Walking tour in Keelung What is a foreigner going to discover in this wonderful city? Food, people, markets, all of the above? Read on to find out. 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. I still got to experience places I would never have … 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
Foreign fishermen in Keelung? To find out why Taiwanese people aren’t going out to sea anymore and who replaced them, I went to the harbor to investigate. Keelung and the Sea Keelung has always had its connection to the sea. From the aboriginal cultures who worship nature to the arrival of Japanese traders and fishermen in the 1700s. Keelung and … 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
