Keelung Tower, rising about 58 meters (190 feet) along Yi 2nd Road, has quickly become one of Keelung’s most distinctive new landmarks. Topped by an 87-meter (285-foot) Skywalk that stretches across the hillside, the tower links the historic Xin Er Air-raid Shelter at the mountain’s base with the lush grounds of Zhongzheng Park. From its elevated corridors, visitors can enjoy sweeping views of Keelung Harbor, the mountain ridges, and the city’s bustling streets below. Blending architecture, art, culture, history, and panoramic scenery, Keelung Tower has emerged as a must-visit destination for travelers and locals alike.
History of Keelung Tower
Keelung was the world’s seventh biggest container port in 1984. The site of Keelung Tower has long played a role in the city’s cultural and urban evolution. During the Japanese colonial period (1908-1945), the area was home to Kyūhōji Temple, a prominent landmark that overlooked the harbor and served as an important religious center. After the war, the grounds were repurposed to house the Keelung City Police Bureau’s Second Precinct, reinforcing the area’s administrative significance.
Nearby, the intersection of Yi 2nd Road and Zhengyi Road — historically known as Gijucho Street (義重町)-formed one of northern Taiwan’s most vibrant commercial districts. With the rapid development of Keelung Port beginning in 1899, including expansions to the inner harbor and the deepening of docks, maritime traffic surged. This transformation fueled economic prosperity and cemented the district’s reputation as “Keelung’s Ginza (銀座).”
To continue revitalizing this historically significant area, the Keelung City Government initiated the construction of Keelung Tower in 2019. The project was completed in June 2023, and the tower officially opened to the public on December 16, 2023.
During its development, the city sought public input to name the tower’s vertical structure. In a 2021 naming poll, residents chose “Keelung Tower” over “Hope Tower,” affirming the landmark’s identity as a symbol closely tied to the city it represents.
Facilities of Keelung Tower
Keelung Tower’s architectural design is inspired by the gantry cranes that dominate Keelung Harbor’s skyline. Rising nearly 60 meters, the tower is crowned with an 87-meter open-air Skywalk and viewing deck that spans the hillside. Two elevators provide convenient vertical access, while the area’s preserved air-raid shelters — silent witnesses to Keelung’s wartime history — add depth to the site’s cultural landscape.
Inside the tower, thoughtfully curated spaces enrich the visitor experience. The fourth-floor Visionary Cultural Space offers a bookstore-style corridor where guests can browse curated titles while taking in sweeping views through its lengthy window panels. Directly beneath the Skywalk, Kong House K blends literary ambiance with café culture. Its window-side seating areas present unique vantage points, each framing a different slice of Keelung’s scenery.
In 2023, Vision Human Space was awarded the operating rights for the tower, which officially opened on December 16. Today, Keelung Tower serves as a “vertical public transportation system,” seamlessly linking surrounding attractions such as the Yi 2nd Road commercial district, the Jilong Zhongyuan Cultural Museum, and Zhongzheng Park — home to the iconic Goddess of Mercy statue and the Main Altar.
Characteristics of Keelung Tower
Keelung Tower’s distinctive character is enriched by a series of public artworks, including installations by renowned Taiwanese illustrator Duncan. His life-sized figurines are positioned across three elevations — from the tower’s entrance to the tea house rooftop and the fan-shaped plaza of Zhongzheng Park — spanning a vertical range of more than 50 meters. These playful figures have become beloved photo spots, infusing the landmark with warmth, creativity, and cultural charm.
At Triangle Square, the water-blue art installation “Circulation” spreads concentric ripples across the ground, symbolizing a transition from the harbor’s grounded, “insect-like” spatial feeling to the mountaintop’s expansive, “bird’s-eye” perspective. In the evening, subtle lighting softens the former air-raid shelter surroundings, transforming the once-gloomy site into a serene environment that conveys hope, peace, and renewed cultural vitality.
Towering above, the Skywalk remains Keelung Tower’s most iconic feature. From its transparent corridors, visitors can admire panoramic views of anchored ships, green ridgelines, winding streets, and the iconic KEELUNG hillside letters — an unforgettable scene that captures the essence and spirit of the city.
Keelung Tower seamlessly blends architecture, landscape, and art into a unified cultural landmark. Its Skywalk and public artworks elevate the experience, offering both visual delight and emotional resonance. As a new symbol of the city’s revitalization, the tower stands as a gateway to exploring Keelung’s past, present, and future.
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