Red Cypress Valley Introduction
Hong Chai Keng is an inconspicuous small village with about 300 residents, where local inhabitants predominantly make a living from fishing. Consequently, the nearby Hong Chai Keng Fishing Port sees fishing boats returning daily loaded with catches to meet market demands. This is a typical and mundane scene in Hong Chai Keng; however, beneath the calm surface of the sea lies a rich and diverse underwater landscape, abundant with rare and beautiful corals as well as colorful tropical fish, gradually developing into a tourist port and a renowned underwater sightseeing spot. "Hong Chai" refers to a tree, also known as Taiwanese Pineapple, which is endemic to Taiwan and commonly found in Orchid Island and the Hengchun Peninsula. Its primary function is to serve as a coastal windbreak, and the area is named after the abundance of this tree. Yet, Hong Chai Keng has evolved into a tourist destination thanks to its vibrant and charming underwater ecology. The waters near Hong Chai Keng are known for having the most extensive, diverse, and concentrated distribution of coral reefs in the Kenting area, attracting many visitors to enjoy the scenic beauty. Due to the unsuitable conditions for forming well-protected ports along the coral reef coastline, there are only two fishing ports on the western side of Hengchun Peninsula: Shanshe and Hong Chai Keng. Both of these ports face west and are sheltered by hilly terrain. During the northeast monsoon season, when strong katabatic winds blow through the city of Kenting, Hong Chai Keng is unusually calm and tranquil, creating a special phenomenon. If you don't arrange for snorkeling activities, you can stroll around the village to see the local temple architecture, the historical old houses, and check out which fresh catches are now available at the fish market. To enjoy the sea breeze, you can head to the breakwater or a pavilion at the port, quietly listening to the whispers carried by the ocean breeze, while watching the uniquely shaped clouds above the harbor travel with the winds of Hong Chai Keng.
