Kenting (墾丁) is Taiwan's tropical southern tip, and it pairs naturally with Kaohsiung: we travel through Kaohsiung on our way down, and many visitors could, and should, do both on one trip. From Kaohsiung, take the Kenting Express bus from Zuoying HSR Station. It takes about 140 minutes, so give Kenting at least one night.
- Bus Kenting Express 9189, Zuoying HSR to Kenting, about 140 min
- Fare NT$401 one way, NT$650 return
- Buses Every 30 min, 08:00 to 19:30, both directions
- Stay At least one night
Getting there
Kenting Express (墾丁快線), route 9189. This Taiwan Tourist Shuttle runs from Zuoying HSR Station via Fangliao, Checheng, the aquarium, Hengchun and South Bay to Kenting and Little Bay (Xiaowan). Run jointly by Kaohsiung Bus and Pingtung Bus.
- Where to board: platform 2 at Zuoying HSR, with the ticket counter by HSR exit 2. Zuoying is also MRT Zuoying (R16, Red Line) and TRA Xinzuoying.
- Times: 24 buses a day each way, every 30 minutes from 08:00 to 19:30. The first bus from Zuoying reaches Kenting at 10:20; the last bus back leaves at 19:30.
- Tickets: NT$401 one way, NT$650 return. Book online through the operator, or buy at the counter. If you're paying with an iPASS or EasyCard, collect a seat card at the counter before boarding, as there's no standing on the highway. Tickets bought on Klook, KKday or ibon must be swapped at the counter.
Good to know: holiday traffic on the way back can add a lot of time. The operator advises leaving two to three hours between the bus and a High Speed Rail train.
Kenting Airport Express, route 9117B. From near Kaohsiung Main Station via Kaohsiung International Airport to Little Bay, about 170 minutes, NT$372 cash or NT$327 by card. Handy if you land at KHH and want to head straight down.
No train. The railway doesn't reach Kenting: the nearest stations are more than 37 km from the park headquarters.
Getting around Kenting
Pingtung Bus runs the Kenting Street Bus routes between Hengchun, Little Bay, Maobitou, Jialeshui and the aquarium, and ten new electric buses joined them in February 2026. YouBike 2.0 has stations on Dawan Road in Kenting, at South Bay, at the Little Bay visitor centre car park and at Eluanbi Park.
Many visitors rent a scooter. Whether your home licence or an International Driving Permit lets you ride one in Taiwan depends on your country, so check with Taiwan's Highway Bureau before you go. Without a licence, stick to the buses and YouBike.
What to see
Kenting National Park (墾丁國家公園) was Taiwan's first national park, set up in 1982 with its headquarters opening in 1984. It covers land and sea around the whole peninsula, and there's no fee to enter the park itself. Only a few parks inside it charge.
Eluanbi Park (鵝鑾鼻公園). Taiwan's southernmost point, with its white lighthouse, 21.4 m tall. Open April to October 06:30 to 18:30, November to March 07:00 to 17:30. NT$60 (NT$30 concession).
Kenting Forest Recreation Area (墾丁森林遊樂區). A former Japanese-era tropical botanical garden on the hill above town, with caves and a valley of hanging banyans. Open 08:00 to 17:00, NT$150 (NT$75 concession).
South Bay (南灣, Nanwan). A beach about 600 m long, once a whaling station, with showers and toilets. With Little Bay, one of the two places the park names for swimming.
Baisha (白沙). A small bay with a white beach of coral and shell, calm in winter because the land shelters it.
Maobitou Park (貓鼻頭公園) and Longpan Park (龍磐公園). Two coastal viewpoints: Maobitou on the west side (NT$30; its seaside trail is closed), Longpan a grassy tableland on the east coast that the park suggests for stargazing.
National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium (國立海洋生物博物館). A big aquarium in Checheng, on the way in. Open 09:00 to 17:30 most of the year (later in July and August). NT$450 adult. The Kenting Express stops nearby.
Kenting Street (墾丁大街). The shop-lined main street in town. On holiday weekends it closes to traffic in the evening and becomes a pedestrian zone.
Weather and sea safety
- Warm all year. January averages 20.5°C and July 28.3°C. About 82% of the rain falls from May to October; November to April is the dry season.
- Typhoons come most often from July to September.
- The downslope wind (落山風) blows hard from October to March, when the northeast monsoon is strongest.
- Swim safely. The park bans water activities after dark, in rough seas, and for two days either side of a typhoon, and you must stay out of areas signed 禁止游泳 (no swimming). In an emergency call 119, or 112 where reception is weak. Closed coastal areas are closed for a reason: visitors caught in them during a typhoon can be fined.
Kaohsiung and Kenting on one trip
The simplest plan: arrive in Kaohsiung (by air at KHH, or by HSR at Zuoying), spend your city days on the harbor, then take the Kenting Express from Zuoying for a night or two by the sea. Coming back, ride the bus to Zuoying and continue north by HSR, or stop off in Tainan on the way.
→ A Kaohsiung and Kenting itinerary · Getting around Kaohsiung · On to Tainan · More day trips
Sources: Kenting Express: Taiwan Tourist Shuttle and KT-BUS. 9117B: Taiwan Tourist Shuttle. Park history, fees, hours, climate and safety: Kenting National Park. Eluanbi, rail distances and YouBike: Taiwan Tourism Administration. Street buses: Pingtung Bus; electric buses: CNA. Aquarium: NMMBA. Typhoon fines: Focus Taiwan. Checked October 2026.