending on traffic and your stop.
How to Get Around Kenting, Taiwan?
The most convenient way I found to get around Kenting for this itinerary was an e-scooter, which gave me enough range to cover the coastal attractions on both sides of Kenting Town. If you rent one today, make sure the vehicle is road-legal and ask the rental shop exactly what category it falls under, as Taiwan's rules for electric two-wheelers have changed since my trip. Registered micro electric two-wheelers must now carry a license plate, and riders are required to wear a helmet.
When I was there, I rented an e-scooter from a rental place at the corner of Tonghai Lane and Kenting Main Road for 450 NTD for 12 hours, and it came with two batteries. That is my historical price rather than a current quote, so compare the rental shops in Kenting when you arrive.
Since our itinerary is divided into two zones that pass through Kenting Town, you can ask the store to change it for you when you are transitioning from one zone to another.
Keep in mind that an e-scooter can only run along the coast. It doesn't have the horsepower to go up mountains, so you won't be able to ride up to Kenting National Forest Recreational Area or hike Dejian Mountain.
Fortunately, this guide doesn't require you to go up any mountains, so you should be able to reach all the points of interest within this guide with a rental e-scooter.
If you wish to go beyond this guide and visit some of the harder-to-reach locations, you can also rent a car from a car rental agency in Kenting. When I traveled here, I found rentals for around 1,800 NTD per day, but that price is now outdated, so compare the current rate for your dates before deciding.
How Many Days to Spend in Kenting, Taiwan?
For this itinerary, you will only need one full day to see all the places, so I would recommend spending at least one full day (2 nights) in Kenting. You can spend one more day and explore other attractions further away if you have a car. Here's a rough one-day itinerary for Kenting:
Day 1: Start your journey by visiting Longpan Park in the morning to beat the crowds. Continue to Fengchuisha for a beach walk, before returning and visiting Taiwan's Southernmost Point and Eluanbi Park.
After visiting these places in the morning, travel through Kenting Town, change the battery of your e-scooter, and continue on to see Chuan Fan Rock, Little Bali Rock, Maobitou Park. Relax at White Sand Bay for the rest of the day before coming back to Kenting.
Day 2 (Optional): If you have an extra day in Kenting, you can explore farther inland and visit Kenting National Forest Recreational Area. The forest recreation area is currently open from 8 AM to 5 PM; admission is 100 NTD on regular weekdays and 150 NTD on holidays. You can combine it with another hike or attraction in the area depending on the weather and how you are getting around.
How Much Money Do I Need for Kenting, Taiwan?
With the rough itinerary above, we can estimate how much money you will be spending in Kenting for one day. Here's a rough estimate on how much it will cost you to travel to Kenting.
Accommodation: With a total of 2 nights, you will be paying around 50 USD
Food: A good meal in Kenting should cost you about 100 NTD per meal, so you can expect to pay 300 NTD for 3 meals a day.
Transportation: When I visited, I paid 450 NTD for a 12-hour e-scooter rental. Rental prices vary today, so use that as a record of what I paid rather than a current quote.
Activities: Eluanbi Park still costs 60 NTD and Maobitou Park 30 NTD for a full-price ticket, so the main paid attractions in this one-day itinerary remain inexpensive. Allow a little extra for parking or any additional activities you decide to add.
Total budget for one day in Kenting: Around 1,500 NTD (50 USD).
Is it Safe in Kenting?
Kenting is extremely windy almost all year round, so if you are exploring the cliffs and mountains of Kenting, make sure that you are on sturdy ground and please do not jump or step on uneven ground to avoid falling off the cliff.
Other than that, and the fact that the place is prone to typhoons, Kenting and Taiwan, in general, are one of the safest countries you can travel to.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Kenting?
Taiwan has one of the fastest public WIFI networks out there. Most of the hostels and restaurants I visited in Taiwan had fast, reliable WIFI, so you could get by without having a local SIM card. However, if you wish to navigate the city by bus, I recommend getting a local SIM card at the airport upon your arrival.
I recommend Chunghwa Telecom, one of Taiwan's largest mobile carriers. Its tourist prepaid plans still include unlimited-data options, with current short-term 4G packages ranging from around 300 NTD to 1,000 NTD depending on the validity period and included call credit.
You can find their kiosk among other carriers at the arrival hall at Taoyuan International Airport in Taipei. Simply approach them, and they will show you the list of packages available from which you can pick. They will ask for your passport, pop the SIM card in for you, and within 2 minutes, you will have unlimited 4G data for your Taiwan trip.
I had 15 days in Taiwan, so I bought their 15-day unlimited-data SIM for 700 NTD. Surprisingly, that exact 4G tourist plan and price are still officially listed by Chunghwa Telecom in 2026, and it includes 100 NTD of domestic voice credit. I was able to get a 4G connection everywhere I went, so it remains a solid option if you want a physical SIM for your Taiwan trip.
Alternatively, if your phone supports eSIMs, you can set one up before arriving and have mobile data as soon as you land. You can browse through available eSIMs here.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
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