Keelung, Taiwan

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Keelung, Taiwan

Region: Keelung


Geographic Coordinates: 25.133300, 121.733000
Temperature Range: 17.0°C to 28.0°C (63°F to 82°F)
Climate: Rainy and humid with occasional typhoons.
Population: 370155
Language: Mandarin

Keelung, Located in the northern part of Taiwan, Is a bustling port city that is renowned for its rich history, Vibrant culture and stunning natural landscapes. Spanning over an area of approximately 132 square kilometers with a population of around 370, 000 people, Keelung has a diverse cultural heritage that reflects its past. The city’s history dates back to the early 17th century when it was first settled by the Dutch. It later became an important trading post for merchants from China, Japan and Europe. Today visitors can explore many historic sites in Keelung that showcase its diverse cultural heritage.

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Keelung is its night market – Miaokou Night Market which offers some of Taiwan’s most delicious street food delicacies such as stinky tofu and oyster omelets as well as exotic dishes like sea urchin soup and grilled squid. Keelung also boasts a beautiful coastline that visitors can explore by taking a scenic drive or hiking up one of the nearby mountains to enjoy breathtaking views over the ocean. Badouzi Coastal Park is one popular hiking spot offering stunning vistas over rugged cliffs and rocky beaches.

For those interested in history and culture, There are several museums worth visiting such as Heping Island Park Museum which houses artifacts from Taiwan’s colonial past as well as exhibits on local marine life. Additionally, There are several temples worth exploring including Dianji Temple which dates back to Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) and Zhongzheng Park Temple with intricate carvings and colorful decorations. Overall, Whether you’re interested in sampling delicious local cuisine or exploring Taiwan’s rich cultural heritage amidst stunning natural scenery – Keelung offers something for everyone!



Important Landmarks

  1. Miaokou Night Market
  2. Zhongzheng Park
  3. Heping Island Park
  4. Keelung Harbor
  5. Baimiwong Fort
  6. Ershawan Fort
  7. YM Oceanic Culture and Art Museum
  8. Chung Cheng Park
  9. Dawulun Fort
  10. Zhengbin Fishing Port

Primary Industries

  1. Port and shipping industry: Keelung is a major port city in Taiwan, handling a large volume of cargo and passenger traffic.
  2. Tourism industry: Keelung is known for its scenic beauty and cultural attractions, attracting many tourists from around the world.
  3. Manufacturing industry: Keelung has a strong manufacturing base, with companies producing electronics, machinery, textiles, and other goods.
  4. Fishing industry: Keelung has a long history of fishing and seafood processing, with many local businesses specializing in this area.
  5. Service sector: The service sector is also an important part of the economy in Keelung, with businesses such as hotels, restaurants, retail stores, and financial services contributing to the local economy.

Noteable History

  1. Keelung was originally inhabited by the Ketagalan tribe before being colonized by the Dutch in 1626.
  2. In 1841, British forces occupied Keelung during the First Opium War with China.
  3. During the Sino-French War in 1884-85, Keelung was heavily bombarded and besieged by French forces.
  4. In 1895, Taiwan was ceded to Japan after China’s defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War, and Keelung became an important port under Japanese rule.
  5. During World War II, Keelung was bombed by Allied forces and suffered significant damage.
  6. After Japan’s surrender in 1945, Taiwan came under Chinese control and Keelung became a major industrial center.
  7. Notable people associated with Keelung include former President Lee Teng-hui (who grew up there), actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai (who was born there), and singer Jolin Tsai (whose parents are from there).

Museums and Things To See

  1. National Museum of Marine Science and Technology
  2. Heping Island Park
  3. Keelung Miaokou Night Market
  4. Zhongzheng Park
  5. Baimiweng Fort
  6. Dawulun Fort
  7. Ershawan Fort
  8. Zhengbin Fishing Port
  9. YM Oceanic Culture and Art Museum
  10. Keelung Cultural Center


Sports Teams

  1. Tai Power Baseball Team: Tai Power is a professional baseball team based in Keelung City. The team was founded in 1993 and has won the Taiwan Series championship twice.
  2. Tatung Football Club: Tatung FC is a Taiwanese football club based in Taipei but has its training ground and stadium located in Keelung City. The club was founded in 1956 and has won several domestic titles.
  3. KKL Fubon Braves Basketball Team: KKL Fubon Braves is a professional basketball team based in Taipei but plays some of its home games at the Keelung Sports Center. The team was founded in 2017 and competes in the Taiwanese Super Basketball League (SBL).
  4. Ta Tong Dragon Boat Team: Ta Tong Dragon Boat Team is a dragon boat racing team that represents Keelung City. The team has participated and won several dragon boat races both locally and internationally.
  5. Hsing Wu University Baseball Team: Hsing Wu University’s baseball team is one of the most successful university baseball teams in Taiwan, having won several national championships since its establishment.


Cultural Events

  1. Keelung Ghost Festival is a traditional Taiwanese festival held annually in Keelung during the seventh lunar month. It is believed that the gates of hell open during this time, and the ghosts are allowed to visit their living relatives.
  2. Keelung Mid-Summer Ghost Festival takes place in July or August and involves a colorful parade with traditional music and dance performances.
  3. Lantern Festival is held on the 15th day of the first lunar month, marking the end of Chinese New Year celebrations. Thousands of lanterns are lit up and released into the sky or floated on water.
  4. Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, featuring dragon boat races, food stalls selling zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), and other traditional activities.
  5. Keelung Maritime Cultural Festival celebrates Keelung’s rich maritime heritage with boat tours, seafood markets, cultural performances, and more.
  6. Taiwan International Ports & Harbors Association Conference & Exhibition brings together experts from around Asia to discuss issues related to port management and development.
  7. Keelung City Music Festival has been held every summer since 2010; it features local bands as well as international acts performing rock, pop, jazz, classical music genres among others.

Note: Some events may be cancelled or postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic situation; please check before planning your visit.


Cuisine

  • Miaokou Night Market is renowned for its diverse range of street food, including oyster omelets, fried chicken cutlets, and seafood dishes.
  • A-Po Fish Ball is famous for their handmade fish balls and fish cake soup.
  • Keelung Temple Night Market is another popular night market that offers a variety of local delicacies such as stinky tofu, braised pork rice, and grilled squid.
  • Zhengbin Seafood Restaurant serves fresh seafood dishes like steamed crab and grilled prawns.
  • Chung Cheng Beef Noodles specializes in hearty bowls of beef noodles in a flavorful broth.
  • Lao Shandong Homemade Dumplings specializes in homemade dumplings with a variety of fillings like pork and leek or shrimp and chives.
  • Hsinchu Rice Noodle Soup is a traditional Taiwanese dish made with thin rice noodles in a savory broth topped with meat or vegetables.
  • Yuanshan Scallion Pancake Shop’s specialty lies in crispy scallion pancakes served hot off the griddle.
  • Jin Feng Braised Pork Rice is an absolute must-try dish in Taiwan that consists of tender braised pork belly served over steaming hot rice.
  • Hongmaogang Cultural Park Food Street is a newly opened food street featuring various restaurants serving local specialties like seafood porridge, grilled squid skewers, and pan-fried buns filled with minced meat and vegetables (sheng jian bao).

  • Parks and Recreation

    1. Zhongzheng Park
    2. Heping Island Park
    3. Keelung Miaokou Night Market
    4. Badouzi Coastal Park
    5. Gongzih Liao Fort (Gongzi Liao Fort)
    6. Zhuputan Trail (Zhuputan Hiking Trail)
    7. Wangyou Valley (Wangyougu Scenic Area)
    8. Ershawan Fort and Haimen Tianyuan Temple (Ershawan Battery and Haimen Tianyuan Temple)
    9. Jilong Yinyue Road Green Bikeway

    Suitcase

    Go Everywhere


Explore more:

Zelënodol’sk, Russia

Reading Time: 7 minutes Zelënodol’sk, Russia Region: Tatarstan Geographic Coordinates: 55.850000, 48.516700 Climate: Climate and weather patterns in Zelënodol’sk, Russia vary throughout the year. Population: 100009 Language: Russian Zelënodol’sk is a charming town located in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia. Situated on the banks

Read More »

Kurichchi, India

Reading Time: 4 minutes Kurichchi, India Region: Tamil Nadu Geographic Coordinates: 10.960900, 76.973800 Temperature Range: 20.0°C to 35.0°C (68°F to 95°F) Climate: Monsoon and tropical climate. Population: 102765 Language: Tamil Kurichchi is a small town located in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Situated

Read More »

Abū Ḩulayfah, Kuwait

Reading Time: 4 minutes Abū Ḩulayfah, Kuwait Region: Kuwait Geographic Coordinates: 29.132200, 48.126100 Climate: Hot and dry with very little precipitation. Population: 164212 Language: Arabic Abū Ḩulayfah is a small town situated in the Al Farwaniyah Governorate of Kuwait, Located just north of Kuwait

Read More »

Azrou, Morocco

Reading Time: 8 minutes Azrou, Morocco Region: Azrou, Morocco is located in the Fès-Meknès region Geographic Coordinates: 33.441700, -5.224700 Temperature Range: -10.0°C to 35.0°C (14°F to 95°F) Climate: Seasonal climate and weather patterns in Azrou, Morocco? Population: 54350 Language: Arabic Azrou, Morocco is a

Read More »

Piteşti, Romania

Reading Time: 6 minutes Piteşti, Romania Region: Argeș Geographic Coordinates: 44.860600, 24.867800 Temperature Range: -10.0°C to 35.0°C (14°F to 95°F) Climate: Seasonal. Population: 155383 Language: Romanian Piteşti is a city located in the southern part of Romania’s Argeș County. It is a significant industrial

Read More »

Paju, South Korea

Reading Time: 5 minutes Paju, South Korea Region: Gyeonggi-do Geographic Coordinates: 37.866700, 126.800000 Temperature Range: -30.0°C to 35.0°C (-22°F to 95°F) Climate: Cold and dry winters, hot and humid summers, and mild springs and autumns. Population: 415345 Language: Korean Paju, Located in Gyeonggi Province,

Read More »