Kenting National Forest Recreation Area

The Kenting National Forest Recreation Area was originally a marine garden formed by the aggregation of numerous stony corals, calcareous algae, foraminifera, and shells. Due to the Earth's plate movements 500,000 years ago, it transformed into a unique forest ecosystem—a high-level coral reef forest. It boasts rich ecology, monsoon rainforests, and limestone topography, offering visitors a distinctive recreational option in Kenting. Located just 10 minutes from Kenting Main Street, it is Taiwan's second National Forest Recreation Area. It features well-developed high-level coral reef forests and monsoon rainforests, including large Barringtonia trees clinging to the reef rocks, silver-leaved trees with prominent buttress roots, and Banyan trees with numerous aerial roots. In 1906, the Japanese established the 'Hengchun Tropical Botanical Garden' here, which now has over a century of history. The park is commonly home to groups of Taiwanese macaques and Pallas's squirrels. Lucky visitors might catch a glimpse of sika deer and crab-eating mongooses. The main highlight, however, is the migratory birds that visit in autumn and winter, such as the Grey-faced Buzzard in October, and even the rare Black-naped Oriole. The forest floor is inhabited by unique Taiwanese species like the yellow-grey freshwater crab and Pancala snails. Another major feature of Kenting National Forest Recreation Area is its limestone topography. In caves like Yinlong Cave (Silver Dragon Cave) and Shisun Baoxue (Stalagmite Treasure Cave), visitors can see geological treasures such as stalactites and stalagmites. This magical forest will surely be a feast for the eyes for those who love exploration!