10 Best Places Where Locals Love to Go in Pingtung

Donggang is situated in the south-west of Pingtung, at the estuary of Gaoping River. The bluefin tuna sold here has made this place a tourist attraction. The "Bluefin Tuna Cultural Festival" takes place from May to July each year and is an important annual tourism event. At Donggang Fishery Port you'll find the Marine Product Direct Sale Centre (also known as Huaqiao Market), a popular afternoon fish market in Pingtung. You can buy freshly caught fish at great prices here. Donggang Fishery Port was redesigned and refurbished to enhance the building's image and improve the port environment. You'll find this bluefin tuna-themed port a clean and pleasant place to visit. After nightfall, there's a fantastic light show at the Marine Product Direct Sale Centre and dazzling LED lights illuminate the entire Donggang Fishery Port, transforming this destination into a glistening gem at night.

Kenting National Park, the first national park in Taiwan, sits at the southernmost point of the island. With its unique topography, the park is a popular tropical destination in Pingtung. Kenting National Park is surrounded by the sea on three sides and has majestic coastal scenery. Its vibrant flora and fauna, dreamy white-sand beach, warm blue sea and unique rocky terrain are all natural tourist attractions. This is a charming destination that is well worth a visit. You'll find plenty of well-appointed waterfront hotels here. Treat yourself to a room with an ocean view, where you can spend the evening stargazing before drifting off to sleep to the sound of the gentle waves. Kenting National Park has a wide selection of water-based activities. You can surf, snorkel, dive, swim, ride jet skis or simply soak up the sun.

The ocean is a precious resource to the people of Pingtung. To promote ocean conservation and give people an opportunity to learn more about marine life, the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium was established in Checheng Township, Pingtung County. It is a popular attraction in Pingtung, and welcomes a steady stream of visitors every day. The main exhibitions of the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium are Waters of Taiwan, Coral Kingdom Pavilion, Waters of the World and Whale Explorium. The 265-foot (81 metres) underwater tunnel in the Coral Kingdom Pavilion is hugely popular, giving you the chance to admire the colourful corals all around you, as if you were underwater. In Waters of the World you'll find the funny-looking king penguins and puffins as well as the feeding shows that draw big crowds and provide lots of laughs. The National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium also offers a unique sleepover experience, allowing you to spend the night sleeping next to the marine animals and leave the next day with unforgettable memories.

Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area is located in Donggang Township, Pingtung County. Dapeng Bay is south-west Taiwan's largest lagoon. Its biodiverse ecosystem is home to a variety of precious animal and plant species. The incredible ocean views also make this destination well worth a visit. You'll find many species of birds here, including migratory birds. According to statistics, around 95 species of birds inhabit and migrate here, many of them coming to forage for fish and crustaceans and build nests. When you arrive at Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area, you'll be greeted by the dense mangroves and various coastal plants that form the diverse bay ecosystem. Dapeng Bay Bridge, a streamlined sea-crossing bascule bridge, is one of the area's main landmarks. The lifting of the deck on this 1,899-foot (579 metres) tall bridge is an incredible sight, and it's one of the most eye-catching structures in Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area.

Donglong Temple mainly worships "Royal Lord Wen" Wangye and is the faith centre of Donggang Township, Pingtung County. The gold leaf-stacked mountain and river pailou stands in front of the temple, glittering in the tropical sunshine of Pingtung, as if a majestic temple of Heaven appeared on earth. The most well-known ceremony of Donglong Temple is the Wangye Worshipping Ceremony, which is held only once every 3 years. From "Inviting Wangye" to "Sending off Wangye", the ceremony runs for 8 days, during which the "Walking over Fire", "Presenting Letters", "Sailing of Wangye Boats", and other ceremonies are held. Among all the ceremonies, the most eye-catching is the "Boat Burning" ritual. Amidst the firecrackers and the raging flames, the hull is slowly burned to ashes, creating a spectacular scene. This traditional ritual is recognised as an important intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture. Whether or not you have religious beliefs, a visit to Donglong Temple will give you an insight into the powerful role that religion plays in the daily lives of the people who live here.

Little Liuqiu is a small island located off Donggang, Pingtung. It is a coral island that covers an area of 1,680 acres (6.8 square kilometres) and is full of natural attractions with distinctive landscapes, attracting many tourists to spend their holidays here. Little Liuqiu has a unique coastal terrain. Unusually shaped rocks like Mouse Rock, Guanyin Rock and Indian Rock will definitely spark your imagination. You'll find a wide selection of comfortable hotels on Little Liuqiu, and many of them provide holiday packages. Experiences like snorkelling, tidal zone visits, night tours and other activities are included in the accommodation package, so you can fully experience the ocean charm of Little Liuqiu. Why not sign up for a snorkelling tour? Under the clear waters of Little Liuqiu, you can see the coral reef and colourful fish through your goggles. If you're lucky, you'll even get to see the huge sea turtles!

Where there's a coastal destination, there's a landmark lighthouse – and Pingtung is no exception. Eluanbi Lighthouse is the local landmark lighthouse. This iconic building has become the main image of the emblem of Pingtung County. Eluanbi Lighthouse, a 70.2-foot tall (21.4 metres) tower, was built in 1883. This white structure is particularly striking under the sunlight. It was built as a fortification and was equipped with forts on the inside and on the outside. There were also trenches around it, making this building the only armed lighthouse in the world. After taking a photo with Eluanbi Lighthouse, don’t leave just yet. Just a few minutes' walk away you'll find Eluanbi Park. In this limestone coral reef park, you can follow the wooden walkway to further explore the rocky reef terrain and get close to the trees and plants. Why not come to get some inspiration from the unique topography and unusual rocks?

Pingtung embraces various landforms. Not only a coastal destination, it also has precious natural hot springs located at Sichongxi, Checheng Township, Pingtung County. The colourless and odourless weak alkaline bicarbonate hot spring is a great place for a relaxing soak. The temperature of the spring water varies by season, which means it's lower in summer and higher in springtime (from March to April). Visitors to Sichongxi Hot Spring can opt for a stay at one of the hot spring resorts, which are well-appointed and provide guests with great bathing experiences. Want to spend some time in an outdoor bath? All you need is a ticket. You'll also find restaurants nearby, so you can enjoy a fine meal immediately after bathing.

Maolin National Scenic Area, established in 1999, spans Pingtung County and Kaohsiung City. The rivers running through this area formed its unique meander core landscape. Together with the tribal customs of the indigenous people, it is an area rich in both natural and cultural assets. As environmental awareness has grown, Maolin National Scenic Area has begun to promote eco-tourism, meaning that tourists can enjoy a variety of activities without harming the natural environment. Come and admire the millions of purple crow butterflies fluttering in the sky, hike around the meander core and visit the indigenous tribes in Sandimen Township, Pingtung. Activities like cycling and slate painting are also popular here. And, of course, the meals cooked with natural ingredients are something you can't miss. Come to Maolin National Scenic Area for an unforgettable trip, during which you can further explore Taiwan's verdant forests, experience the indigenous culture and learn to respect and love nature.