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🏖 3-Day 2-Night Plan · 2026

Kenting
3 Days 2 Nights at Taiwan's Southern Tip

Bus down from Zuoying · tropical beaches, the southernmost lighthouse, a night market · a real plan with no guesswork

📅 Updated May 2026
About This Trip

Three Full Days, Zero Wasted Time · Taiwan's Southernmost Peninsula

Kenting is far, but absolutely worth it — ride the HSR to Zuoying then take the Kenting Express bus 9189 for another two hours and you're there. This 3-day 2-night plan has a clear rhythm: Day 1 check in and hit South Bay (Nanwan) for a full afternoon in the water; wander Kenting Street night market after dark. Day 2 loop the southern cape — Eluanbi Lighthouse at Taiwan's southernmost point, Longpan Park with sea views on both sides, Sailing Rock and Houbihu Port for fresh sashimi. Day 3 wake early for sunrise, then browse Hengchun Old Town for souvenirs before the bus home. A rented scooter makes the whole thing effortless — just make sure you have an IDP.

Daily Schedule

Hour-by-Hour Itinerary — All 3 Days

DAY
1
Arrival · South Bay Beach · Night Market
08:00
Depart Kaohsiung HSR Zuoying → Bus 9189Take the THSR to Zuoying Station, then pick up the Kenting Express bus 9189 from the ground floor. Journey takes about 2 hours; fare NT$350–420. Buses run every 30–60 minutes — no advance booking needed.
10:30
Arrive in Kenting · Check in to beachside hotelMost hotels are near South Bay (Nanwan) or Kenting Street. Drop your bags if check-in isn't ready yet. Rent a scooter near Hengchun Old Town for NT$300–400/day (International Driving Permit required — a Thai licence alone is not valid).
12:00
Lunch then swim at South Bay (Nanwan)South Bay is Kenting's main beach — clear blue water, white sand. Snorkel sets and banana boats are available to hire all along the shore. Sunscreen SPF 50+ is non-negotiable: the southern sun is brutal.
15:30
Baisha Bay — the Life of Pi beachFree entry, no charge. The sand is even whiter and quieter than South Bay. This is the beach where Pi's raft scenes were filmed. Shallow water, great for wading. No food stalls here — bring your own water.
18:30
Freshen up · Stroll Kenting Street Night MarketKenting Street (墾丁大街) comes alive after 18:00. Must-tries: fresh mango ice cream, braised pork rice, grilled squid, stinky tofu. Relaxed vibe — you can drift up and down all evening.
DAY
2
Southern Cape · Lighthouse · Houbihu Port
08:00
Ride scooter to Eluanbi LighthouseThe brightest lighthouse in Asia and Taiwan's southernmost point. Entry NT$60; open 07:00–17:30. Walk the park around the lighthouse for about 30 minutes and photograph the "Taiwan's Southernmost Point" sign. Coolest before 09:00.
09:30
Longpan Park (龍磐公園)A green clifftop plateau with sea on both sides. Free entry. Sea views to the left and right at the same time. Also the best sunrise viewpoint for Day 3. Very windy, especially in winter — watch your step near the cliff edge.
10:30
Sailing Rock (船帆石)An 18-metre boulder shaped like a sailboat, right on the shoreline. Park the scooter and walk down to the beach in 5 minutes. Best photographed in the morning backlight. A seafood noodle shop is right next door.
11:30
Lunch at Houbihu Port (後壁湖漁港)A small fishing harbour whose seafood stalls open from 07:00 and close at 14:00 sharp. Tuna and squid sashimi at very low prices. Grilled swordfish with salt is a local speciality. Arrive before 13:00 — popular cuts sell out fast.
14:00
Maobitou Coral Promontory (貓鼻頭)A headland of strangely shaped coral formations. Free entry. About 30–40 minutes to walk through. Dramatic sea cliffs perfect for photos. Catch the sunset here if you're still around late enough.
17:00
Back to hotel · Rest · Dinner near Kenting StreetToday was a long scooter day — rest up properly. For dinner tonight, try a restaurant off the main strip where prices are lower. Set your alarm for 05:00 for tomorrow's sunrise.
DAY
3
Sunrise · Hengchun Old Town · Marine Museum
05:30
Sunrise at Longpan Park15 minutes by scooter from most hotels. Arrive before first light. The best sky usually runs 05:50–06:20. Bring a long-sleeved layer — wind is always strong in the early morning.
07:30
Check out + BreakfastStore luggage at the hotel or load it on the scooter. Grab congee or a steamed bun at the Hengchun morning market. Return the scooter before 09:00, or as agreed with the rental shop.
09:00
Hengchun Old Town + Souvenir Shopping140-year-old city walls, always open and free. Walk through the South Gate for great photos. Best souvenirs: Dongting wine (洞庭酒), packaged mango sticky rice, dried squid. Prices in the old town are 20–30% cheaper than on Kenting Street.
10:30
National Museum of Marine Biology (optional)Located near Checheng, 15 minutes from Hengchun. The 84-metre underwater tunnel aquarium is the highlight. Entry NT$450; open 09:00–17:30. Best for families with children — if you're travelling without kids, feel free to skip it and head to the bus stop.
13:00
Final lunch → Bus 9189 back to ZuoyingEat your last meal before boarding. Bus 9189 back to Zuoying takes 2 hours. From Zuoying catch the HSR back to Taipei or your next destination. Buy bus tickets at the 7-Eleven in Kenting or at Hengchun station.
Trip Budget

Cost Summary — 3 Days 2 Nights (per person)

TransportNT$2,200
AccommodationNT$3,000
FoodNT$1,800
Activities & EntryNT$700
TotalNT$7,700
Estimated per person · Includes HSR + Bus 9189 round-trip + 2-day scooter rental · Mid-range beachside hotel · 3 meals/day · Lighthouse + Marine Museum entry · Does not include water activities (snorkel/banana boat) or souvenirs.
Insider Tips

5 Things to Know Before You Go

🛵
Rent your scooter in Hengchun, not Kenting
Shops in Hengchun Old Town charge NT$50–100 less per day than those on Kenting Street. Important: you must have an International Driving Permit (IDP) — a Thai licence alone is not valid in Taiwan. Get your IDP at the Department of Land Transport in Thailand before your trip.
🌀
Typhoon season Aug–Oct: still doable, but have a backup plan
Hotels drop 30–50% during this period, which is tempting. But typhoons do pass through. If you come in this window, check the CWA weather app daily. The prime window is April–July: calm seas, clear skies, great visibility for snorkelling.
☀️
SPF 50+ sunscreen is non-negotiable
Kenting sits closer to the equator than anywhere else in Taiwan — the sun is intense even on cloudy days. Reapply every 2 hours. Keep a hat and sunglasses on you at all times.
🏖
Best free beaches: Baisha Bay and South Bay
No entry fee at either. Baisha Bay has whiter, cleaner sand — great for photos. South Bay has shops and rental equipment nearby. Avoid 11:00–14:00 when the sun is at its harshest.
🐟
Houbihu Port closes at 14:00 sharp
The fresh seafood stalls at the fishing harbour operate 07:00–14:00 only. After 2 pm, everything shuts. Arrive before noon to get the full range of fish. Prices are 40–50% cheaper than on Kenting Street.
Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ · Common Questions

What's the best way to get from Taipei to Kenting?
The best option is HSR to Zuoying in Kaohsiung, then Kenting Express bus 9189. HSR Taipei to Zuoying takes 1.5 hours (NT$1,080); the bus takes 2 hours (NT$350–420). Total journey 3.5–4 hours — affordable and no frequent transfers.
How do I get from Kaohsiung to Kenting?
Take the Kenting Express bus (9189) from the ground floor of Zuoying HSR Station. Buses run every 30–60 minutes; fare NT$350–420; 2-hour journey. Stops at Hengchun and Kenting. For groups of 3–4, renting a car in Kaohsiung and driving down may be better value.
What's the best season to visit Kenting?
April to July is the best window — warm weather, calm seas, excellent visibility for snorkelling, and less crowded than August. August to October brings typhoon risk but accommodation drops 30–50%. November to March is very windy — good for windsurfing, not ideal for swimming.
Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a scooter?
Yes — a Thai driving licence cannot be used directly in Taiwan. You need to convert it to an International Driving Permit (IDP) before leaving Thailand. Apply at the Department of Land Transport; it takes one day. Without an IDP, options include renting a tuk-tuk or hiring a driver for a half-day.
How much does a 3-day 2-night Kenting trip cost?
Roughly NT$7,000–10,000 per person. Breakdown: HSR + bus round-trip NT$1,800–2,200; accommodation NT$1,500–4,000/night (2 nights); food NT$400–800/day; scooter rental NT$600–800 (2 days); entry fees NT$500–700 including lighthouse and marine museum.
What should I eat in Kenting?
See the full Kenting food guide for everything. Don't miss: fresh sashimi at Houbihu Port (open until 14:00 only), squid sausage along Kenting Street, salt-grilled squid, and braised pork rice (魯肉飯) at a time-honoured shop in Hengchun.
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