基隆市

Why this place

Keelung is the port city on the north coast, and it rains a lot — which is why the surrounding hills are so green. Its Miaokou night market is one of the best on the island, and the north-coast scenery east of the city is exceptional.

What to see

• Miaokou Night Market, around the Dianji Temple — the reason most people come
• Heping Island and the north-coast geopark, with sea-eroded rock
• The Bitou Cape and Longdong, for diving and coastal walks
• Zhengbin Fishing Harbor, with its colourful houses

What to eat

• Keelung's 'dingbiancuo' (thick soup with pork), 'tianbula' and the crab soup at Miaokou
• Fresh seafood from the port, and the local 'pao' fish-cake soup

Best time

October–April; it rains often, so bring a jacket