How to DIY a Keelung Day Trip from Taipei: The Complete Guide 🌊
One hour from Taipei, Keelung packs rail bikes, colorful port houses, a 25-meter Guanyin statue, and one of the best night markets in northern Taiwan.
Keelung is one of those destinations that most first-timers completely skip — and that's exactly why you should go. Just one hour from Taipei, this port city delivers a completely different pace: scenic rail bikes along the coastline, colorful waterfront houses, a towering Buddhist statue, and one of the best night markets in northern Taiwan — all in a single day.
This guide covers the full DIY route from Taipei to Keelung — commute options, every stop, ticket info, and how to get home. Ganito lang 'yan! 😉
Getting to Keelung from Taipei 🚇
There are several ways to get to Keelung from Taipei, but here's the route we took — with a bonus photo stop built in along the way.
Step 1: Ride the Blue MRT Line from Taipei Main Station (or Ximen) and alight at Taipei City Hall Station.
✨ BONUS: Before heading to the bus, exit at Exit 2 and walk a few minutes to the 3-in-1 photo spot — a single frame combining a view of Taipei 101, Rainbow Road, and Taipei City Hall. Perfect quick photoshoot stop while you're still fresh.
Step 2: Make your way to Taipei City Hall Bus Station and board Bus 1579 heading to Badouzi Station in Keelung.
For both the MRT and bus rides, all you need is your Taiwan EasyCard — tap in, tap out, no separate tickets needed. Book yours on Klook using promo code HEYIANCKLOOK for up to 5% off.
💡 Pro Tip: Aim for an early departure from Taipei — you have a lot of ground to cover, and the Shen-ao Rail Bike slots fill up fast.
✅ Stop 1: Shen-ao Rail Bike 🚲
The moment you step off at Badouzi Station, the view hits immediately — ocean, hills, and the port spread out in front of you.
Walk a short distance from the station and you'll reach the Shen-ao Rail Bike Badouzi Station. This is the highlight of the day for most visitors — a pedal-powered rail bike ride along a converted train line with stunning coastal views the entire way.
Ticket prices: One-way and round-trip options are available.
⚠️ Important: We arrived without a reservation and still got a one-way slot — but it was close. Book online in advance to guarantee your spot, especially on weekends and holidays. Walk-ins are not guaranteed.
The ride ends at Shen-ao Station, where you'll continue to the next stop. If you got a roundtrip ticket, then you will head back to Badouzi Station via the Rail Bike.
✅ Stop 2: Zhengbin Port Color Houses 🎨
From Shen-ao Station, board Bus 791 heading to the Zhengbin Port Color Houses — one of the most photographed spots in all of Keelung.
The brightly painted fishermen's houses lining the port create a striking backdrop that's immediately recognizable. The area has a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere with small restaurants and cafes overlooking the water — a great spot to take a break, grab a coffee, and enjoy the view of the port before moving on.
✅ Stop 3: Zhongheng Park and Guanyin Statue 🙏
From the Color Houses, hop back on Bus 791 to Keelung City Government Station. From there it's approximately a 15-minute walk to Zhongheng Park.
The centerpiece here is the 25-meter statue of Guanyin — the Buddhist deity of mercy and compassion — which towers over the surrounding hillside and is visible from across the city. Around the park you'll find food stalls, souvenir vendors, and excellent elevated views of Keelung's harbor and cityscape.
✅ Stop 4: Magpie Bridge and Zhuputan Temple ⛩️
From Zhongheng Park, a short hike downhill leads you to Magpie Bridge, a scenic crossing that leads directly to Zhuputan Temple — a beautifully atmospheric temple worth a quiet 15-minute visit before heading to the final stop of the day.
✅ Stop 5: Keelung Night Market 🏮
Cap your Keelung day at the Keelung Night Market — about 15 minutes from the temple on foot. One of the most well-known night markets in northern Taiwan, it's famous for its seafood, local snacks, and the kind of buzzing evening energy that Keelung is built around.
⚠️ Note: Stalls typically open at around 5:00 p.m. — time your arrival accordingly so you're not waiting around for vendors to set up.
Getting Back to Taipei 🚌
From Keelung, getting home is straightforward. Board Bus 1579 back to Zhongxiao Dunhua MRT Station — this connects directly to the Blue Line, which takes you back to Taipei Main Station or Ximen with no transfers needed.
Full Route Summary 🗺️
| Stop | How to Get There |
|---|---|
| Taipei City Hall Station | Blue MRT Line from Taipei Main / Ximen |
| 3-in-1 Photo Spot | Walk from Exit 2, Taipei City Hall Station |
| Badouzi Station (Shen-ao Rail Bike) | Bus 1579 from Taipei City Hall Bus Station |
| Zhengbin Port Color Houses | Bus 791 from Shen-ao Station |
| Zhongheng Park / Guanyin Statue | Bus 791 to Keelung City Government Station + 15-min walk |
| Magpie Bridge + Zhuputan Temple | Short hike downhill from Zhongheng Park |
| Keelung Night Market | ~15-min walk from Zhuputan Temple |
| Back to Taipei | Bus 1579 → Zhongxiao Dunhua MRT → Blue Line |
Transport Essentials 🎫
Everything on this route runs on the EasyCard — no separate tickets needed for the MRT or buses.
- Taiwan EasyCard — Reloadable tap card for MRT + buses across Taiwan. Pick one up at any MRT station or book on Klook.
- Unlimited MRT Pass — If you're doing multiple MRT legs in a day, this may save you money.
- Taipei Fun Pass Unlimited — Covers MRT + city buses (does not include bus 1579) + tourist shuttles + attraction entrances. Worth checking if it covers any of your stops.
💡 Pro Tip: The Shen-ao Rail Bike ticket is not covered by any transport pass — this is a paid experience booked separately at the station or online.
🏷️ Travel Discount Codes
Planning to book hotels or activities for your Taiwan trip? Use these exclusive discount codes before you check out — tap the buttons below to open the app directly and save the code to your account automatically.
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✅ Agoda Hotels Up to 10% off hotel bookings HEYIANCHOTEL
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Claim Code → |
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✅ Agoda Activities Up to 5% off activities HEYIANC
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Claim Code → |
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✅ Klook Up to 5% off hotels, insurance & activities HEYIANCKLOOK
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Claim Code → |
⚠️ Codes are limited use only. Tap the buttons above to open the app and save your code before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions ❓
How far is Keelung from Taipei? Approximately one hour by MRT and bus. The route via Taipei City Hall Station and Bus 1579 is one of the most straightforward option.
Do I need to book the Shen-ao Rail Bike in advance? Yes — strongly recommended, especially on weekends. Walk-in slots are sometimes available but not guaranteed. Book online before your trip to secure your preferred time.
Is Keelung doable as a day trip from Taipei? Yes! With an early start, you can comfortably fit in the rail bike, Color Houses, Zhongheng Park, Zhuputan Temple, and Keelung Night Market in a single day.
What time does Keelung Night Market open? Stalls typically begin opening at around 5:00 p.m. Arrive closer to 5:30–6:00 p.m. for most vendors to be fully set up.
Can I use my EasyCard for everything in Keelung? For all MRT and bus rides on this route — yes. The Shen-ao Rail Bike requires a separate paid ticket purchased at the station or booked online.
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Ian Calimbahin
Hope this helps! More travels soon!