Day Trip to Keelung (基隆)
On Day 2, we began the official tour organised by Topology Travel (真程旅行社). We had breakfast at the hotel and by 8.30am, all of us were ready to depart for a day trip to Keelung and the nearby northern coastal area by coach. Our tour guides were very interactive, which other than introducing the history and landmarks of the city of Taipei and Keelung, they also cracked jokes to entertain us along the journey.
Keelung is a major port city in northern Taiwan. Throughout its history, it has been a major maritime battleground among the colonial powers (Spanish, Dutch, British and French) and the Chinese Qing Empire, due to its strategic position with a natural deep water harbour. Today, Keelung is popular for seafood, its beautiful natural northern coast scenery and a number of old forts.
Tianhou Temple @ Peace (Heping) Island (和平島 - 天后宮)
Keelung is a major port city in northern Taiwan. Throughout its history, it has been a major maritime battleground among the colonial powers (Spanish, Dutch, British and French) and the Chinese Qing Empire, due to its strategic position with a natural deep water harbour. Today, Keelung is popular for seafood, its beautiful natural northern coast scenery and a number of old forts.
Tianhou Temple @ Peace (Heping) Island (和平島 - 天后宮)
The journey to Keelung took around an hour. Our first attraction was the Tianhou Temple (天后宮) located at Peace Island (和平島), which is linked to the mainland via a bridge. The Tianhou Temple (天后宮) here is the oldest temple in northern Taiwan dedicated to the Goddess of Mazu (媽祖), having a history of more than 300 years. We took time to offer our prayers to the Goddess and other gods in the temple. The temple's architecture also caught our attention, which the roofs are decorated with dragons and colourful figurines from Chinese legend and mythology.
We also went to the 3rd storey of the temple, which provides good view over the surrounding areas of Peace Island (和平島) and entire temple compound.
Other than the Tianhou Temple (天后宮), the Peace Island Park (和平島公園) located at the northern coast of the island is also another popular attraction, where visitors could see the eroded rocks and coasts in unique shapes. Unfortunately, this is not in our itinerary.
Zhong Zheng Park (中正公園)
After the temple visit, we departed for the Zhong Zheng Park (中正公園), which is a popular attraction in Keelung City. At the top level of the park, one could easily spot the prominent landmark, which is a 23 meter tall white statue of the Goddess of Mercy (觀音).
The statue is also a 5 storey high tower, which allows visitors to climb inside and have a good view of the surrounding area.
Near to the statue, there's an open viewing platform where it provides a good place to oversee the entire Keelung harbour.
There's also a big bronze bell, which visitors could pay a small donation to strike the bell.
Cashbox (錢櫃) Party World KTV
Well, if you think that's the end of our day after a hectic day in Keelung, you are wrong! We had also planned a KTV session for the young ones. After some rest in our hotel upon return from Keelung, we headed to the multi-storied Cashbox Party World KTV located just beside the Ximen MRT Station (西門站) Exit 3 & 4.
Upon stepping into the building, I thought I had entered a hotel lobby as the whole place looked posh! It was a weekday, thus the pricing (including drinks and snacks) wasn't too expensive, which we each paid around S$17 for 4 hours singing package. We took the lift up and were brought to a very big room with its own toilet (which made me feel even more like a hotel). The sound system and lighting were good, and the staffs were very friendly as well. We sang till 1am plus, which everyone was really tired. We decided to call it a day and returned back to our hotel.
Follow the links below to the other days of my Taiwan tour:
Day 1: Taipei (Tamsui, Ximending Hot Pot)
Day 2: Keelung (Tianhou Temple @ Peace Island, Zhong Zheng Park, Ershawan Fortification, Bisha Fishing Port, Nanya Rock Formation, Bitou Cape, Miaokou Night Market, Cashbox Party World)
Day 3: Hualien (Jinan Temple, Nan Fang Ao Fishing Harbour, Qingshui Cliff, Qixintan Beach, Hang Rou, Mochi, Fanlin House Minsu)
Day 4: Hualien (Taroko National Park Visitor Centre, Shakadang Trail, Leader Village Taroko, Buluowan Visitor Centre, Tianxiang, Eternal Spring Shrine, Dajili Restaurant, Rainbow Night Market)
Day 5: Taipei (Yilan Cake Factory, Fu Ge Shi Yao Chicken, Shifen & Sky Lantern, Mei Guan Yuan @ Ximending)
Day 6: Wulai (Neidong National Forest Recreation Area, Wulai Old Street, Sun Moon Light Hot Spring, Ding Tai Fung @ Taipei 101, Chia Te Bakery)
Day 7: Taipei (Hsing Tian Gong, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, Taipei 101, Wufenpu, Shi Da Night Market)
Day 8 & 9: Taipei (Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, Shin Yeh Restaurant, National Palace Museum, Shilin Night Market)
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| Peace Island Tianhou Temple |
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| Interior sky well area |
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| Mystical figurines on the roof |
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| Dragon decorations on the roof |
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| Goddess of Mazu statue in the centre of the hall |
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| Panoramic view from Tianhou Temple |
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| Gateway towards Keelung Zhong Zheng Park |
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| White Goddess of Mercy statue |
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| Entrance to the statue tower |
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| Decoration on Buddhist teachings inside the statue tower |
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| Long Corridor |
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| View of Keelung Harbour |
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| Bronze Bell |
Ershawan Fortification (二沙灣砲台)
We proceeded to visit the nearby Ershawan Fortification (二沙灣砲台), a well preserved and important historical site.
The fortification was first built in 1840 by the Chinese Qing government to repel the British naval attacks on Keelung harbour during the Opium War. Situated on top of the Ershawan hill overlooking the Keelung harbour, it was an excellent strategic defence spot. It was later destroyed by the French forces in 1884 during the Sino-French War, but rebuilt again after the truce.
What remains today are the three replica cannons, battery fortification and other ruin sites like the ancient well and cemetery. Even if one does not have interest with the history, it is still an enjoyable walk through the lush green and quiet trails within the park.
Lunch at Bisha Fishing Port (碧砂漁港)
After the eventful morning, we departed for Bisha Fishing Port (碧砂漁港) for our lunch, which is not very far from Zhong Zheng Park (中正公園). Bisha Fishing Port (碧砂漁港) is a popular place in Keelung for fresh seafood. There's a harbour, fish market and rows of seafood restaurants. Our lunch venue was at Yu Pin Xuan (漁品軒) Seafood Restaurant.
The restaurant is decorated in deep blue ocean colour, which really fits in the seafood theme. In front of its stall, this is where customers could choose the seafood they want. We ordered fish, fish soup, the highly recommended fried rice and some vegetables etc.
Along the side of the restaurant, they also sell local seafood snacks to visitors, such as dried fish rolls, dried cuttlefish snacks, and seafood flavoured cup noodles etc. After the lunch, we spent some time here to buy the snacks and also stroll along the walkway in front of the harbour.
Nanya Rock Formations (南雅奇岩)
After lunch, our coach drove along the northern coast highway to reach the next destination, the Nanya Rock Formations (南雅奇岩). The rock formation is mainly sandstone, which after many years of weathering and wave action, gives its current unique shapes.
We walked slowly down towards the rock formations, which everyone were amazed by the beautiful scenery, busy taking photos of the shore and the unique rocks. The waves were strong which continuously plunged towards the rock formations. To many of us, it was their first time so close to a coastal rock formation and experiencing the strong plunging waves.
Bitou Cape (鼻頭角)
After Nanya, we proceeded to the Bitou Cape (鼻頭角). The cape landform protrudes into the sea in the shape of a nose, thus giving its name "Bitou", or "Tip of the nose" in mandarin. This is an excellent place for people who like nature and trekking, which visitors could enjoy the greenery along the hiking trails, as well as view of the crystal blue Pacific Ocean and the towering seaside cliffs. The coach dropped us just outside the Bitou Elementary School (鼻頭國小). But before we set off for the trails, we were amazed by the setting of the school itself. It was built just by the sea cliff, against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean.
I was thinking it must have been an awesome experience for the kids studying here, with a perfect view of the ocean and the lush green mountain on the other side. The trail starts from the school, skirts along the side of the cape and winds up all the way to the highest point, which is a perfect point to view the ocean, the sea cliffs and the surrounding greenery.
It took us an hour to reach there and back via the same path.
Miaokou Night Market (廟口夜市)
After the tiring walking in the afternoon at Nanya and Bitou Cape (鼻頭角), everyone was tired. We caught some sleep on the coach, while it brought us back to Keelung city for the Miaokou Night Market (廟口夜市) experience. Miaokou Night Market (廟口夜市) is a very popular attraction in Keelung, for both locals and tourists.
Being close to the harbour, it is not surprising to see many seafood related snacks and food, like grilled squid, crab thick soup, milk crab etc. Other than seafood, there's also the typical sausages, fried chicken, desert and bubble tea stalls. The group of us split up into smaller pockets to explore the night market.
The night market is not as big as the Shilin (士林) in Taipei, and is in a "L" shape orientation, thus very easy to navigate around. After the good food and some shopping in the night market, we boarded the coach, bid farewell to Keelung and headed back to Taipei.
The fortification was first built in 1840 by the Chinese Qing government to repel the British naval attacks on Keelung harbour during the Opium War. Situated on top of the Ershawan hill overlooking the Keelung harbour, it was an excellent strategic defence spot. It was later destroyed by the French forces in 1884 during the Sino-French War, but rebuilt again after the truce.
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| Introduction to Ershawan Fortification |
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| Map of Ershawan Fortification park |
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| Defence plan of Keelung harbour |
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| Cannon at East Battery |
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| Cannon at North Battery |
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| Another cannon at North Battery |
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| Ancient Well |
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| Ancient Cemetery |
Lunch at Bisha Fishing Port (碧砂漁港)
After the eventful morning, we departed for Bisha Fishing Port (碧砂漁港) for our lunch, which is not very far from Zhong Zheng Park (中正公園). Bisha Fishing Port (碧砂漁港) is a popular place in Keelung for fresh seafood. There's a harbour, fish market and rows of seafood restaurants. Our lunch venue was at Yu Pin Xuan (漁品軒) Seafood Restaurant.
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| Yu Pin Xuan Seafood Restaurant (Source: Photo from eltatv.225.pixnet.net) |
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| Fish soup noodle (Source: Photo from imchiuyen.pixnet.net) |
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| Fried Rice |
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| Vegetable |
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| Bisha Fishing Port harbour |
Nanya Rock Formations (南雅奇岩)
After lunch, our coach drove along the northern coast highway to reach the next destination, the Nanya Rock Formations (南雅奇岩). The rock formation is mainly sandstone, which after many years of weathering and wave action, gives its current unique shapes.
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| Introduction of Nanya Rock Formations |
We walked slowly down towards the rock formations, which everyone were amazed by the beautiful scenery, busy taking photos of the shore and the unique rocks. The waves were strong which continuously plunged towards the rock formations. To many of us, it was their first time so close to a coastal rock formation and experiencing the strong plunging waves.
Bitou Cape (鼻頭角)
After Nanya, we proceeded to the Bitou Cape (鼻頭角). The cape landform protrudes into the sea in the shape of a nose, thus giving its name "Bitou", or "Tip of the nose" in mandarin. This is an excellent place for people who like nature and trekking, which visitors could enjoy the greenery along the hiking trails, as well as view of the crystal blue Pacific Ocean and the towering seaside cliffs. The coach dropped us just outside the Bitou Elementary School (鼻頭國小). But before we set off for the trails, we were amazed by the setting of the school itself. It was built just by the sea cliff, against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean.
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| Bitou Elementary School |
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| Coastal view along the trail |
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| View near to the top of Bitou Cape |
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| Introduction to Bitou Cape |
Miaokou Night Market (廟口夜市)
After the tiring walking in the afternoon at Nanya and Bitou Cape (鼻頭角), everyone was tired. We caught some sleep on the coach, while it brought us back to Keelung city for the Miaokou Night Market (廟口夜市) experience. Miaokou Night Market (廟口夜市) is a very popular attraction in Keelung, for both locals and tourists.
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| Keelung Miaokou Night Market (Source: Photo from traveling-bievoormij.blogspot) |
Being close to the harbour, it is not surprising to see many seafood related snacks and food, like grilled squid, crab thick soup, milk crab etc. Other than seafood, there's also the typical sausages, fried chicken, desert and bubble tea stalls. The group of us split up into smaller pockets to explore the night market.
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| Fried Chicken |
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| Chocolate bubble ice |
Well, if you think that's the end of our day after a hectic day in Keelung, you are wrong! We had also planned a KTV session for the young ones. After some rest in our hotel upon return from Keelung, we headed to the multi-storied Cashbox Party World KTV located just beside the Ximen MRT Station (西門站) Exit 3 & 4.
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| Cashbox Party World Building (Source: Photo from nettravelx.blogspot) |
Follow the links below to the other days of my Taiwan tour:
Day 1: Taipei (Tamsui, Ximending Hot Pot)
Day 2: Keelung (Tianhou Temple @ Peace Island, Zhong Zheng Park, Ershawan Fortification, Bisha Fishing Port, Nanya Rock Formation, Bitou Cape, Miaokou Night Market, Cashbox Party World)
Day 3: Hualien (Jinan Temple, Nan Fang Ao Fishing Harbour, Qingshui Cliff, Qixintan Beach, Hang Rou, Mochi, Fanlin House Minsu)
Day 4: Hualien (Taroko National Park Visitor Centre, Shakadang Trail, Leader Village Taroko, Buluowan Visitor Centre, Tianxiang, Eternal Spring Shrine, Dajili Restaurant, Rainbow Night Market)
Day 5: Taipei (Yilan Cake Factory, Fu Ge Shi Yao Chicken, Shifen & Sky Lantern, Mei Guan Yuan @ Ximending)
Day 6: Wulai (Neidong National Forest Recreation Area, Wulai Old Street, Sun Moon Light Hot Spring, Ding Tai Fung @ Taipei 101, Chia Te Bakery)
Day 7: Taipei (Hsing Tian Gong, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, Taipei 101, Wufenpu, Shi Da Night Market)
Day 8 & 9: Taipei (Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, Shin Yeh Restaurant, National Palace Museum, Shilin Night Market)
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