My guide to Keelung, Taiwan will help you make the most of an alternative day trip from Taipei. This post provides current transportation details, a map, and highlights the best activities you can enjoy in Keelung.
Taipei is a city that people often find themselves eager to leave.
Not because there’s anything inherently wrong with Taipei, but because its prime location and efficient transport links make it an ideal starting point for day trips.
Whether you’re interested in exploring atmospheric Old Streets nestled in the mountains or visiting elaborate Taiwanese cultural sites, or admiring the dramatic coastal rock formations, Taipei is surrounded by a wealth of attractions within a few hours’ drive.
Just under an hour from downtown, Keelung offers a less crowded alternative for day trips from Taipei. Although not as frequented as Pingxi or Jiufen, Keelung is just as intriguing as these popular spots but with fewer tourists.
While researching Taiwan, I found limited information on Keelung, and it wasn’t initially on our itinerary. However, a quick glance at Google Maps led us to a must-see point of interest (more on that later).
Keelung is a compact, walkable city with several interesting cultural sites, including what I believe is the most atmospheric food market in the greater Taipei area. It’s more suitable for a half-day trip.
I suggest allocating 3 to 4 hours for your Keelung visit. Afterwards, you can easily continue your journey to other popular destinations like Shifen and Jiufen directly from Keelung City, avoiding the need to return to Taipei, which is perfect if you’re short on time.
The Keelung Maritime Plaza, where buses from Taipei arrive, may not offer the most impressive first impression, but don’t let that deter you.
Stick with it, and you’ll find it worthwhile!
Keelung City and Harbour
As I mentioned, Keelung is somewhat off the beaten path. This results in a much quieter experience compared to other northern Taiwanese destinations. In fact, Keelung was the only place where we found ourselves completely alone at a tourist spot.
If you, like me, need a break from the crowds, Keelung is a perfect place to spend an afternoon.
Here’s a comprehensive guide for a day trip to Keelung from Taipei.
About Keelung
Situated 30 kilometers from Taipei City, Keelung is near the northern tip of Taiwan. As a port city with a deep-water harbor, it has a rich and complex history due to its strategic location.
Originally settled by the Ketagalan aboriginals, Keelung first encountered Europeans when a Spanish expedition arrived in the 17th century, leading to the establishment of Fort San Salvador de Quelung.
When Spanish Formosa (now Taiwan) began to wane, the Dutch took over Keelung and its harbor, using it as an outpost along the Dutch East India Company’s trade route.
In later years, Keelung changed hands between the Chinese and Japanese, while also fending off British and French invasions. By the 1960s, the city’s coal mining industry spurred a resurgence.
Keelung Today
Today, Keelung is a peaceful city with around 300,000 residents. It attracts fewer tourists compared to popular day trip spots like Jiufen and Shifen, though visitors to Keelung come to enjoy the harbor and its cultural institutions.
Keelung offers plenty of ‘less-touristy’ experiences. Read on to discover what to do in Keelung!
How to Get to Keelung from Taipei
The simplest way to reach Keelung from Taipei is via public bus or train. Both options are frequent, and the trip takes less than an hour.
If you’re planning a trip to Taipei, consider purchasing a Taipei Fun Pass, which provides discounted access to 16 attractions in Taipei and Keelung, plus transport on various intercity bus lines and the Coastline Keelung Shuttle Bus to Zhengbin Fishing Harbor and Heping Island.
Buy your pass online here.
Option A: Kuo-Kuang Bus 1813 from Taipei Bus Station
Local bus 1813 to Keelung, operated by Kuo-Kuang, departs from Taipei Bus Station every 10 to 20 minutes from 6 am until midnight. The journey takes 45-50 minutes, with tickets costing $57 NT one-way or $114 NT round-trip.
For more info and schedules, click here.
Option B: Train from Songshan Station
Take the green-line metro to Songshan Station (near Raohe Night Market). Walk two blocks south to Songshan train station, where trains to Keelung City depart every 10-30 minutes, starting at 5:55 am and ending at 11:53 pm.
This local train makes 9 stops between Taipei and Keelung, with a journey time of 30 to 45 minutes. Tickets are around $30 NT one-way.
Check times and fares here.
Buses and trains arrive at Keelung near Maritime Plaza, right by the waterfront. From here, you can easily walk to the city’s main attractions.
Day Tours to Keelung
If you prefer an organized tour, there are several itineraries from Taipei that include Keelung along with other local attractions. One tour covers Taiwan’s northern coast, showcasing both Keelung and Yehliu Geopark.
Things to Do in Keelung Taiwan: Keelung Attractions
If you’re traveling independently by bus, you’ll have ample time to explore the top sights in Keelung. Here are some of my favorite activities and spots for your Keelung itinerary.
Keelung Zhongzheng (Chung Cheng) Park
Soon after arriving in Keelung, we decided to climb a set of stairs on a whim. Despite encountering some dead ends, we eventually reached the top of Dashawan Mountain inside Keelung Zhongzheng Park. It was early in the morning, and we had the place all to ourselves.
The park features vibrant temples, shrines, pavilions, and courts nestled in the mountain. A 22-meter statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, is the park’s centerpiece, though we somehow missed it.
We spent our time exploring the splendid Zhuputan Temple, arguably the most impressive temple in Keelung. Despite some exterior wear, I appreciated the temple’s vibrant red and yellow colors and intricate design.
The temple houses a folk costume museum, but it was closed for repairs during our visit.
Each year, Zhongzheng Park hosts one of Taiwan’s major festivals, the Mid-Summer Ghost Festival. Combining Buddhist and Taoist elements, Zhongyuan Pudu is one of Taiwan’s 12 official religious festivals.
The festival, which began in 1851, was created to ease tensions between rival immigrant clans in Keelung. Now, it draws thousands of visitors every July for a grand lantern procession.
The park is open 24/7, but an early morning visit is recommended for the best views and to avoid the heat (there are many stairs to climb). For more information and directions, click here.
Khoo Tsu-song Old Mansion (Qingyu Hall)
Exploring the derelict Khoo Tsu-song Old Mansion is one of the best activities in Keelung. Built in 1931, Qingyu Hall is named after its most famous resident, Khoo Tsu-song, who managed Keelung City during its Japanese occupation.
The mansion, located high on a hillside, offers panoramic city views from its windows. Its red brick walls and decorative tiles recall other Taiwanese historical sites.
The house has been overtaken by nature, with banyan trees growing inside and large leaves covering its exterior. Despite the roof being missing and rooms filled with debris, it’s still worth exploring.
Khoo Tsu-song Old Mansion was recognized as a historical building in 2001, though restoration efforts have been minimal. In 2014, Keelung Youth Front began cleaning up the house to encourage visitors.
Located above Keelung Night Market, Khoo Tsu-song Old Mansion is accessible via a maze of staircases and alleyways, offering a glimpse into local life in Keelung City. For more information and directions, click here.
Zhengbin Fishing Harbor
Just 5 kilometers east of central Keelung, Zhengbin Fishing Harbor is a vibrant and colorful port. Established by the Japanese in the 1930s, it was the largest fishing harbor in Taiwan during that era.
The harbor features rows of brightly painted fishermen’s houses lining the shore, mirrored in the bay’s calm waters. This picturesque area exudes a nostalgic charm.
Look for the boat named ‘Folk Art,’ Taiwan’s first floating art museum.
To reach Zhengbin from Keelung port, you can walk along the coast (about 60 minutes) or take bus number 101 from outside Keelung train station. The Coastline Keelung Shuttle Bus also stops near Zhengbin on its way to Heping Island. Fares on this service are covered by the Taipei Fun Pass.
For additional exploration, the Agenna Shipyard Relics are a short walk away, or you can take a boat from Zhengbin to visit Heping Island.
Night Market
Keelung Night Market, one of the city’s highlights, is a sprawling market filled with food stalls. As one of Taiwan’s largest night markets, it offers a wide array of street food, snacks, and drinks.
The market, located between Keelung Main Station and Zhongzheng Park, is the ideal spot to sample traditional Taiwanese snacks. It’s also less crowded than Taipei’s famous night markets, like Shilin and Raohe.
Enjoy local specialties like fried squid, tender beef shank, pineapple cakes, and crab soup.
Keelung Temples
While in Keelung, you can explore a few of the city’s temples, each with unique architecture and history. Among them is Dihua Temple, a Buddhist temple renowned for its vibrant colors and intricate carvings.
Keelung Harbor & Maritime Plaza
In addition to the waterfront area, Keelung Harbor is home to a large marina and several large ships. Take a walk along the water to enjoy views of the port and nearby attractions.
