Taiwan Pingtung Tourism Soars as Xiaoliuqiu and Kenting Spark a Powerful Holiday Travel Revival

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Taiwan Pingtung Tourism Soars as Xiaoliuqiu and Kenting Spark a Powerful Holiday Travel Revival Boom Pingtung County in Taiwan witnessed a major tourism rebound during the four-day Mid-Autumn Festival and Teachers’ Day holiday, as popular destinations Xiaoliuqiu and Kenting welcomed large numbers of visitors following months of weather-related travel disruptions. The surge in demand pushed accommodation bookings above 90% in both areas during the opening days of the holiday, providing renewed momentum for local tourism businesses.

The southern Taiwan destination benefited from clear skies and favourable travel conditions, encouraging visitors to return to beaches, coastal attractions and cultural areas. The holiday period highlighted growing confidence among travellers and demonstrated the resilience of Pingtung’s tourism sector after a challenging summer season affected by heavy rainfall and typhoon activity.

Xiaoliuqiu Welcomes Strong Visitor Return After Difficult Summer Season

Xiaoliuqiu, a small island destination off the coast of Pingtung, experienced a significant increase in visitors during the holiday break. Known for its unique coastal scenery, marine activities and natural attractions, the island became one of the preferred destinations for travellers seeking outdoor experiences.

One of the most visited locations was Flower Vase Rock, a famous coastal landmark that attracted crowds during the holiday period. The combination of sunny weather, comfortable temperatures and improved travel conditions encouraged more people to plan trips to the island.

The increase in visitor numbers was especially important after a difficult summer season. Tourism activity usually reaches its peak during summer, but frequent rain and typhoons disrupted travel plans and affected local businesses.

The latest holiday surge helped restore confidence among accommodation providers and tourism operators. Many businesses reported strong future demand, with several October weekends already showing high booking levels. Travellers who postponed summer trips due to poor weather conditions are expected to visit the island during upcoming holiday periods.

Kenting Tourism Rebounds as Visitors Return to Beaches and Attractions

Kenting, one of Taiwan’s most recognised coastal tourism destinations, also recorded a strong recovery during the holiday period. The area attracted visitors to its beaches, shopping streets and outdoor attractions as favourable weather created ideal conditions for sightseeing and leisure activities.

Kenting Main Street experienced increased activity, benefiting local shops, restaurants and tourism-related businesses. The area includes hundreds of vendors offering food, shopping and visitor experiences, making it a central attraction within the Hengchun Peninsula.

The tourism rebound followed a challenging period when prolonged rainfall affected visitor numbers and reduced business activity. Improved weather conditions helped bring travellers back to the destination and supported local economic recovery.

Recent improvements to Kenting Main Street also contributed to a better visitor environment. A major redevelopment project completed in 2025 redesigned approximately 1.41 kilometres of the popular street area. The project expanded pedestrian spaces, improved road organisation and introduced new parking arrangements to make movement easier for visitors.

The NT$50 million project created 12 designated short-term parking areas while improving the overall experience for pedestrians and travellers exploring the destination.

Holiday Travel Boost Supports Local Businesses Across Hengchun Peninsula

The tourism increase was visible throughout the Hengchun Peninsula, where restaurants, accommodation providers and attractions reported stronger visitor activity. Comfortable temperatures and coastal winds encouraged travellers to enjoy beaches, outdoor recreation and sightseeing.

Nanwan Recreation Area became one of the busiest spots during the holiday, with long vehicle queues reported near parking facilities. Hengchun town also welcomed larger crowds as visitors explored the region’s attractions and local businesses.

The holiday period also attracted international visitors, including travellers from Hong Kong, where the Mid-Autumn Festival break created additional outbound travel demand. The combination of domestic and international visitors helped strengthen tourism activity across Pingtung.

Local businesses are now looking towards upcoming holiday periods with optimism, hoping that the recent increase in visitor numbers will continue and provide sustained support for the regional tourism economy.

New Kenting Transport Hub Set to Improve Future Visitor Access

Alongside the tourism recovery, Pingtung is investing in infrastructure improvements designed to strengthen future visitor connectivity. Construction of the new Kenting Bus Transfer Station began on September 15, with completion planned for July 2027.

The NT$117 million project will be built near Kenting Main Street and aims to improve public transportation links across the Hengchun Peninsula. The facility will include eight bus bays, parking spaces for 60 cars and 25 motorcycles, a 36-space YouBike station and three dedicated taxi areas.

The new transport hub is expected to make travel easier for visitors using public transport and create stronger connections between different bus routes. Currently, Kenting is located more than nine kilometres from the existing Hengchun transfer station, creating a need for improved accessibility.

As Pingtung continues upgrading tourism facilities and attracting more visitors, destinations such as Xiaoliuqiu and Kenting are emerging as key drivers of southern Taiwan’s travel recovery. The latest holiday performance shows renewed demand for coastal tourism experiences and highlights the region’s potential for continued growth in the coming seasons.