Keelung City (also: Jilong or Chilung) is a major port city situated in the northeastern part of
Taiwan. It borders
Taipei County and forms the
Taipei-Keelung metropolitan area, along with the City and County of Taipei. Nicknamed the Rainy Port for its frequent rain and maritime role, the city is Taiwan's second largest
seaport (after
Kaohsiung). Keelung is currently administered as a
provincial city of
Taiwan Province,
Republic of China.
The city of Keelung was known as Kelung or Keelung to the Western world during the 19th century. However, the Taiwanese people have long called the city Kelang (
Taiwanese language POJ: Ke-lâng,
Chinese characters: 雞籠, meaning rooster cage).
It has been proposed that the name Keelung was derived from the local mountain that took the shape of a rooster cage. However, it is more probable that the name was derived from the first inhabitants of the region, as are the names of many other Taiwanese cities. In this case, the
Ketagalan people were the first inhabitants, and early Han settlers probably approximated "Ketagalan" with "Ke-lâng" (phonetics of the
Southern Min Language).
In 1875, during
Qing Dynasty rule, the Chinese characters of the name were changed to the more auspicious 基隆 (
pinyin: Jīlóng;
POJ: Ki-liông, meaning prosperous base). In
Mandarin, probably the working language of Chinese government at the time, both the old and new names were likely pronounced Kīlóng (hence "Keelung"). Under
Japanese rule (1895-1945), the city was known to the west by Japanese readings of the new name: Kirun, Kiirun or Kīrun. In Modern
Standard Mandarin, the official language of the
Republic of China, the new name is read Jīlóng, although the locals have continued to call the city Ke-lâng throughout changes in government.
Feel the oriental nostalgia with Jiu Fen’s quaint ancient charm that traces its paths back in history. Sitting at the top of a mountain up northern Taiwan, Jiu Fen used to be an isolated town up in the highlands, isolated from the rest of the world. It was until the 1800s where gold was discovered in the area, where the town then began bustling in prosperity as a hot gold mining field.
Visit the heart of town, Jiu Fen Old Street and enjoy thoroughly the Jiu Fen lifestyle and culture. The street runs through most of the village with a multitude of food such as yam dishes, stinky toufu (a must-try!) and other local specialties such as peitou meatballs and mixed vegetables topped with peanut powder and ice cream! Red lanterns are predominately hung along the shop houses and it’s amazing just how so many things are cramped up in such a small area. Nonetheless, it brought about the strong flavor of bustling Old Street and the local authenticities it has to offer.
The scenery at Jiu Fen is also one that completes an overall sensory experience. There are several loggings and teahouses that oversee the village, bringing the beauty of Jiu Fen right before your eyes. Spend a leisure afternoon at a teahouse up in the mountains where you can savor and enjoy the fragrance of local tea complete with stunning views of mountains, rivers and seas. You can also witness traditional tea ceremonies and learn of the art of tea appreciation, the Chinese way.
This is the market street in Jiu Fen. A little town near KeeLung on the northern end of Taiwan. anyway, we have are too late reach here, all shops was close....and at the end, we back to Keelong stay 1 night.
Keelung's Miaokou Night Market is famous throughout Taiwan for its large selection of food. It meanders through lanes and alleys in the downtown area surrounding the Dianji Temple (奠濟宮). The night market is easily accessible on foot for most travelers arriving from other cities. 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.
Dianji Temple (奠濟宮).
