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Updated Monday, February 4, 2008 0:00 am TWN, By Michelle Hsu, Special to the China Post



	Miaokou, which literally means “the place in front of a temple,” is crowded with visitors all the time. (Courtesy of Keelung City Government) More Photos (2)

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Bright streetlights in Keelung shine on New Year’s bliss

Mayor Chang Tung-rong has drawn out a blueprint for further development of this commercial district. First, the city government will encourage more stores within the district to apply to serve as contract stores for the national travel card. Meanwhile, the city will map out certain roadside areas for vendors to sell handicrafts, personal ornaments or other small items that reflect the local customs and character of Keelung.

“It will help the district stand out with its own distinct character,” said Chang. It will also draw in more people who are accustomed to shopping by the roadside.

Leisure activities

A short walk from the district will take visitors to Miaokou, which traditionally draws in thousands of people around the island for its special Keelung delicacies such as tempura, chicken rolls, butter crabs, slivered bean cakes, fresh seafood and stewed eel soup. Miaokou literally means “the place in front of a temple." Chang himself has been there many times.

“Whenever I go to Miaokou, I find that my stomach is too small and I can only eat two or three kinds of food there,” Chang said. He estimated that it would take at least 10 visits for a person to try all the delicious food at this night market. It’s no wonder that the Miaokou is full of people all the time.

On the other side of the commercial district is the famous Chungcheng Park, which often impresses first-time visitors with its magnificent stairway at the main entry on Hsin-er Road, or Hsin 2nd Road, which intersects with Yi-er Road. The park is big enough to encompass an entire mountain, complete with extensive walking trails. On the peak is a huge Guanyin Buddha Statue, which is in fact a tower that visitors are permitted to enter.

At the top of the tower, visitors can enjoy a great view of the Pacific Ocean and an aerial view of the entire city of Keelung. In the early days, the Guanyin Buddha Statue was an important landmark for vessels sailing on the sea. When crewmen saw the statue, they knew that they would soon safely arrived home with the blessings of the Guanyin Buddha.

For long-term development, Chang plans to expand this commercial district around the East Dock of Keelung harbor to embrace both the First and Second West Docks in the vicinity of Keelung Train Station. This will more closely integrate Keelung’s downtown area, which, under the new mayor’s plans, is marching toward becoming a new metropolitan city as a primary national gateway in northern Taiwan.

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