Kenting National Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kenting National Park
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Nanwan Beach in Kenting National Park
Location	Taiwan
Nearest city	Hengchun
Area	333 km2 (129 sq mi)
Established	1 January 1984
Visitors	8,376,708 (in 2014)
Governing body	Kenting National Park Administration Office

Kenting National Park (Chinese: 墾丁國家公園; pinyin: Kěndīng Gúojiā Gōngyuán), also known simply as Kenting (Chinese: 墾丁; pinyin: Kěndīng), is a special protected area in Pingtung County, Taiwan. It was created on January 1, 1984. This makes it Taiwan's oldest national park. It is also the southernmost park in Taiwan. Kenting is very popular, with millions of visitors each year. For example, over five million people visited in 2016.

Where to find Kenting National Park in Taiwan

History of Kenting National Park

The name "Kenting" means "pathfinders" or "pioneers." This is because early settlers explored and opened up the land.

Ancient Cultures and the Lighthouse

Many Aboriginal groups lived in the park area long ago. Scientists have found seventeen ancient sites here. Most of these sites are more than 4,000 years old. Tribes like the Puyama, Ami, and Siraiya Makatau lived in this region.

The Eluanbi Lighthouse was built near the southern tip of Taiwan. This happened in the late 1800s. It was needed because many ships crashed in the nearby waters. One famous event was the American Rover incident. The lighthouse took twenty years to build.

Local Aboriginal tribes sometimes attacked the lighthouse. They did not want it on their land. Because of this, the Chinese military had to guard the area. This makes it the only armed lighthouse in Taiwan. During World War II, when Taiwan was under Japanese rule, the lighthouse was bombed. This happened during the Aerial Battle of Taiwan-Okinawa. The lighthouse was later rebuilt.

Protecting the Land

Kenting National Park was officially created in 1984. Chiang Ching-kuo, who was the leader of Taiwan, helped make this happen. The area had been damaged by farming and building. The park was made to protect the land and its natural beauty.

In 2001, a Greek ship called the Amorgos had trouble near the park. It lost power while sailing to China. In 2010, the ship's bottom split open. This caused about 1,100 tonnes of oil to spill into the sea. The oil spread along almost 4 kilometers of the park's shoreline. This oil spill caused serious harm to the ocean and its wildlife. It affected 200 types of birds and 2,200 types of plants. Many crabs, fish, and clams also died.

Geography of Kenting

Kenting National Park is surrounded by water. The Pacific Ocean is to the east. The Taiwan Strait is to the west. The Bashi Channel is to the south. The park covers about 333 square kilometers. About 181 square kilometers are land. The other 152 square kilometers are sea.

The park is in an area where the Earth's plates are very active. This means there can be earthquakes and changes in the land over time.

Amazing Animals and Plants

Kenting National Park is home to many different kinds of plants and animals. It has 15 types of mammals. There are also 310 types of birds. You can find 59 types of reptiles and amphibians. The waters hold 21 types of fish. The park also has 216 types of butterflies and many other insects.

Whales and Migrating Birds

Long ago, many whales used to spend the winter in the sea around the park. But during the time of Japanese rule, too much whaling happened. This caused the whales to disappear from the area. Sadly, there are no whales in these waters now.

During the fall and winter, many migrating birds fly to the park. They stop here to rest and find food. About 235 different types of birds visit the park during these seasons.

Kenting's Climate

The park has a tropical climate. This means the weather is warm or hot all year round. In January, the average temperature is about 21 degrees Celsius. In July, it can get as hot as 38 degrees Celsius. Rain falls throughout the year, keeping the area green.

Fun Things to Do in Kenting

The Eluanbi Lighthouse, located near the southern tip of Taiwan

Many people visit Kenting for exciting activities. You can go snorkelling, scuba diving, swimming, and hiking. The park also has many beautiful nature areas. There are interesting museums and lovely beaches to explore.

Some popular spots include the Sheding Nature Park. You can also visit the historic Eluanbi Lighthouse. The National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium is a great place to learn about sea life. And for beach fun, check out Jialeshui Beach.

Images for kids

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  Formosan sika deer

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  Terrestrial crab

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  Beach view from Kenting beach

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  Another beach in Kenting, Baishawan, also known as White Sand beach

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  Jialeshui beach in Kenting, a popular spot for surfers

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  The East Coast in Kenting National Park

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  Cape Eluanbi

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  The National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium

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  Water Buffaloes

See also

In Spanish: Parque nacional Kenting para niños