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
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
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
4 Historical Lighthouses in Keelung Lighthouses have long had a unique hold on the human imagination. They are neither of the sea nor of the land. They 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. On the one hand, they … Read More
Jiufen is one of the most touristic spots in Taiwan and a must visit place for many travellers. It is barely 15 km away from Keelung and you can easily get there by bus in around 50 minutes (Bus number 788 stops right in front of Jiufen’s Old Street). Another great option is to rent a car or motorbike for … Read More
Baimiweng Fort Baimiweng Fort is located at the western entrance to the port of Keelung. It is the smallest of the four forts of Keelung, but in exchange offers a wonderful view of the sea and on the harbor (from a small hill next to the fort). The fort served as an artillery battery and was used in this role … Read More
One of your first stops when you visit Keelung will probably be its amazing night market, one of the biggest attractions in the city. But if you want to burn some calories after tasting the amazing local food you have several hiking options near Keelung. In this post we’ll explore the Keelung hiking route that passes by Mountain Hongdan, which … 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
Why Are There So Many Foreign Fishermen In Keelung? Keelung is famous for its iconic fishery ports. But upon closer look, there’s something off about the day-to-day activities at the bay – the fisherman manning the ships are foreigners, mainly from Southeast Asian Countries. To find out why Taiwanese people aren’t going out to sea anymore and why they were … Read More