Red Pine Pit Introduction
Hongchai Keng is an unassuming small village with around 300 residents, where most locals make a living through fishing. Hence, the nearby Hongchai Keng Fishing Port sees fishing boats returning daily, laden with catches to meet market demand. This is the most mundane yet lively scene of Hongchai Keng. However, beneath the calm surface of the sea lies a rich and diverse underwater landscape, teeming with various rare and beautiful coral species and vibrant tropical fish, gradually developing into a tourist port and becoming a renowned underwater sightseeing destination. Hongchai is a tree species, also known as the Taiwanese tree orchid, and is native to Taiwan, commonly found in Orchid Island and the Hengchun Peninsula. Its main function is to serve as a coastal windbreak since the area once produced a lot of Hongchai, which is how it got its name. However, Hongchai Keng has transformed into a tourist hotspot due to its fascinating underwater ecology. The waters near Hongchai Keng are the largest area with the most diverse and concentrated distribution of coral reefs in the Kenting area, naturally attracting many visitors. Due to the unfavorable conditions for forming good harbors along coral reef coasts, there are only two fishing ports on the western side of Hengchun Peninsula—Shansha and Hongchai Keng. These two ports face westward and are sheltered by hilly terrain, creating a unique situation where, during the northeastern monsoon season, when strong mountain winds blow in the Kenting urban area, Hongchai Keng remains surprisingly calm and peaceful. If you do not plan on snorkeling, you can stroll through the village to explore the local temple architecture, observe the historical houses, or check out the fresh catch at the fish market. For a breath of sea breeze, head to the sea dike at the port or relax in the pavilion, quietly listening to the whispers carried by the sea wind, while the oddly shaped clouds in the harbor sky take a journey along with Hongchai Keng's sea breeze.
