Keelung Taiwan Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Food & Tips
Here’s a confession: I almost didn’t go to Keelung.
My Taiwan itinerary was packed — Taipei 101, Jiufen, Sun Moon Lake, the hot springs of Beitou. Keelung was just a port city, right? Somewhere cruise ships stop before moving on. I figured I’d skip it and spend the day in Taipei instead.
That was almost my biggest travel mistake of the year.
"Keelung doesn't try to impress you. It just quietly goes about being one of the most atmospheric, delicious, and genuinely memorable places in all of Taiwan."
I spent three full days here — exploring every alley, eating at every stall I could find, and honestly falling a little in love with this city that most tourists see only from a cruise deck. What follows is everything I know, organized so you can have the best possible experience.
And here’s the thing: because Keelung is still flying under the radar, you’ll have experiences here that are genuinely rare in Asia — authentic food, dramatic coastlines, and almost zero tourist crowds. That window won’t stay open forever.
Is Keelung Worth Visiting? (The Honest Answer)
✅ The Verdict: Yes — Absolutely. Keelung is worth visiting if you want to see a part of Taiwan that feels completely real. Not tourist-packaged, not Instagram-staged — just a working port city with incredible food, dramatic coastlines, and a personality that's entirely its own.
Keelung is perfect for you if :
- 🍜 You want the best night market food in Taiwan (better than Shilin — yes, I said it)
- 📸 You're chasing dramatic, photogenic scenery without the crowds
- 🐟 You love seafood — some of the freshest in all of Asia is right here
- 🔍 You prefer exploring cities the way locals actually live in them
- 💰 You're budget-conscious — Keelung costs 30–40% less than Taipei
When Is the Best Time to Visit Keelung?
Keelung is Taiwan’s rainiest city — which sounds like a problem, but it’s actually what keeps the crowds away. Rain is part of the atmosphere here, especially at the fishing port at dusk. That said, timing matters:
| Season | Months | Conditions | Verdict |
| Best | October – December | Cool, fewer crowds, occasional rain | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Great | March – May | Warm, spring energy, mild rain | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Good | June – September | Hot, humid — but Ghost Festival in August | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Skip | January – February | Cold, very rainy, some closures | ⭐⭐ |
🔥 PRO TIP
TheZhongyuan Ghost Festival in August is one of the most spectacular events in Taiwan — Keelung hosts the largest version in the country. Lanterns, ceremonies, and a city-wide ritual atmosphere. If you can time it, do.
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How to Get to Keelung from Taipei ?
Getting to Keelung is one of the easiest parts of your Taiwan trip — and genuinely affordable. You have three options, and I’ve tried them all:
🚌 Option 1: Bus — Recommended
The bus is the best option for most visitors. It drops you at Keelung Bus Station — a 3-minute walk from Miaokou Night Market and Zhongzheng Park. Buses depart every 10–15 minutes from Taipei Main Station from early morning until midnight.
- Cost: ~NT$95 (≈ $3 USD) each way
- Duration: 40–55 minutes (traffic-dependent)
- Tip: Use your EasyCard — no cash needed, just tap on and off
- Buy online: Kuo-Kuang Motor Transport — no advance booking needed, just show up
🚆 Option 2 : Train
Trains run from Taipei Main Station to Keelung Station in about 45 minutes. Cost: NT$41–52. The station is slightly further from the night market than the bus stop, but walkable (about 12 minutes on foot).
🚗 Option 3: Grab or Taxi
If you’re traveling as a group of 3–4, splitting a Grab (Taiwan’s Uber equivalent) can match or beat individual bus tickets — and gets you there in 35–40 minutes. Expect NT$600–800 one way from central Taipei.
💡 My Recommendation
Bus to Keelung in the morning. Spend the full day exploring. Grab back late at night if the buses feel crowded or you’ve got luggage — the night bus back fills up quickly after 9pm.
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Where to Stay: Taipei Base vs Keelung Base
This is the most common question I get about Keelung trips. Here’s the honest answer:
Stay in Taipei If…
- You’re visiting multiple destinations around Taiwan (Jiufen, Sun Moon Lake, etc.)
- You want excellent transport links and a wide restaurant scene
- Keelung is just one day on a longer Taiwan trip
Stay in Keelung If…
- You want to wake up to harbor views and the sound of fishing boats at dawn
- You want to experience the night market both at peak time (7–9pm) and after midnight when the vendors pack up
- Budget matters — Keelung hotels cost 30–40% less than comparable Taipei options
- You’re a photographer — the early morning harbor light is extraordinary and only accessible if you’re staying there
| Season | Months | Conditions | Verdict |
| Best | October – December | Cool, fewer crowds, occasional rain | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Great | March – May | Warm, spring energy, mild rain | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Good | June – September | Hot, humid — but Ghost Festival in August | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Skip | January – February | Cold, very rainy, some closures | ⭐⭐ |
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