Travel in South Taiwan – Bai sha Beach in Kending

Bai Sha Beach or Bai Sha Wan (白沙灣） is one of the most popular and favorite beaches for locals and expats to visit when they are in Kending. The reason for this is its location, the quality of the beach, and the lifestyle that surrounds it. The beach has also become more popular since it was used to film several scenes in the Taiwanese born director Ang Lee’s “Life of Pi”.

Before Bai Sha Beach became popular with Taiwanese visitors, expats in Taiwan relished the soft sandy beach, warm blue surf, sandy shallow area, and general peacefulness the beach offered. Sunsets were beautiful and there was no problem camping out on the beach. Of course, this paradise had to eventually end as Taiwanese visitors from the north always began frequenting the beach to enjoy its atmosphere.

Althought Baishawan is still a great beach, it is much more crowded these days on holidays and weekends. Umbrellas dot the beach head, there are restaurants, and camping on the beach is prohibited. The peacefullness of the beach in the daytime has been overtaken by jet skis pulling tourist on banana boats and rafts.

This shouldn’t deter any visit, however, The restaurants are part of the scene and it’s nice to have an umbrella to catch some shade from the hot Taiwan sun. The jetskis tend to quiet down on weekdays and closer to sunset. The water is still excellent for swimming and the sunsets are gorgeous.

Where is Bai Sha?

Baisha is actually not in Kending. Before you enter Kending on Route 26, you will see a big 7-11 and the intersection for Nan Guang Road 南光路。Follow this road up the hill and bear to the left. You will start to see Baisha signs. It’s a 5-10 minute car drive along a nice country road. Eventually you will see parking and campsites on your left and the White Hotel on your right. You have arrived.

What To Do at Bai Sha

Baisha beach is a great place to relax, swim, suntan, people watch, camp, and enjoy peaceful Taiwan nights. There are plenty of restaurant on the beach rented out by the Happy Panda group which owns the land and runs the camping and activities.

There are also several hotels across the road and in the area where people can stay. The White Hotel is a popular place here. Also, Happy Panda has a large campground with pre-pitched tents. You can rent your space for the night. There are showers and bathrooms included as well.

If you are staying at Baisha, be aware that you are still a good 20 minute drive from the night market in Kending. Many like to stay in Baisha because it’s quiet and less crowded.

Pictured above, the entrance to Happy Panda. The Life of Pi boat and Tiger welcome you to the beach.

There are restaurants and a campsite at Bai Sha Beach. There are also many local foods and beach supplies to buy.

Some local restaurtant serve up fresh seafood and Taiwanese dishes. The popular Taiwanese movie “Cape No. 7” used Kending and its beaches as its setting.