Hong Chai Keng Introduction
Hong Chai Keng is a rather inconspicuous small village with about 300 residents. The local residents mainly make a living through fishing, so the nearby Hong Chai Keng Fishing Port sees fishing boats delivering bountiful catches daily to meet market demand. This is the most ordinary scene of life in Hong Chai Keng. However, beneath the calm surface of the sea lies a rich and varied underwater landscape, teeming with numerous rare and beautiful corals and colorful tropical fish, which has gradually developed into a tourist port and a renowned underwater sightseeing spot. “Hong Chai” refers to a type of tree known as the Taiwan tree fern, which is native to Taiwan and commonly found in Orchid Island and the Hengchun Peninsula. It primarily serves as a coastal windbreak forest. The area was once famous for its abundance of red cypress, which is how Hong Chai Keng got its name. However, it has developed into a tourist destination due to its vibrant and captivating underwater ecology. The waters near Hong Chai Keng represent the area around Kenting with the widest distribution, most diverse types, and greatest concentration of coral reefs, making this beautiful scenery a significant attraction for many visitors. Due to conditions unfavorable for good harbors along coral reef coasts, there are only two fishing ports on the west coast of the Hengchun Peninsula: Shan Hai and Hong Chai Keng. Because these two ports face west and are sheltered by hilly terrain, Hong Chai Keng is uniquely calm during the strong mountain winds that blow through Kenting during the Northeast Monsoon season, creating a very special phenomenon. If you don't plan on snorkeling, you can stroll around the village to explore local temple architecture, historical old houses, and see what fresh catch has arrived in the fish market. If you want to feel the sea breeze, head to the seawall or pavilion at the port, and quietly listen to the words carried by the sea breeze, while the ever-changing clouds in the sky over the harbor embark on a journey with the winds of Hong Chai Keng.
