Uncle's Green Bean Ice

Hengchun is a place full of historical traces. Various cultures collided with each other in this primitive area. Near the end of Qing Dynasty, Chancellor Shen Bao-zhen was assigned here. He built the first castle town in Taiwan to defeat enemies from the sea. It is now one of the second grade historic site and the only castle town in Taiwan that all gates are still standing today. Some parts of the castle wall are also maintained properly and you can walk on them to imagine the tension in the old days. This is not a big town and you can actually walk leisurely to see the north, east, south, and west gates in half a day. Don't forget to get some green bean ice in summer. This is also the place for bus transit in Kenting.

If you come in August, which is the "ghost month" in lunar calendar, you will see a special event called as "Qiang Gu", which means "race for the oblation". People used to give the oblation for ghost to poor people after the ceremony. However, people got hurt or even killed robbing the food from others. The government decided to put all the oblation on top of a high platform and people will climb the columns to get the food. It gradually evolves to be a game on the ghost day, which is the fifteenth day in July in lunar calendar. In order to rise the difficulty level, the column will be covered with oil! It is an exhilarating race to see on the spot!

Besides Yehliu in northern Taiwan, Kenting is also a geological curiosity. Chuanfanshi means “sail stone”, as it looks like a sail of a boat protruding out on the sea from a distance. This rock was broken from the coral shore. It is hard enough to withstand the erosion that flattened the shoreline behind the stone. The coral shoreline here lies in a bay between two peninsulas in Kenting. So it attracts lots of marine life here. That makes this place a perfect location for snorkelling and scuba diving.

Put on your sandals and have a shoreline walk with us and name the rock by your imagination. Some say it looks like U.S. President Nixon’s head when you walk close to the rock!

The east coast of Taiwan is rock coast mostly. However, Kenting is at the south top of Taiwan so it has a mixed style of coast. At Fongchuisha, the sand flew up from the shore with the north-east seasonal wind and the amount of sand is large enough to accumulate on the road. Hence we have the name, “the sand blown here by the wind”, in Chinese. Sometimes the sand covers the whole lane to become a sand dun. If you come in winter, the gusting wind will impress you with its power strong enough for you to lean your body slightly against the wind. In summer, it’s a breeze walking around the beach around coast and observing the beach life.

There are many unique marine environment and geological landscapes in Kenting. The location between Taiwan Strait and Pacific Ocean also attracts thousands of marine and aerial animals settle on this island. The area is also home to aboriginal tribes and latecomers of Han people. If you want to know more about Kenting before exploring it, Kenting National Park Visitor Center is the place to come. You can see presentations with various medias like TV walls, landscape models, and showrooms with fossils and specimens about this marvelous peninsula. The tour guides you to see Kenting along with the evolution of biology, showing you the path of geology, plants and animals, and marine and cultural resources. There are also many interactive devices for you and your kids to have fun. There is also a glass roof area for you to take a rest. On the observation deck, you can see the beautiful view from Nanwan to Maobitou. If in the end you are really interested in Kenting, you can also buy some professional books issued by the management office.

Located at the southeastern part of Hengchun Township, Chihniuling (literally “Red Bull Hill”) is one of the eight wonders of Hengchun. Standing up here, you will have a bird’s-eye view of the vast plain. During the day, the scenery is spectacular enough. When the night falls, the top of the hill becomes a great stargazing spot that is not to be missed.

At the crack of dawn, the surrounding mountains are shrouded in a mist of magic, while the magnificent sunset will take your breath away at the golden hour. The hill is away from the bustling Hengchun Old Town, allowing visitors to enjoy this serene oasis in absolute tranquility — let your mind do the wandering. In summertime, thousands of tiny little dancing fireflies can be spotted here at Chihniuling, creating a magical illusion in the enchanted forest. To arrive here, you must drive along the road next to the National Hengchun Vocational High School and go all the way uphill. Pay a bit more attention as you drive. Driving at night can be dangerous due to the lack of street lights in the area.

The century-old Zhennan Temple perched on the mountainside is another landmark of Chiniuling. Established in 1878, the temple venerates the God of War, also known as Guan Yu and Lord Guan, who is believed to once make his power felt here. The birthday of Emperor Guan falls on the 13th day of the first lunar month, and celebrations will be held to pray for blessings and mercy towards every local.

Gueishan is a small hill at the north of the National Museum of Marine Biology. It is a hidden place not known by tourist. It takes only fifteen minutes to get to the top. The view is splendid and you can see the mouths of Sichung River and Baoli River. It is a commanding point around the area, so there are some tunnels built around the hill. In winter, the weather is dry and you will see an interesting landscape, that is a river with no mouth. This is also a perfect spot for enjoying sunset. Just don't forget to bring your flashlight or it will be dark on your way back.