Why Taiwan’s Rainy Port evolved from a colonial outpost to a global shipping hub.

Countries & Cities · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Known as the Rainy Port for its relentless downpours, Keelung has transformed from a strategic 17th-century Spanish fort into a vital maritime gateway. Once the world's seventh-largest container port, this northern Taiwanese city now balances its industrial heritage with a thriving cruise tourism industry and deep-rooted cultural traditions.

Originally inhabited by the Ketagalan people, Keelung’s geography made it a coveted prize for colonial powers. The Spanish established Fort San Salvador in 1626, followed by Dutch occupation in the mid-17th century. By the late 19th century, the city became a focal point for international conflict, including the First Opium War and the Sino-French War. Following the 1895 Treaty of Shimonoseki, Japanese rule initiated systematic harbor development, setting the stage for the city's modern commercial identity.

The city’s name reflects its complex history. Early settlers called it Ke-lâng, likely derived from the Ketagalan people, while later Qing officials rebranded it as Jīlóng, meaning 'base prosperous.' Today, the city is defined by its humid subtropical climate, receiving over 3,700 millimetres of annual rainfall. This gloominess is offset by vibrant cultural events, most notably the Ghost Festival, which began in 1855 as a peace-building ritual between rival clans and remains a protected national heritage.

In the post-WWII era, Keelung became the engine of Taiwan’s export-oriented economy. By 1984, it ranked as the world’s seventh-largest container port. As global competition intensified in the 1990s, the city pivoted toward tourism. It has since become a premier cruise home port, recording 331 cruise calls and serving 787,000 passengers in 2024. Despite these shifts, the city maintains its industrial roots, housing Taiwan’s only fully oil-fired power plant and serving as a critical logistics hub for the Taipei metropolitan area.

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