Keelung City is located in the northeastern part of Taiwan. Historically known as "Chicken Cage" (雞籠), it is renowned for its natural fjord-like harbor and is the northernmost city in Taiwan. The city center is home to Keelung Harbor, a crucial transportation hub for northern Taiwan, earning it the nicknames "Taiwan's Head" (臺灣頭) and "Taiwan's Northern Gateway" (臺灣北玄關). Due to its frequent rainfall, Keelung is also known as the "Rainy Port" (雨港) or "Rainy City" (雨都), and alongside Kaohsiung, it is one of Taiwan's two major port cities. Keelung is divided into seven administrative districts, with a population exceeding 360,000. About 95% of the city's terrain consists of hills, with only a small portion of flat land along the East China Sea in the north. The city is surrounded by mountains on the east, west, and south, and it borders New Taipei City.
History
Keelung's history dates back to the 17th century when Han Chinese immigrants and the indigenous Pingpu people coexisted. The Spanish even established a foothold on Heping Island. During the Yongzheng reign of the Qing Dynasty, a large influx of Han Chinese settlers led to extensive development and cultivation. In 1875, Keelung was officially established and renamed, leveraging its strategic maritime location and abundant coal resources, marking the beginning of its urban development.
During the Japanese colonial period, Keelung was planned as Taiwan’s transportation gateway, leading to large-scale harbor construction and urban expansion, making it the fourth-largest city in Taiwan. In 1924, Keelung was formally established as a city. After Taiwan came under the jurisdiction of the Republic of China, it was reclassified as a provincial city. Following the Ten Major Construction Projects in the 1990s, Taiwan's shipping focus shifted southward. Due to limited hinterland and the proximity to Taipei, Keelung gradually transformed into a satellite city of the Taipei metropolitan area.
Geography
Keelung City faces the East China Sea to the north and features a predominantly hilly landscape. Only narrow plains exist around Keelung Harbor and alongside the Keelung River, while the rest of the area consists of slopes and hills. As a result, the city's transportation network includes numerous bridges and tunnels, forming a unique urban landscape. Heping Island and Keelung Islet surround the harbor, serving as natural barriers.
Topographically, Keelung is flanked by the Keelung Volcanic Group to the east and the Wuzhi Mountain Range to the west. The limited flat land is mainly found along the port area and the Keelung River valley. The hilly terrain poses challenges for urban development, with most residential areas built along slopes, while modern apartment complexes are scattered in the suburbs. Shiqiuling in the south serves as a crucial passage connecting Keelung to Taiwan’s inland areas.
Climate
Keelung has a subtropical monsoon climate. During winter, the city experiences wet and rainy conditions due to the northeast monsoon, whereas summer brings less rainfall because the southwest monsoon has to pass over mountain ranges. This results in Keelung having more rain in winter than in summer. Due to its damp winter climate, Keelung is often referred to as the "Rainy Port." During the transition between winter and spring, thick fog frequently engulfs the harbor area, sometimes disrupting port operations and creating the phenomenon known as the "Fog-Locked Rainy Port."
Since the 1990s, global climate change has led to a gradual decrease in Keelung’s annual rainfall, with occasional droughts occurring in certain years.
Tourism and Culture
Keelung City, along with parts of neighboring New Taipei City, forms the "Greater Keelung Area," which is a popular tourist destination in northern Taiwan due to its historical sites and scenic coastal and mountainous landscapes. Keelung is famous for its Miaokou Night Market, port-style snacks, and abundant seafood, creating a unique culinary culture that attracts numerous visitors.
In addition, Keelung's harbor views and historical landmarks, such as Heping Island, Keelung Islet, and various military relics, are popular tourist attractions that add a rich historical and cultural charm to the city.
