Need a break from the hustle and bustle of Taiwan? Look no further than Kenting (墾丁), which is surprisingly easy to travel. It’s about a two-hour car drive from Kaohsiung (高雄). Transit options include the Kenting Express bus from Zuoying High-Speed Rail (HSR) station in Kaohsiung.
Warm beaches
The beaches are warm and relaxing. Meanwhile, for those who prefer outdoor pursuits, Kenting National Park is nearby for those who enjoy hiking or mountain biking. As a family with three kids, we relaxed at the beach with our youngest digging sand castles (and other sand-based infrastructure) for hours.
We had stayed at the expansive Caesar Park Hotel Kenting, which has umbrellas and chairs stationed on the semi-secluded beach directly in front of the property. Cross the road when traffic slows down, or enjoy meandering from the hotel’s pool area to the beach through a quiet walking path under the road. Just make sure to bring towels from the pool towel station and provide the host or hostess with your room number, and then you can shift your state of mind and relax.
For travelers, local and abroad, the town is full of little shops and games for tourists, but the prices are reasonable, and the food is tasty. Whether choosing Taiwan small eats from the nearby carts or seated restaurants like the Thai restaurant 曼波泰式餐廳 – the food is solid and will not give you any sticker shock.
Travel to Eluanbi Lighthouse (鵝鑾鼻燈塔)
As Typhoon Doksori was about to hit Taiwan, we visited the southernmost part of Taiwan at Eluanbi Lighthouse (鵝鑾鼻燈塔). The area was surprisingly peaceful, even with the clouds and winds rolling and plenty of locals and tourists taking selfies.
Side note: hats off to the Taiwanese government for keeping everyone informed, shutting down schools and businesses in an abundance of caution, and prepping nearby lowlands (e.g., sandbags, blocking off beaches, etc.).
Nevertheless, as you can see, Kenting is a beautiful little paradise in Taiwan. Take some time to visit if you get the chance!
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