Located on the southern tip of Pingtung County’s peninsula, Hengchun Township offers visitors a taste of Taiwan’s wild side. It’s the country’s southernmost township, yet its isolated setting hasn’t stopped it from becoming a holiday hotspot for both local and international travellers alike. While downtown Hengchun serves up plenty of charm, the real drawcard is its location within Kenting National Park. Hengchun is the gateway to this slice of Taiwanese wilderness, which is known for its sultry tropical climate, an abundance of sunshine and a pristine set of beaches.
By day, holidaymakers soak up the sun at tropical beach resorts. When the sun goes down, bustling night markets come to life with street food vendors and souvenir stalls. For history buffs, Hengchun Old Town is celebrated as one of Taiwan’s most beautifully preserved cities. Four gates remain intact, while the city is still encircled by around half of the walls that originally towered above its footprint. This is quite the architectural feat, given that Hengchun Old Town was completed in 1879, during GuangXu's reign of the Qing dynasty.
The most popular way to reach the township is by plane, with Hengchun Airport offering domestic flights from Taipei. Alternatively, visitors can drive in using Expressway No. 26. From Taipei, the journey to Hengchun is a five-hour trip. Once in town, taxis are the most popular way for tourists to get around.
In English, the Taiwanese word ‘Hengchun’ translates to ‘Eternal Spring Town’. The name draws inspiration from the town’s tropical monsoon climate, which brings warm temperatures throughout the year. For a glimpse at local impressions of Hengchun Township, the 2008 Taiwanese film ‘Cape No. 7’ features the region’s stunning scenery.