My stomach tends to wake up before me, with a summons trembling throughout my entire being and calling me towards breakfast. I find my only salvation in food… good food. Food to lift the spirits Luckily for me, Keelung’s doors open as the sun rises, lighting the way down the river and to the Xinyi market, one of Keelung’s best … Read More
Koufu food & Huilong Market The second generation owner of Koufu Food, Chen Yuan Yuan On a cool afternoon in Keelung, Taiwan, the aroma of freshly baked bread fills the air as we make our way to Koufu Food (口福食品) on Ren’er Road, where fried twisted dough and buns have become synonymous with the bakery. However, the second-generation owner, Chen … Read More
Culture of Taiwan’s Traditional Markets | Characteristics of Taiwan’s Traditional Markets | Disappearing Traditional Markets | History of Taiwan’s Traditional Markets Compared its heydays, Huilong Market is finding it harder to attract passerby and a steady stream of patrons. The vendors instead rely on their regulars to sustain them. During Keelung For A Walk’s interview with Zhou, a butcher at … 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
The Keelung Night Parade takes place two weeks after the end of the Ghost Month. When the time comes, huge dancing figures take over the streets of Keelung. The entire city gets wrapped by the smoke from firecrackers and the smell of incense. The usual noise of the motorcycles is replaced by melodies from trumpets and drums. And people of … Read More
Visiting Keelung History Up Close Before we get to the Ershawan Fort in Keelung, let’s talk history. If you’ve ever been sightseeing in Taipei, you’ve probably noticed that there are hardly any pre-World War II sites left. Taipei is, generally speaking, a city that was deprived of its historical shape by the politics Kuomintang Party governing after the war. It … Read More
Are Aboriginal Taiwanese the ancestors of Polynesians? I explored this claim during my recent visit to Keelung. I’ve been traveling with my family for two years around Asia and the Pacific. Learning about history and culture while we travel is always an interesting way to know more about a place. Coming to Taiwan presented me with the opportunity to explore … Read More
For musician Chen Wen-Ji, Beiguan music was a chance discovery that led to a lifelong love affair. Origins of Beiguan Music In a cramped room with no heating or light, I sat with my friend Mila across Chen Wen-Ji in an informal interview setting. Distant suonas (嗩呐) cut through the air with its uniquely loud screeching, gus (鼓; drums) … Read More
A harbor city makes for great entertainment when it’s dark. Here are our recommendations when you visit Keelung at night. Maritime Plaza Keelung’s heart and soul. Watch the eagles soar, the boats drift in, and the bright neon lights at night. A great spot to relax, eat and watch the world go by before visiting many of the city’s … Read More
6 Must Visit Spots: It’s not always sunny in Keelung but if you catch a nice day: Here are some spots to visit during a daytime walk. YM Oceanic Culture & Art Museum This museum is much less scientific than the National Museum of Marine Science and Technology. Exhibits (in Mandarin and usually English) include a section dedicated to … Read More