Pingtung · Kenting
Bortle 3 · Rural dark sky ｜ Elevation 50m ｜ SQM ~21.4 ｜ Best view South
A coastal grassland on the eastern edge of Kenting National Park; the southern sky over the Pacific is almost light-pollution-free. One of the few places in Taiwan to catch the Southern Cross and Carina low on the horizon, and a superb foreground for the Milky Way over the sea.
Last reviewed: 2026-07
Longpan is one of Taiwan’s rare low-elevation sites with a clean southern horizon. It lacks thin mountain air, but the Pacific horizon, open grassland and low south-facing light pollution make it excellent for low southern constellations and seaward Milky Way frames.
Longpan sits beside Provincial Highway 26 on Kenting’s east side, about twenty minutes by car from Hengchun or Kenting. Roadside parking is possible, but scout pullouts, grassland access and your exit route in daylight.
The site is open grassland above sea cliffs, with a wide view and almost no shelter. In strong monsoon or downslope winds, weight the tripod and secure bags. Humidity and salt spray also make lens condensation and gear care important.
From late spring into summer, the Milky Way core rises over the southeast to southern sea horizon, Longpan’s signature view. For Crux, Carina and other low-southern targets, choose nights with excellent transparency and little low cloud.
Foregrounds come from grassland curves, coastal platforms and faint sea reflections rather than buildings. Wide lenses can place the Milky Way rising out of the ocean; long exposures add motion in surf and clouds.
Do not approach cliff edges at night or step into grass where drops are hidden. Sea wind can feel much colder than Kenting town, even in summer. On the return drive, watch for cattle, scooters and unlit curves.
🌌 Tonight the Milky Way core climbs to a shootable altitude around 20:08, sinks back near 02:48, and peaks around 22:28 at roughly 39° in the South.
Park roadside along the Longpan section of Highway 26 and observe on the spot; the open terrain gets strong sea wind — dress warm and mind the cliff edges.
Roadside parking, no toilets or lighting (which is exactly why it stays dark); supplies in Kenting town ~20 min away.
Mar–Sep Milky Way season; southern-sky targets are best late at night in late spring / early summer.
See the nearby city's stargazing calendar
Bortle class and SQM are estimates for well-known sites, used to compare darkness — not on-site measurements.
Related tools: Taiwan Dark-Sky Map · Stargazing & Moon Viewing Score · Meteor Showers