Keelung TravelKeelung Travel

Built in 1934 during the Japanese colonial era, Zhengbin Fishing Port was once the primary export port for gold from Jinguashi. Today, due to limited dock space and the increasing size of modern fishing vessels, most fishing activity has shifted to Badouzi Fishing Port, while Zhengbin has been repurposed for tourism. The city government has revitalized the area by adding colorful murals to the building façades along the harbor,transforming this traditional port into a vibrant, photo-friendly destination that blends history with charm.

Originally the terminus of a rail line built during the Japanese colonial period to transport minerals from Jinguashi to Japan, the site was later leased to the American company Agenna, which specialized in yacht construction—giving the place its current name. Today,the exposed concrete and rusted steel beams have become a symbol of urban decay aesthetics, making it a favorite spot for photography and social media. Even Hollywood star Chris Evans shot a commercial here for Captain America.

“Chaojing” refers to the area where warm and cold ocean currents mix, resulting in rich marine biodiversity, ideal for tidepool and intertidal zone observation. The park also features bike trails, fountains, and large-scale outdoor art installations,including a giant nautilus slide —popular for photography and family fun.

Located next to Xian Dong Yan, Buddha's Hand Cave is a naturally formed sea cave. At its deepest end, the rock wall displays a natural formation resembling a five-fingered hand,believed to be shaped by centuries of erosion, hence the name Buddha’s Hand Cave. In earlier times, the cave was used as a dwelling and later served as an air-raid shelter during World War II. Today, it’s a fascinating spot for visitors interested in geological formations and local history.

Xian Dong Yan is the largest sea cave in the Keelung area, formed by natural coastal erosion. Legend has it that a celestial being once attained enlightenment here, which is how the cave got its name. Inside, you'll find a temple built during the Qing Dynasty, dedicated to Guanyin Bodhisattva and the Three Treasures Buddha. The inner cave walls are adorned with carved Buddhist statues and calligraphy inscriptions left by Qing-era scholars, offering both spiritual and cultural richness for visitors.

A significant cultural heritage site in Taiwan, the park connects several historically important ruins, such as the Dashawan Stone Fortifications, the Fortress Commander's Residence, the Fort Command Headquarters Housing, the Sino-French Memorial Park, and the Taiping Steamer Memorial Park. The park also features a live house and exhibition spaces, making it a creative hub and a cradle for music enthusiasts and bands.

Keelung has the highest density of air raid shelters in Taiwan. During World War II, the Xiner Air Raid Shelter served as a temporary command post. It's natural rock walls create a historical ambiance.Inside, visitors can take an elevator to the fan-shaped plaza in Zhongzheng Park and then walk to Keelung Tower.

Keelung Tower is a newly built vertical elevator pathway that connects the city’s lower streets with the back courtyard of Zhuputan Temple on Keelung Hope Hill (Zhongzheng Park). Designed as a convenient solution for both residents and visitors to travel uphill, the tower also serves as a new landmark and scenic lookout, offering a place to admire the mountains, sea, and urban landscape of Keelung. The structure embodies the concept of soaring vertically, inspired by the imagery of gantry cranes commonly seen at Keelung Port’s container terminals. As the elevator ascends, the panoramic view of Keelung Port gradually unfolds, culminating in a breathtaking vista where sky, sea, harbor, and city blend into one expansive scene. At night, dynamic lighting transforms the vertical shaft into a glowing beacon reminiscent of a coastal lighthouse. Additionally, art installations near Fengdao Bridgehead soften the tower’s form and give it a cultural flair, making it not only a functional vertical link, but also a popular photo spot and an emerging symbol of Keelung.

Located adjacent to Keelung Port, Maritime Plaza offers a picturesque view of eagles soaring over the harbor. Meanwhile, Guomen Square features a modern glass house with sleek lines, and s second-floor terrace provides a panoramic view of the harbor.

In the early days, Xiao 2nd Road was a place where Consignment Shops concentrated, and the next Xiao 3rd Road was where the crew members searched for food when boarding and disembarking. From day to night, there were a variety of snacks to choose from. Keelung’s most famous pork intestine ring is located on Xiao 3rd Road. The pork intestine ring and pig entrails are steamed in the same steamer so that the aroma can be mixed with each other. Keelung people also like to take dried noodles and wonton soup as their main course. Traditional Keelung-flavored noodle shops can be found everywhere on Xiao 3rd Road. Because Keelung near the sea, Keelung’s thin noodles do not have oysters, only fish soup made of pork intestines and shark meat, which will taste a little more umami. Squid thick soup is also made with shark meat with clear soup to easily taste the sweetness of seafood. If you want to taste the flavor of Keelung people from snack, Xiao 3rd Road is your best choice.

The world renowned “Keeling Miaokou” is the major attraction of Keelung's sightseeing. Many stands crowdedly gathered on both sides of Jen 3rd Road between Ai 3rd Road and Ai 4th Road. Following re-planning and renovation made recently, it has become an ordered and embellished place. Also, with its exclusive signboard design, each stand has their wares clearly present in front of the tourists, and the whole eatery street has been highly featured with versatile cuisines and history. Besides the famous Tenpura, Dinpientso, sandwiches, chicken rolls, butter crabs, slivered bean cakes, fresh seafood, authentic pig's feet, stewed eel thick soup, pao pao ice etc., there are many Taiwan's unique tastes of snacks, i.e. baked squid feet, wine stewed whorls, sugarcoated haws, cool cakes, pickled guavas, which will make your mouth water. You will never forget all the snacks once you try them. Next to Miaokou is a traditional night market at Ai 4th road. In addition to the delicious snacks sold in the market, you will see the hawkers loudly hawked their wares on the crowded street. It is the best place for you to shop around.

Foreigners who visit Ren'ai Market for the first time and see the numerous meats, fruits, and vegetables, dim sum, with the sounds of peddlers hawking one after another, you will think that you have come to a large-scale complex traditional market. But as long as you go up the escalator to the second floor, and you will find that it is totally different than you think inside. It turns out that the whole market shows the rich and diverse culture of the common people in Keelung. The history of Ren'ai Market can be traced back to 1909, and it was the largest non-staple food supplier in Keelung during the Japanese occupation. The current market building was opened in 1989, not only integrating residential buildings and markets but also equipped with underground parking lots. At Ren'ai Market, you can find local street foods and Keelung specialties. It is not an exaggeration to say that Ren'ai Market is a civilian department store. Especially in recent years, via the promotion of the Internet, Ren'ai Market has become one of the favorite food places for young people. Now going to the market and eating food has become a trendy culture in Keelung, and many stores have gradually developed their own good reputation.

Before the completion of the Bisha Fishing Harbor Sales Center, the Heping Island Fish Market is the place where people could purchase fresh fish. The market close to Bachimen Fishing Port where used to be one of important water channels for boats. Therefore, a variety of high-quality fresh fish for sales with bargaining price in the market attracted people to come. In the past, the island is a place for people to relax and go fishing. Now, under the Keelung City Government's planning, the island has become a multi-purpose market with vendors selling fresh fish and local products as well as seafood restaurants. The market opens from noon to the late night. Daily fresh fish at low prices has become tourist's favorite. In addition to the fresh fish, you may just lean your body on the wooden fence, enjoy the salty ocean wind. Relax your mind with the beautiful scenery of the island; fulfill your desire with fresh seafood and local products such as seaweed dumplings.

In February 2018, the Keelung Municipal Government transformed the old buildings of the Dong An Shopping Mall into multi-functional and complex shopping malls and entered famous restaurants in various countries, such as Putien (winner of Michelin in Singapore), Marugame, SUKIYA, and HAMA Sushi. Shi Erguo, Keelung Harbor Canteen, and Qiaoyisi Kiln Roasting Kitchens. Along with Miaokou Night Market, E Square is an important core of the city of Keelung. In addition to food, E Square also features thoughtful family-friendly facilities, such as a top-floor green public space and an open 200-meter PU open-air seascape track allowing visitors to walk around leisurely and view the scenery of downtown Keelung.