Keelung is a city defined as much by its people as it is by its streets. A visit to Shida Bookshop perfectly captures that warmth. Nestled among the alleys and side streets that most visitors never see, the shop offers a quiet retreat from the business of Miaokou Night Market. The owner we interviewed spoke of the city with deep affection, noting how a short ride out of the center can bring you to open skies, hills, and the sea — a rare combination in a small urban space!
The shelves are filled with carefully selected books. It’s the kind of place where one can observe the humbleness of Keelung, a gentle reminder how this city is as much about its people as it is its bustling streets.
Name: Kao Tsen-Yi
Job: Owner of 十大書坊(Shida Bookshop)
"'Oh, I’m home.' Seeing the harbor and the sea, I feel wow, this is wonderful."
What makes Keelung unique?
Human warmth. Most people are very friendly. You feel like people are all quite good. And when tourists come and run into difficulties, people on the street are usually quite willing to help. So I think it’s that sense of human warmth. Compared with the indifference of big cities, I think Keelung feels very warm.
What is something people might not know about Keelung?
Most people who come here probably just go to the Miaokou Night Market and a few tourist attractions. But I think Keelung has many alleys and small side streets. If you go deeper into some of the neighborhoods and really observe the daily lives of people in Keelung. Look around at the small lanes of Keelung that tourists don’t usually see. I think you’ll discover a lot of interesting things there. But you have to go and see it for yourself.
What place in Keelung holds special memories for you?
Yes, I like many places. I don’t mind that it’s a “rainy city” or that we don’t see much sun, because the sun doesn’t come out often here. But for me, it’s a beautiful city, and I really love Keelung.
Compared to international big cities you might have visited, you might feel that Keelung’s infrastructure isn’t as developed. “Oh, I’m home.” Seeing the harbor and the sea, I feel wow, this is wonderful.
When we were very young, the most common place to go was Zhongzheng Park. Right. And when we got a little older, once we could ride bikes or drive, we often went to the seaside. In Keelung, in about ten to twenty minutes, you can reach the sea and see a vast ocean. The area near the Ocean University is really beautiful.
So I really recommend that people coming to Keelung don’t just stay in the city center. Go to the seaside, take a walk. And there are also some mountains—for example, the hills opposite Ocean University. Keelung has many small paths that lead up the mountains, and it’s beautiful. When you go up, you’ll see a completely different feeling from the city. It’s really beautiful.
Ready to explore Keelung's quieter side? Start with a visit to 十大書坊(Shida Bookshop).
Author: Caroline
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