Pingtung, Taiwan

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Pingtung, Taiwan

Region: Pingtung

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Geographic Coordinates: 22.676100, 120.494000

Climate: Tropical climate with high temperatures and humidity year-round, rainy season from May to September.

Population: 503530

Language: Mandarin

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Pingtung is a lively city located in the southern part of Taiwan, Offering an array of attractions and activities for tourists. With its stunning natural scenery, Including mountains and beaches, It’s an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts. The city also boasts rich cultural heritage and friendly locals. One of the top tourist destinations in Pingtung is Kenting National Park. This vast park covers an area of 33, 000 hectares and has several scenic spots like Eluanbi Lighthouse, Longpan Park, Sheding Nature Park, And Jialeshui Scenic Area.

Visitors can enjoy hiking on lush forest trails or take a refreshing dip in one of the many beaches. Another must-visit attraction is Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum which houses some of Asia’s largest Buddha statues while providing insights into Buddhism through various exhibitions. For history buffs, Pingtung has several historical sites worth visiting such as Chihkan Tower (Fort Provintia), Built during Dutch colonial rule in 1653 as a trade center for Chinese merchants.

The city also offers visitors a chance to experience local street food culture at its night markets while shopping for souvenirs or trying their luck at carnival games. Throughout the year, Pingtung hosts several festivals that celebrate its traditions and customs like Donggang King Boat Festival held annually on Lunar New Year’s Eve when locals carry out colorful parades with dragon boats decorated with intricate carvings.

Pingtung offers travelers a unique blend of natural beauty combined with cultural heritage sites along with delicious cuisine & friendly locals making it an ideal destination to explore Taiwan beyond Taipei’s bustling metropolis or other popular tourist destinations like Kaohsiung or Tainan.

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1. Kenting National Park
2. Eluanbi Lighthouse
3. National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium
4. Chuhuo Natural Fire
5. Hengchun Old Town
6. Maobitou Scenic Area
7. Pingtung Night Market
8. South Bay Recreation Area
9. Guanshan Bicycle Trail
10. Sandimen Aboriginal Culture Village

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• The major industries and businesses in Pingtung, Taiwan include:
1. Agriculture, especially fruit cultivation such as mangoes and bananas
2. Aquaculture
3. Tourism
4. Textile manufacturing
5. Electronics manufacturing
6. Petrochemicals
• The city is also home to several universities and research institutions focused on:
1. Agriculture
2. Biotechnology
3. Environmental science

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Noteable History

1. The Pingtung Incident refers to the imprisonment of pro-democracy activists in 1979 who were advocating for political reform and human rights in Taiwan.
2. Chaozhou immigrants settled in Pingtung during the early 18th century and established a unique culture that is still celebrated today through various festivals and traditions.
3. Liu Mingchuan, born in Pingtung in 1836, was a prominent Chinese military leader who served as the governor of Taiwan during the late Qing dynasty.
4. Established in 1991, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology is one of Taiwan’s top agricultural science institutions.
5. Kenting National Park, located on the southern tip of Taiwan, boasts some of the country’s most beautiful beaches and natural landscapes.
6. Hengchun Township, situated within Kenting National Park, was once an important trading port during Taiwan’s colonial period under Dutch rule.
7. Fengshan County used to be an important center for agriculture and industry within southern Taiwan before being merged with Kaohsiung City in 2010.
8. Tsai Ing-wen, born and raised in Pingtung, is currently serving as president of Taiwan after studying law at Cornell University and serving as chairperson of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

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Museums and Things To See

1. National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium
2. Kenting National Park
3. Pingtung Art Museum
4. Chuanfan Rock Scenic Area
5. Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area
6. Hengchun Old Town
7. Cifong Temple
8. Taiwan Indigenous Culture Park
9. Liuqiu Island
10. Sandimen Aboriginal Culture Village

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Cultural Events

1. Pingtung Lantern Festival is an annual event held in February or March that showcases intricate lantern displays, traditional performances, and street food.
2. The Kenting Music Festival brings together local and international artists for a weekend of live music performances every July.
3. Celebrated in June, the Dragon Boat Festival features dragon boat races on the Donggang River and traditional food offerings.
4. The Pingtung International Kite Festival takes place every August or September and features colorful kites from around the world along with cultural performances and activities.
5. The Donggang King Boat Festival is a grand procession of ornate boats through Donggang’s waterways that occurs every three years in October or November to honor the sea goddess Mazu.
6. Taiwan Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration is held on August 1st each year to honor Taiwan’s indigenous cultures with traditional music, dance performances, and crafts demonstrations.
7. The Pingtung Agricultural Expo is an annual expo that highlights the region’s agricultural products such as fruits, vegetables, flowers as well as local cuisine and handicrafts.

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Cuisine

• Oyster omelette (蚵仔煎) is a popular street food in Pingtung.
• Hakka cuisine is famous for its savory and hearty dishes like lei cha (擂茶), pork belly with preserved vegetables (梅干扣肉), and stir-fried bitter melon with egg (苦瓜炒蛋).
• Seafood is abundant due to Pingtung’s coastal location, and many seafood restaurants offer fresh catches such as grilled fish, steamed clams, and shrimp dumplings.
• Taiwanese beef noodles (牛肉麵) are a classic Taiwanese dish that can be found in many local eateries.
• Night markets are prevalent in Pingtung, where you can sample various local snacks like fried chicken cutlets, stinky tofu, bubble tea, and more.

Some popular restaurants in Pingtung include:

• Liang Ji Beef Noodles (兩記牛肉麵)
• Wu Bao Rou Fan (吳寶肉飯)
• Lao Tzu Tea House (老子茶坊)
• A-Sha Hakka Restaurant (阿沙客家菜餐廳)
• Dong Gang Seafood Restaurant (東港海產店)

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Parks and Recreation

1. Kenting National Park: A popular destination for hiking, camping, and beach activities.
2. Donggang Fish Market: A bustling market where visitors can buy fresh seafood and enjoy local cuisine.
3. Chaozhou Park: A beautiful park with a lake, walking paths, and a playground for children.
4. Pingtung Night Market: An open-air market with food stalls selling local delicacies and souvenirs.
5. Wushanding Mud Volcano Park: A unique geological site where visitors can observe mud volcanoes and hot springs.
6. Sandimen Cultural Center: An educational center that showcases the culture of the Paiwan indigenous tribe in Pingtung.
7. Maolin Scenic Area: A mountainous area with hiking trails, waterfalls, and scenic views of the surrounding landscape.
8. Jhongpu Lighthouse Trail: A coastal trail that leads to a historic lighthouse overlooking the ocean.
9. Fangliao Railway Art Village: An art village located in an old railway station that features exhibitions by local artists.
10. Kaohsiung Harbor Area Art Space (KHAS): An art space located in Kaohsiung City that showcases contemporary art exhibitions from around Taiwan and Asia-Pacific region.

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Experience The Extraordinary.

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