Pingtung: Discover the Tropical Heart of Southern Taiwan
If you dream of white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, vibrant indigenous culture, and endless sunshine, then Pingtung (屏東) belongs at the top of your Taiwan travel list. Nestled at the southern tip of the island, Pingtung offers a refreshing contrast to the bustling cities up north—welcoming you with laid-back coastal towns, lush mountains, and the rich traditions of Taiwan’s indigenous peoples.
Often overshadowed by neighboring Kaohsiung, Pingtung is a hidden gem full of natural wonders, culinary delights, and ecological treasures. It’s home to Kenting National Park, Taiwan’s top beach destination, but there’s so much more: riverside hot springs, forested hiking trails, thriving night markets, and seaside towns where time slows down.
Whether you’re looking for adventure, culture, or just a place to relax under the sun, Pingtung has something for everyone—and it delivers with warm smiles and even warmer weather.
📍 Where Is Pingtung?
Pingtung County stretches from the southern tip of Taiwan up along the eastern side of Kaohsiung. It’s bordered by the Pacific Ocean on one side and rugged mountain ranges on the other.
Getting to Pingtung:
By Train: Taiwan Railways (TRA) has frequent service to Pingtung City, then transfer to buses to Kenting and other destinations.
By Car or Bus: About 1–1.5 hours from Kaohsiung.
By High-Speed Rail (THSR): Take the train to Zuoying Station (Kaohsiung), then catch a direct Kenting Express Bus.
🌟 Why Visit Pingtung?
🏖️ World-Class Beaches – Crystal-clear waters, coral reefs, and stunning sunsets.
🎋 Indigenous Culture – Experience traditions, crafts, and cuisines of Taiwan’s aboriginal tribes.
🌿 Nature & Wildlife – From rainforests to rivers, Pingtung is a biodiversity hotspot.
🍍 Southern Flavors – Sweet tropical fruits, seafood, and local specialties.
🎉 Local Festivals – Colorful cultural and religious celebrations year-round.
🏝️ Top Places to Visit in Pingtung
1. Kenting National Park (墾丁國家公園)
Taiwan’s oldest and most famous national park is paradise for beachgoers and nature lovers. With a warm tropical climate year-round, Kenting is the place for swimming, snorkeling, surfing, and hiking.
Highlights:
Baisha Beach – Soft sand and calm waters
Nanwan (South Bay) – Water sports central
Eluanbi Lighthouse – Southernmost point of Taiwan
Longpan Park – Wind-swept cliffs and dramatic views
Kenting Street Night Market – Lively street food scene near the beach
2. Manzhou & Hengchun Townships
Beyond the beaches, these townships offer a quieter, more authentic vibe.
Hengchun Old Town – Preserved city gates and traditional Hakka architecture
Manzhou – Ideal for eco-tours, river tracing, and experiencing indigenous culture
3. Liuqiu Island (小琉球)
Just off the coast of Donggang, Liuqiu (also called Xiaoliuqiu) is a coral island known for its sea turtles, snorkeling, and laid-back island life. Unlike Taiwan’s other offshore islands, it’s warm and accessible year-round.
Must-do’s:
Snorkel with turtles
Visit Vase Rock and Black Dwarf Cave
Enjoy mango shaved ice and local seafood
4. Donggang & Dapeng Bay (東港、大鵬灣)
Donggang is a bustling fishing town known for:
Bluefin tuna season in spring
The Donglong Temple and King Boat Festival (every three years)
Access to Liuqiu Island
Dapeng Bay Lagoon, ideal for windsurfing, sailing, and biking
5. Sandimen (三地門) & Indigenous Culture
Inland Pingtung is home to the Paiwan and Rukai tribes, and Sandimen is one of the best places to explore their vibrant culture.
Don’t miss:
Taiwan Indigenous Peoples Cultural Park
Handicraft workshops: wood carving, beading, weaving
Traditional meals featuring millet, mountain vegetables, and smoked meats
6. Wutai Township (霧臺鄉)
A hidden mountain village known for scenic beauty, stone-slab houses, and tribal festivals. A real off-the-beaten-path destination with lush forests and cool air.
🧖♂️ Hot Springs & Nature Escapes
Sichongxi Hot Springs (四重溪溫泉)
Located near Checheng, these hot springs are rich in alkaline carbonic acid and perfect for a soak after a day of exploring.
Maolin National Scenic Area (shared with Kaohsiung)
Visit during late autumn to winter to witness the incredible purple butterfly migration—one of only two such migrations in the world.
🍍 What to Eat in Pingtung
Pingtung’s tropical setting and coastal location mean fresh seafood, local fruits, and southern-style Taiwanese comfort food.
Local Delicacies:
Donggang Tuna Sashimi – Especially during the spring tuna festival
Flying fish roe sausage – Indigenous specialty
Pineapple & wax apples – Grown fresh in Pingtung’s warm climate
Millet wine – Traditional aboriginal drink
Cactus ice cream – Found in Liuqiu, it’s bright pink and refreshing
Night Markets:
Pingtung Night Market – Compact, local favorite with great variety
Hengchun Night Market – Excellent after a day in Kenting
🗓️ Best Time to Visit Pingtung
November–April – Dry season, best weather for beaches and outdoor adventures
Spring – Tuna season in Donggang, wildflowers in the hills
Summer – Great for beachgoers, though hot and humid
Fall – Fewer crowds, butterfly season begins in Maolin
Pingtung is warm year-round but be prepared for typhoons in late summer.
📍 Suggested 3-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Kenting Coast
Explore Kenting beaches and Eluanbi Park
Watch the sunset from Longpan
Stroll the Kenting Night Market
Day 2: Liuqiu Island
Take the ferry from Donggang
Snorkel with sea turtles, visit Vase Rock
Try cactus ice cream and island seafood
Day 3: Cultural Inland
Visit Sandimen Indigenous Cultural Park
Take a short hike in Wutai
Relax at Sichongxi Hot Springs
🌟 Final Thoughts: Why You’ll Love Pingtung
Pingtung is more than just a beach getaway—it’s a deeply diverse region where culture, nature, and adventure coexist in harmony. It’s the kind of place where you can spend the morning hiking through cloud forests, the afternoon snorkeling with turtles, and the evening enjoying grilled squid under string lights at a night market.
Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie, a nature lover, or a culture seeker, Pingtung offers an unforgettable escape to a side of Taiwan that feels both wild and welcoming.
Top Tips for Visiting Pingtung: Taiwan’s Tropical Getaway
If you’re craving sunshine, sandy beaches, and a taste of Taiwan’s more laid-back side, Pingtung County is your paradise. As the southernmost region in Taiwan, Pingtung offers a beautiful mix of coastal scenery, diverse cultural experiences, and outdoor adventures. From the vibrant resort town of Kenting to the tranquil mountains and indigenous villages inland, Pingtung has something for every kind of traveler.
Here are the best tips to help you make the most of your trip to this sunny southern gem:
🏖️ 1. Don’t Miss Kenting National Park
The crown jewel of Pingtung, Kenting is Taiwan’s most famous beach destination. With tropical weather, crystal-clear waters, and white-sand beaches, it’s the perfect place to unwind.
Lounge at Baisha Beach or go snorkeling at Sail Rock (Chuanfanshi).
Catch sunset from Longpan Park or the Eluanbi Lighthouse.
Hit the Kenting Night Market for seafood, fried snacks, and tropical fruit drinks.
✅ Pro Tip: Visit on weekdays for fewer crowds and cheaper accommodation.
🚗 2. Getting There: Travel by Train, Bus, or Private Car
From Kaohsiung, Pingtung is just a short ride away:
Take the TRA train to Pingtung City, Fangliao, or Hengchun, then catch a local bus or taxi.
From Kaohsiung HSR, hop on a direct shuttle or bus to Kenting (around 2.5 hours).
Private car rental or driver is ideal for visiting multiple scenic spots like the east coast or mountain towns.
✅ Tip: Driving allows you to explore more hidden beaches and mountain areas at your own pace.
🌄 3. Explore More Than Just the Coast
While Kenting draws most of the attention, inland Pingtung is filled with hidden treasures:
Sandimen: Home to Paiwan and Rukai indigenous communities, with cultural centers, handicrafts, and traditional cuisine.
Wutai Township: A scenic mountain village with wooden architecture and cloud-shrouded landscapes.
Liudui Hakka Cultural Park: Learn about Taiwan’s Hakka heritage through interactive exhibits and performances.
✅ Pro Tip: Visit during cultural festivals for traditional dances, music, and artisan markets.
🌅 4. Visit the East Coast of Pingtung for Rugged Beauty
Pingtung’s east coast is wild, dramatic, and far less touristy:
Drive or bike along Provincial Highway 26 for sea cliffs and secret beaches.
Stop by Jialeshui Scenic Area for bizarre rock formations and excellent surf.
Explore Gangkou Suspension Bridge and nearby estuaries rich in birdlife.
✅ Tip: Bring your camera—the natural scenery here is stunning and relatively untouched.
🍱 5. Eat Local: Fresh Seafood, Hakka, and Indigenous Cuisine
Pingtung’s food scene is deliciously diverse:
Try flying fish, sashimi, and grilled squid at coastal towns.
Sample mountain boar, millet wine, and banana rice in indigenous villages.
Don’t miss the Hakka-style stir-fries, radish cakes, and thunder tea rice inland.
✅ Pro Tip: Head to Donggang Fish Market for fresh seafood and the famous bluefin tuna (April–June).
🚴 6. Enjoy Outdoor Activities Beyond the Beach
Pingtung is a great place to get active in nature:
Surfing & snorkeling in Jialeshui and Wanlitong.
Biking trails around Kenting and the south cape.
Hiking in the Central Mountain Range or to secret waterfalls like Qingye Waterfall.
✅ Tip: Rent scooters or electric bikes in Kenting to easily explore coastal and inland spots.
🛕 7. Visit Donglong Temple and Experience Donggang’s King Boat Festival
Donggang, a harbor town in western Pingtung, is home to the Donglong Temple and the once-every-three-years King Boat Festival, where locals build a massive wooden ship and burn it to send away bad spirits.
✅ Pro Tip: Even if your visit doesn’t align with the festival, the temple and town’s seafood scene are worth a stop.
📸 8. Discover Instagram-Worthy Spots
If you’re into photography or travel blogging, Pingtung has no shortage of stunning locations:
Eluanbi Lighthouse against ocean backdrops
Qikong Water Curtain Cave (during wet season)
Sunset views at Dapeng Bay Bridge
Colorful indigenous murals in Sandimen
✅ Tip: Golden hour (just before sunset) offers the best lighting for coastal and mountain shots.
📅 9. Best Time to Visit Pingtung
October to April: Dry season, ideal for beach weather without unbearable heat.
March–May: Spring brings warm temps and fewer crowds.
June–September: Hot and humid, but great for water sports—just be cautious of typhoons.
✅ Pro Tip: Pack sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and light, breathable clothing.
🏡 10. Where to Stay in Pingtung
Options range from beachside resorts to mountain homestays and indigenous-run B&Bs.
In Kenting, choose from boutique guesthouses, backpacker hostels, or high-end hotels.
In Sandimen or Wutai, stay in indigenous-style lodges for a deeper cultural experience.
Near Donggang, opt for harbor-view hotels with easy access to the seafood markets.
✅ Tip: Book early during holidays and summer weekends—Pingtung is popular among local travelers.
Final Thoughts
Pingtung is Taiwan’s sun-drenched southern frontier—a place where the ocean meets the mountains, and culture is alive in every village and festival. Whether you’re catching waves in Kenting, sharing millet wine in a Paiwan village, or watching the sun dip below coral-lined shores, Pingtung will leave you with memories of warmth, color, and true island spirit.
So pack your sunglasses, slow your pace, and get ready to fall in love with Taiwan’s tropical side.