Tropical Taiwan
The southernmost part of Taiwan, Nanwan in Hengchun township, is perhaps not an obvious choice for a tropical getaway, but for those who know about it, it’s a “beach bum’s paradise” and a must if you’ve got time to get out of the city.
How to get there
The six hour journey from Taipei is what puts many off heading to the south of Taiwan, but with Aloha Bus Transportation Company’s offer of 618 New Taiwanese (NT) dollars per ticket (RMB 132), it’s the easiest and cheapest way to get out of the city and a must if you’re in Taiwan for longer than a week. What’s more, it’s the comfiest six hours you'll ever spend on a bus; with big, reclining seats, complimentary blankets and snacks, and interactive touch-screens attached to each passenger’s chair (offering games like Angry Birds!), meaning that the time flies before you arrive at your destination.
The Aloha Bus takes you only as far as Khaoshung, but from there it’s extremely easy to hop onto a local bus to get us into Hengchun township.
Where to stay
For budget travellers, the A-Wu Ocean Club B&B, located just ten minutes walking distance away from Bossa Nova (see 'Where to eat'), is the perfect choice. The price of a private room at A-Wu Ocean Club is around 1,000 NT (RMB 214) and includes breakfast in addition to the usual standard room amenities.
If you’ve got a bit more money to spend, the Caesar Park Hotel Kenting (10,500 NT, RMB 2,244 for a Family Deluxe room) boasts a strong rating and has the rave reviews to go with it. With top quality service, wireless internet connection throughout the entire area, and a nearby golf club and private beach, Caesar Park Hotel is the top choice for both business and pleasure travellers alike.
Where to eat
Beach Bistro, serving up Asian-European nouvelle cuisine for between 200 – 400 NT (RMB 42 – 85), is a tourist favourite. But if you’re only there for one night, Bossa Nova, a beach café and guest house located along Nanwan Road in central Hengchun, is your go-to gaff, serving soul food on a patio with an ocean view. The genuinely warm and inviting staff makes everyone feel welcome, which is probably why they have so many loyal customers.
Bossa Nova’s menu had plenty to offer, but their tomato and mozzarella sandwiches and bowls of chilli come highly recommended. A price of 400 NT (RMB 85) is a little bit pricey for Nanwan as a whole, but well worth it.
Where to unwind
For those looking for a bit of peace and tranquillity, Nanwan Beach is a real off-the-beaten-track gem. Tourists often favour surf spot Kenting, the more popular neighbouring town, meaning that should you stumble upon Nanwan beach by accident, likelihood is you’ll have it all to yourself.
Serene, blue and alluring, the sealife beneath its waves lie magically untouched and unpolluted in this industrialised twenty-first century, and you can enjoy jet-skiing (1000 NT, RMB 213/ 30 minutes), snorkelling (100-200 NT, RMB 21 upwards for a mask) and other beachy activities here.
Aloha Bus Transportation Company. Web: www.aloha168.com.tw
A-Wu Ocean Club B&B. 266 Nanwan Lu, Nanwan, Hengchun Township, Taiwan. Tel: (918) 6027 70. Web: www.a-wu.com.tw
Beach Bistro. No. 230 Changfun Lu, Eluan Village, Hengchun Township, Taiwan. Tel: (919) 2372 80
Bossa Nova: Beach Café and Guest House. 100 Nanwan Lu. Hengchun Town, Taiwan. Tel: (919) 7725 57, Web: http://myblog.yahoo.com/wavebossa
Caesar Park Hotel Kenting. 6 Kenting Lu, Hengchun Town, Taiwan. Web: www.caesarpark.com.tw
