With year-round warm weather, Pingtung is one of Taiwan’s top beach destinations. Visit the pristine white sand and clear water of the beaches at Kenting National Park, which attracts tourists from around the world. However, most other parts of the region remain relatively undiscovered by Western tourists. This makes Pingtung a rewarding destination for those eager to experience genuine Taiwanese culture.
The region’s capital, Pingtung City, is often overlooked by tourists, but there is much to enjoy in this pleasant town. Immerse yourself in everyday Taiwanese life at its two night markets. Sample the street food at Pingtung Night Market or allow yourself to lose track of time exploring games, retail shops and food stalls at Ruiguang Night Market. During the day, head to Zhongshan Park and join the locals for an afternoon of dancing, listening to live music and playing chess.
Kenting National Park’s white-sand beaches, blue waters and lush forests rival any of Asia’s more famous beach destinations. You may recognise Kenting’s sandy shores and rugged cliffs as one of the locations for the film Life of Pi. Snorkel, swim, dive, surf or spend a day lounging on the soft sand.
Explore the limestone caves and unusual canyons of Kenting Forest Recreation Area or browse the impressive marine life displays at the Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium. Rent a bike and cycle along the park’s rural roads or spot deer, wild boar and colourful butterflies at Sheding Nature Park.
The Burning of the Wang Yeh Boats festival in Donggang is one of the most exciting times to visit Pingtung. Held every 3 years in October or November, this multi-day event culminates with the burning of a 46-foot (14-metre) wooden boat.
Pingtung can be reached in about 4 hours by car or high-speed rail from Taipei. Winter is the best time to visit, when temperatures are mild yet the water is warm enough for swimming and water sports.
