Visiting Taiwan
Keelung is one of Taiwan’s largest ports and the closest to Taipei. It is a major city in its own right with much to offer. It offers easy access to Taipei which is about an hour away. The harbor area of the city is easily walkable and offers a number of ways to experience Taiwanese culture.
Where Your Ship Docks
Keelung harbor features two modern cruise terminals right at downtown featuring public facilities and a number of shops. Located at the front of the harbor is Marine Plaza, a large public space with great views of the water and ships.
Wheelchair Accessibility
Disembarking – This port provides modern cruise terminals with built-in provisions for passengers using wheelchairs like ramps and elevators.
Port City Characteristics – This port has a well developed wheelchair friendly infrastructure. The port area is flat or has few inclines. Intersection crosswalks have few issues with curbs or other wheelchair obstacles.
Transportation
Keelung is very walkable and public transportation can be a challenge. If your planning to stay in Keelong you probably won’t need to use public transportation. If you have the time a visit to Taipei is highly recommended. If not taking an organized tour getting from Keelung to Taipei by train is the best option and the Central Station is very near the harbor. Keelung to Taipei by train provides over 350 weekly trains that take about 40 minutes each way. Fares start at US$1.40.
Taking a taxi from Keelung to Taipei is a distance of 16 miles and should take 30 minutes for about US$24 to $29.
Currency
One New Taiwan dollar = 0.03 US Dollars. Credit cards are welcome and ATMs are readily available.
Tipping
In Taiwan tipping is not customary while service charges are often included in a check. Some situations, such as hotel bell hops, upscale restaurants, tour guides, and taxis often expect a tip. 10 to 15% is common and rounding up is common.
What To See And Do In Keelung
Maritime Plaza Only a short walk from the cruise terminals at the top of the port this public space is popular with visitors and locals alike. Great views of the harbor and the surrounding city.
Explore Miaokou Market A vibrant night market known for its delicious street food and local delicacies, offering a true taste of Taiwan’s culinary scene.
Visit Heping Island Geopark This geopark features stunning coastal landscapes, hiking trails, and opportunities for nature photography, perfect for an outdoor hike.
Discover Hilltop Temples Keelung is home to several beautiful hillside temples, which provide not just cultural insights but also panoramic views of the city and the port.
Discover Bubble Tea If you haven’t discovered bubble tea this is the city. Bubble tea, also known as boba tea, originated in its current form in Keelong, Taiwan in the early 1980s. Its appeal has expanded globally, particularly after in the 1990s, Taiwanese immigrants introduced it to the United States.
Visiting Taipei
The Capitol city of Taiwan is only about a half hour away by tour or local train and is a worthwhile experience. Just Tiapie 101 is worth the trip…
The center of the city and the main attraction is Taipei 101. A modern landmark, Taipei 101 is one of the tallest buildings in the world and offers stunning views from its observation deck. It also features a unique system to make the building immune from earthquake shocks.
Night Markets in Taipei for the amazing street food culture. Visiting several night markets such as Shilin and Raohe Street, where you can experience local delicacies.
Elephant Mountain is a popular hiking spot that provides panoramic views of the city with Taipei 101 as a center piece, making it ideal for a hike.
Temples to visit in Taipei include Lukang Longshan Temple that was originally built in 1738, it is one of Taipei’s most famous temples and serves as a cultural center. Bishan Temple is known as the largest temple in Taiwan and attracts many locals for various cultural celebrations and rituals. Taipei Confucius Temple is dedicated to Confucius and features beautiful architecture and artifacts that pay homage to his teachings.
Food In Taiwan
Perhaps less well know than Thai or Chinese food, Taiwanese food is recognized by culinary experts as a world class cuisine known for its variety of flavors and textures, with influences from many cultures, including Chinese, Japanese, and indigenous Taiwanese. Some well-known Taiwanese dishes include beef noodle soup, stinky tofu, and bawan (a type of dumpling). Night markets in Taiwan are famous for street food, showcasing many of these dishes.
The Geo-Politics Of Taiwan
The current struggle goes back to when China fought a civil war between the Kuomintang-led government of the old Republic of China and the forces of the Soviet backed Chinese Communist Party. The armed conflict continued intermittently from 1 August 1927 until a Communist victory under Mao Zedong, ,resulted in total control over mainland China on 7 December 1949. What remained of the Republic of China and its army, led by Chiang Kai-shek, fled to the island of Taiwan that had historically been called Formosa \.
Taiwan has not often been considered a part of China; it has had a complex history of interactions with various Chinese dynasties but was often at the periphery of Chinese interest. In the 1600s the Emperor of China told the Dutch that China had no claim to the island and they were free to make it a trading territory under their control. Up until the early 20th Century the inhabitants of the island had no administration controlled by China.
The real claims today made by the CCP that Taiwan belongs to China are more motivated by a hatred of the old Republic of China than any historic claim. Still they continue to threaten to have Taiwan become under CCP control.
How do the Taiwanese feel today. In 2024 there was an election where winning candidates followed the recent polling. There were basically three choices; rejoin mainland China 8%, independence 21% and maintain the status quo 70%. What the average Taiwanese wants from the status quo is oddly not declaring independence but continuing to remain outside of CCP control. Maybe they will succeed in maintaining the status quo?
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