Walking through the villages surrounding Keelung all the way from Yehliu 野柳, Heping Island 和平島, and Badouzi 八斗子 to Longdong 龍洞 and Aodi 澳底, the golden braids of suntanned “stone flower vegetable” 石花菜 cover the empty street corners. Occasionally, there is a sign by the road advertising “stone flower jelly” 石花凍, sold by the enigmatic “sea women” 海女, whose “culture” … Read More
Peace at Lovers Lake There are many reasons to come and visit Keelung, one of those rare cities surrounded by nature with a balance of urban life and quiet oases just a short trip away. There is the bustle of the night markets, the history of the museums, the quiet of the temples, and also the beauty of Keelung’s nature. … Read More
If tea is the national drink of Britain, vodka is the national drink of Russia, and soju is the national drink of South Korea, then bubble tea must be the national drink of Taiwan. The origin of the bubble tea is not clear: it is sometimes said that it was invented in Taichung, some other times in Tainan. Bubble tea … Read More
There are many parks in Keelung to suit all types of visitors. Keelung parks offer temples, museums, natural scenery… You name it, and there’s a park to suit your needs. But which of Keelung’s parks is the most beloved? For nature lovers or lovers in general, the top one is inevitably Lover’s Lake Park. Lovers Lake Park is probably my … Read More
How did I get to Keelung and heard about Pudu? Six months ago, I decided I wanted to travel to East Asia. I didn’t know where I wanted to go, but with a newly earned bachelor’s degree in Asian Studies and an interest in conducting research, I knew I wanted to immerse myself in a culture I had never experienced … Read More
Keelung is well known for its Kanziding Fish Market. It’s not only a top tourist attraction, but it’s also the place to go for restaurateurs -big and small- to get the best and cheapest seafood to satisfy their demanding clienteles’ palate. Not-fish marine species found at the Keelung Fish Market In a previous article , we told you about some … Read More
Guiding the route in English I was slightly worried that I wouldn’t get anything out of the experience because I don’t speak Chinese, but I was very wrong. The tour guide, Ilun, speaks wonderful English and was able to tell me a lot. The group i was in were all Taiwanese, but I never felt out of place. As it … Read More
In large and small ceremonies, Taoist priests wearing Taoist robes can be seen performing pujas on the spot, chanting words. In the eyes of ordinary people, Taoist priests are at different levels from us “Muggles”. “The hot man, shuttling through one puja after another, is there any secret that is unknown? In their eyes, what kind of existence is … Read More
I recently had the privilege of joining a very special walking tour with Keelung For A Walk: The Ghost Festival Tour. Despite the fact that there are currently no English tours happening (and likely won’t be for some time as COVID-19 has meant such restrictive travel measures), I was able to accompany the group for a Chinese tour, of which … Read More
Lighthouses exist in a liminal zone on the border between the elements, between the known world of houses, streets and hills and the dark, unknowable depths of the ocean. One one hand, they are expressions of man’s noblest ideals: structures whose sole purposes are to save lives, to reassure the lost, and to let societies prosper. On the other, they … Read More