The busiest season in Kenting, according to Jack Wu, general manager of Caesar Park Hotel there, has always been from the end of June to the end of August, the prime beach season for which the city is known.

“For me, the best time of the year to be in Kenting is actually right now, because the sun continues to shine brightly, yet the town is not so overcrowded,” Wu told The China Post.

So, follow us down south this week to discover the lesser-known parts of town and experience a different side of Kenting.

An Atypical Park

Situated on the east coast of Kenting National Park is Longpan Park. It is referred to as a “park” but other than a few bushes speckling the area, this location is hardly ordinary. The scenic site is uniquely shaped and situated on the edge of some breathtakingly steep cliffs, where visitors are presented with a panoramic view of the grand Pacific. With nothing standing in between you and the ocean view, the water is so close you can almost taste it in the air.

Besides the spectacular view, another irreplaceable element of Longpan Park is what our tour guide Chen Jing-shan calls a “gentle breeze.” He may have been a little modest in describing the wind though, as this “breeze” actually caused my cheeks to ripple. Having previously been in countless typhoons, I'd never experienced such a mighty force.

With the Pacific winds blowing to the north, the southern tip of Taiwan naturally receives the full force of their blasts. Thankfully, the “breeze” wasn't at full strength when I was there. According to Chen, who has lived in Kenting for more than two decades, the winds are often stronger than a level 12 typhoon. Astonishingly, it is a lot safer than one imagines, as the wind blows toward the coast, keeping people inland and away from the cliff's edge.

Next to me, Chen shouted (due to the roar of the wind) his description of the park as the perfect spot for stargazers due to its lack of light pollution. It is certainly no surprise that a place of such magnificence is so often the choice location for music videos or television commercials.

Visitors can take a short 200-meter stroll up the hill from the visitors' viewing platform and walk towards the sea to experience the fun atmosphere of Longpan Park. The view is nothing short of inspirational.

As Far South as Possible

The southernmost tip of Taiwan is Cape Eluanbi. This corner of the island is enveloped by the Pacific on its left and the Bashi Channel on its right. The view is extraordinary, as you witness the two bodies of water merge into one, unique from other sea views. The best place to watch the waters crash and roll is at the Eluanbi Lighthouse — the country's oldest.

To get there, visitors must pass through the Eluanbi Park, established in 1982. As the southernmost tip grew in popularity, the park became home to the lighthouse, peninsula's most notable landmark.

The lighthouse itself was built in 1888. It is famously identified as the “Light of East Asia” for possessing the most powerful intensity of all lighthouses in Taiwan. Standing at 21.4 meters, Asia's brightest lighthouse sits in a 59-hectare garden, near a number of recreational facilities and interesting botanical features. The luscious emerald color of this spot brings out the blueness of the sea as you look down from the lighthouse.

Note: The entrance fee to the park and the lighthouse is NT$40 for adults and NT$20 for children under the height of 120 centimeters.

Sailing a Stone

I've always wondered why people called it a “stone” when the “stone” in question looks more like a mountain-sized boulder. Known as Sail Stone, the 18-meter tall giant is plunked in the middle of the water near the coast alongside Ping-er Freeway.

The stone apparently got its name because from a distance, it looks similar to a ship about to set sail. Interestingly, some people have even suggested that the stone, from the front, looks like the head of former President Richard Nixon of the United States. Honestly speaking, I just thought it looked like a massive boulder. Perhaps I'm just not as imaginative as some people.

Naturalists from the Kenting National Park have pondered the origin of the Sail Stone. Initial theories included that the stone had risen from the water over time; a more current consensus favors the possibility that the stone simply rolled down from the mountains centuries ago, judging from a trail that appears to be the “rolling route.”

Made of coral, the area around the Sail Stone is often crowded with scuba divers as a lot of aquatic life and coral can be discovered here.

Note: Even though it is likely that many divers will be around, first-timers should nevertheless seek professional assistance.

--iaowan Bar at Sunset

Twilight offers the best time to take in a softly lit sea view. Where to sit near the sand and listen to the lapping waves, sip a drink and nibble some snacks, and just absorb the overall Kenting atmosphere? Luckily for you, we've found such a paradise.

Situated right across from Caesar Park Kenting Hotel is a hidden beach known as --iaowan – literally meaning “little seashore” – that, even though it's open to the public, feels extra secluded. With parts of this beach managed by the five-star hotel since 2003, water sports such as rowing and snorkeling have become accessible and organized in a safe manner for visitors.

--iaowan is also special because it houses the only beach bar in town – the --iaowan Bar. Friendly waitresses and waiters, all tanned and exotic-looking, provide an appropriate “holiday ambiance.” With homegrown mint, the mojitos there are one of a kind (but don't forget to drink responsibly, please). Juices freshly squeezed from local fruits are also available here for children and non-drinkers.

Every night (excluding Tuesday), a live band performs from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., making the whole experience even more relaxing and memorable. So with all these hotspots waiting for you in Kenting - what are you waiting for?

How to get there:

By HSR: Get off at Zuoying Station and share a 100-minute taxi ride to Kenting. For six people, it usually costs NT$300-NT$400 per person. (Those who take the Railway and get off at Kaohsiung Station may do so too).

By bus: Take the “Air force 1” from No. 18 Chengde Road that travels for about 6 hours to Kenting from Taipei. A single trip costs NT$900 and advance booking is required. Call 2555-1118 for more details.

--iaowan Bar at Caesar Park Hotel ~ Kenting (墾丁凱薩大飯店小灣吧) /No. 6 Kenting Road, Hengchun Town, Pingtung County 屏東縣恆春鎮墾丁路6號 (08) 886 - 1888