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Keelung, Northern Taiwan, Taiwan
Taiwan's busiest cruise hub drops you steps from a legendary night market and a fast train to Taipei — but the hillside teahouses of Jiufen may steal the day.
Taiwan's busiest cruise hub drops you steps from a legendary night market and a fast train to Taipei — but the hillside teahouses of Jiufen may steal the day.
Keelung has two modern cruise terminals (E2 East and W2 West) right in the city center — no tenders, and most attractions are reachable on foot or by short taxi.
💡 Pro move: Keelung is nicknamed the 'Rainy Capital' — pack a compact umbrella year-round. Tipping is not customary in Taiwan.
Keelung operates two modern passenger terminals on the east and west sides of the inner harbour — all cruise ships dock directly.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most major cruise lines | E2 East Coast Passenger Terminal📍 | Docked |
| Additional/overflow berths | W2 West Coast Passenger Terminal📍 | Docked |
From a Taipei whirlwind to misty hillside villages, Keelung punches well above its size as a cruise port.
Taipei 101's observatory, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, and the National Palace Museum's imperial art collection — the classic Taiwan day in one sweep.
Find Taipei day tours →Narrow, lantern-lit lanes, atmospheric teahouses perched above the sea, and hillside alley shops — this former gold-mining town is often likened to the world of Spirited Away (though Miyazaki has said it was not a direct inspiration).
Find Jiufen tours →Bizarre sea-eroded rock formations along the north coast, including the famous 'Queen's Head' mushroom rock. A 20-minute walk through the park on a flat coastal path.
Find Yehliu tours →Write a wish on a paper sky lantern and release it over Shifen Old Street's railway tracks, then walk to the Shifen Waterfall — the widest in Taiwan.
Find Shifen tours →One of Taiwan's most famous food markets, operating day and night beside the Dianji Temple. Oyster vermicelli, crab congee, and bubble tea stalls line both sides of the lane.
Find Keelung food tours →Climb to this Qing-dynasty coastal fort, rebuilt after the 1884-85 Sino-French War, with restored Armstrong-style cannon emplacements, then continue up Zhongzheng Park for panoramic harbour views beneath the massive white Guanyin statue.
Find Keelung walking tours →Keelung's compact downtown is flat and walkable from the pier; the hillside parks require a short climb.
Exit the terminal onto Gangxi Road and walk inland to the Dianji Temple precinct — you'll smell the food stalls before you see them. Explore the covered market lanes in both directions.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Stroll the harbour promenade past fishing boats and seafood restaurants to the Keelung Tower at Maritime Plaza — ride the free elevator for a near-360° view of the port and city.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Keelung, Northern Taiwan, Taiwan (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 65°F / 18°C | 59°F / 15°C | 20 | 6:40 AM | 5:24 PM |
| Feb | 66°F / 19°C | 59°F / 15°C | 18 | 6:27 AM | 5:46 PM |
| Mar | 70°F / 21°C | 62°F / 17°C | 17 | 6:02 AM | 6:01 PM |
| Apr | 75°F / 24°C | 67°F / 19°C | 16 | 5:31 AM | 6:15 PM |
| May | 81°F / 27°C | 73°F / 23°C | 20 | 5:08 AM | 6:30 PM |
| Jun | 86°F / 30°C | 78°F / 26°C | 20 | 5:02 AM | 6:44 PM |
| Jul | 88°F / 31°C | 80°F / 27°C | 16 | 5:12 AM | 6:45 PM |
| Aug | 88°F / 31°C | 80°F / 27°C | 18 | 5:26 AM | 6:27 PM |
| Sep | 84°F / 29°C | 78°F / 26°C | 18 | 5:39 AM | 5:57 PM |
| Oct | 78°F / 26°C | 73°F / 23°C | 21 | 5:51 AM | 5:25 PM |
| Nov | 74°F / 23°C | 69°F / 21°C | 21 | 6:09 AM | 5:05 PM |
| Dec | 67°F / 19°C | 62°F / 17°C | 22 | 6:30 AM | 5:05 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Unlimited hop-on hop-off within one day. Includes onboard refreshments and luggage tag. Combo pass adds National Museum of Marine Science & Technology admission.
Both the East and West cruise terminals are within a 10-minute walk of Keelung Train Station and the city center. Most port-side attractions are easily walkable.
Keelung Station (10-min walk from port) runs frequent trains to Taipei Main Station in 45–60 minutes. By far the cheapest and most reliable way to reach Taipei.
Metered taxis are readily available at the port. Journey to Taipei city center takes 30–40 minutes depending on traffic; freeway congestion can extend this.
Both Uber and Bolt operate in Keelung. App-based booking offers upfront pricing and English-language interface, convenient for cruise passengers.
Upcoming cruises that call at Keelung, Northern Taiwan, Taiwan. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
Other cruise ports within about 250 km.