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Keelung
is Taiwan's northernmost city and second largest port. Its harbor is complete
with 40-deep water piers and three mooring buoys that can handle vessels
up to 30,000-ton weight. Facilities at the port are abundant and efficient.
Because of its port, Keelung has become a confluence for Taiwan's international
contacts - Japanese, American, Spanish, Dutch, and plenty more - who have
made this place their base. The population of Keelung is approximately
400,000, most of whom are blue-collar workers associated with the port
business.
There are many things
to do in Keelung. Beaches, parks, temples, and historical sites all contribute
to making Keelung a tourist attraction.
Fulung
is the next stop after Keelung on the Northeast Coast Highway. The beaches
in Fulung are comparable to the infamous beaches of the south island.
The white sandy beach here embraces the northern shore of a cape that
distends into the Pacific Ocean. Lush green hills surround the beach that
stretches for kilometers in both directions. One hundred meters inland,
a river flows analogous to Fulung Beach, thus forming a secondary beach.
Visitors can rent sailboats and windsurfing equipment from rental shops
around the area.
An
excellent stop on the way to central Taiwan would be at the Shihtou Shan
or 'Lion's Head Mountain', 20km east of the North-South Highway. It is
named after the lion's head because when viewed from a certain angle,
the peak of the mount bears a slight resemblance to the king of beasts.
The mountain is significant as a center of Buddhism as most temples were
built in natural caves during the past 75 years. Hiking up the lion's
head to the temples and other sights is possible. The entire trip up and
down the mountain would take about 3 hours, but the last part of the journey
is worth the trouble. Down on the other side are the flower-scented forests
and patches of bamboo.
Along the path, there
are several temples, but the first main temple is the Chunghua Tang. Its
main shrine rises on beautifully sculpted stone columns that depict heavenly
animals and ancient Buddhist legends. The nuns here cook healthy vegetarian
food everyday, which also caters to visitors. Two of the temples offer
accommodation and meals for those who would like to spend more time up
on the mountain.
Past the Chunghua
Tang is the Kaishan Monastery, a massive multistoried structure that is
home to both monks and nuns. Visitors are allowed to observe their daily
rituals and enjoy the tranquility of the forests and its surroundings.
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