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Keelung (Taipei), Taiwan

Chiang Kai Shek Memorial, Taipei

Introduction

Keelung is the cruise port for Taipei which is approximately 16 miles southwest of the port. Taipei is easily reachable by train or bus.

Visas

Citizens of most nationalities including Canada, US, EU, Australia, and New Zealand do not need a visa for Taiwan. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Taiwan

Where You're Docked

Cruise ships dock right by central Keelung. The main train and bus station is a short distance away across the narrow harbor. Keelung port website with cruise ship schedule http://cruise.twport.com.tw/en-us/

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Money and Tipping

Taiwan's currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (TWD). You should be able to find currency exchange and ATM's near the pier or train station.

Local Transportation

To get to Taipei, head first to Keelung train station where you can take either a direct bus or the train. Both run frequently from the train station. The train may be easier and avoids potential traffic, takes approximately 40-50 minutes, costs between NT$43 - NT$66, and arrives at Taipei Main Station. Schedules available here (search Taipei-Keelung and Taipei-Taipei) http://www.railway.gov.tw/en/

Several bus companies travel this route including Kuo Kang. Buses use two bus terminals beside Taipei Main Station. Kuo Kang buses use Kuo Kuang West Bus Station Terminal A, leave every 10-20 minutes, fare is NT$55, and journey time is 50 minutes.

Once in Taipei, you can board the MRT from Taipei Main Station to get around. A one day pass for NT$150 is valid from start to end of service (Dec 2016) while a 24hr pass for NT $180 valid for 24 hours from first use. Single fares are based on journey distance and a token is issued instead of a ticket. Tap when entering and return it in the slot when exiting the gate. http://english.trtc.com.tw

Hotels

Search hotels in Taipei here
Search hotels in Keelung here

Sights

• Chiang Kai Shek Memorial - There is a large bronze statue inside and a museum underneath. Free entry. MRT of same name.
• Taipei 101 - Second tallest building in the world. 15 to 20-minute walk directly south from the Taipei City Hall MRT station.
• Longshan Temple - Officially named Mengjia Longshan Temple, this Buddhist temple is popular with tourists. Longshan MRT.
• National Palace Museum - World's best collection of Chinese artifacts and antiquities saved from destruction during Mao's Cultural Revolution. Famous artifacts include a jade cabbage, jade pork belly and boat carved from an olive pit. MRT to Shilin and then bus or taxi.

Shopping & Restaurants

• Taipei Underground City Mall - By Taipei Main MRT
• Ximending Pedestrian Zone - north west of Ximen MRT
• Huaxi Street Night Market with snake alley - north west of Longshan Temple.

Taipei is famous for it's night markets with a popular one in Keelung. 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 its large orange neon sign). The night market is roughly one block from the point where you cross a freeway overpass.

• Shilin Night Market is located in Taipei and both the largest and famous in the city. Line up for an oversized fried chicken cutlet or nuggets at Hot-Star in the food court. Try a Taiwanese hot dog, Dachang Bao Xiaochang, consisting of a pork sausage inside a sticky rice sausage. Close to Jiantan MRT Station.
• Ningxia Night Market - a smaller night market in the city centre on Ningxia Rd (several blocks west of MRT Zhongshan and north of the traffic circle)
• Taipei has some wacky, unique themed restaurants including Hello Kitty, Barbie, A380 and Modern Toilet.
• Din Tai Fung, a large Asian restaurant chain specializing in soup dumpling originated in Taiwan and has multiple locations in Taipei including at Taipei 101 and near the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial on Xinyi Street. Closer to the memorial is Hangzhou Xiaolong Tangbao, another dumpling specialty restaurant.
• One of Taiwan's specialty dishes is beef noodle soup. A recommended restaurant is Tao Yuan Street Beef Noodle Shop (Ximen Station, exit 3).
• Gua Bao is stewed meat (typically pork belly) placed inside a steamed, folded flat bun. Lan Jia Gua Bao is the place to go for this street snack.

Internet

Cafes and restaurants may provide free wifi to customers. iTaiwan is a free nationwide wifi network. Tourists can sign up for free accounts with their passport at tourist info centers and offices in transport stations.

Maps (right-click to save)

Google Map provided courtesy of private tour guide Christine Wu

Keelung

Taipei

Weather

Keelung Weather Forecast

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