Hong Chai Keng Introduction
Hong Chai Keng is an unassuming small village with a population of just over 300 residents, who primarily make a living through fishing. Consequently, the nearby Hong Chai Keng Fishing Port sees fishing boats arriving daily, loaded with their catch to meet market demands. This represents the most ordinary scene of daily life in Hong Chai Keng. However, beneath the calm and tranquil sea surface lies a rich and diverse underwater landscape, home to countless rare and beautiful corals and vibrant tropical fish, gradually turning it into a tourist port and a well-known underwater sightseeing spot. Hong Chai, a type of tree also known as the Taiwan Tree Orchid, is a native species of Taiwan commonly found in Orchid Island and the Hengchun Peninsula. It primarily serves as a coastal windbreak, and the area was historically named after the abundant Hong Chai trees, but it has since developed into a tourist hotspot due to its captivating underwater ecology. The waters near Hong Chai Keng are recognized as the region with the widest distribution of coral reefs, the most diverse species, and the highest concentration of corals in the Kenting area, making it an attractive destination for many visitors. Due to the unfavorable conditions for forming good harbors along the coral reef coastline, there are only two fishing ports on the western coast of Hengchun Peninsula: Mountain Sea and Hong Chai Keng. These two ports face west and are sheltered by hilly terrain. During the northeast monsoon season, when strong downsloping winds sweep through downtown Kenting, Hong Chai Keng remains unusually calm and serene, creating a very special sight. If visitors do not plan to go snorkeling, they can stroll around the village, explore the local temple architecture, admire the historic old houses, and check out the fresh seafood in the fishing market. For those wanting to enjoy the sea breeze, they can visit the harbor's breakwater or the pavilion to quietly listen to the whispers carried by the sea breeze, while the uniquely shaped clouds above the harbor travel along with the winds of Hong Chai Keng.
