The laid-back side of Kenting National Park
Manzhou is a beautiful countryside township in the north eastern part of Kenting National Park. I know this area very well because that is where I live. In the summer of 2017, I decided I’d had enough of living in the nasty pollution of Taichung, and got a house here, in a tiny community called Binlang.
Moving to the southern part of Taiwan has been the best decision of my life! I really, really love the slow-paced, relaxed lifestyle of this part of southern Taiwan. And there is SO MUCH stuff to do around here. It’s a true paradise for nature lovers!
Who goes to Manzhou?
Not many people visit Manzhou and that’s a great thing if you ask me. This is the quiet part of Kenting National Park. No traffic jams, no problem parking your car, no lineups for restaurants, and best of all, no noise pollution! Prices are also much cheaper than in busy Kenting Village.
Orientation
Some people get confused, because Manzhou is both a township and a village. The township is a large area of Pingtung County which contains many small villages. One of those villages is called Manzhou. This village is the second biggest in the area after Hengchun.
In central Manzhou, the main “downtown” part is at the big tree, next to 7-11. This is where you can find some of the best (and cheapest) food in all of Kenting National Park.
Things to do in Manzhou / Attractions
- hike to waterfalls
- surf or chill on the beach at Jialeshui (yes, Jialeshui is in Manzhou Township!)
- walk around (or ride a jeep) on the Jiupeng sand dunes
- visit Zhongshan Harbor with beautiful sea & mountain views
- cycle or ride a scooter along country road 200
- take pictures of very old houses / ancient Taiwanese architecture in Manzhou Village
- visit aboriginal Paiwan villages
- swim in the ocean!
- eat at one of the excellent local restaurants
Restaurants / Food / Drinks
Vietnamese Restaurant
The following dishes are super delicious, fresh, and pretty cheap. That’s what my wife and I eat 90% of the time when we’re in Manzhou. The cook is a lady from Vietnam.
- beef noodle (pho) 90$
- papaya salad 80$
- seafood fried rice 70$
- deep fried spring roll 60$
- wonton soup 30$
Business Info
Address: 74 Zhongshan Road, Manzhou Township
滿州鄉滿洲村中山路74號
Phone #: 0960-907106
Fruit Juice Bar
Simply the best juice bar in the whole Kenting area! The fruit are not certified organic, but the owner lady told my wife (actually tells her every time) that her fruit are grown locally, some even on her own land, and they have absolutely no pesticide, zero chemical / GMO stuff done to them.
The juices are AMAZING! You can make your own mix or you can order what’s on the menu (Chinese only). She’ll ask you if you want to add ginger to your juice… I say go for it. It’s good for the liver! Enjoy!
This juice bar is just to the right (across the street) from the big tree when you come from 7-11. Address: #2-1 Zhongzheng Road, Manzhou Township
Accommodation in Manzhou
Hotels, guesthouses / B&B in Manzhou tend to not be as busy as their counterparts in Kenting Village and Hengchun, because they are further away from the nightlife that so many tourists expect to enjoy here. There are some very good options in both Manzhou village and Jialeshui. Check hotel deals and make a reservation right from this site, use the following form:
Rock Garden Campground
Without a doubt the best camping spot in the whole Kenting area! Rock Garden Campground is very close to the sea and surf at Jialeshui, about 5 minutes by scooter. Nice shady tree areas, BBQ pits, wooden platforms to set up your tent, huts with fan, bar, restaurant, communal area, hot showers, electricity to recharge your phone and laptop.
I think that staying at the Rock Garden Campground is a really good option if you want to explore the Manzhou area. This spot is in the middle of Kenting National Park, and it gives easy access to the main roads! Within minutes, you can get waves to surf, trails to hike, waterfalls to enjoy, and gorgeous beaches.
Camping costs 250NT$ per person. You can contact Eric at 0963517380 if you would like to make a reservation or to let him know when you will be arriving.
Address: 53-3 Gongguang rd., Manzhou Township, Pingtung County (check the following map to find it easily)
Get your own cabin!
Same superb location as above, this cabin is operated by the owners of the Rock Garden Campground. That comfy house will offer you a one-of-a-kind experience, where you are on your own, it’s your quiet little piece of paradise in the south of Taiwan, no front desk, no tourists, nobody to disturb you! Sleeps up to 8 people, 2 bathrooms, full kitchen, living room, TV.
I have talked to people who stayed there and they all told me how they absolutely LOVED the place and didn’t want to leave. 800NT$ per person. Deals available for longer stay. Call in advance to reserve, same phone number as above: 0963517380. The owners are from the States, so language won’t be a problem.
