august-2011

What people love the most about Kenting are the
sea views, which are right outside your hotel or B&B
SSurrounded by the
Taiwan Strait to the
west, Pacifi c Ocean
to the east and Luzon
Strait to the south, this
part of Taiwan off ers
some of the best scenic attractions
— and many would argue the best
holiday spot — on the island. It’s
also Taiwan’s fi rst national park
but is often overlooked because
other sites such as Alishan are
better promoted.
But since 2008, interest in
Kenting has soared, especially
among the Chinese-speaking
communities in Asia, because of
the box offi ce hit Cape No. 7. The
romantic comedy and drama
was largely fi lmed in Kenting as
well as nearby Hengchun town.
Its two love stories — one taking
place during the end of Japan’s
colonial rule in Taiwan and the
other in modern times — both
involve Taiwanese and Japanese
interracial couples.
If you’re a fan of the movie, or
simply a lover of breathtaking
mountain and coastal views,
beaches, sunshine and warm
weather, this is the perfect spot
for a weekend getaway or a longer
holiday. It’s a great place for
nature enthusiasts as it off ers an
amazing array of wildlife, such as
deer, butterfl ies, fi sh and birds,
including migratory ones.
In fact, every year from October
to the following May, a large
number of birds migrate south
from Siberia, mainland China
and Japan to the Lungluan Lake.
They stay for the winter, making
the site a perfect place for a spot of
bird-watching.
And don’t worry, Kenting is not
diffi cult to get to. Since the highspeed
rail came into operation a
few years ago, it takes only about
fi ve hours to reach Kenting from
Taipei international airport.
The closest HSR station is near
Kaohsiung City and from there,
it’s a two-hour bus ride away.
PLACES TO SEE
NANWAN This small fi shing
village has a long beach
that boasts azure water and
soft, clean sand; ideal for
swimming and picnicking.
DAJIANSHAN (‘BIG POINTED
MOUNTAIN’) Rising 318m
above sea level, this is the
most recognisable geological
symbol of Kenting National
Park. It’s near the Caesar
Park hotel, so stop in for a
drink on the upper balcony,
where you can get a good
view of the rock.
LUNGPAN A large area of
grassland that allows you
to see the Pacifi c Ocean and
even Lanyu (‘orchid island’)
on a clear day. It is made
of coral reef cliff, with
limestone caves under the
red topsoil. Visit before dawn
or at dusk to enjoy the most
amazing views.
ADRENALINE //
ABOVE LEFT-RIGHT:
Hengchun town;
Kenting National
Park; poolside BBQ
at the Caesar Park
Hotel Kenting
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