Keelung [1] is a port city in the north of Taiwan, near the capital, Taipei.

Get in

Keelung is about a thirty minute ride from Taipei by either freeway bus or train. Both means of transport are very frequent, and stops for Keelung bound buses are located all across the city.

By train

Probably the easiest way to get to Keelung from Taipei is by commuter train, which ply the route every 15 to 20 minutes. Travelers heading to Keelung should be aware that although the city lies on the extreme north end of the main Western Line it is not accessible on all trains running north, many of which are bound for the east coast and will not pass through Keelung. Only take trains with Keelung as their final destination or you may accidentally find yourself in Taitung - a six hour journey from Keelung!

By bus

Several companies operate buses between Keelung and Taipei,and the journey can range from between 30 minutes to two hours depending upon the route taken and traffic conditions. Because of the large number of bus routes and stops, the high potential for delay, and the limited English ability of most drivers, taking a bus from Taipei to Keelung is probably not a good idea. Unless you are familiar with Taiwan and can speak some Chinese, it is wiser to take a train.

By boat

Keelung is one of the world's largest ports. A ferry takes passengers between Keelung and Okinawa, Japan. Regular ferries to the outlying islands of Kinmen and Matsu are also available, though they are used mostly by military personnel.

Get around

The down town area is small enough to cover on foot.

See

• Keelung's Miaokou Night Market is famous throughout Taiwan for it's large selection of food and meanders through lanes and alleys in the downtown area surrounding the Dianji Temple. The night market is easily accessible on foot for most travelers arriving from other cities. From the Keelung railway station walk east straight along the street following the harbor in the direction of the Keelung Harbor Bureau (identifiable at night by it's large orange neon sign. The night market is roughly one block from the point where you cross a freeway overpass.
• The white, five story high statue of Guanyin (the Buddhist emanation of compassion and peace) overlooks the town and harbor from Chungcheng Park.

Do

• Sample some of the cullinary delights at the night-market.
• Visit Taiwan's scenic northeast coast.
• Take a photo of the replica Statue of Liberty adjacent to the Golden Arches - an ironic statement of American culture taking over in Taiwan.

Buy

Eat

• Stinky tofu
• Pineapple cake

Drink

• the Starbucks coffee shop across from the railway station overlooks the harbor, so you can enjoy ship-viewing with your latte.

Sleep

Budget

Mid range

Sea Point B&B Guest House (好望角咖啡民宿) Address: No:86 San-Jan road, Jui-Fang Town, ChinKuaShin. Tel:(+ 886 2)24961788 or 0939348806 or 0939936027 David & Jane [2]check it out this site...you will love it!!!

Splurge

• Evergreen Laurel Hotel, 62-1 Chung-cheng Road - great views over the harbor

Get out

• Jioufen (Chiufen) is a historic gold mining town near Keelung.