Kenting National Forest Recreational Area Introduction
Kenting National Forest Recreation Area is the only tropical botanical garden in Taiwan and one of the top ten tropical botanical gardens in the world. The park currently has over a thousand species of tropical plants, along with rich resources of butterflies, birds, insects, and reptiles. Occasionally, groups of Formosan macaques can be seen playing, and during autumn and winter, a large number of migratory birds such as the Red-bellied Hawk, Honey Buzzard, Cattle Egret, Amur Falcon, Rufous-backed Bush Robin, Gray-faced Buzzard, and Eurasian Magpie also inhabit the area, adding vibrant life to the primitive forest. The elevation of Kenting National Forest Recreation Area ranges from 200 to 300 meters, covering an area of approximately 435 hectares. Due to the complex terrain and variable climate of the Hengchun Peninsula, it nurtures a rich and unique variety of precious plant resources, which can be broadly divided into three forest layers: the first layer is the tree layer, mainly composed of Moraceae and Lauraceae trees; the second layer is the shrub layer, primarily featuring small palm plants; the third layer is the ground cover plants, mostly low grasses and climbing vines. The combination of ornamental and conservational plants amounts to 1,200 species, making it a forest park with rich forest types. Kenting National Forest Recreation Area is covered by uplifted high-lying coral reef limestone, which is primarily made up of corals, foraminifera, shells, and coralline algae. Research suggests that this area should have been located underwater millions of years ago. The coral reef limestone has been shaped into unique landforms such as stalactites, stone caves, stone pillars, canyons, and intricate limestone formations due to weathering and erosion by seawater. Notably, stalactites and stone spikes, formed by the accumulation of calcium carbonate from dripping groundwater, take about 30 years to grow just 1 centimeter in height, making them rare and precious geological resources. Entering the park through the archway of Kenting National Forest Recreation Area and following the forest trail, one can see rows of ancient trees along the path, including a giant tree of the species Malabar chestnut that is over 300 years old! Within the park, there are numerous attractions worth exploring, including the Aquatic Plant Area, Stalactite Treasure Cave, Silver-leaved Buttress, Fairy Cave, Labyrinth Forest, One Line Sky, Banyan Valley, Silver Dragon Cave, First Gorge, Umbrella Pavilion, and Monkey-Perching Cliff, among others, all of which are geographic landscapes not to be missed.
