Fangshan Township, Pingtung | A small mountainside town where the sea and mangoes meet: See the blue sky along the sea and smell the summer in the orchard 🍋🌊

#SeptemberDestinations2025 Fangshan is a small town where the blue of the Pacific Ocean and the fragrance of Aiwen mangoes blend seamlessly in the sea breeze. This article takes you along Provincial Highway 1, switching back and forth from the harbor, mountainside, orchards, and coast. From the perspective of the harbor, we'll witness the daily life of a coastal agricultural settlement. • Location: Fangshan Township, Pingtung County (Fenggang, Fangshan, and other settlements) • How to Get There: • Drive along Provincial Highway 1 (west coast) or transfer to Provincial Highway 26 toward Hengchun. • Public Transportation: Kaohsiung → Taiwan Railways to Fangliao Station → transfer to the Kenting Express or Pingtung Bus Coastal Bus and get off at Fenggang/Fangshan. • Best Season: April–July, when Aiwen mangoes are in season; autumn and winter offer clear air perfect for distant views. • Cost: Scenic viewing is free; orchard experiences and local snacks are subject to store announcements. ⸻ Background Story | The Gateway to the South Link, a Town of Sea Breeze and Mangoes Fangshan, located on the northern edge of the Hengchun Peninsula, is the gateway where the west coast connects to the South Link Highway (Provincial Highway 9). "Fenggang" is the crossroads of three provincial highways. In the past, due to the isolated terrain, life and rhythm here were centered around the sea: waves on one side, the alluvial fan of the Fangshan Creek in the valley on the other. In the 1960s and 1970s, Aiwen mangoes were introduced to Fangshan. The abundant sunshine and salt spray from the sea breeze give the fruit its signature reddish hue. After the opening of the South Link Highway and the coastal highway, production and sales became more stable, resulting in the "orchard overlooking the sea" landscape we see today. Standing on the mountainside, you can overlook the sea, with fruit trees in the foreground and the clear blue sea in the distance. This is Fangshan at its most captivating. ⸻ My actual route (walking in the order I took photos) ① Mountainside View: Frame the Window I came down from the Provincial Highway 1 observation deck and stretched my legs. Ahead lay the vast sea, stretching to the horizon, and behind me were the rolling mountain peaks. The sea breeze dissipated the heat, and a simple tap of my phone revealed a clean blue and white. Tip: Keep the horizon within the lower third of the frame, letting the sky and clouds take center stage. Stand at the railing about one-third of the way up, and the photo will create a sense of "on the road." ② Beach and Wave Line: Grayish-white Gravel, a Gentle Breath Fangshan's coastline is mostly gravel, and the waves rise and recede like a rhythmic breathing. I enjoyed listening to the sounds of this section: no hustle and bustle, just the rhythm of the ocean. Safety Tip: The gravel is loose and the slope is steep. Stay on the established trails and avoid wading in the waves or stepping into areas of black algae. ③ Orchard Belt: The scent of summer is a blend of sweetness and sea salt. Further up the mountainside, fruit trees paint the entire slope in varying shades of green. The breeze brings a scent of fruit tinged with sea salt. Smallholder farmers often have bird-proof nets and foam-wrapped fruit trees. If you encounter fruit-picking or tasting season, remember to park in designated roadside spaces and avoid blocking the main road. Photography Tips: Place the fruit trees in the foreground and the sea in the background. Connect the two elements diagonally to create Fangshan's unique three-layered "sea-orchard-village" experience. ④ Village View of the Sea: Red Roofs and Coconut Trees Back at the village, red roofs, tin houses, and coconut trees line the landscape, and the white waves can be seen in the distance. While there aren't many tourist attractions here, there's a sense of comfortable living: nets drying outside, flowers growing by the houses, and neighbors chatting in the arcades at 3 p.m. ⸻ 8 Reasons I Recommend Fangshan 1. High-Density Scenic Spots: Orchards, mountain ridges, and the ocean all appear in one frame. 2. Authentic Lifestyle: Not a tourist attraction, but a daily experience where you can smell the salt and fruit. 3. Convenient Transportation: It passes through here on your way to Hengchun/Kenting or connecting to the southbound route, making it a perfect stopover. 4. Different Seasons: The fruity aroma is strongest in summer; the clouds are dramatic and visibility is good in autumn and winter. 5. Excellent Photography: Gravel lines, green slopes, and blue ocean create clean color blocks. 6. Easy to Walk: Parking strips, embankments, and village roads are all gently sloping, eliminating the need for scrambling. 7. Local Flavor: Small roadside stalls and fishing villages offer a warm welcome in the afternoon. 8. Accessible Buses: Connecting to Fangliao Harbor in the north and Checheng/Hengchun in the south, it's easy to plan your trip. ⸻ Practical Tips & Pitfalls • Summer sun is very hot: Wear a hat, sunscreen, and water; remember to bring wet wipes to wipe off salt spray from your camera/phone. • Roadside Parking: Park only in scenic parking lots or open spaces, and avoid blocking farm machinery and local access. • Respect farm crops: Many orchards are privately owned, so ask before entering; do not pick or break branches. • Beach Safety: Long waves come in quickly, so don't face away from the sea for too long when taking photos. • Environmentally Friendly: Strong sea breezes can easily blow light objects away; please take all trash with you. ⸻ Food Review | Local Flavors Are the Best (Address Included) Fangshan Township Farmers' Association Mango Shop (Fenggang Roadside Direct Sales Venue) Address: Fenggang, Fangshan Township, Pingtung County, along Provincial Highway 1, Section 444–446K, at a direct sales stall (search "Fangshan Township Farmers' Association Direct Sales" on your navigation for the nearest location). I ordered: Aiwen Mango Smoothie and Mixed Mango Cut Platter. Review: The mango flesh was perfectly sweet with a subtle sea salt flavor; the cut platter was freshly shaved and finely textured. The smoothie wasn't overly sweet, and the heat was instantly eliminated. The roadside direct sales stall offers transparent pricing, allowing you to sample before you buy; the takeout boxes are sturdy, so you don't have to worry about them tipping over in your car. 😋 For a sit-down meal, head north for 10–15 minutes to Fangliao Fishing Port, where there are numerous seafood restaurants and ample seating. Then continue south. ⸻ Traveler's Photography Cheat Sheet (Shoot Great Photos with Your Phone) 📸 • Blue-Green Layering: Place the orchard in the lower half and the ocean in the upper half for a pleasant color contrast. • Gravel Bay: Slant your frame at a 45° angle, EV -0.3. The ocean will appear deeper and the gravel will appear more three-dimensional. • Portrait: Stand at the railing at the 1/3 mark, looking out to the sea from the side; let the wind lift the hem of your clothes for a natural story. • Fruit Close-up: Hold the mango in your hand to blur the background; the waxy sheen of the leaves will create a beautiful effect. ⸻ One-Day/Half-Day Itinerary (Apply Directly) Half-Day Relaxed Version Depart from Kaohsiung → Enjoy the ocean from the Fangshan Scenic Area → Stroll along the orchard belt → Eat mangoes at a roadside vendor → Return before sunset One-Day Side Trip Version Kaohsiung/Pingtung → Enjoy the ocean and orchards at Fangshan → Lunch in Fangliao (or watch the boats at the fishing harbor) → Visit Fu'an Temple in Checheng/Haikou Beach → Accommodation in Hengchun ⸻ My True Experience What impressed me most about Fangshan was the close proximity between the ocean and the orchards: the wind first smelled of sea salt, then the fragrance of fruit; layers of green spread before my eyes, and the gentle rustling of gravel by the waves filled my ears. It's not a must-see "attraction," but it's a place I'll want to return to, to see what the same ocean looks like today. 👏🏻 ⸻ Fangshan Scenic Parking Lot | Maple Harbor Village | Fangshan Orchard Belt | Provincial Highway 1 (K 444–446) Mango Direct Sales Point | Fangliao Fishing Port #Pingtung #Fangshan #Maple Harbor #Aiwen Mango #Coastal Highway #Provincial Highway 1 #Seaview Highway #Orchard Scenery #Southern Taiwan Travel #Pingtung #CoastalDrive