This is the final post from our Japan trip. Our trip started in late March and ended on May 1, 2025. The trip included a 32 day cruise on the Seabourn Quest and independent travel in Tokyo and Nikko. The cruise made two stops outside of Japan, in Busan, South Korea and Keelung, Taiwan.
The Seabourn Quest stopped overnight at Keelung Port for two days. From Keelung, we took a morning ship excursion to the hilly town of Jiufen and then we went to the Keelung Night Market on our own to explore the different foods that were available. The evening weather in Keelung was hot and humid, so we didn’t last too long before returning to the cool air conditioned ship.
On day two of our Keelung stop, we took an all-day ship excursion to Taipei. We started at the National Palace Museum and then continued to several shrines, temples and memorials. The excursion stopped for lunch at the Grand Garden Restaurant in the Grand Palace Hotel. The buffet at this restaurant served over 100 Taiwanese Chinese, Japanese and Western dishes. The dining setting was really spectacular but the lunch was typical buffet quality - a few very good dishes and other dishes that would easily satisfy your appetite but were less memorable.
Keelung, Taiwan
Keelung Port at Night Can You Read "Keelung" in This Photo?
Morning Visit to Jiufen Village, Taiwan
Jiufen Hillside
Starting to Climb to Visit Jiufen Shops
This is a Steep Set of Narrow Stairs
The A-Mei teahouse was once a blacksmith during Jiufen's mining days. From the interior, there is a great view of the ocean and mountains. The teahouse is known for its tea selection from many special Taiwan tea farms.
Tea Shop at Top of First Set of Stairs
A-Mei Teahouse
A Shop in Jiufen in the Morning
Jiufen Saturday Crowds
Tight Fit for Cars
Snails to Go
Keelung Night Market
The Keelung Night Market is known for its many food vendors that line the narrow streets, near Dianji Temple. There are at least 80 food stalls, offering a variety of hot meat items, soups, noodles, snacks. fruit, ice cream and pastries. The market is very popular with tourists and locals and gets very busy and crowded. Anthony Bourdain said that this market is "Taiwan's Best Night Market."
At 5pm, the Market was Already Crowded
Grilled Duck
Dianji Temple
Day 2 Visit to Taipei, Taiwan
The National Palace Museum, opened in 1965, contains over 700,000 artifacts and artworks. As the Republic of China retreated from the mainland to Taiwan, much of the National Palace Museum collection was relocated by General Chaing Kai-shek from Beijing Palace Museum and other institutions on mainland China. Almost 3,000 crates of artifacts and artworks were moved to Taiwan - including what some believe to be the best and most cherished. A few of the art pieces are below.
Yellow Chalcedony Tri-Seal Set Qing Dynasty, 1644-1911 (The Chain Links & Stamps are Carved from a Single Stone)
Narcissus Basin with Blueish-Green Glaze, Ru Ware Early Song Dynasty A Similar Piece Recently Sold for $7 Million USD
Drinking Vessel and Cup
From the National Palace Museum, we continued on the view the changing of the guards at the Martrys Shrine. This shrine is dedicated to the fallen soldiers of the Republic of China.
Martyrs Shrine
Soldier Sentry at Martyrs Shrine
Changing of Guards
The Grand Hotel was constructed in 1962 with support from Chaing Kai-shek. The hotel's main building rises to 14-stories and there are additional hotel wings. This five-star hotel was built to accommodate foreign dignitaries and it has hosted leaders from many countries, including US Presidents Clinton, Reagon, Nixon and Eisenhower. A "secret tunnel" was found in the hotel with slides that run about 500 feet from the hotel to nearby parks.
Very Popular for Lunch on a Sunday
Grand Hotel
The tour stopped at the Taiwan Confucius Temple. This temple is similar to the original temple in Qufu, China. The temple focuses on the teachings of Confucius. During Japn's annexation of Taiwan, the temple was destroyed. It was rebuilt in 1930.
Entry to Confucius Temple
The Dalongdong Boan Temple was constructed in 1804. The temple was inducted into the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Cultural Heritage Preservation in 2003.
Entry to Dalongdong Boan Temple
Dalongdon Baoan Temple
Dragon Faces into Temple for Protection from Fire
The Chaing Kai-shek Memorial Hall was built in 1980 and has an octagonal shape. The eight sides reflect the Chinese cultural association with abundance and good luck. There are 89 steps to reach the mausoleum, representing Chaing Kai-shek's age when he died. The ground floor contains a library and museum - including his government limousines. There is a changing of guard ceremony on the hour.
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