Pingtung Travel: Kenting National Forest Recreation Area

Unfortunately, some places here were closed for renovation, such as Fairy Cave and the Viewing Tower, but it was still a very nice experience. It took us 2 hours to visit all the accessible places. There is a huge area planted with different plants, such as palms or cacti. Among the gardens, there is also a small stalagmite cave, which can only be seen from a platform. The park consists of forests and coral rocks that used to be underwater thousands of years ago. Some of those rocks are really tall. It is interesting to just walk around, even though apart from rocks and trees, there was nothing else to see. It's a shame that the caves were closed this time.

Kenting National Forest Recreation Area (墾丁國家森林遊樂區) 

Kenting National Forest Recreation Area is located at the top of Hengchun Township, Pingtung County. This area was originally inhabited by the Paiwan tribe and was formerly called "Jiayajiao". Under the consideration of academic research and education, the Forestry Bureau rebuilt it into a scenic area with a southern flavor. The Forestry Bureau Kenting Forest Recreation Area was established in 1968 and was later renamed the Kenting National Forest Recreation Area. In 1984, the Construction Department of the Ministry of the Interior planned to establish the Kenting National Park, which included the Kenting National Forest Recreation Area and expanded to other scenic areas on the Hengchun Peninsula.

The area is situated 200-300 meters above sea level, with a total area of 435 hectares, accounting for 2.5% of the total land area of the National Park. Currently, 76 hectares have been developed. The entire area is filled with uplifted coral reef rocks formed by the deposits of coral skeletons, shellfish remains, and seaweed. Therefore, this area undoubtedly belonged to the seafloor several thousand years ago.

During the Japanese rule, 513 species of tropical plants were introduced, and the restoration work was carried out by the Hengchun Branch of the Provincial Forestry Research Institute, which is now called the "Kenting Tropical Botanical Garden." There are more than 1,200 types of plants, divided into areas for coconuts, oil, rubber, medicinal plants, tropical fruit trees, and more. The dense shades, red flowers, and green leaves complement each other, creating a stunning landscape. There are 17 tour bases divided into the first and second tour areas. Among them, the silver leaves of Bangan, Xiandong, Guanhailou, and Ronggu Valley are most appreciated by tourists. The silver-white color of the leaves is over 400 years old. Due to growing in a tropical humid and rainy environment, the roots grow upward in a plate shape to provide support and breathing.

The Banyan Valley is peaceful, and huge white banyan roots hang down from the valley wall, creating a spectacular sight.

There are natural limestone caves with stalagmites and stalactites that have formed over thousands of years due to the condensation of calcium carbonate dissolved in groundwater. They are the country's most precious natural treasures. We were able to see only one small stalagmite cave, as entrance to the others was prohibited.

The Fairy Cave is 137 meters long, and various scenes inside the cave are formed by condensed stalactites. Unfortunately, when we went there at the end of November, the cave was closed for renovation until December 4. Similarly, the Viewing the Sea Tower, which offers a good view overlooking the southernmost tip of Taiwan's main island and Lanyu in the Pacific Ocean, was also closed at that time.

Dajianshan is one of the landmarks of Kenting. It's a large rock raised on the grassland and is the highest point in the Kenting Peninsula area. To access Dajianshan, one must enter through the gate of the Kenting National Forest Recreation Area, cross the Kenting Ranch, and climb ropes along the ridge line. From the mountain top, there is a beautiful landscape overlooking the Hengchun Peninsula.

See also: Kenting National Park

Address:

946屏東縣恆春鎮公園路201號墾丁國家森林遊樂區