keelung tourist attractions

20+ Fun Things to Do in Keelung, Northern Taiwan’s Port City

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Keelung (基隆 or Jilong in Mandarin, but pronounced more like Keelung in the Taiwanese language ) is a city on the northeast coast of Taiwan and part of the Greater Taipei-Keelung Metropolitan Area . It is built around Northern Taiwan’s largest port, and second largest in the country after Kaohsiung Port.

Keelung is a relatively small city but with a rich history and culture. While most people come from Taipei for just a few hours to feast at the renowned Keelung Night Market , there are enough things to do in Keelung to justify spending one or two full days there, some popular and some very off-the-beaten-track .

These include historic forts, beaches and islands, fishing harbors with fresh seafood, one-of-a-kind temples, and a few excellent museums. The city can also easily be combined with other popular day trips from Taipei , such as Jiufen Old Street , Shifen Waterfall , Houtong Cat Village , and/or Yehliu Geopark .

Note that Keelung is known for its rain, even moreso than Taipei, and is nicknamed “Rainy City”. In fact, the last two times I visited, for researching this article, the city lived up to its name – it didn’t just rain. It poured. Find out when chances of rain are lower in my guide to when to visit Taiwan .

In this guide, I’ll cover a full range of Keelung attractions, starting from the famous night market in the city center and spreading outward. If you’re spending more time in Keelung, there’s a handy Keelung Facebook group . I’ve also got a general Keelung travel guide for planning your visit.

Table of Contents

Where to Stay in Keelung

While most people visit Keelung as a day trip from Taipei, there are enough things to do in town to warrant spending the night.

If you’re looking for budget accommodation, Drizzle Inn (see on Booking / Agoda ) is an excellent hostel conveniently located near Keelung Night Market. They also have reasonably priced private rooms.

For a classier stay, the port-side Evergreen Laurel Hotel (see on Booking / Agoda / Klook / TripAdvisor ) is an older hotel but the rooms and swimming pool have excellent views of the harbor.

Also see my guide to the best places to stay in Taipei .

Things to Do in the Keelung City Center

All of the attractions in this section are reachable on foot from Keelung Train Station.

Keelung Night Market

Miaokou Night Market (廟口夜市) in Keelung is the city’s most famous attraction and one Taiwan’s top night markets . Visitors come from across Taiwan and the world (including chef and documentary host Anthony Bourdain) to eat delicious Taiwanese street foods at this picturesque night market. Many even say it is their favorite in all of Taiwan.

Many stalls at Keelung Night Market even open in the afternoon, but it gets really packed in the evening. The night market is a 10-minute walk from Keelung Train Station via Maritime Plaza (see below).

Read my walking tour of Keelung Night Market to find out what to eat in the night market. It is the only night market in Taiwan where every stall’s specialty is labeled in Mandarin, English, and Japanese.

Also see my guides to the best night markets in Kaohsiung , Tainan , and Taipei .

Near Keelung Night Market, Renai Market (仁愛市場) is a daytime traditional market, while Kanziding Fish Market (崁仔頂漁市) is a fish market and auction running in the middle of the night.

Khoo Tsu-song Old Mansion

When visiting Keelung Night Market, I highly recommend taking a little detour to Khóo Tsú-song Old Mansion (許梓桑古厝). These are the ruins of a 1913 house that belonged to local politician Khoo Tsu-song during the Japanese colonial period in Taiwan.

Today, the ruins of the house are overgrown with vegetation, making them quite picturesque. You can also enjoy a fine view of the city from their vantage point.

The ruins are surprisingly close to the night market. To find them, follow the night market to the end of Rensan Road (仁三路) then, instead of turning left on Aisi Road (愛四路) as the night market does, turn right on Aisi Road. The staircase up to the ruins is right next to a small restaurant called 張仙燴飯.

The ruins are just a few minutes up the stairs. Watch for some beautiful tilework (labeled 基隆八景磁磚畫 on GoogleMaps). Stick to the main stairs, though, as locals in the area are not fans of tourists wandering into their yards. GoogleMaps says that Khoo Tsu-song Old Mansion is “closed”, but there’s nothing stopping visitors from entering.

Keelung Harbor and Maritime Plaza

Keelung Harbor is the largest in Northern Taiwan and the main way that goods reach Taipei. There are often large cruise ships and Taiwanese navy ships docked in it. The harbor is surprisingly picturesque when viewed from various vantage points around it (I’ll mention a few in entries further down).

Most visitors peer at the harbor from Guomen Square (國門廣場), which is right next to the train station and has the Keelung 1915 Oceanic Culture & Art Museum (1915陽明海洋文化藝術館). Then they walk to Maritime Plaza (海洋廣場), at the head of the harbor. Besides harbor views, the plaza has several statues and 3D art installations, most of which are lit up at night.

Nighttime is really the best time to visit, when Keelung Cultural Center , Keelung East Coast Shopping Mall, Keelung Port, and other buildings along the port are all lit up or have animations projected onto them.

Huzishan Keelung Landmark

When arriving in Keelung, you might be forgiven for momentarily thinking you’ve teleported to Hollywood in Los Angeles. That’s because of the KEELUNG sign!

Up on the hill behind Keelung train station, the word KEELUNG is prominently displayed in white letters – just like the famous Hollywood sign – a greeting to arriving passengers on cruise ships. Once just big, white letters, they have since between replaced with LED letters that can now change colors and display animations at night, but unfortunately these were not working well when I last visited.

You can actually walk right up to the letters. It’s about a 10-minute walk uphill from the train station to Keelung Landmark Park (基隆地標公園).

Keelung Tower

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tony Chou (@tony.chtop)

A brand new attraction (opened late 2023) in Keelung is the Keelung Tower (基隆塔). The tower is roughly 15 storeys tall and provides views of the harbor and city.

Access to the tower is through an old air raid shelter leading to stairs, or via an elevator to the top. Entrance was free during the trial opening period, but there may be a small entrance fee in the future. I haven’t visited yet, but planning to soon!

The tower is a 10-minute walk from Maritime Plaza, at the base of Zhongzheng Park.

Zhongzheng Park & Keelung Guanyin Statue

If you’d like to see more in Keelung than just the harbor and market, then I recommend going up to Zhongzheng Park (基隆中正公園). The park sits on a hill with fantastic views of Keelung Port. Like so many other parks, streets, and districts in Taiwan, the park is named after former ROC president Chiang Kai-shek, who is nicknamed Zhong Zheng.

The best spot to visit is the Buddhist-themed park around Keelung Guanyin Statue (基隆中正公園觀音大士像), the large white statue of the bodhisattva that can be seen from all over Keelung. The plaza around it includes a temple, giant drum, traditional pavilions, a few foods stalls, and various fair-like children’s games. You can even climb up inside the Guanyin statue. It is definitely one of the most recognizable religious landmarks in Taiwan .

You can actually walk up to the park (passing Zhupu Altar, see next entry, on the way). Start at the staircase at Arch of Zhongzheng Park (中正公園牌樓) on Xin’er Road. It takes about 15 minutes on foot from Keelung Port or night market to the park, but you’ll need to climb some stairs. Alternative, hop in a taxi or take bus Keelung Tourist Shuttle 99. 

Zhupu Altar

Zhupu Altar (主普壇) is a large temple in Keelung associated with the Ghost Festival in Taiwan. The Ghost festival is a month-long event – the 7 th moth of the lunar calendar, usually in August and/or September – and several of Taiwan’s most important Ghost Month activities take place in Keelung and at this temple.

The most important day of the festival in Zhongyuan Pudu, the 15 th day of Ghost Month. Major festivities take place at the temple, which is lit up at night.

The temple sits on a hill next to Zhongzheng Park, with walking paths connecting the two (Zhongzheng park would be to the left of the above photo). Even if you visit outside of Ghost Month, the temple is still worth a look.  Learn about other temples in the greater Taipei area here .

Keelung Totoro Mural

The Keelung Totoro Mural (基隆龍貓公車站) is on the winding drive up to Zhongzheng Park. It used to be visible from the road as you drove up, but as the trees got taller, it is now hidden and a little tough to find.

From Zhongzheng Park, you can find it by walking downhill on Shoushan Road. Watch for a small staircase on the right with the words 壽山亭 beside it. The staircase leads to a small pavilion that was occupied by a homeless person when I last visited, and the mural is on the wall behind it.

Totoro fans should also check out the Totoro bus stop and Animation Lane in Taichung and a hotel I stayed at in Lukang with a Totoro statue.

Yizheng Park

The road up to Zhongzheng park continues past it to a lesser-known attraction, Yizheng Park (役政公園). This is a small, free, outdoor military museum. There you can see an ROC tank, fighter airplane, missile, ship propeller, and more.

The Keelung 228 Monument, honoring the 228 Incident, when the KMT massacred some 20,000 Taiwanese people, is a few steps further up the road. Don’t go out of your way for Yizheng Park or the monument, but if you’re heading to Ershawan Fort (see next entry) they are a short walk away from it.  

Ershawan Fort

Ershawan Fort (二沙灣砲台, also called Ershawan Gun Placement, Ershawan Battery, and Tenable Gate of the Sea) is what’s left of a sprawling fort overlooking Keelung Port.

The fort was built during the Qing Dynasty and was the site of a battle during the Sino-French War. This war prompted local rulers to build more forts on the coast, notably in Tamsui, as well as Shiqiuling Fort in Keelung (see the final entry of this article).

There isn’t a whole lot left of this fort besides a few walls and canon placements with real canons on display in them, all in a shady, forested setting.

The views of the harbor are mostly obstructed by vegetation, as well, so I only really recommend visiting this fort (and perhaps nearby Yizheng Park) if you are particularly interested in local history. It doesn’t compare to the more impressive and better preserved forts of Anping in Tainan, the former capital of Taiwan , and the view from Zhongzheng Park nearby is better.

Note that if you take the Keelung Tourist Shuttle 99 up here, it will stop at the fort and Yizheng Park before getting to Zhongzheng Park.

Starbucks Yi 14 branch

The Starbucks Yi 14 branch (星巴克義14門市) in Keelung is on the company’s list of ‘special’ Starbucks across Taiwan. These are mostly Starbucks branches that occupy antique or otherwise unique structures or buildings.  

The Yi 14 location is housed in a 1950 baroque building, which is best appreciated from the outside – you’ll have to cross the street to get a decent view. On the inside, there isn’t anything terribly special, architecturally, except for the unique octagonal windows, red iron handrails on the staircase, and original stone floors. 

You can find what is probably the most interesting Starbucks in Taiwan in my guide to the best things to do in Hualien .

Things to Do around Keelung

The following Keelung attractions are still within the Keelung City limits, but will require a scooter, taxi, or bus ride to reach.

Qiuzishan Lighthouse

By scooter, if you drive around Niuchou Harbor (牛稠港), you can then turn left onto a small road that goes up Qiuzi Mountain (Qiuzishan) to Qiuzishan Lighthouse (球子山燈塔). From the parking spot, you’ll need to walk about 10 minutes up to the lighthouse.

Continue a few minutes past the lighthouse to the peak, Huohao Shan (火號山) for an unbeatable view (pictured above) of the entire Keelung Port.  

Fairy Cave Temple

At the base of the mountain, and just a few minutes past the turnoff for Qiuzishan, Fairy Cave Temple (仙洞巖最勝寺 or Xiandongyan Zuisheng Cave Temple) is one of the most unique places to visit in Keelung.

Fairy Cave temple is an impressive temple built into a coastal cave system, with narrow, incense-filled passages and stone carvings dating to the Japanese period inside. Local legend has it that an actual fairy once inhabited the cave. Unfortunately, the caves were totally closed throughout the COVID pandemic, including when I visited (I managed to shoot the above pic through the caged entrance, but the caves go way deeper behind what you see in this picture). The caves have since been reopened.

Besides Fairy Cave Temple, a staircase leads uphill to Keelung Shengan Temple, which offers yet another unbeatable view of Keelung Port.

Another path from Fairy Cave Temple leads around the corner, down a narrow alley, and up to Buddha’s Hand Cave (佛手洞). Inside the cave, when you look up, the opening supposedly looks like the hand of Buddha. You can find loads of details and pictures of the Keelung cave temples here .

From Keelung city center, you can take 301, 302, or 304 to Xiandongyan/Foshoudong (仙洞巖/佛手洞) stop. The tourist shuttle doesn’t go here.

Keelung Lighthouse

There’s another lighthouse with a view in the area that you can also get to by scooter. Keelung Lighthouse (基隆燈塔) is in one of several port areas of the harbor, where huge cranes unload shipping containers.

You’ll feel like you’re driving right into the port, then at the last minute you can ride up a very steep road to the lighthouse. This lighthouse is right at the mouth of Keelung Harbor and offers a good view looking out at Heping Island and Keelung Islet (see those below). The lighthouse building was closed when I visited.

From the lighthouse, a rather sketchy road leads on to the next entry, or you can head back to the main road for a safer approach.

Baimiweng Fort

Just down the coast from Keelung Lighthouse lies the ruins of Baimiweng Fort (白米甕砲臺). Also known as Holland Castle and Gun Emplacement of Fort Holland, this is what’s left of a Dutch-built fort dating all the way back to the mid-1600s.

The fort was briefly occupied by the French during the Sino-French war, then rebuilt during the Japanese colonial period. The gun embankments have a commanding view of the sea as well as a large power plant adjacent to it on the coast, one of several massive ruined structures made of cement that Keelung is known for (I’ll cover a few more below).

Waimushan Fishing Harbor

One of the best places to eat fresh seafood in Keelung is Waimushan Fishing Harbor (外木山漁港). It’s only a kilometer west along the coast from Baimiweng and Keelung Lighthouse, but you’ll need to take a totally different road to get there – from the city center, take Provincial Highway 2 out of town.

Like so many other fishing harbors in Taiwan, Waimushan Fishing harbor has a cluster of seafood stalls and restaurants right on the harbor. You can order super fresh seafood to be served raw or cooked on the spot. This market is housed in the most derelict building we’ve been into at any harbor, but the food was good.

The harbor is only a 5-minute drive from town, or you can get there on bus 305 or 308 from the train station. Alternatively, you can ride the Keelung Tourist Shuttle to Waimushan stop, but you’ll need to walk about 20 minutes to reach the harbor. The bus should actually pass the fishing harbor, so if you let the driver know, you may be able to get off there.

Dawulun (Waimushan) Beach

Just a few minutes further down the coast from Waimushan Fishing Harbor and Waimushan Shore Walk, Dawulun Beach (大武崙白沙灘, also called Waimushan Beach or Keelung Beach) is one of the closest beaches to Taipei city .

This is a golden sand beach with good swimming, but amenities are limited. A few shops across the street from the beach have snacks, drinks, and showers for a small fee.

It’s a 15-minute drive from Keelung to reach the beach. You can also take bus 305, 508, or ride the Keelung Tourist Shuttle 99 to Waimushan Shore Walk and then walk the remaining 15 minutes to get there.

Zhengbin Port Color Houses

In the opposite direction from Keelung (going east instead of west down the coast), there are a couple attractions worth visiting. The first is Zhengbin Port Color Houses (正濱港口彩色屋).

This is an Instagram-worthy row of connected buildings lining a small fishing habor that have been painted in vibrant colors. As is the case with many such sites, the color saturation in photos is usually cranked way up, so you may not be that impressed – and there isn’t anything to do here besides take a picture.

Still, the view of the houses from across the harbor is on the way to the Heping Island, so you can’t really miss it.

Agenna Shipyard Relics (阿根納造船廠遺址), the cement ruins of a former shipyard, are just around the corner from Zhengbin Harbor, just past the bridge to Heping Island. 

Also nearby is the Keelung Indigenous Cultural Hall, a Taiwanese aboriginal museum. However, the museum is a little dated and doesn’t have much to see. It’s one of the stops on the Keelung Tourist Shuttle 99.

Heping Island

Heping Island (和平島 or Peace Island, formerly called Sheliao Island but renamed after WWII) is a small island just off the coast of Keelung and connected to the mainland by the short Heping Bridge. It’s not to be confused with Keelung Islet (see next entry).

The island is home to a Spanish-built fort dating to 1626, called Sheliao East Fort (社寮東砲台). It’s a bit of an uphill walk to the fort, but you’ll be rewarded with atmospheric ruins and a great view.

Heping Island Park (和平島公園) at the northern end of the island is by far the most popular attraction, especially since they installed the Heping Island Seawater Wading Pool (和平島公園海水泳池), a great spot for swimming in summer in Taiwan . Entrance to the park is NT 80 (40 for kids). There’s even a swimming pool specifically for dogs. You can save a little money by purchasing your ticket in advance .

Besides the swimming pool, the park has some beautiful coastal walks and lookout points. The park is only a 15-minute drive from Keelung City Center, or you can get there on Keelung Tourist Shuttle 99.

You can also visit Heping Island on this Jiufen, Shifen, and Heping Island day tour from Taipei . Read about other small islands in Taiwan here .

Keelung Islet

Keelung Islet is a small but very prominent volcanic island 3.5 kilometers off the coast of Keelung and Heping Island. It is visible from many places in Keelung, making it one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.

After being closed for several years due to typhoon damage, the islet was reopened to visitors again in 2019. Most of the steep, uninhabited island is inaccessible. Visitors can enjoy a few walking trails, lookout points, and a lighthouse.

Full day boat tours to Keelung Islet depart from Bisha Harbor (see below) and including some hiking time on the island. There are also night fishing tours in summer.

Badouzi and Bisha Harbor

Badouzi (八斗子) is a small coastal district of Keelung just east of Heping Island. Visitors come here to eat in seafood restaurants beside Badouzi Harbor (also called Bishha Harbor), and see public art installations on the coast at Fu Yu Park (復育公園).

Near Bisha harbor, the smaller Wanghaixiang Fishing Harbor (望海巷漁港) is where lanterns are floated on the sea as a part of the Keelung Ghost Festival on the 14 th day of the 7 th month on the lunar calendar.

Badouzi is home to the excellent and very popular National Museum of Marine Science and Technology (國立海洋科技博物館). This is a sprawling complex with lots of interactive displays, so it’s fun for kids. Adults can save a little money by prebooking tickets online .

Badouzi train station is a tourist attraction itself, as it is one of the most scenic train stations in Taiwan. Built in 2016, it is set right along the coast – reminiscent of the even more stunning Duoliang Station in Taitung .

This train station is now the starting point of the famous Pingxi Line , a train line that provides access to some of the most famous day trips and hikes around Taipei , including Houtong Cat Village, Sandiaoling Waterfall Trail, Shifen Waterfall, and Pingxi, where the famous Mass Lantern Release is held during the Lantern Festival.

You can also board the train at Haikeguan Station, the second stop, which is actually closer to the main sights of Badouzi.

Shen’Ao Rail Bike

Shen’ao Rail bike is a fun activity in which you can cycle in a small car along a decomissioned railway track. The 1.3 ride takes 30 minutes (each way) and you can go from Badouzi, a beautiful railway station by the sea in Keelung to Shen’ao, which is in New Taipei City.

To do this, you need two people per car (minimum age 3) and each person must cycle. You must book tickets in advance here .

At Shen’ao, many people used to walk to Shen’Ao Elephant Trunk Rock (澳岬角 ). That is, until it fell into the sea in December of 2023.

Shiqiuling Fort

The final entry I’d like to include for things to do in Keelung is yet another fort: Shiqiuling Fort (獅球嶺砲臺). This fort/gun placement is the highest of any in Keelung.

The fort was built in 1884, after the Sino-French War. Due to its high position above Keelung, it offers a fantastic view looking down on the city, port, and freeway leading into Keelung.

Although the National Freeway 1 to Keelung passes right below it (while going through a tunnel through the mountain), the fort is not easy to get to. Your best bet from the city center would be to hop in a cab (5 minutes) or walk (30 minutes uphill).

Well, that brings us to the end of my Keelung city guide. I hope you’ve found plenty of interesting things to do in Keelung! Let me know in the comments below if I’ve missed anything.

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City Guides , Taiwan · February 12, 2022

The Best Things to do in Keelung, Taiwan

If you’re looking for things to do in Keelung, you’re in for a real treat.

Keelung (基隆) is a fascinating city full of ancient forts and temples, colorful photo spots, and beautiful scenery. Located at the northernmost tip of Taiwan , Keelung is one of the largest port cities on the island. The city has a long and interesting history dating back to the 17th century. And today, traces of Spanish, Dutch, and Japanese influences can still be seen throughout the city.

In this guide, I’ll share the very best things to do in Keelung and everything you need to plan the perfect Keelung itinerary! Ready? Let’s go! 

Disclaimer: This post probably contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase through one of these links, I might receive a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Table of Contents

Keelung City Essentials

Before we dive into what to do in Keelung, here are a few tips to make your Keelung trip all the easier. 

• Don’t forget your Easy Card (Taiwan’s transport card). That way, you can simply tap and go on trains and buses to access all of Keelung’s attractions easily. 
• If you’re staying overnight, find the  best hotel deals  on Agoda in advance. 
• Make sure you’ve got  Google Maps , Google Translate , and  Uber  downloaded on your phone for an stress-free Keelung trip. Also read my detailed guide on best travel apps for Taiwan for more tips.
• If you don’t want to plan a thing, this  4-hour guided tour  to Keelung and Yehliu Geopark from Taipei is a great hassle-free option. 
• And if you’re a foodie looking to taste all of Keelung’s best street food, this  food tour from Taipei  is for you. 
• Keelung’s nickname is the Rainy City . Don’t forget to check the weather forecast before your trip and always pack an umbrella! For more tips, also see my Taiwan packing list .

Top Attractions & Things to do in Keelung

Heping island park.

If there is one place that definitely deserves a spot on your list of things to do in Keelung, it is Heping Island Park (和平島公園). 

Situated at the edge of Heping Island , this sprawling seaside park is a great place to get acquainted with some of the north coast’s unique scenery. Much like Yehliu (Taiwan’s most famous geological attraction), Heping Island is packed with cool rock formations that will make you feel like you’re on a different planet! 

The Mountain trail runs all along the coast and offers terrific views over the ocean, Keelung Islet in the distance, and the unique landscape that has made this part of Taiwan so famous.

The trail takes you past all kinds of funny-shaped rock formations, the Chi’En Tieh Fu (a huge platform that resembles tofu rocks), and the Mysterious Marine Cave (also known as Dutch Cave) hidden right in a massive cliff. You can’t enter the cave, but legend has it that a couple of Dutch people hid here after the Koxinga Army marched north to drive the Dutch out of Taiwan in 1668. Apparently, they carved words on the walls of this tiny cave, but due to erosion, they have eroded over time. 

Other highlights along the trail include the Heping Island Pagoda, where you can sit back and soak up the scenery. At the end of the trail, there’s also a beach and several azure-colored tidal pools where you can swim with all kinds of fish. Note that lifeguards are only stationed here from May to October. Above the Visitors Center, you’ll also find several eateries and a cozy cafe with a huge deck.

If you want to join one of the guided tours, like the Rock Landscape tour or the Deep Environmental tour, note that you’ll need to make an online booking seven days in advance. Visit the  park’s official website  for more details.  

• Entrance fee:  NT$80 per adult [Grab your  Heping Island Admission ticket  here on Klook in advance.]
• Opening hours:  8 am to 6 pm
• Location:  No. 360, Pingyi Rd, Zhongzheng District, Keelung City, 202. (202基隆市中正區平一路360號)
• Google Maps

Zhengbin Fishing Harbor

Zhengbin Fishing Harbor (正濱漁港) is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Keelung, and it’s not hard to see why. With oodles of colorful shophouses lining a fishing port, Zhengbin Harbor is a popular spot among photographers and IG fanatics alike. 

The port was built in 1934 during the Japanese Occupation and actually used to be the biggest fishing port in Taiwan. Today, Zhengbin Fishing Harbor is more of a sleepy fishing port, but it’s still full of nostalgia and a great place for a walkabout. While here, also keep an eye out for the boat named “Folk Art,” which earned its status as the first art museum on the sea.

For an iconic view over the harbor and shophouses, you’ll need to get yourself to Zhengbin Road (on the opposite side of the port). There are several lookout decks here and a couple of stairways leading right down to the harbor front. 

• Entrance fee:  Free
• Opening hours:  24/7
• Location:  202, Keelung City, Zhongzheng District, Zhengbin Rd, 72號202 (202基隆市中正區正濱路72號202)

Tuman Cafe (圖們咖啡) is actually one of the shophouses at Zhengbin Harbor , but since it’s one of the coolest cafes in Keelung, it deserves its own spot on this list of things to do in Keelung. 

The cafe is housed in a four-story shophouse, and you can access it either via Zhongzheng Road or directly from the port. The menu features a great selection of drinks from oat milk coffee to brown sugar latte to No.18 Red Jade tea and even the cafe’s very own spin on Taiwan’s most famous drink , milk tea.

If it’s food you’re after, the cafe only serves a small selection of curry-based dishes featuring “Chikuwa” – a local specialty fishcake snack that traces back to the Japanese Occupation. For those with a sweet tooth, definitely try the lemon tart or apple mille-feuille! 

While the food and drinks will undoubtedly fill your tummy, it’s really the cafe’s ambiance that makes it such a must-visit place in Keelung. Tuman Cafe features cozy seating, colorful interiors, and epic views over the fishing port, making it a great place to kick back and relax for a few hours. 

• Opening hours:  11 am to 6 pm (Closed on Thursdays)
• Location:  No. 551, Zhongzheng Rd, Zhongzheng District, Keelung City, 202 (202基隆市中正區中正路551號)

Zhongzheng Park

Another must-visit Keelung attraction that you shouldn’t miss is Zhongzheng Park (基隆中正公園).

Built in 1967, Zhongzheng Park is a sprawling three-level religious park home to several of Keelung’s most famous landmarks. It also offers the absolute best view over the entire city!

Start at the uppermost level, where you’ll find the impressive Giant Buddha Temple as well as the enormous 22.5m high statue of Guanyin , the Goddess of Mercy. Right in front of the figure is a huge pavilion where you can admire the incredible views over the city and harbor. Take your time strolling the grounds, as there are loads of great photo opportunities. 

After you’ve explored the highest level, keep an eye out for the trail leading to the second level. There are no signs in English, but you’ll spot a tiny dodgy-looking stairway at the back of the complex (right between a little shop and the pavilion with the Buddha statue).

The second level of Zhongzheng Park is home to the gorgeous three-tier Zhuputan Temple (also known as Zhupu Temple or Chupa Alter), which hosts one of Taiwan’s most important annual folklore festivals, the Mid-Summer Ghost Festival . There is also a museum within the temple where you can browse various artifacts and learn a little more about the festival’s rituals. 

If you still have time, drop by the Keelung Martyr’s Shrine , the Martyr’s Hall , and the Arch of Zhongzheng Park further afield.

• Location:  Shoushan Rd, Zhongzheng District, Keelung City, 202 (202基隆市中正區壽山路)

Miaokou Night Market

No Keelung to-do list would be complete without a visit to one of Taiwan’s most famous night markets , Miaokou Night Market (基隆廟口夜市).

Touted as one of the world’s top 20 night markets in 2021, the Keelung Night Market boasts a wide variety of cheap and tasty Taiwanese street food. From sparerib rice and thick pork belly soup to oyster omelets, Taiwanese tempura, the freshest seafood imaginable, and much more – you won’t have a problem filling your belly here! 

With more than 200 stalls, there’s plenty to keep you busy. While Keelung Night Market runs over several streets, the most atmospheric one is Rensan Road , lined with hundreds of yellow lanterns. It’s also here where you’ll find the largest of Keelung’s ‘ big three temples ,’ Dianji Temple (奠濟宮)– a huge Taoist temple that dates back to 1873. 

While Rensan Road is the main highlight in Miaokou, make sure to also stroll down Aisi Road . Here you’ll find loads of seafood options and all kinds of interesting street food snacks. 

Insider’s tip:  Keelung Night Market’s iconic yellow lanterns are sadly not turned on every night. If you want to see the night market illuminated, it’s best to visit on weekends.  

• Opening hours:  noon to midnight, except Sundays (8 am to midnight).
• Location:  No. 20, Aisi Rd, Ren’ai District, Keelung City, 200 (200基隆市仁愛區愛四路20號)

Chenghuang Temple

Just a short stroll from Miaokou Night Market, you’ll find Chenghuang Temple (基隆護國城隍廟) – a tiny ornate City God Temple that’s bound to catch your eye. 

Chenghuang Temple was built in 1887 and is dedicated to the seventh official of Keelung, who lived during the Qing Dynasty. It sits right across from the Keelung Maritime Plaza , and its door faces the Keelung Harbor .

It is one of the ‘ three big temples ‘ in Keelung, and worth a quick browse if you’re not in a rush. While it’s a cool place to visit any time of year, come during the annual Keelung Mid-Summer Ghost Festival. The temple holds a ceremony parading city gods on boats around the harbor during this festival. 

• Opening hours:  7 am to 9 pm
• Location:  No. 7號, Zhongyi Rd, Ren’ai District, Keelung City, 200 (200基隆市仁愛區忠一路7號)

Other Keelung Attractions & Tourist Spots

If you’re spending a bit more time in Keelung, here are a few other Keelung attractions worth a visit: 

• Khoo Tsu-song Old Mansion:  An old abandoned house built in 1931 for a former influential resident of Keelung City. ( Google Maps )
• Zhongshanlu Bridge:  An old school pedestrian bridge turned Instagram hotspot ( Google Maps ). 
• Huzishan Keelung Landmark: A popular hillside lookout point with great views over the city and a giant Hollywood-style sign. ( Google Maps ).
• Ershawan Fort:  Just one of the old fort remnants in the city. It was built in 1840 during the Qing Dynasty. ( Google Maps )
• The Fairy Cave:  A maze of natural sea caves and chambers home to Buddhist carvings, shrines, altars, and a temple. Don’t miss the Buddha’s Hand Cave, which has a large imprint of a hand. ( Google Maps )
• Dawulun Beach : A dreamy beach with calm waters just a 15-minute drive from Keelung City. ( Google Maps ). Also read my Dawulun Beach guide for more tips.
• Wanli UFO Village : An abandoned village with retro UFO-shaped housing near Wanli Beach. ( Google Maps

How to get to Keelung from Taipei

Keelung is less than 30km from Taipei City , with several ways to access the city. The quickest way to get to Keelung is to take a taxi (or Uber) from Taipei City. The ride takes about 35 minutes (depending on traffic) and shouldn’t cost more than NT$1000. 

If that’s not an option for you, a much cheaper alternative is to take a  local train (TRA) . The train ride generally takes around 45 minutes and costs NT$41. Trains depart every 15-20 minutes from Taipei Main Station . See  train schedules  here. 

Alternatively, you can also take  Kuo-Kuang Bus 1813  from Taipei Main Station. The ride takes 50 minutes, and a single ride costs NT$57. Payable in cash or Easy Card. See  bus schedules  here. 

How to Get Around Keelung

Keelung is not a very big city. And as a result, most of the city’s attractions can be reached on foot. If you don’t feel like walking, there are plenty of buses to whizz you off to all corners of the city. Alternatively, hop in a taxi. Just remember to have your destination’s address in Chinese handy. Most taxi drivers won’t know the English street names. (To make things easier, I’ve included those for you above too). 

If you don’t want to bother with any of these transport hassles, Uber is another great way to get around. Rides generally cost about the same price as a yellow taxi. 

Where to Stay in Keelung

While most travelers prefer to stay in Taipei and only visit Keelung on a quick day trip from the capital city , it’s a great base to explore a few other gems along Taiwan’s north coast like Jiufen , Shifen , and Yehliu. Here are my top picks for the best places to stay in Keelung. 

• Drizzle Inn  sits right amid downtown Keelung City. And it is perfect for travelers who want to be in the hustle and bustle of town. The hotel features sleek modern interiors, and the rooms are cozy and clean. Lots of coffee shops and eateries surround the hotel, so you’ll never have to wander too far for food. What’s more, the Miaokou Night Market and Keelung train station are just a short walk away.  Check rates and availability  here on Agoda. 
• Evergreen Laurel Hotel  is often touted as the best hotel in Keelung, and it’s not hard to see why. This 5-star hotel offers beautiful views over the harbor front and features spacious rooms with elegant interiors. The hotel also has an onsite gym, and the swimming pool is the perfect place to unwind after a day out exploring Keelung’s tourist spots. Both the Keelung night market and the train station are only a 15-20 minute walk away.  Check rates and availability  here on Agoda.
• If you’re looking for a more laidback place to stay in Keelung,  Spangle Inn  is for you. This cozy inn features simplistic modern rooms, friendly staff, and epic views over Zhengbin Harbor. Don’t miss the rooftop terrace for the best views over the fishing port!  Check rates and availability  here on Agoda. 

What to do in Keelung in Conclusion

As you can see, Keelung is home to loads of cool attractions! While this list of things to do in Keelung only covers a handful of Keelung’s top tourist spots, it’s a good starting point!

Well, that’s all I’ve got on what to do in Keelung. Did your favorite Keelung attraction make my list? If not, let me know in the comments below so that I can check it out on my next trip!  

Don’t forget to save this list of things to do in Keelung to your favorite Taiwan travel board!

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Things to do in Keelung 基隆 on a Taipei day trip

By: Author Jaclynn Seah

Posted on Published: February 23, 2023  - Last updated: January 14, 2024

Categories Taiwan

Taiwan ‘s capital city of Taipei has plenty to do , but if you’re looking for a day trip option, one popular town near Taipei to check out is Keelung 基隆 (jí lóng). One of Taiwan’s major ports, Keelung City is is less than an hour away from Taipei and despite the fact that it apparently rains over 200 days in a year in Keelung, it’s a lovely little coastal town for a chill out day trip from Taipei. Here’s my solo guide to Keelung with suggestions on things to do and how to get around easily.

How to get from Taipei to Keelung

Keelung is located northeast of Taipei along the north coast between popular spots Yehliu in Wanli and the mountainous Jiufen. It’s about 30 mins by car from Taipei. Here’s a Klook link [affiliate] if you’re looking to rent a car to visit Keelung – might save the time and hassle of waiting for public transport especially if you have a small group.

TRA train from Taipei to Keelung City takes about 45 minutes to get from Taipei (Taipei Main Station, Songshan Station or Nangang Station) to Keelung Station. There are plenty of trains that leave every 15-20 minutes and the fare costs 41 NTD (about S$1.80) which you can pay for by Easycard at the train gantry.

You could also take the train from Taipei to Ruifang Station, and then change to the Shen’ao Line which leaves every hour and stop at either Badouzi Stop or Haikeguan Stop if you are headed to Badouzi.

Kuokuang bus 1813 from Taipei Main Station to Keelung City takes about 50 minutes, but it is a bit more dependent on traffic conditions – the Tourist Info desk recommended not taking the bus on weekends/public holidays as overall road traffic is higher.

Bus 1800 goes from Taipei City Hall Bus Station to Keelung City in about 30 minutes.

Bus 2088 goes from Taipei City Hall Bus Station in Xinyi to Keelung’s Taiwan Power Station 電力公司站 (a short walk from Miaokou Night Market) in 25 minutes. It also goes to Badouzi and stops at the NMMST which is useful if you plan to head to Badouzi first.

Map of Keelung

Here’s a map of all the things to do in Keelung in this post. I’ve divided it up into areas that you can explore nearby.

Where to stay in Keelung

Most of my visits to Keelung have been day trips from Taipei since it’s so easy to get to, but if you want to spend a night in Keelung to better enjoy this port town, these are some of my picks from booking.com [ affiliate links below ]:

• Drizzle Inn – lovely modern accommodation also centrally located in downtown Keelung, private rooms and shared dormitories are both available [ Drizzle Inn on booking.com ]
• Light Inn – excellent location near Miaokou Night Market and the Train/Bus Stations, there are private rooms and shared dormitories here [ Light Inn on booking.com ]
• Spangle Inn – very close to the colourful houses at Zhengbin Port, it’s a bit more out of the way but perfect for those who like a quieter place [ Spangle Inn on booking.com ]
• Forever Sunny B&B – located along the coast in Badouzi, this cute B&B has good facilities and a sea view [ Forever Sunny B&B on booking.com ]

Things to do around Keelung Port 基隆港

This area around the Keelung Harbour is where most people will first experience Keelung! If you’re short on time or just lazy to travel further, these things are all within walking distance of the Keelung Train and Bus Station

Keelung Landmark Park 基隆地標公園

It’s hard to miss the giant KEELUNG letters along the hillside overlooking the port area, reminiscent of the famous Hollywood sign on the hill. Most people admire the view from around the harbour, but did you know it’s actually quite easy to get up to the letters?

Officially called the Keelung Landmark Observatory , this observation deck is located in a park along the Huzishan trail 虎仔山步道 and offers a nice view of the Keelung port below. It’s a popular hangout spot in the evenings when the letters are lit up and you can enjoy Keelung’s night lights from above.

I popped by in the afternoon on a really hot day in summer – sun protection is vital as there’s not a lot of shade up here! I think it took me about 20 minutes to walk up there. The view was amazing~

What’s nearby

• I didn’t see this when I visited previously, but there’s a cool bookstore built in a former school compound called Bleu&Book at TPES 太平青鳥 – looks like a nice place to rest in after the climb up! [ Google maps ]

How to get to Keelung Landmark Park

From Keelung train station, exit towards Zhongshan 1st Road and directly across the station you should see the sign for the Keelung Landmark Observatory. Follow the signs up the narrow pathways and staircases. Eventually you should see the Taiping Elementary School – the deck and park is right next to the school.

You could drive up there as well – there are roads and carparks near the sign, so you can make a quick stop if you have a car for the day.

Location on Google Maps

Keelung Harbour and Maritime Plaza 基隆港 海洋廣場

Keelung Maritime Plaza 海洋廣場 is a lovely wooden promenade by Keelung’s Harbour and a nice place to just sit down and chill out by the water. Great view of the Keelung letters, lots of benches to rest your feet and wide open space where you can admiring the ships and cranes in view. It does remind me a little bit of Singapore’s skyline but with more mountains!

How to get to Keelung Maritime Plaza: Keelung Maritime Plaza is along Zhongyi Road 忠一路, just a short walk from Keelung Station. [ Location on Google Maps ]

1915 Yangming Oceanic Culture & Art Museum 1915陽明海洋文化藝術館

Around the Keelung Harbour area is a small museum where you can learn about Keelung’s maritime history. Run by Yang Ming Shipping Company, the Keelung 1915 Yangming Oceanic Culture and Art Museum (yup it’s a mouthful) has 2 floors of interactive modern exhibits that showcase Keelung’s history as a shipping port.

The exhibits are modern, fun and interactive so I think kids would enjoy looking around. I happened to be there at 11am when the guided tour for the 2nd level was starting, so I joined it for a bit. It was conducted by a man who worked for the company for a very long time and started guiding after retirement. The tour was conducted in Chinese and was pretty informative as the guide pointed out the various exhibits and shared some of his own stories, but it was supposed to be 1.5 hours long so I decided to walk around on my own after a bit.

The 4th floor of this museum is also the top floor with the gift shop, cafe and where there is roof access for a panoramic view of the surrounding area!

The museum is centrally located and does give a quick overview of Keelung’s history if you don’t know anything about this place. In the event you get rained out, it’s a good place to just hang out for a bit and stay dry as well as it’s not expensive to visit.

Location: 4 Gangxi Street 港西街4號 [ Google Maps ] the museum is quite prominently located on the west side of Keelung Harbour between the Train Station and the harbour.

Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm (last ticket sold at 330pm). Closed on Mondays.

Entrance fee: 150 NTD – the ticket comes with a free tea + snack that you can redeem at the top floor cafe and some discounts for the restaurant on level 1 and gift shop.

There are fixed guided tour timings at 930am, 11am, 130pm and 3pm conducted in Chinese. Learn more at the official website

Miaokou Night Market 廟口夜市

Also known as Keelung Night Market, this is perhaps one of my favourites out of all the night markets that I have visited in Taiwan – which is saying something because I have been to a lot of Taiwan night markets especially in Taipei ! It’s open in the afternoon and at night, is relatively small but packed full of good food, and easy to locate and navigate.

Dianji Temple 奠濟宮

Miaokou translates to ‘Temple entrance’, that’s because the market stalls first set up shop here at the entrance of Dianji Temple , a small shrine that you can still find along the street today that is over 100 years old.

What to eat at Miaokou Night Market

The stalls at Miaokou Night Market are very neat – 2 rows on either side of the street with metal signage on top and individually numbered. The stall names are in English, Chinese and Japanese, which makes it easy for visitors to find specific stalls.

I’ve visited Miaokou Night Market several times and most recently with a tour guide who’s a Keelung local, there are lots of food options but here’s a collection of some of the food I consider must-eats in Keelung.

Fish paste tempura 天婦羅 (Tianbula) : I’ve had tianbula in other parts of Taiwan and never really liked it because of the textures and the overly saccharine sauce, but this one in Miaokou Night Market is pretty good! Freshly fried and doused with a bit of sweet sauce in a served in a little bowl with bits of cucumber, I recommend trying the tianbula here.

Nutritious Sandwich 營養三明治 (yingyang sanmingzhi) : this is a pretty weird sandwich that’s somehow become a Keelung specialty – deep fried bread with sausage, tomatoes, cucumbers, egg and slathered with mayonnaise. I think it’s a really odd combination and not my kinda food, but just know that it’s a local delicacy and try it for yourself! Also I’m not sure it’s actually nutritious given all that deep fried bread…

Crab thick soup 螃蟹羹 (pang xie geng) and glutinous rice 油飯 (youfan): This is a pretty classic Taiwanese xiaochi staple but somehow something I always eat when I’m here in Keelung. A small bowl of thick starchy soup with shredded crab meat, mushrooms and fungus paired with savoury sticky glutinous rice. My favourite thing to eat at Miaokou!

Shaved ice 泡泡冰 (paopao bing) : A sweet way to end your eating adventure in Miaokou is to wash it all down with some shaved ice or paopao bing! I personally always get peanut flavour but there are plenty of different flavours available. The portion is pretty generous so leave a little room for dessert!

How to get there: Miaokou Night Market is a 10 minute walk eastwards from Keelung Train Station located along Rensan Road 仁三路 between Aisan Road 愛三路 and Aisi Road 愛四路 [ Google Maps ]

Quanjiafu Yuanxiao 全家福元宵

A special shoutout to this particular store that isn’t in the main Miaokou Night Market stretch but had some of the fluffiest and yummiest yuanxiao 元宵 (similar to tangyuan which are sweet soup dumplings) that I’ve ever eaten. The shop usually only start selling cooked yuanxiao from 430pm onwards, but during the day you can pop by the store and buy boxes of uncooked yuanxiao to take home and prepare for yourself.

On my trip to Keelung with Taiwan Tourism, our guide managed to get the shop to open up their kitchen shutters in the afternoon and show us how they painstakingly make these yuanxiao. You might be thinking that they make balls of dough, poke a hole in them and put in the sesame filling and call it a day, but the reason the texture of these yuanxiao are so good is because they start out with balls of sesame filling and slowly coat them with multiple layers of glutinous rice flour by shaking them by hand in a large rattan tray.

It’s backbreaking work, but the balls are soft yet springy and so delicious!

The shop also specially prepared some bowls for us to try – black sesame yuanxiao in bowls of warm osmanthus soup. SO GOOD. I’m not even usually a fan of black sesame but I liked these a lot! Also, it did happen to be yuanxiao (15th day of the Lunar New Year) when we visited so it was really nice to be eating these then!

How to get there: Quanjiafu yuanxiao 全家福元宵 is located a short walk away from the Miaokou Night Market along Aisi Road. No. 50-1 Aisi Road 愛四路50-1號 [ Google Maps ]

Ren’ai Market 仁愛市場

Miaokou night market is by far the most popular night market in Keelung, but if you are looking for a wet market that sells fresh produce, head to Ren’ai market 仁愛市場 instead.

Lots of locals frequent this indoor market, there are some sundry and food stalls around the edges of the market and more stalls if you pop up to the second level – it’s practically a local department store, but the bulk of the central portion on the ground floor is a wet market selling fresh food. I think I have to come back and slowly take my time exploring this market!

How to get there: Ren’ai Market is about a block away from Miaokou Night Market along Aisan Road. No. 21 Aisan Rd 愛三路21號 [ Google maps ]. Open 8am – 7pm daily.

Keelung market tours

If you want some local knowledge to show you the best of what Keelung’s markets have to offer, consider joining a group tour. I’ve not tried this before, but Keelung for a Walk has some interesting tours available, including a Midnight Fish Market Adventure Tour of nearby Kanziding Fish Market 崁仔頂漁市 which is most bustling in the wee hours when the catch of the day is delivered!

Things to do in Zhongzheng Park 中正公園

Located about 15 minutes walk from the east side of Keelung Harbour, Zhongzheng Park on Shoushan Hill is home to a number of interesting temples in Keelung and more lovely views if you’re willing to do a little stair climbing. The base arch is about 5 mins walk from Miaokou Night Market, so you can work off all that night market food with a walk up this hill!

Zhupu Altar 主普壇

One thing I learned was that Keelung is especially festive during the 7th Lunar Month (around July or August based on our calendar), which is unusual because that is usually considered an inauspicious month when the spirits are believed to roam the earth and Chinese try to avoid holding festive celebrations during this period. However here in Keelung, the Ghost Festival (Zhongyuan Ji 中元祭) is a really big thing and they are famous for their Ghost Festival festivities so if you’re planning to visit, know that it might be extra crowded during this period.

Zhupu Altar 主普壇 or the Main Altar is one of the key places that these festivities are held, specifically on the 12th day of the 7th Lunar Month where the building is completely decked out and lit up – check out these articles on Taiwan Scene and Coco in Taiwan for more.

When it’s not celebrating the Ghost Festival, Zhupu Altar is usually a museum that showcases artefacts about the Ghost Festival 中元祭祀文物館, but unfortunately for me it seemed to be undergoing some sort of renovation and was closed. It was still lovely to admire the view from below though.

You can drive or take a taxi up here if you rather not climb the hill, but while admiring the view, I noticed that there was a viewing platform that seemed to be attached to the hillside. There was a private event happening so I couldn’t go back there to investigate for myself, but it looks to be the Keelung Tower viewing platform!

Did a bit of googling and found this video by Building Surfer (Chinese but English subs are available) which has these really cool drone shots of the Tower and talks about its history and design. Keelung Tower is meant to resembles the many cranes in the port town and is one of the many revitalisation projects happening in Zhongzheng Park and Keelung! I definitely want to come back here again and take this lift up (instead of climbing the hill…).

How to get there: There is a staircase that leads from the Zhongzheng Park Arch along Xin’er Road diectly to the altar, but it’s currently closed. Zhupu Altar is located in Zhongzheng Park. No. 280, Xin’er Road 信二路280號 [ Google maps ]

Big Buddha Temple 大佛禪寺

Another highlight of Zhongzheng Park is the Big Buddha Temple right on top of the hill. You can’t miss this giant 22.5m high statue of Avalokitesvara Buddha aka Guanyin even from afar. And here’s why you should do your research because you can apparently climb up 5 storeys to see the view from inside the statue?? I did not know that, ah well more things to come back and check out in future!

What I did notice was that there were lots of little game stalls set up around the park and it was like a mini family funfair happening. Might have been a weekend thing, but it’s nice for families with your kids to just hang out and play here while admiring the lovely view.

How to get there: you can drive up Shoushan Road or walk up the slope from Zhupu Altar [ Google Maps ]

Things to do around Heping Island 和平島

If you’re looking for lovely coastlines around Keelung, Peace Island or Heping Island is a popular place to visit. Formerly known as Sheliao island 社寮島, it was one of the first places that Westerners and the Han Chinese first set foot on in Taiwan. It used to be separate from the mainland until they build Heping Bridge.

Hop on a public bus or take a taxi ride about 10-15 minutes east from Keelung Station along the coastline.

Zhengbin Fishing Port Colourful Houses 正濱漁港彩屋

Paint anything in rainbow colours and the tourists will come – Zhengbin port was historically important as one of the largest fishing ports in northern Taiwan during the Japanese colonial era and for exporting copper from the mines of nearby Jinguashi. It gradually became a lot quieter as the fishing boats moved to neighbouring Badouzi, though the rainbow houses have brought any visitors and tourists back.

According to this article by Commonwealth Magazine , the rainbow colours were added around 2018-2019 and involved both community consultation and input from colour experts – it wasn’t just a spur of the moment decision – and part of larger plans to revitalise this particular neighbourhood.

Most people stop by here today en route to Heping Island which is right across the Heping Island bridge, and one of the better spots to snap a photo of the houses from.

How to get there: Zhengbin Fishing Harbour is a 10-15 min drive or about 20 mins by bus from Keelung Train Station. Buses drop at the Zhongzheng Road-Zhengbin Road intersection stop and walk a few minutes, or at the Heping Bridge stop [ Google Maps ]

• If you are into old ruins, the abandoned structures of Argenna Shipyard 阿根納造船廠遺構 are on the other side of Heping Bridge

Heping Island Park 和平島地質公園

He ping Island Park 和平島地質公園 is the main reason most people visit this island. It’s located on the northern end and takes about 20 minutes walk from the bridge.

Heping Island Geopark is similar to Yehliu in Wanli with lots of interesting coastal formations, but one of the things that makes this park special are the seawater pools that they have along the coast. The waves here are pretty strong, but breakwaters and special pools have been built so that people, children and even pets can swim safely in the seawater! The pools were closed because of some event when I visited, but I imagine this would be super popular especially in the hot summer time .

Besides the sea pools, there are also some easy trails to walk where you can admire the weirdly shaped rocks and Keelung Islet 基隆嶼 in the distance. Generally it’s quite accessible and an easy one-stop shop to enjoy the North Coast. I see why it’s so popular and it’s suitable for families too.

Location: No. 360 Pingyi Road, Zhongzheng District 中正區平一路360號 [ Google Maps ] Located on the northern end of Heping Island right at the end of Pingyi Road.

Opening Hours: 8am – 6pm (7pm from May to Oct). Last ticket sold 1 hour before closing time.

Entrance fee: 120 NTD – you can buy at the door or save some time and buy online at Klook [affiliate link] where sometimes it’s a little cheaper!

Learn more at the official website

Things to do in Badouzi 八斗子

Badouzi 八斗子 was the largest fishing village in Northern Taiwan and the site of a major power plant during the Japanese reign. It was also a separate island and later joined to the mainland via land reclamation. It’s definitely a little quieter out here, so a good place to get away from the crowds for a bit.

National Museum of Marine Science and Technology 國立海洋科技博物館

A former steam power station built during the Japanese Colonial era, the buidings are now home to the very modern looking  National Museum of Marine Science and Technology (NMMST) 國立海洋科技博物館 which is a very large museum with exhibits revolving around marine life, the fishing industry and the Ocean. Technically all the parks around here are also part of their grounds.

I will admit that I haven’t had time to actually go into the Museum, though I have walked through its grounds and more of its outdoor areas as below, but it’s somewhere I do want to visit. Lots of interactive and fun exhibits including an Ocean Theatre and iOcean which looks like those 4D experiences. Again it’s another good option for families and a way to while away rainy Keelung days.

Location: No. 367 Beining Rd, Zhongzheng District 中正區北寧路367號 [ Google Maps ]. Take bus 103, 1051, 791 from Keelung Train Station or bus 1811/1812 from Taipei Main Station (West) and stop at NMMST or Haikeguan (bishuixiang) 海科館 (碧水巷)

Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm (6pm on weekends). Closed on Mondays.

Entrance fee: 200 NTD for the main exhibition hall – you can buy at the door or save some time and buy online at Klook [affiliate link] where sometimes it’s a little cheaper! Other exhibits cost extra, check the website for full details.

Badouzi Shoulang Cloth Dyeing Workshop 八斗子薯榔染布

One of the more unusual activities you can do in Badouzi is a dyeing workshop conducted by the Badouzi Tourism Association 八斗子產業觀光促進會 . Other parts of Taiwan are famous for Indigo dyeing, but here they use something called a shoulang 薯榔 (Dioscorea rhipogonoides) – there doesn’t seem to be a common name to it, but it’s a weird root that’s kinda like a huge potato/nut hybrid which can be found growing abundantly in the hillside. It can’t be eaten but locals have found that it creates a deep red/brownish dye which fishermen used to dye fishing nets and rope because it helps to prevent mould.

The principles of tie-dyeing anything are pretty straightforward, no matter the dye. The instructor showed us a few simple patterns we could do – I liked the snake-skin like texture which involves creating a scrunchie like shape with raffia.

This next step is a little unusual – since we had about half an hour or so for the dye to set in, our hosts took us on a mini village tour of Badouzi, introducing some fun facts and interesting spots within the village itself. It’s very quiet overall and such a lovely peaceful place.

Daping Shore 大坪海岸

The mini walking tour also took us towards Badouzi Fishing Harbour 八斗子觀光漁港 where we could see all the fishing boats in the bay and finally to Daping Shore 大坪海岸 , a little spot on the coast with some amazing coastal rock views. It was kinda rainy and wet – definitely need good hiking shoes for this as the rocks are all sorts of slippery but the view was so nice.

But the point of coming to Daping Shore was to dip our shoulang-dyed cloth into sea water! Apparently the saltwater makes the dye more reddish! So that was quite fun to see. Currently my cloth’s colour seems to have gone back into a more brownish colour, but apparently if you use salt water it should become red again! You can see our workshop photos on FB .

Workshop details

More details and signup link can be found at the Badouzi Tourism website .

Cost: 650 NTD for the dyeing workshop which also includes a mini village tour. If the weather is good, you get to try on the traditional straw shoes that the fishermen used to walk in along the shore!

Badouzi Seaside Park 八斗子海濱公園

Badouzi Seaside Park is a less well known option compared to Heping Island, but has lovely coastal scenery that you can visit for free and located right behind NMMST.

Wangyou Valley 望幽谷

The key sight to see in Badouzi is the Wangyou Valley 望幽谷 – Wangyou 望幽 loosely translates into ‘looking at peace’ but sounds similar to 忘忧 or ‘forgetting worries’, so this is the perfect spot to kick back and relax a little. Take a walk through the picturesque green valley and admire the coastline features – you can see Keelung Islet in the distance.

There are several paved footpaths and viewpoints in Badouzi – 65 Highland is the most crowded viewpoint where you take that green valley shot. But just 5 minutes walk up a slope and you’ll find practically nobody at 80 Highland which offers more amazing sea views and a covered pavilion. Another short climb takes you to the highest 101 Highland where there are two abandoned military posts that you can climb up on to and get an amazing 360º view of the surrounding area, but note that there’s no shade up here.

How to get there: If you are driving, there is parking located at the 65 Highland area where you can climb up to 101 Highland from there. There is a road that goes directly up to 101 but there’s a gantry.

Chaojing Park 潮境公園

From 101 Highland, there is a path that leads you to the eastern side where Chaojing Park 潮境公園 is located. This park was formerly a dumping ground but today has been turned into a cute little coastal park with several interesting art installations – most noteworthy are the nautilus shell slide that children love and the cluster of giant brooms. Lots of people just go there to hang out or take walks – when I was there, there was a gathering of fancy bird owners where I saw 3 colourful macaws, some smaller parrots and even a tamed falcon of some sorts flying around the park.

How to get there: No. 61, Lane 369, Beining Rd 北寧路369巷61號 [ Google maps ] Chaojing Park is located on the eastern side of the Badouzi peninsula.

Things I Missed

It looks like I’ve seen a lot of Keelung but that’s actually not true!

• Badouzi actually has a bunch of other cool things I want to see. The seaside Badouzi Railway Station 八斗子火車站 is supposed to be very photogenic.
• Located right next to Badouzi Station is the Shen’ao Railbike which makes use of the old railway tracks that were formerly used to transport coal. It stretches along the coastline from Badouzi to Shen’ao
• There is a Badouzi Weekend Night Market to check out near the Fishing Harbour
• I also really want to take a boat to Keelung Islet one day!
• I also want to head west of Huzishan trail and Keelung City – Zhongshan District has some lookout points like Qiuzishan Lighthouse and Baimiweng Fort
• Going even further west to Anle District before you hit Wanli are some nice beaches – Waimushan and Dawulun, and there is also Lover’s Lake and Dawulun Fort

Other northern Taiwan spots to visit

Have you checked out my Taiwan page yet? Most of my Taiwan posts are there nicely categorised by location.

I’ve seen a fair bit of the Taiwan North Coast – check out nearby areas like Wanli and Jinshan when you visit Keelung.

Lots of people also head to Ruifang which is home to Jiufen with its Spirited Away vibe in the mountains and Shifen with the lanterns and waterfall. For something more offbeat, head to Sandiaoling to see 3 different waterfalls instead.

Looking for more to do along Taiwan’s North Coast? Check out these posts or see all my Taiwan posts for more.

Paragliding, UFOs and rock formations in Wanli 萬里 along Taiwan’s North Coast

Cool things to do in Taipei in summer

My favourite Taiwan hot springs 温泉

Saturday 9th of December 2023

Thank you for your informative post. I so want to visit Keelung and also do the Badouzi railbike trail in my next trip to Taiwan. I hope you don't mind sharing your experiences to some of my questions below! 1. Is it easy to visit Badouzi on public transport? I don't have private vehicles and hope to sidetrack from Jiufen to Badouzi for a bit (specifically to cycle that railbike haha).

2. Would January be too cold and rainy for the northcoast?

Thank you and I hope I would receive your answers!

Jaclynn Seah

Sunday 10th of December 2023

Hi, thanks for reading!

Have shared in the post how to get to Badouzi, I don't think it's too difficult to take bus/train, but some people may not agree, will leave that up to you to decide.

I was in Keelung in Feb and while it was a tad wet, but temperature wise I found quite pleasant actually, it really is also a matter of luck.

I suggest you just give it a try and keep an eye on the weather! It's pretty hard to predict these days so maybe have a backup indoor plan but don't think too hard and just do it :) Good luck!

Things to do in Keelung: exploring this historic port city

Dear reader: This article contains affiliate links. These will help this website grow, but will not cost you anything extra.

Keelung is a large port city in north east of Taiwan. The city of Keelung is also nicknamed the rainy port because it rains a lot, but don’t let that put you off visiting this beautiful city as it has a lot to offer!

[1] image credit

Table of Contents

What is Keelung famous for?

Keelung is known for its long history dating back to the Spanish empire in the early 17th century, the historical forts and temples, and its beautiful scenery. The city night market is one of the larger ones in Taiwan and is praised for its large diversity of foods, but also for its many fish dishes.

Things to do

Sightseeing & outdoor activities.

Keelung Maritime plaza

Keelung is a port city and you can see that right away as soon as you step out the train station and go to the nearby Maritime Plaza. Here you can enjoy a walk along the waterfront which becomes even more beautiful when the sun sets. There are often large cruise ships in the harbor and it is easy to visit the nearby fish and night markets.

[2] image credit

Zhengbin port color houses

As well as the modern main harbor, there is also the more traditional Zhengbin port. Home to many local fishermen. Zhengbin is located further north, close to Heping Island and it is famous for its cute colorful houses. There is not much else to see and do in the harbor but you will pass through on your way to Heping Island so you might as well visit.

[3] image credit

Heping island park

Heping island lies just in front of the opening of the Keelung harbor. It has a long history with the Spanish arriving early 17th century to build a fort and trading post there. In 1642 the Dutch seized the fort and had an outpost there until 1668.

Current day it is turned into a coastal park with several swimming pools, hiking trails with viewing pavilions and there is a tourism Centre.

opening times: 0800-18:00

ticket cost NTD$120

For more info check the Heping island park website

[4] image credit

Forts and fortifications

Since the Spanish and Dutch Colonial periods, Keelung has been an important port and as such it was well defended with cannons and forts. You still can visit some of them! If you want to read more about them, I Have written a separate article about the 8 historical forts and fortifications in and around Keelung

[5] image credit

Zhongzeng park and Temple

This park is located to the east of the city. On the hillside of Dashawan Mountain. The most notable feature is a 25m high white statue of the Goddess of Mercy . Inside is a staircase leading to the top and which you can climb.

The park has 3 levels: on the first level you’ll find the historic Dawalun Fort , the second level houses a Buddhist library, a shrine and the Zhuputan Temple. The story goes that in the old days, immigrants to Taiwan fought each other for land. To end their quarrels, they built a temple for annual worship.

On the third and final level is the Guanhai Pavilion where visitors can sit and enjoy the view over Keelung and the ocean.

Scenic areas

I would like to show you some natural scenic areas in and nearby Keelung.

Nuandong Valley

This valley is south-east of Keelung. It is is an ideal place for families to visit. The valley is crossed by several river with forests on both sides. You can see butterflies (three-spotted grass yellow butterfly) flying all around. There are several trails which you can follow, passing bridges, small waterfalls and wonderful scenery.

[6] image credit

Badouzi Coastal Park / Wangyou Valley

Badouzi Coastal Park and Wanyou Valley are part of the National Museum of Marine Science and Technology area (scroll down for more information about this museum). Which is located Northeast of Keelung.

It consists of six trails ranging from 60min to 120min walks, with several observation decks with stunning ocean views. All trails are stone paved. Nearby there are several temples and also a coastal recreation Centre that you can visit.

You can get to Badouzi by train.

[7] image credit

Museums and cultural places

I would like to show you some interesting Museums in and nearby Keelung.

Keelung 1915 Yang Ming Oceanic Culture & Art Museum

The Yang Ming Oceanic Culture & Art Museum aims to educate their visitors about oceanic culture and art and its importance to Taiwan. The museum is founded in 2004 by Yang Ming Marine Transport company and it is located in a Japanese colonial style building in front of the Keelung Railway Station.

They have several exhibitions related to marine culture and often organize special events. Visitors will fall in love with the ocean which will hopefully be protected for future generations.

opening times: Tuesday to Sunday 09:00AM – 17:00 PM, Monday closed

ticket cost: 200NTD$

website : Link

[8] image credit

National Museum of Marine Science and Technology (NMMST)

This museum is built on the site of former Pei-Pu steam power station. Constructed by the Japanese in 1937. The museum functions as an exhibition, education, research, collection and recreation space to encourage the public to “ Embrace the Ocean, Respect the Ocean and Sustain the Ocean .” There are 8 galleries to visit, all with their own themes relating to the sea and Marine life.

For a full map of the museum and surroundings click here (Warning! large file!)

opening times:

Weekdays / 9:00~17:00  Weekends / 9:00~18:00 Closed on Mondays and Chinese New Year’s Eve

ticket cost: about 200NTD for details look here .

website: link

Xiandongyan Zuisheng Temple

The Xiandongyan Zuisheng Temple, also known as the Fairy Cave Temple. It is located near Fort Noord Holland on the west bank of Keelung. It is a temple completely build in a small cave which makes it unique and quite interesting. If you are close by you should definitely pay a visit.

Festivals and celebrations

Keelung Mid-summer Ghost Festival Museum

Every year on the seventh full moon of the lunar calendar, Keelung celebrates its most important annual folklore sacrificial festival, also known as the Keelung Mid-Summer Ghost Festival. The ceremony is held at the Zhupu Altar in Zhongzheng Park.

During the rest of the year you can also visit this place, as there is a museum inside with a collection of historical artifacts related to this festival as well as many other objects.

A special event is held on 15 July when a lighting ceremony is held.

[9] image credit

Foods and Nightmarkets

The two largest food and/or markets in Keelung are the Kanziding Fish market and the Keelung Miaokou night market.

Kanziding Fish Market,

The Kanziding fish market is where all the restaurant owners buy freshly caught fish. It is amazing to see all kinds of fishes which are sold on the market

You do need to be a night crawler for this as the market starts 00:00 -5AM in the morning.

Keelung Miaokou

Like every city in Taiwan Keelung has a night market. The Keelung Miaokou night market is one of the larger ones in Taiwan and is praised for its large diversity of foods.

Unlike other street markets the food stalls at Miaokou night market are numbered so write down your favorite stall/dish in the comments below! 😛

[10] image credit

what else to do nearby Keelung?

Keelung islet

Keelung islet is a volcanic island of about 1km by 500m and located about approx.6km off the coast of Keelung.

Despite the harsh environmental environment: rocky soil, lack of fresh water, strong winds during the northeast monsoon in winter and hot weather in summer, the island has mostly low vegetation such as longflower lily, lycoris aurea, hybicus, banyan trees and many more.

Nevertheless this beautiful little island is well worth visiting especially when these plants are in bloom: May and June are the Lily season, while August to September is lycoris Aurea flowering season.

What can you do on Keelung island? well, there is a small visitor centre, from where you can walk along two trails: a coastal trail of about 480m and a hiking trail of about 740m. A wooden takes you to the top of the island. (about 182m above sea-level). Furthermore there is also the Keelungdao lighthouse, a tunnel and you will find several small monuments and temples.

Combined with the boat trip to-and from the island, this is a perfect day trip in northern Taiwan!

[11] image credit

Often a trip to Keelung is combined with a trip to Yehliu Geopark or Jiufen

Northern Taiwan is often exposed to wind and ocean, and the area around Yehliu is particularly exposed. Due to its geological structure: mostly sandstone and limestone, the rocks here have been eroded by the wind and sea into interesting shapes. At the Yehliu geological park you can visit and see rocks named the queen’s head or fairy’s shoe and many other interesting rock features.

The village of Jiufen was once a small gold mining town in the hills of northern Taiwan attracting many fortune-seekers Today it is a popular tourist destination because of its narrow streets, old buildings and history. Many films have been made in this small little town and it is well worth a visit.

Guided Tours and activities

For the most part traveling in Taiwan can be done by using public transport and you can visit most attractions and places on your own. But if you have limited time or you want to do special activities sometimes it is convenient and smart to have a look into guided tours and activities. It will save you a lot of planning and you will get to experience places and activities that only the local Taiwanese know about.

Where to stay in Keelung

Backpackers / solo travelers.

Located on the sixth floor, right in the city centre of Keelung is the beautiful Light Inn hostel. I recommend this hostel for backpackers and solo travelers looking for a cheap but great location in Keelung.

Hotels for couples and families

For couples and families I would recommend the Evergreen Laurel Hotel . It is slightly further from the railway station but it has a great view over Keelung harbour. It also has a swimming pool, which is great of it rains.

My personal favourite is the Spangler Inn – Homestay It is a highly rated accommodation close to the lovely colourful houses in Zhengbin port at an excellent price. You will need to book early as rooms are limited and fill up quickly.

Other places to stay in Keelung

Looking for something else? For more places to stay I would kindly ask you to use the search bar below.

How to get to Keelung

The bus is operated by Kuo-Kuang Motor Transport company. If you want to go by bus to Keelung you should take bus 1813 leaving from Taipei bus station (just next to Taipei main station) towards Keelung. The bus ride takes about 50 minutes depending on traffic. Bus goes daily from 06:00AM to 00.15 PM. A one way ticket cost 57NTD (about 2 euro/$) and a return ticket cost 114NTD.

For exact timetable for bus trips you can look here. you can buy bus tickets online but I would suggest going to the counter at the bus station and just buy a ticket.

Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) covers the train transport in Northern Taiwan and about every 20 minutes a train leaves from Taipei main station towards Keelung station. It is best to take the local train which takes about 44 to 51 minutes depending the time of day. Ticket fares are about 41Ntd (1,5 Euro/$). During rush hours could be slightly more expensive, but you could also just wait and take one train later.

It does not matter if you take the Mountain Line or Coast Line as both lines follow the same route from Taipei towards Keelung. The Keelung train station is located right in the city center.

For more information you can go to the TRA website .

For the people who are planning to rent a car and go out to drive to Keelung. You should take the National Highway No. 1. It is a 27.4 km highway from Taipei to Keelung. Which would take you on average 26-45 min. depending on traffic.

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Top Things to Do in Keelung, Taiwan - Keelung Must-See Attractions

Things to do in keelung.

• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Good for Kids
• Good for Big Groups
• Adventurous
• Budget-friendly
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Couples
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. TenRensTea

2. Kanzaiding Fish Market

3. Badozi Night Market

4. dongan night market.

5. Qidu Night Market

6. k-dm - keelung.

7. Dawulun Night Market

8. Chuan Li Rice Cookie

9. sijiaoting night market, 10. b cafe group selection shop, what travellers are saying.

A Travel Guide to Keelung, Taiwan’s Northern Port City

Keelung (基隆 or Jilong ) is a port city on the northeast coast of Taiwan. It is a popular cruise ship terminal, and many Taipei-bound goods enter Taiwan here.

Only 45 minutes from Taipei City by train, Keelung is within easy day-tripping distance and considered part of the Greater Taipei Region .

Keelung’s biggest claim to fame is Keelung Night Market , one of the best night markets in Taiwan , but there are enough worthwhile sights in Keelung to consider spending a whole day or night there.

In this article, I’ll cover everything you need to know for visiting Keelung, including its top sights, how to get there, where to stay, what to eat, best tours, and more. If you prefer a listicle format with even more details for each attraction, see my guide to the best things to do in Keelung .

Table of Contents

Keelung City Introduction

Keelung was originally inhabited by the Ketagalan Taiwanese aboriginal tribe – you can learn about them at the Ketagalan Cultural Center in Beitou, Taipei City.

Why is the English name Keelung so different than the Mandarin pronunciation of the city, Jilong ? Well, it’s complicated. In a nutshell, “Keelung” may have come from “Ketagalan”. Locals later called it “Kelang”, which means “chicken coop” in the Taiwanese language, after the shape of a local mountain.

In Chinese, that’s 雞籠 or “Jilong”. But the characters were later changed to 基隆, which sound the name but don’t mean chicken coop – they mean “prosperous land”.

Both the Spanish and Dutch built forts on the coast of Keelung, notably Ershawan Fort and Baimiweng Fort, which can still be seen there today. Keelung today is also known for several ruins of modern cement structures , like Agenna Shipyard Relics.

The Japanese quickly developed Keelung’s port. Today, it is the third largest port in Taiwan, after Kaohsiung Port and Taichung Port. The Japanese upgraded Keelung to a city of its own, separate from Taipei, in 1924.

Keelung Night Market first developed around the end of the Japanese period (1945). Many visitors today claim it is the best night market in Taiwan – it’s actually my personal favorite!

Although Keelung remains a city of its own, with a population of 360,000, it is considered part of the “Taipei– New Taipei City –Keelung Metropolitan Area”. Collectively, this is the largest population center in Taiwan.

It rains so much in Keelung that the city has been dubbed the “ Rainy City ” of Taiwan.

Getting to Keelung

Local trains run from Taipei Main Station to Keelung in 45 minutes. Because these trains are local type, there are no seat numbers and you can’t book them. Just swipe your EasyCard ( order here ) or buy a ticket at the station before boarding. Find more info about which trains in Taiwan require tickets here .

There are also buses from various places in Taipei City to Keelung . A few useful ones are bus 1800 from Zhongxiao Dunhua MRT to Keelung and bus 1813 from Kuo Kuang Bus Station ( here beside Taipei Main Station) to Keelung. The bus takes up to an hour, depending on traffic.

Many people like to visit Keelung Night Market at the end of a day trip to popular sights like Shifen Old Street sky lanterns , Shifen Waterfall , Houtong Cat Village , and Jiufen Old Street. Bus 788 runs from Jiufen Old Street to Keelung (50 minutes).

You could also take a taxi from Ruifang to Shen’ao Station then ride the Shen’ao Rail Bike to Badouzi Station ( booking required ), and then get to central Keelung from there. Yehliu, another popular attraction included on day trips like this one , is 45 minutes west of Keelung by bus.

Use GoogleMaps or the Bus+ app (see other useful apps for Taiwan ) to find the bus times and bus stop locations.

Keelung Tourist Shuttle 99 provides access to some of the most popular places in Keelung, including Waimushan Coastal Area, Keelung Station, Keelung Night Market, Ershanwan Fort, Zhongzheng Park, Heping Island Park, and Shen’ao Rail Bike.

To visit some of the more remote off-the-beaten-track spots I’ll cover below, I recommend renting a scooter here for the day. You’ll need an IDP or local Taiwanese motorcycle license.

Where to Stay in Keelung

Although it’s very easy to take the train or bus back to Taipei after visiting Keelung Night Market, some people decide to spend the night in Keelung so they don’t have to do this.

I recommend Drizzle Inn (see on Booking / Agoda ) for budget-friendly accommodation very close to Keelung Night Market.

For a larger hotel, Evergreen Laurel Hotel (see on Booking / Agoda ) is a little dated, but it has a swimming pool and port views. It is located right at the side of the port.

Top Things to Do in Keelung

Keelung Night Market (基隆夜市, also called Miaokou Night Market) is by far the most common reason travelers come to Keelung. The market is built up around Dianji Temple and is recognizable for its rows of yellow lanterns. It is a 10-minute walk from Keelung train station. If you’re coming by bus, you may be able to get off a little closer.

Near Keelung Night Market, there’s also Renai traditional market (仁愛市場) in the daytime and tuna auctions at Kanziding Fish Market (崁仔頂漁市) in the middle of the night.

It’s impossible to miss Keelung Port when visiting Keelung. The city is built up around it and it is surrounded by rows of cranes and huge piles of shipping containers.

When you walk from Keelung Station to Keelung Night Market, walk along Maritime Plaza (海洋廣場) on the port. The plaza has several artworks and light installations. In the evening, the plaza comes alive with visitors and lights.

A short walk up a flight of stairs from the edge of Keelung Night Market, Khoo Tsu-song Old Mansion (許梓桑古厝) is the remains of former local politician’s house dating to 1913. The mansion is overgrown with vegetation and offers a cool view of Keelung.

10 minutes walk from Maritime Plaza, at the base of Zhongzheng Park (see below) is the brand-new Keelung Tower (基隆塔). You can enter through an old air raid shelter or taker an elevator to the top to enjoy sweeping harbor views.

Zhongzheng Park (基隆中正公園) is one of the best places to visit in the daytime in Keelung. The hilltop park has commanding views of the port.

Take a bus, taxi, or walk up to Big Buddha Temple , where there are children’s activities and several Buddhist statues, including the giant white Guanyin Statue overlooking the port. You can even climb up inside the statue.

Also in Zhongzheng Park is Zhupu Altar (主普壇), a large temple overlooking the city. This temple is the focal point of Ghost Month activities in Taiwan during the Ghost Festival (7th lunar month, usually in August).

On the road up to Zhongzheng Park, there’s a secret Totoro mural hidden here . You can also travel past the park to Ershawan Fort (二沙灣砲臺), the remains of a Spanish fort, but there isn’t much left of it.

Another major Keelung landmark that is hard to miss is the Hollywood-style white letters KEELUNG on the hill behind Keelung train station, which at night become digital screens. If you’ve got the energy/time, you can even walk up to them.

At the northeastern entrance to Keelung Port, Heping Island is an excellent getaway. Heping Island Park (和平島地質公園) features some lovely natural saltwater swimming pools and coastal scenery.

Watch for Zhengbin Port Color Houses (正濱漁港-彩色街屋) – one of Taiwan’s top spots for Instagram photos – and Agenna Shipyard Relics (阿根納造船廠遺構) just before the bridge to the island. 

Further east from there, National Museum of Marine Science and Technology (國立海洋科技博物館公園) is a large ocean-themed museum.

From there, you can walk to iOcean (another marine museum), coastal Chaojing Park (潮境公園) or hop on the Pingxi train line at Haikeguan Station or Badouzi Station (considered one of the most beautiful train stations in Taiwan) to connect to Ruifang, Jiufen Old Street, or Shifen.

You can also ride the Shen’ao Rail Bike ( booking required ) from Badouzi Station to Shen’ao Station, where you can take a stroll to the coast. Elephant Trunk Rock used to be a popular attraction here, until it fell into the sea in December 2023.

Going west from Keelung Port, Fairy Cave Temple (仙洞巖最勝寺) and Buddha Hand Cave (佛手洞) are two interesting cave temples accessible by local bus.

You’ll need a scooter to reach Keelung Lighthouse (基隆燈塔), Baimiweng Fort (白米甕砲臺), or for the trailhead to Qiuzishan Lighthouse (球子山燈塔).

Keelung’s Dawulun Beach (大武崙白沙灘) is one of the closest beaches to Taipei and can be reached by bus from Keelung. The Keelung tourist shuttle goes to Waimushan Shore Walk, from where you can walk 15 minutes to the beach (read more about Taiwan’s best beaches ).

Keelung Islet (基隆嶼) is the small but distinctive island you can see just off the coast from Keelung. See below for boat tours to the island, and read about other cool Taiwan islands .

Best Keelung Tours

To have a local show you the best food in Keelung Night Market , join this Keelung Night Market food tour .

There are no tours focusing only on Keelung attractions, but this excellent day tour from Taipei includes Heping Island Park in Keelung plus Jiufen Old Street, Shifen Old Street, and Shifen Waterfall.

Heping Island Park tickets can be purchased here , or entrance is included if you have a Taipei Unlimited Fun Pass .

Here’s a popular boat tour to Keelung Islet .

To make a customized day tour from Taipei, hire a driver here .

How to Plan Your Keelung Itinerary

Many day trippers will just tack on Keelung Night Market and Maritime Plaza at the end of their day , after visiting Shifen Old Street, Shifen Waterfall, and/or Yehliu.

To see more of the attractions I covered above, plan to spend a whole day in Keelung . A popular itinerary is to ride the train from Taipei to Keelung Station, then the Keelung Tourist Shuttle to some of the following: Zhengbin Color Houses, Heping Island Park, National Museum of Marine Science & Technology, Shen’ao Rail Bike – then finish at Keelung Night Market.

Another popular option is to visit places like Shifen and Jiufen first, then hop in a taxi from Ruifang to the eastern end of Shen’ao Rail Bike (Shen’ao Station), ride the rail bike to the western end (Badouzi Station), then take the Keeliung Tourist Shuttle to Keelung Port and Keelung Night Market. Just make sure to get there before the last Rail Bike departure.

To see some of the more remote attractions I mentioned, it’s best to hire a scooter if you can.

What to Eat in Keelung

It goes without saying that you’ll find the best array of foods at Keelung Night Market . I cover the most famous food stalls in my guide to binge eating your way through Keelung Night Market .

One Keelung-specific specialty to try in the night market is dingbiancuo noodles (鼎邊銼, try here ), which is made from chunks of noodle, yellow lilies, and fish/meat balls. Keelung is also known for its excellent tianbula , or fish cakes (甜不辣, try it here in the night market).

Some other must-try items in the night market are slushy pao pao bing here , pig knuckles here , thick crab soup here , and nutritious sandwiches here (they aren’t nutritious at all, but they are delicious).

Here are some vegetarian options in the night market .

In the daytime, you can find traditional food vendors in Renai traditional market . In the middle of the night, watch for one sashimi vendor in Kanziding Fish Market .

For seafood, head to Waimushan Fishing Harbor (外木山漁港) – the old building full of vendors is run down, but the seafood is fresh. You can also find lots of seafood restaurants around Badouzi Fishing Harbor (八斗子觀光漁港). 

The 20 Best Night Markets in Taiwan, from North to South

A travel guide to kaohsiung, taiwan’s southern port city, leave a comment.

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KEELUNG Travel Guide

[The below text and most of the photos are from a pamphlet we recently produced for the North Coast and Guanyinshan National Scenic Area ; all copyright belongs to the NSA]

Text & Photos: Vision

Keelung Harbor (基隆港)

An important international marine transport hub of northern Taiwan, this is a modern harbor that has both military and commercial functions. It is also Taiwan’s main cruise ship port of call. Large cruise ships can often be seen entering and leaving the harbor.

Keelung Visitor Center (基隆旅遊服務中心) Add: No. 5, Gangxi St., Ren’ai Dist., Keelung City (基隆市仁愛區港西街1號) Tel: (02) 2428-7664 Hours: 09:00~17:00

KLOOK: Keelung Walking Tour

Kanziding Fish Market (崁仔頂魚市)

This fish market existed as far back as the Qing dynasty and is the oldest outdoor fish market in northern Taiwan. The busiest period is 3am to 7am, when the bustling atmosphere and vitality of the fish auctions can be experienced in full.

KLOOK: Keelung Midnight Fish Market Adventure

Ocean Plaza (海洋廣場)

Facing Keelung Harbor the Ocean Plaza (also named Maritime Plaza) is a wooden platform decorated with reefs made of wood and an artwork showing the letters KEELUNG. It is the perfect place to view the harbor waterfront.

YM Oceanic Culture & Art Museum (陽明海洋文化藝術館)

Built in 1915 in the Japanese Colonial Period, the museum building was originally owned by the Japanese NYK Line. After being taken over by Yangming Marine Transport Co., in 2003 the building was transformed into a culture and art museum. Inside, there are themed exhibitions on different periods and introductions of various ocean culture resources. A fun experience can be had here on a simulator that gives the user a realistic feel for what it’s like to actually operate a ship.

Add: No. 4, Gangxi St., Ren’ai Dist., Keelung City (基隆市仁愛區港西街4號) Hours: 09:00 ~ 17:00 (closed on Monday) Visitors need to buy ticket

KLOOK: YM Oceanic Culture & Art Museum Think Big Exhibition Ticket in Keelung

Mt. Huzi/Keelung Landmark Park) (虎仔山/基隆地標公園)

The famous landmark KEELUNG sign stands on Mt. Huzi. From scenic-view spots around the sign, the eastern side of Keelung Harbor can be seen down below. The Keelung night scene is even more enchanting than the daytime scenery.

E-Square (東岸商場)

Newly-opened in 2018, the E-Square shopping mall has a Michelin-starred restaurant, a clothing brand flagship store, children’s play facilities, a book shop, and much more. From the roof, the beautiful Keelung Harbor scenery and docked luxury cruise ships can be viewed.

Add: No. 236, Ren 2 nd Rd., Ren’ai Dist., Keelung City (基隆市仁愛區仁二路236號) Hours:  11:00 ~ 22:00

Miaokou Commercial Area (廟口商圈)

Century-old Dianji Temple is at the heart of the Miaokou Commercial Area. There are over 200 stalls selling clothes, shoes, snacks, and much more. Quite a few shops open in the daytime, but Miaokou really comes to life at night. All the famous Taiwanese snacks can be found here.

Add: Ren 3 rd Rd., Ren’ai Dist., Keelung City (基隆市仁愛區仁三路)

KLOOK: Keelung Night Market Food Tour from Taipei

Buddha Hand Cave (佛手洞)

The best-known natural sea cave in the Keelung area, it was used as an air raid shelter in the Japanese Colonial Period. The most distinctive feature of the cave is that, on the upper part of the rock wall, natural weathering has formed what looks very much like a five-finger hand print, which is why the cave is called Buddha Hand Cave.

Baimiweng Fort (白米甕砲台)

This fort is located on high ground at around 70 meters elevation on the western side of Keelung Harbor. Records show that the fort existed as far back as the time the Spanish and then Dutch controlled Taiwan over 300 years ago. For this reason, it is also called “Fort Holland.” The guns are no longer in place, but glorious views out over the blue sea can be enjoyed from the well-preserved fort.

Waimushan Fishing Harbor (外木山漁港)

Facing the sea and with mountains at its rear, Waimushan offers expansive and superb sea views. A small fish market is held here at weekends and holiday times and there are a seawater swimming pool and a folk museum nearby. It is suitable for swimming, sea fishing, and enjoying the scenery.

Waimushan Lovers Lake Seaside Boulevard (外木山情人湖濱海大道)

The Waimushan coast is the longest stretch of natural coastline in Keelung. Stretching five kilometers from Waimushan Fishing Harbor to Dawulun Aodi, oneside is open seashore and the other is sheer cliffs. The coastline offersstunning scenery, including Keelung Islet, and is a great spot for leisure or walking.

Lovers Lake Park (情人湖公園)

Lovers Lake, located on Mt. Dawulun, was originally named Wuyipi. It is a highland lake formed by the convergence of six mountain streams. Surrounded by dense woods, it has a lake-circle trail and a mountain-circle trail, an observation platform and the Lovers Suspension Bridge . It is a great place to go for a stroll and enjoy enchanting scenery.

Lovers Lake Park Trail (情人湖公園步道)

Lovers Lake Park has the Lake Circle Path and the Mountain Circle Path. The former is about 1,400-meter long and has scenic pavilions, the Lovers Suspension Bridge,and a lakeside platform, offering beautiful views of the lake and mountain scenery. The 1,600-meter long Mountain Circle Path is lined by dense woods and the observation platform offers views of Keelung Islet and Jinbaoli. From the Eagle Rock Observation Platform, birds of prey can be seen soaring overhead and the Coastal Highway, Dawulun Aodi Beach, and Waimushan Bay can be viewed below.

Dawulun Fort (大武崙砲台)

Not far from Lovers Lake, this fort was an important fortification defending the western side of Keelung Harbor during the Sino-French War of the late 19 th century. A national historic site,the remains of its gun bases, barracks, and tunnels can still be seen, giving it great value in terms of military and cultural history.

Huhai Bay (湖海灣)

Huhai Bay, at the end of Lovers Lake Seaside Boulevard, has a spacious viewing platform. Visitors can enjoy the sea-melting-into-sky scenery, consume good food, watch the sunrise, and gaze at the full moon.

Dawulun Aodi Beach (大武崙澳底沙灘)

Situated where Keelung City meets Wanli District in New Taipei City, close to Lovers Lake Seaside Boulevard, this is the only bathing beach in Keelung. With golden sand and blue water, it is a beautiful spot where visitors can play in the water, watch the sea, and relax.

KLOOK: Stand Up Paddle Boarding Experience in Keelung

Heping Island Park (和平島公園)

Heping Island, situated on the eastern side of Keelung Harbor, boasts a diverse sea-eroded landscape featuring wave-cut platforms,tofu rocks, sea-eroded caves, and mushroom rocks. The park that covers the island has minimal facilities to reduce the impact on the natural environment,so visitors can view the strange rocks in a pristine state.

Heping Island Visitor Center (和平島遊客中心) Add: No. 360, Ping 1st Rd., Zhongzheng Dist., Keelung City (基隆市中正區平一路360號) Tel: (02) 2463-5452 Hours: 08:00 ~ 18:00 (May ~ Oct. until 19:00)

KLOOK: Heping Island Park Admission Ticket

Tianxian Temple (天顯宮)

This temple is located on a slope on Heping Island offering excellent views. The Daoist temple, well known in Keelung, enshrines the god WuXian Ling Guan Emperor. On both sides of the road that leads from the square in front of the temple to the entrance arch stand more than 200 arhat stone statues, each in a different pose but all imposing.

Sheliao East Fort (社寮東砲台)

This was an important military stronghold defending Keelung Harbor from the 17 th  century on and was one of the 10 main forts of Keelung. Excellent views can be enjoyed from atop the fort, with Yeliu Cape to the west, Bitou Cape to the east, and Heping Island and the “wave line” on the sea surface, where light and darker color seawater meet, seen below.

Keelung City Indigenous Cultural Hall (基隆市原住民文化會館)

This cultural hall has a collection of more than 200 indigenous cultural relics and traditional everyday items including clothes, hunting equipment, rattan woven items, wood carvings, bead jewelry, musical instruments, and pottery. It also displays indigenous art, giving visitors a deeper understanding of the culture of Taiwan’s indigenous peoples .

Add: No. 75, Ln. 116, Zhengbin Rd., Zhongzheng Dist., Keelung City (基隆市中正區正濱路116巷75號) Hours: 09:00 ~ 17:00 (closed on Monday, during the Lunar New Year period, and on national holidays)

Zhengbin Fishing Harbor (正濱漁港)

This was the biggest harbor in Taiwan early in the Japanese  Colonial Period and powered the development of Keelung’s fishing industry. It has now transformed into a weekend/holiday tourist wharf. More than a dozen painted huts stand around the harbor and are popular with Instagram  photographers.

Badouzi Tourist Fishing Harbor (八斗子觀光漁港)

This harbor has the best-known tourist fish market in Keelung, offering a wide variety of fresh seafood. There are two main buildings, one housing a fish market, the other a food street. After buying sea food in the market, visitors can have it cooked at a restaurant next door, enjoying the freshest tastes of the sea without having to wait.

National Museum of Marine Science & Technology (NMMST)  (國立海洋科技博物館)

With distinctive buildings and wide range of exhibits, the museum was mentioned by the New York Times in 2014 as one of the places to visit in Taiwan. The museum has nine themed halls:Marine Environment Gallery, Marine Science Gallery, Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering Gallery, Fishery Science Gallery, People and the Sea Gallery,Deep Sea Theater, Wonders of the Deep Sea Gallery, Kids’ Exploration Zone, and Special Exhibition Gallery. It provides a variety of ocean-related information.

Add: No. 367, Beining Rd., Zhongzheng Dist., Keelung City (基隆市中正區北寧路367號) Tel: (02) 2469-0371 Hours: Weekdays 09:00 ~ 17:00, weekends and holidays 09:00 ~ 18:00 (closed on Lunar New Year’s Eve and every Monday; open on public and successive holidays)

KLOOK: Keelung National Museum of Marine Science and Technology Admission Ticket

Badouzi Railway Station (八斗子車站)

One of the most beautiful branch lines in Taiwan, Shen’ao Branch Line runs between Ruifang and Badouzi, stopping at the National Marine Museum of Marine Science and Technology Station on the way. The terminus station, Badouzi, is next to the sea and coastal mountains, offering beautiful scenery. It is regarded as the most beautiful train station in northern Taiwan.

Chaojing Park (潮境公園)

Located next to the National Museum of Marine Science and Technology, this was once a rubbish dump. After improvement was carried out, the area was completely transformed into a green seaside park. Visitors can enjoy expansive views, taking in Jiufen and Mt. Jilong in the distance. Chaojing Park is one of the most popular spots on Keelung’s coast.

Badouzi Wangyou Valley (八斗子望幽谷)

Not far from the National Museum of Marine Science and Technology, with the sea in front and mountain at the rear, this is a natural V-shaped valley. It offers a varied geological landscape as well as the chance to observe abundant seashore ecological resources.

Wangyou Valley SeasideTrail (望憂谷濱海步道)

Located at Badouzi, this is a wooden-plank trail that offers stunning mountain and sea views. It runs from Badouzi Coastal Park to lush Wangyou Valley. On the way it offers views of the sea-eroded terrain of the North Coast, with the occasional Crested Serpent Eagle and Black Kite appearing overhead. From grassy Wangyou Valley, Badouzi Fishing Harbor and the blue sea can be seen from high up, giving you beautiful mountain and sea views in one go.

Getting There Take a train to Keelung or Ruifang Railway Station and transfer to Keelung bus No. 862 or Taiwan Tourist Shuttle – Dragon Palace Treasure Hunt Route – West Coast to get to places of interest. From Keelung Railway Station take Keelung city bus No. 509 to Lovers Lake; take Keelung city bus No. 101 to Heping Island. To get to Badouzi and the National Museum of Marine Science & Technology, from Keelung Station take Keelung bus No. 102, Keelung bus No. 1051, 791, or 788; or from Qidu Railway Station take Keelung bus No. 66; or from Taipei Main Station take Kuo Kuang bus No. 1811 or 1812.

KLOOK: Taiwan’s Northern Coast

Hotels in Keelung (booking.com)

Also read: Visit KEELUNG — Harbor City in the North The NORTH COAST of Taiwan — from GUANYINSHAN to KEELUNG NORTHEAST COAST Train Ride — from Fulong to Toucheng

Documentary Project about the Keelung Ghost Festival

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Taiwanese Secrets Travel Guide

Keelung Travel Guide

Table of Contents

Welcome to Keelung (Jilong)!

On this page, you will find information about Keelung’s attractions, hotels, restaurants, and transportation. This city is located in the northeastern part of Taiwan. It has a population of around 387,000 people.

Keelung is Taiwan’s main amphibious shipping port, lying just north of Taipei. It offers a lot of the type of things you might expect from a shipping town – fish markets, islands, seaside sights.

Keelung Attractions – Things to do in Jilong

The  Miaokou Night Market is a top spot for tourists, assuming you’re not sick of night markets yet. The  Waimu Shan Seashore and park offer a long strip of some really scenic views of the sea, and at the end of the path you’ll encounter a small but pleasant sandy beach. Keelung also has one of Taiwan’s largest  Mazu Temples , a tribute to the goddess once thought to rule the sea.

As a coastal shipping center, Keelung has also served as the center of a number of forts that one power or another has used to hold onto the important city. If military history is your thing, you can check out  Gongzih Liao Fort, Ershawan Fort, Dawulun Fort, Baimiwong Fort  and  Shihciouling Fort , all built during the Chinese Qing Dynasty to safeguard Keelung and Taiwan from foreign powers.

Fish lovers will be interested in making a stop at  Kanziding Fish Market , one of the oldest and largest of its kind in the north of Taiwan. Getting a scenic view of Keelung and the Pacific Ocean can be done at  Heping Island , which is just off the coast of Taiwan and has a connecting bridge. The park at Heping Island has some cool geological features, like weirdly-shaped eroded rocks. Fishing and diving can also be done from the island.

Finally, it should be noted that, while not part of Keelung,  Jiufen  is quite close and is one of the main tourist attractions in Taiwan. It is a historical mining town that has been preserved as a market center, but it is still great place to get the feel of Taiwan as it might have been hundreds of years ago.

Eating in Keelung

You won’t have trouble finding good  Keelung restaurants . The entire area around the port (between the train station and Miaokou Market) is packed with small Chinese eateries and traditional Taiwanese food stalls.

If you need to get your caffeine fix, there’s a  Starbucks  right across from the train station.

Miaokou Market  is one of the most popular markets in Taiwan with good reasons. The place has really fresh seafood and most of it is affordable even by Taiwanese standard.

But Keelung market doesn’t only serves seafood. You’ll also be able to find most of the other popular Taiwanese snacks that you’ve seen in guidebooks like  Chinese oyster omelet  and Taiwan’s famed  stinky tofu . Most of the food is really cheap at this popular Keelung market – a bowl of  fried noodles  will only cost you around 40NT$!

Accommodation

Nevertheless, there are a few good places to stay in Keelung and the following one is probably the best:

Keelung Evergreen Laurel Hotel By far the number one reason why travelers stay at the Evergreen Hotel in Keelung is its perfect location – right next to the port, facing the Pacific Ocean. The rooms are clean, comfortable, and offer superb views over both mountains and sea.

This Keelung hotel, is only minutes away (by foot) from most attractions in the city. To make a reservation, check room fares, discounts, or availability, please visit  Keelung Evergreen Laurel Hotel on HotelsCombined.com .

Keelung transportation and other travel information

HSR to Keelung If you are traveling to Keelung from Kaohsiung, Tainan, Hsinchu, Taoyuan, or Taichung, the fastest way to do so is to first take the HSR (High Speed Rail) to Taipei, then switch to a TRA train.

Travel to Keelung from Taipei by Train The most straightforward method of getting to Keelung from Taipei will be the commuter trains, usually starting at Taipei Main Station. The ride between Taipei and Keelung by normal train (TRA) takes about 40 minutes. Make sure your train says it’s going to stop in Keelung and not somewhere else.

Taipei to Keelung train fare: 45NT$

Taipei to Keelung by Bus   and Taxi There are lots of buses that go to Keelung from Taipei, but it’s a bit tricky to manage. The 2 most convenient places for travelers to take a bus from Taipei to Keelung are outside Taipei Main Station or at the new Taipei City Hall Bus Station (platform 6).

Taipei – Keelung bus fare: 55NT$

Taxis  can also be taken but they will cost around NT$1,000 for the trip, each way.

Travel Around Keelung Keelung is not a very big city and it’s possible to visit most of the sites by foot. Taking taxis is also quite cheap and a ride across the entire city shouldn’t cost you more than NT$200. Don’t try to walk across the vast roundabout in front of Keelung train station unless you have suicidal tendencies.

Touristic Spots Around Keelung, Taiwan

I know, I know… touristy places are not very attractive most of the time, but this part of Taiwan is different – there are many, many cool spots where you can rock-climb, hike, cycle, scuba dive, visit historic sites, and eat some of the best seafood you’ve ever had in your life!

Longdong (Long Dong)

Taiwan’s top rock climbing destination.

Longdong (Dragon Cave) is located 30 minutes south of Keelung by car or bus.  It is Taiwan’s top destination for technical rock climbing.  Back in 2000, Longdong was actually the main reason why I traveled to Taiwan. This small fishing port (located in a small, tranquil bay) is also one of the prime scuba diving destinations in northern Taiwan.

Most of the routes at Longdong are single pitch climbs, both trad and sports, on  very high quality, compact sandstone.  The Long Dong climbing area, near Keelung also has amazing bouldering. One of the coolest things about this spectacular seaside crag is that it’s possible to have the entire area all for yourself, even on weekends.

Despite being  one of the top places in the world for rock-climbing , it is still (somehow) not as popular as other crags in Asia like Raleigh Beach in Thailand or Halong Bay in Vietnam.

Every year, Toucheng holds one of the craziest Chinese festivals in Taiwan, right at the end of the Ghost Month (Ghost Festival) just before the gates of hell are closed. It’s a great event where you can drink cheap beer, watch  sacrifices  (of pigs and chickens), see elders burn mountains of ghost money and take pictures of crazy people who climb really tall bamboo poles to get gifts from some Chinese gods. Sorry, I can’t give you specific details, I was slightly intoxicated when someone told me the story of that special day.

Many Taiwanese people like to say that Jiufen, which is 20 minutes south of Keelung City, is Taiwan’s most romantic travel destination. Jiufen is popular for its amazing ocean views, its old street, gold mine, traditional snacks –  of course  – and some ancient Japanese houses.

Map of Keelung City

Pictures of Keelung, Northern Taiwan

Important Links:

• Chenggong Travel Guide
• Hualien City Travel guide
• 15 Things to do in Taipei
• Visit Kenting National Park

Return From  Keelung City  to   Taiwanese Secrets Travel Guide  Homepage

Wander-Lush

Things to Do in Keelung: An Alternative Day Trip from Taipei

My guide to Keelung, Taiwan shows you how to experience the best alternative day trip from Taipei city. This post includes up-to-date transport info, a map, and all the best things to do in Keelung.

T aipei is the kind of city people love to leave.

Not because there’s anything wrong with Taipei itself, but because its location and tourist-friendly transport network make it a perfect base for day trips.

From atmospheric Old Streets tucked away in the mountainous interior and elaborate Taiwanese cultural sites , to the dramatic rock formations that characterise the east coast, there’s certainly no shortage of things to see and do within a few hours’ drive of Taipei.

Located less than an hour from downtown, Keelung is one of Taipei’s less-popular day trips. Like Lukang Old Street and other small towns around the north of the island, Keelung is every bit as interesting as Pingxi or Jiufen but without the crowds.

Planning a trip to Taiwan? Stoke your wanderlust with my awesome photos of Taipei !

I didn’t come across much information on Keelung when I was researching for Taiwan tips —and honestly, Keelung wasn’t even on our list of places to check out. That was until we pulled up Google Maps one day and landed on a point of interest we just couldn’t pass up (more on that later).

A compact, walk-able city with a few cool cultural attractions (including what I think is the most atmospheric food market in the greater Taipei area), Keelung is really more of a half-day trip.

I would recommend setting aside 3 to 4 hours out of your Taipei itinerary for a visit. When you’re done, you can transit directly to other popular day trip locations (including Shifen and Jiufen) from Keelung City without having to double back through Taipei, which is great if you’re on a tight schedule.

The Keelung Maritime Plaza area where buses from Taipei dispense of their passengers doesn’t create the best first impression—but don’t be dissuaded.

Stick with it, and you will be rewarded!

As I mentioned, Keelung is a little bit off the tourist trail. As a result, it was much quieter than any other place we visited in northern Taiwan. The only time we found ourselves completely alone at a tourist spot was in Keelung.

If you’re like me and you need a break from the crowds every now and then, Keelung is a nice place to spend an afternoon.

Here is my complete guide to doing a Keelung day trip from Taipei.

Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more.

About Keelung

Located 30 kilometres from Taipei City, Keelung is close to the northernmost tip of Taiwan. A port city, it has a long and complicated history thanks to its strategically located deep-water harbour.

Originally inhabited by the Ketagalan aboriginals, a Spanish expedition arrived in Keelung in the 17th century, marking Taiwan’s first contact with the West. A fort, San Salvador de Quelung, was established.

When Spanish Formosa (as Taiwan was then called) started to dissolve, the Dutch took over control of Keelung and its harbour, using it as an outpost on the Dutch East India Company’s transcontinental trading route.

Later in its history, Keelung was passed between the Chinese and Japanese while simultaneously fending off invasions from the British and the French. In the 1960s, coal mining took off and Keelung flourished again.

The Keelung of today is a quiet city of around 300,000 people. It doesn’t see many tourists compared to popular day trips in the area, notably Jiufen and Shifen, which are both relatively close by.

Tourists who do visit Keelung City come to see the harbour and the city’s cultural institutions and museums .

But there are plenty of other ‘less-touristy’ things to do in Keelung, too. Read on to find out what to do in Keelung!

How to get to Keelung from Taipei

The easiest way to get to Keelung from Taipei City is by public bus or train. Buses and trains run regularly, and the journey takes under an hour.

Planning a trip to Taipei? I recommend buying a Taipei Fun Pass , which includes discounted access to 16 attractions in Taipei and Keelung, plus transport on many intercity bus lines and the Coastline Keelung Shuttle Bus to Zhengbin Fishing Harbor and Heping Island. Buy your pass online here.

Option A: Kuo-Kuang bus 1813 from Taipei Bus Station

Local bus 1813 to Keelung, operated by Kuo-Kuang company, leaves from Taipei Bus Station every 10 to 20 minutes from 6am until midnight. The journey takes 45-50 minutes, and tickets cost $57 NT one-way or $114 NT round-trip.

More info and schedules here .

Option B: Train from Songshan Station

Take a green-line metro to Songshan Station (close to Raohe Night Market). Hop out, and walk two blocks south to Songshan train station. The Fuxing to Keelung City leaves every 10-30 minutes, with the first train at 5.55am and the last train at 11.53pm.

This is a local train that makes 9 stops between Taipei and Keelung. The journey takes between 30 and 45 minutes, and tickets cost around $30 NT one-way.

Check times and fares here .

Buses and trains arrive in Keelung near the Maritime Plaza, right on the waterfront. From here, it’s easy to access the city’s main attractions by foot.

Day tours to Keelung

If you prefer to visit Keelung as part of an organised tour, there are several itineraries departing Taipei city that combine a visit to Keelung with other attractions in the area.

On this tour of Taiwan’s northern coast, you’ll get to see the highlights of Keelung city as well as Yehliu Geopark.

Things to do in Keelung Taiwan: Keelung attractions

If you’re travelling independently by bus, you’ll have plenty of time to cover all the best things to do in Keelung. Here are a few of my favourite sights and activities for your Keelung itinerary.

Keelung Zhongzheng (Chung Cheng) Park

Not long after we arrived in Keelung we climbed up a set of stairs on a whim. After navigating some dead ends and blocked paths, we eventually ended up high above the city inside Keelung Zhongzheng Park. It was still fairly early in the morning and there wasn’t another person in sight.

The park is made up of colourful temples, shrines, pavilions and courts set in the side of Dashawan Mountain. A 22-meter statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, is the park’s focal point—but somehow we missed it.

Instead, we took our time wandering around the magnificent Zhuputan Temple, surely the most impressive Keelung temple. On close inspection, the exterior of the temple isn’t in the best nick—but I really love the red and yellow colour palette and some of the design details.

Apparently there’s a folk costume museum inside, but unfortunately the temple was closed for repairs on the day we visited.

Every year, Zhongzheng Park plays host to one of Taiwan’s most popular festivals , the Mid-Summer Ghost Festival. Part Buddhist, part Taoist, Zhongyuan Pudu as it’s often called is one of the country’s 12 official religious festivities.

Its history dates back more than 160 years. In 1851, the first festival was organised as a way to ease tensions between rival immigrant clans in the Keelung area. Designed to unite the community and bring peace to Keelung, the festival now attracts thousands of visitors to the city every July for a huge lantern procession.

The park is open 24/7, but I recommend visiting in the early morning for the best views and to beat the heat (there are a lot of stairs to climb). More information and directions here .

Khoo Tsu-song Old Mansion (Qingyu Hall)

If I see ‘Abandoned house’ on Google Maps, there’s no way I’m not going to check it out. That’s how Khoo Tsu-song Old Mansion was tagged—and it certainly lives up to its moniker.

Built in 1931, Qingyu Hall bares the name of its most famous resident, Khoo Tsu-song—a well-connected intellectual who oversaw administration of Keelung City during its Japanese occupation.

It would have been a grand home in its day. The location is quite a statement—high on a hillside with panoramic views over the rest of the city from each of the windows.

The house’s red brick walls are reminiscent of the forts and official buildings in another Taiwanese port city we visited, Tamsui. The maker’s mark (‘TR’ or Taiwan Renga—the main brick producer during Taiwan’s Japanese era) on some of the bricks at Khoo Tsu-song Old Mansion are the same as at Bo-Pi-Liao Historical Block in Taipei .

You can also spot decorative tiles on the highest of the house’s architraves and beautiful detailing on the window frames. The round windows at the entrance are particularly pretty, carved to look like bamboo-shoots.

The house has been totally consumed by nature. There are a few banyan trees growing inside the main upstairs room, their roots fanned out over the walls and floors. Exquisite Gigantea leaves are splayed across the front of the home. The top level is missing its roof and the rooms are full of debris—but it’s still possible to explore inside.

In 2001, Khoo Tsu-song Old Mansion was recognised as a historical building—although no visible efforts have been made to restore or protect it (apart from the installation of an information plaque on the bottom level).

In 2014, the Keelung Youth Front organisation began the process of cleaning up the house to encourage more visitors. We ran into one other visitor at the house, a tourist from Taipei. He told us he’d been speaking to locals on the way up the hill and that they were very surprised to see him.

‘No tourists come here,’ they apparently told him. I can’t imagine why.

Getting to Khoo Tsu-song Old Mansion is half the fun. We got seriously lost in the labyrinth of staircases and alleyways that lead up the hill to the house.

Walking among the apartments, colourful balconies and yards was a great insight into life in Keelung City. If you’re into urbexing, there are other abandoned buildings and concrete landmarks you can visit in Keelung.

Khoo Tsu-song Old Mansion is located above Keelung Night Market. More information and directions here .

Zhengbin Fishing Harbor

Just 5 kilometres east of central Keelung along the coast lies the bright and colourful Zhengbin Fishing Harbor. The port was established by the Japanese in the 1930s and was the biggest fishing harbour in Taiwan during the Japanese era.

Rows of brightly painted fisherman’s houses hug the shoreline, reflected back in the glassy waters of the bay. This is one of the prettiest places in Taiwan and has a wonderfully nostalgic vibe.

Look out for the boat called ‘Folk Art’ moored in the harbour – it’s the country’s first floating art museum.

To get to Zhenghin from Keelung port, you can either walk along the coast (it takes about 60 minutes on foot) or take bus number 101 from outside Keelung train station. The Coastline Keelung Shuttle Bus also stops near Zhenghin on its way to Heping Island. Fares on this service are covered under the Taipei Fun Pass .

For more urbexing, the Agenna Shipyard Relics are located a short walk from the harbour front – or you can take a boat from Zhengbin to visit Heping Island.

Keelung Night Market (Miaokou Night Market)

We experienced our fair share of food markets in Taipei. Miaokou Night Market in Keelung City was definitely my favourite of the bunch.

Not only is there an awesome selection of Taiwanese street food on offer (including a lot of seafood, if that’s your thing), the atmosphere here is really something special. The layout of Miaokou is slightly different to other markets in Taipei.

The main passageway is lined with tables and little sit-down restaurants so you can observe food preparation and people eating, which is great for photos.

Get your Taiwan photo fix: 62 of my best photos from Taipei .

We found the market open during the day—we’re still not completely sure why, but I figure it had something to do with Lunar New Year. By 10am, it was absolutely packed with families.

There are all kinds of water-dwelling creatures on offer at Miaokou, each fried up to perfection ( I assume). I didn’t have a single bite to eat—yet it was still my favourite market experience in Taiwan.

After a few laps of the market, we were ready to leave Keelung. We jumped on a bus bound for Ruifang and soon found ourselves fighting through a scrum of tourists at Shifen, a wildly popular day trip location by comparison.

I’m glad we started the day in Keelung City and got to experience an alternative, much quieter side of northern Taiwan.

Keelung Miaokou Night Market is open nightly from 5pm. More information and directions here .

Love night markets? Check out my guide to Ipoh, Malaysia – home to some of the best food markets in the region!

Things to do in Keelung map

Where to stay in Keelung

If you want to extend your time in Keelung and stay a few nights, there are some great hotels in town to choose from. Alternatively, if you’re travelling in Taiwan on a budget and looking for low-cost accommodation options , you might even consider staying in Keelung instead of Taipei. Hotels in Keelung can be very affordable by comparison.

My top choice of hotel in Keelung is Evergreen Laurel Hotel (doubles from $90/night). It’s conveniently located right on the harbour, and rooms have fantastic water views.

For budget travellers, Light Inn (from $20/night) is modern and clean, and located close to the night market. This hotel gets excellent reviews for its hospitality and helpful staff.

Browse more Keelung hotel deals here.

Leaving Keelung: Onward transportation

It’s easy to incorporate a few hours in Keelung into your Taiwan itinerary . From Keelung, you can take a direct bus to Ruifang train station (for Pingxi or Shifen) or a bus to Jiufen.

Intercity buses leave from Keelung’s Maritime Plaza area, close to the train station. There is a tourist information office in the ground floor of the train station—staff are very helpful, so just ask there if you’re unsure which bus to take.

Have you been to Keelung? What is your favourite day trip from Taipei?

Things to do in Keelung: Pin it!

Nice! How do you travel within Keelung? Taxi, pub transport, cab? Appreciate your advice from your experience, thanks!

We moved around by foot – it’s quite small and easy to walk. Otherwise taxis would be the best choice I think!

Enjoy your trip!

Informative to see your photos of places I’ve never been. You capture the feel of the place so well.

I like exploring abandoned buildings too. They embody such a mysterious atmosphere…so many layers of stories and emotions.

It’s an amazing feeling to walk back through history. Thanks, Mohana!

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Taroko became a national park in 1986, including Hualien County, Nantou County and Taichung City. Taroko is famous for its spectacular mountains and marble canyons. Cliffs and canyons stretch along Liwu River. Four million years ago, the island of Taiwan was formed by the collision of plates. After millions of years of wind erosion, the marble rocks were exposed and cut by Liwu River, creating impressive grand canyons. From Qingshui to Mount Nanhu, the drop height is 3,742 meters. Such special geography has also bred special flora and fauna in this area.

The waterfalls characterized Taroko National Park and the most famous ones are Baiyang Waterfall, Yindai Waterfall, Changchun Waterfall, and Lushui Waterfall. Swallow Grotto (Yanzikou) and Tunnel of Nine Turns (Jiuqudong) are the most impressive natural scenes in Taroko and the canyons here are the narrowest. Tourists can appreciate the natural beauty along the tour track. Swallows nest on the cliff, chirping and flying back forth. The Taroko monumental is designed in Chinese style and Changchun Temple is to remember those who sacrificed their lives for building the central highway.

Travel Information

※ The Central Cross-Island Highway (Guguan to Deji Section) is currently closed for repairs.

• Nat'l Fwy 1 → Exit at the Changhua System Interchange → Nat'l Fwy 3 → Exit at the Wufeng System Interchange → Nat'l Fwy 6 → Exit at the Puli End Interchange → Prov. Hwy 14 → Prov. Hwy 14A
• Nat'l Fwy 5 → Exit at the Su'ao Interchange → Prov. Hwy 9 → Prov. Hwy 8. → Prov. Hwy 14A

Take THSR or TRA to Taichung Station, transfer  Sun Moon Lake Route 6670  to Puli Station, transfer Nantou Bus to Qingjing Guest House, and transfer Nantou Bus 6658A to Mt. Hehuan Service Station.

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THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Keelung

Things to do in keelung.

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• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

31. Zhongyuan Sacrifice Museum

32. Yang Ming Oceanic Culture and Art Museum

33. Dawulun Fort

34. Agenna Shipyard Relics

35. Keelung 12 Zodiac Bridge

36. Jiang Zai Liao Mountain

37. Martyr's shrine

38. Uhr Sha Wan Battery

39. Fu Min Waterfront Park

40. Keelung Cultural Center

41. Huan Bao Fu Yu Gong Yuan

42. Shih Ciou Ling Fort

43. Dafu Chanyuan

44. Qi du Azalea Road

45. Gongzi Liao Fort

46. Ershawan Fort

47. Heping Dao Guanguang Yu Shi

48. Nuandong Valley

49. tianhou temple.

50. Dawulun Beach

51. shihba luohan cave.

52. Yizheng Park

53. Zhengan Temple

54. Taiwan Tielu Zongguan Xian Qidian

55. West Coast Information Center

56. Tianxian Temple - Heping Island

57. nuan nuan sports park.

58. Keelung Historical Museum

59. Bo'ai Market

60. Yizheng Park

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Keelung travel blog — the fullest keelung travel guide for first-timers.

If you are planning a trip to Taiwan, you should not miss the most beautiful port city in Taiwan, Keelung. If you have visited all the attractions in Taipei, want to watch the sunset over the sea or just want to find a new destination for the next journey, you should pocket the impressive tourist attractions in Keelung.

• Keelung Miaokou night market — Top 10 Keelung night market must eat foods you should try

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So, is Keelung worth visiting, how to visit Keelung, what to do in Keelung Taiwan and how to plan a budget trip to Keelung for the first-time perfectly? Let’s check out our Keelung travel blog (Keelung blog) with the fullest Keelung travel guide from how to get to Keelung, best places to visit, best time to come, what to eat as well as top things to do in Keelung to help you maximize your trip as follows!

Overview of Keelung (#keelung travel blog)

Referring to Taiwan, the first names that come to mind are always Taipei, Taichung or Kaohsiung. However, few people know that there is another hidden paradise named Keelung. Keelung is a provincial city of Taiwan, located in the northeast of the island bordering Taipei County, is the second largest port city after Kaohsiung. In addition, Keelung is also known as The Rainy Port Keelung.

For some reason, Keelung is still missing a lot on the check-in map of tourists, even though the seascape here just needs to be glimpsed through the bus window, you have to hold your breath to watch. A peaceful, ancient small city but with a lot of beautiful views. Handing up the camera to take a photo also gives you a poetic photo right away.

With three sides facing the mountain and one side facing the Keelung Sea, it is like a strong fortress for ships to anchor and since then this place has become a bustling port city. As a port city that blends many cultures together through the introduction of countries that have come to this land before such as Spain, the Netherlands and especially Japan, more than a third of the population here is Japanese people, so somewhere in Keelung you will come across important images of the country of the rising sun and the clearest town is Keelung Miaokou Night Market with the entrance of countless lanterns hanging overhead.

How to get to Keelung? (#keelung blog)

Keelung has a lot of good places of interest for you to consider adding to your itinerary. Just spend a day on your itinerary to go to Taipei Main Station, choose bus number 1813 or 1550 with the destination of Keelung and sit back on the bus for about 40 minutes and you will arrive at the beautiful coastal city. The price for 1 way from Taipei Main Station to Keelung Station is very cheap, only about $6.06.

From here, you can freely go to the scenic park, go to the harbour, or visit the Agenna Shipyard Relics with rows of beautiful European-like colorful houses… Not only the sea view, temples but also the night market is also a place that attracts many tourists to visit because it still retains its inherent indigenous characteristics.

After exiting from Keelung bus station, you can walk along the coastline to the center of the port, where many large maritime ships and cruise ships, yachts are anchored, standing here will feel like you very small in front of the majestic scenery of the ships, along with the flocks of seagulls flying across the sky.

What to do and where to go in Keelung?

Chaojing park (environmental protection and restoration park) (#keelung travel blog).

Address: Lane 369, Beining Rd, Zhongzheng District, Keelung City, Taiwan 202 Hours: Open 24 hours

Coming here, you will be surprised to learn that this place was once a large landfill of the city, people have tried to restore the landscape of this area, forming a destination not only for sightseeing but also educates people about the harmful effects of climate change.

If you look at it from above you will see that the whole area is a ridge of land that juts out into the sea and it has the shape of a bird’s head, the symbol here is also a seagull looking at the sea that is made of scrap.

The most beautiful time is to come here at sunset, you will see the panoramic view of the vast sky embracing the sea with many seagulls flying in the sky.

Maritime Square

Keelung is the second largest port city after Kaohsiung, so the pace of life in this city is extremely vibrant and rich, few people know that this is an old port, also the first place to visit. Indigenous people live here.

Maritime Plaza is a suitable place to watch yachts, walk and enjoy the night view of the city because three sides of the harbor are the sea, so the harbor is deep inward, so this place is considered the center of the city.

In addition to watching the sea, this place also annually organizes art, decoration and display activities that attract a lot of tourists and people to come here to have fun.

Agenna Shipyard Relics & Masahama colored houses by the water (#keelung blog)

Address: No. 75 號 , Lane 116, Zhengbin Rd, Zhongzheng District, Keelung City, Taiwan 202

One of the most famous check-in places in Keelung should definitely belong to the Agenna Shipyard Relics with a row of bold European-colored houses located on the luxurious yacht bay.

Shooting location: Front landscape background, No. 58~88, Zhengbin Road, Zhongzheng District, Keelung City

How to get there

• Parking: Find a parking space in the direction of Agenna Shipyard Relics (Alley 116, Zhengbin Road, Zhongzheng District, Keelung City).
• Bus: 101, 102, 109, 205, 802, T99 (Taiwan Good Travel “T99 Dragon Palace Treasure Hunt East Coast Line”), get off at “Heping Qiaotou Station”.

Masahama Colored House consists of 16 brightly painted houses located in Zhengbin Fishing Port in the south of Heping Island, an old fishing port, established by the Japanese as early as 1934. During the Japanese occupation, this is the largest port of Taiwan. Although it is now degraded, it still retains its simple style, thanks to the lively rows of houses that have revived this old fishing port.

Badouzi Seaside Park (#keelung travel guide)

Address: No. 21, Beining Rd, Zhongzheng District, Keelung City, Taiwan 202 Hours: Open 24 hours

The park with the most beautiful sea view, the most worth going to Keelung is Badouzi Seaside – a spacious park of thousands of hectares where visitors can hike along the valleys and low hills and then have a panoramic view of the immense sea.

Huanbao Repopulation Park

Famous as one of the beautiful coral diving spots of Keelung, Huanbao Repolulation Park is also a park that is checked-in by Taiwanese youth a lot by “art works” such as giant spiders, giant flying brooms, silver fish nets… Make super eye-catching instagram pictures.

Zhongzheng Park

Address: Shoushan Rd, Zhongzheng District, Keelung City, Taiwan 202 Hours: Open 24 hours

As a park located right in the center of Keelung city, ZhongZheng Park has both a sea view, a harbor view and also a “three-branch” temple with super flattering architecture, especially when it’s passed through your hands who love photography.

Keelung Night Market (Miaokou) (#keelung travel guide)

Like many night markets in Taiwan, Keelung night market springs up around a temple called Dianji Temple. The temple has long been centers of religious events and community gatherings. So restaurants sprang up to serve everyone and gradually more and more vendors began to line up along the streets leading to the temple and the night market was born.

Keelung Night Market is also known as Miaokou Night Market, also means “the entrance to the temple”.

Keelung Night Market (also known as Miaokou Night Market) is one of the most popular and famous night markets in Taiwan and is by far the most popular attraction of Keelung city by night. Celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain also ate here when he visited Taiwan in 2013.

It is a small and beautiful port city, but not because of that, Keelung is so peaceful and boring. Famous for its bustling night market and hundreds of fresh and cheap seafood dishes, this place is considered one of the busiest night markets in Taiwan.

If you have been to Keelung night market, in addition to enjoying dishes from fresh seafood, fresh fruit or fried chicken… don’t forget to stop by a handmade ice cream shop to buy a cup of ice cream to cool down, which is a specialty here. Even Chinese stars when visiting Keelung cannot refuse this delicious and cheap ice cream (only about $5.51).

Zhongshan Pedestrian Bridge

Zhongshan Bridge is a pedestrian bridge connecting Keelung Station and districts, giving people a more convenient way to cross the station. The bridge with a unique design with striking yellow color and long depth is to make it more magical. The bridge became famous overnight because this is where Shu Qi acted in the movie Millennium Mambo (2001), after this movie was released, many people flocked here to check-in and since then it became famous with many tourists.

Dawulun Beach

This is the only bathing beach in Keelung. With golden sand and clear blue water, is a place where visitors can have fun in the water, enjoy the beautiful sea view and enjoy relaxing and comfortable moments.

Heping Island Park

Address: No. 360號, Pingyi Rd, Zhongzheng District, Keelung City, Taiwan 202 Hours: May to October: Monday to Sunday 8am to 7pm/November to April: Monday to Sunday 9am to 6pm

Heping Island located to the east of Keelung port has a beautiful landscape with sea-eroded rocks in special shapes such as tofu rock, mushroom rock, lion’s head rock, etc. The park minimizes the use of man-made facilities to reduce damage to nature in order to protect this beautiful natural treasure. So, visitors can view these strange rocks in their most pristine state.

Tianxian Temple

This temple is located on a slope on Heping Island offering great views. This famous Taoist temple in Keelung dedicated to the god WuXian Ling Guan Emperor. On both sides of the road leading from the square in front of the temple to the archway, there are more than 200 stone statues with different postures all creating a majestic landscape.

Sheliao East Fort

Address: 202, Taiwan, Keelung City, Zhongzheng District Hours: Open 24 hours

It was an important military stronghold guarding the 17th-century port of Keelung and is one of the 10 main fortresses of Keelung. Views from the top of the fortress can be seen to Cape Yehliu to the west, Cape Bitou to the east and Heping Island. Especially can see where the junction between the two colors of the sea light and dark.

Keelung City Indigenous Culture Hall

Address: No. 75號, Lane 116, Zhengbin Rd, Zhongzheng District, Keelung City, Taiwan 202 Hours: 9 AM–5 PM/Monday: Closed

This cultural museum has a collection of over 200 Indigenous cultural relics and traditional everyday items including clothing, hunting equipment, rattan textiles, wood carvings, bead jewelry, musical instruments and pottery… Help visitors understand more deeply about the culture of the indigenous people of Taiwan.

National Museum of Marine Science and Technology

Address: No. 367號, Beining Rd, Zhongzheng District, Keelung City, Taiwan 202 Hours: 9 AM–5 PM/Monday: Closed

The museum was mentioned by the New York Times in 2014 as one of the outstanding attractions in Taiwan. The museum has themed rooms such as: Marine Environment Gallery, Marine Science Gallery, Marine Architecture Gallery, Fisheries Science Gallery, Fisherman’s and Sea Exhibition, Theater Deep Sea, Deep Sea Wonders Gallery, Children’s Discovery Zone and Special Exhibition. Provides a lot of information related to the ocean.

Badouzi Railway Station

Badouzi station is located next to the mountainside and by the sea, providing a beautiful scenery. This is considered the most beautiful train station in northern Taiwan.

Wangyou Valley

Address: Zhongzheng District, Keelung City, Taiwan 202

The valley is located in Badouzi, stretching from Badouzi Coastal Park to Wangyou Valley. This is a wooden trail up to the mountain, from here you can enjoy the beautiful blue sea view and enjoy the fresh air of the blue sky and is a great place to relax on weekends or holidays.

How to go to tourist attractions in Keelung?

Take the train to Keelung or Ruifang Station and transfer to Keelung bus number 862 or use the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle – Dragon Palace Treasure Hunt Route – West Coast to get to places of interest.

– From Keelung station take Keelung bus number 509 to Lover’s Lake.

– Take Keelung city bus number 101 to Heping Island.

– To get to Badouzi and the National Museum of Marine Science and Technology, from Keelung Station take Keelung bus number 102, Keelung bus number 1051, 791 or 788; or from Qidu station take Keelung bus number 66; or from Taipei Main Station take Kuo Kuang bus number 1811 or 1812.

Day trips from Keelung

From Keelung, you can conveniently visit tourist attractions such as

• Jiufen Ancient Village
• Yehliu Geopark
• Shifen Waterfall
• Shenao Elephant Trunk Rock (in Ruifang)

What to eat at the Keelung night market?

Night market is one of the must-visit places of Taiwan that every time you come to a new destination, you still have to search for good restaurants, then going to the night market is a must-do.

Fried young ribs, stall 21 ( 魯排骨 ): A famous eatery of the local people with the main dish being fried young ribs or chicken wings, the restaurant from the local restaurant thanks to the special taste and cooking method that many people have passed on mouth and become famous, the special feature here is that the ribs are cut into pieces, marinated in spices and then fried. The shop also serves shrimp soup and braised meat rice.

A6263 Noodle Shop ( 吳姳麵館 ): Famous local restaurant, although it is small, it is always crowded because it is famous for squid noodles and oyster rice, which are two must-try dishes when coming here. Here, fresh and fatty oysters eaten with rice can feel the natural sweetness and characteristic aroma of hot sauce and rice.

Chicken rolls: This stall sells a variety of items, including deep-fried fish, fish ball soup, and braised pork rice ( 滷肉飯 or luroufan), the main specialty here is chicken rolls ( 雞捲 ). These are deep-fried chicken and vegetable rolls, so the skin is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. A portion of NT 60 is cut into slices and served on small plates with sweet and savory sauces.

Pig’s Knuckles ( 基隆廟口 22 號蝦仁羹 豬腳 ): Taiwanese can’t miss the pork knuckles ( 豬腳 ), which is sold at this famous stall on the left. If you’ve never eaten pork knuckles, the meat is tender and the skin is chewy, which is something Taiwanese love (unlike German knuckles, which are often grilled to get a crispy outside).

Ding bian cuo ( 鼎邊趖 ): Literally “pot side paste”, is a specialty of Keelung originating from Fuzhou in China’s Fujian province. It is made by pouring rice flour over the sides of a pan, then scraping it off to form thick noodles, which are served in a fragrant broth. This is one of the most famous ding bian cuo stalls in Keelung. Fish soup with golden lilies ( 金針 ), shrimp and meatballs, cabbage, mushrooms and diced celery leaves for garnish.

Tips for you to visit Keelung

Transportation: You can choose to take a bus or Uber to get to Keelung. Taiwan’s transportation is very developed, so where you want to go, just use Google Maps and it will display all detailed information from time, means, price with many options for you to choose from. If you go in a large group, you can travel by Uber, the share price is not too expensive. In Taiwan, it is very rare to catch Uber 7 seats, so be aware of the number of people when booking a car.

Things to prepare: Taiwan’s weather in the summer is often hot and humid, so it is easy to sweat a lot. Remember to bring cool clothes, sweat-absorbent materials and don’t forget to apply sunscreen, wear sunglasses and a hat to avoid sunburn. You can also prepare a mini fan to keep the fan cool and also remember to always bring spring water with you to avoid dehydration.

Combine visiting Jiufen: Because it’s not too far from Jiufen, you can schedule a day in Keelung and around 4pm take bus 788 from here to Jiufen old village (takes about 1 hour and a half) to catch the light up scene in Jiufen. But note that if you choose to go both in one day, you will not be able to go to Keelung night market anymore.

Spirit: The last thing is to prepare yourself for a trip full of virtual life because surely Keelung will not let you down. Form a team and bet right away!

For me, Keelung is the most impressive destination when coming to Taiwan, although it is only a port city, it has a lot of impressive attractions worth a visit, hope that the above will help you a little bit.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Keelung you can refer to

• Keelung Islet Island Landing, Around the Island, Going to the Lighthouse, and Going Around the Elephant Trunk Rock Experience
• Taipei Private Sightseeing Car Charter Shore Excursion (Full-Day Custom Trip) from Keelung
• Keelung Half-Day Walking Tour
• Keelung Mountain Hiking & Juifen Old Street Day Tour from Taipei
• Yehliu Geopark and Keelung Harbor Guided Tour from Taipei
• Keelung: Summer Night Yachting Novice Sea Fishing Experience & Fisherman’s Cuisine (Exclusive Free Waterproof Cooler Bag)
• Keelung Midnight Kanziding Fish Market Adventure
• National Museum of Marine Science and Technology Ticket in Keelung
• Heping Island and Zhengbin Fishing Port Walking Tour in Keelung
• Keelung Cruise Group: Taipei City / Yangmingshan Day Tour
• Private Chartered For Keelung – Departure from Keelung or Taipei
• Yehliu, Shifen, and Jiufen Day Tour with Korean and English Speaking Guides
• [10% Off + 1 Extra Free Day] 4G SIM Card (TW Airport Pick Up) for Taiwan from Chunghwa Telecom
• 4G SIM Card (TPE Airport Pick Up) for Taiwan from Far EasTone Telecom
• 4G WiFi (TW Airport Pick Up) for Taiwan
• 4G Portable WiFi for Taiwan from Uroaming (Unlimited Data)
• 4G Portable WiFi for Taiwan from WiFiBB (Unlimited Data)
• 4G LTE WiFi (TW Airport Pick Up) for Japan
• [Sale – Taiwan Food Promo] Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) Discounted Ticket from Taipei
• Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) Consecutive Unlimited Pass (2 or 3 Days)
• Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) Discounted Ticket from Taoyuan
• THSR Exclusive Discount One Way Ticket from Taoyuan (Two Tickets for the Price of One)

Are you finding more top things to do in Taipei: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Taipei travel blog — The fullest Taipei city guide for a wonderful trip to Taipei for the first-timers. Read more Taiwan guide here .

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