Taiwan's Most Beautiful Coastal Rail Bike: A Family Day Trip in Keelung

Crossing Stations in New Taipei and Keelung

The only ocean-view rail bike experience in Taiwan is at Baduzi, Keelung.

This rail bike route runs between Baduzi and Shen’ao Stations on the Taiwan Railways Shen’ao( 深澳) Branch. During the Japanese occupation, the Shen’ao Line was mainly used for transporting sugar, salt, and coal to the port. It ceased operations when mineral production declined. However, in 2014, with the opening of the National Museum of Marine Science & Technology, the Shen’ao Branch was reopened, along with Baduzi Station. This station is the closest to the sea in Taiwan, and its elevated platform offers a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. It is also the only station in Taiwan that spans two cities—quite special!

National Museum of Marine Science & Technology Experience the Rescue Boat

For families, take advantage of your children's morning energy by visiting the National Museum of Marine Science & Technology (NMMST). The museum covers nearly 48 hectares and is divided into several areas: the Regional Exploration Hall, the Theme Hall, the i OCEAN Intelligent Ocean Hall, the Ocean Theater, and the Research and Collection Center. Each area requires a separate admission ticket, and you could easily spend an entire day here.

The museum uses technology to teach marine knowledge.

If it's your first visit, it's recommended to start at the Theme Hall, which has been renovated from an old thermal power plant. The design is full of nostalgia, and upon entering, you'll see a five-story-high eel slide for those seeking thrills (additional ticket required, age 13+). The museum combines technology and interactive elements, with many exhibits you can touch, including a shipping container with a control room explaining operations. Young children can enjoy racing with marine creatures in the children’s area, which is very fun. Additionally, a retired rescue boat is open for public tours, providing insights into rescue operations and maritime safety—a rare opportunity!

The eel slide is a thrilling challenge, taking only seconds to descend from the fifth floor to the ground for NT$50 each time. The Ocean Science Museum showcases a retired rescue boat for visitors to explore its equipment.

National Museum of Marine Science & Technology

Address: No. 367, Beining Rd., Zhongzheng Dist., Keelung City

Transportation: Depart from Taipei Main Station, take the train to Ruifang, and transfer to the Shen’ao Line to Ocean Science Museum Station (approximately 1.5 hours).

Opening Hours: 09:00-17:00, closed on Mondays and New Year's Eve (excluding summer vacations, holidays, and consecutive holidays).

Website: https://www.nmmst.gov.tw/enhtml/index

180° Coastal Rail Bike

The starting point for the rail bike ride is just near Baduzi Station. Enjoy a 180° ocean view from the platform.

After visiting the museum and having lunch, you can walk to Baduzi to ride the rail bike! The distance from Baduzi Station to Shen’ao Station is 1.3 kilometers. Visitors need to purchase tickets and reserve a time online, with one-way tickets priced at NT$150 and round-trip tickets at NT$250. Each bike seats two and is adjustable. Children must be at least 3 years old or 90 cm tall to ride, and they need to be seated—no holding or carrying allowed.

Children aged 3 or older can join the rail bike ride; if they can't reach the pedals, parents will have to do the pedaling!

It's recommended to arrive 15 minutes early for a brief explanation from staff, and on the bike, you’ll find a QR code to scan for audio introductions to the sights. Because of the distance between the pedals and the seat, younger children may not be able to pedal effectively, but parents can easily manage on their own. The journey takes about 20 minutes to reach Shen’ao Station, but be sure not to pedal too fast; staying close to the bike in front may block your view of the scenery and photo opportunities!

There are many colorful murals along the rail bike route. The bike ride features a section with projected images and lighting in the tunnel. The ride takes only 20-30 minutes, making it a very relaxing journey.

Shen’ao Rail Bike

Starting Points: Either Baduzi or Shen’ao Station.

Transportation: Depart from Taipei Main Station, take the train to Ruifang, and transfer to the Shen’ao Line to Baduzi (approximately 1.5 hours).

Opening Hours: 09:00-17:00, extended in summer.

Website: https://www.railbike.com.tw/

Keelung Night Market: Seafood Galore

There aren’t many attractions at Shen’ao Station, so after a quick photo shooting, you can return by rail bike to Baduzi Station. From Baduzi to the Keelung Night Market, you can choose to take the train or the bus. However, the train requires two transfers, taking about 1.5 to 2 hours. The bus, on the “ 濱海奇基線 " goes directly to the market, but both train and bus schedules are sparse, so it's recommended to take a taxi or ride-sharing service from Baduzi to the night market, costing about HK$110 and taking around 20 minutes.

The Keelung Temple Night Market is bustling around 4-5 PM.

The Keelung Temple Night Market spans several streets and features hundreds of stalls, boasting a Google rating of 4.2 out of 5. It opens around noon, reaching peak activity around 4-5 PM—definitely not to be missed. Being close to the sea, the night market offers plenty of seafood snacks, and there are many game stalls for kids to enjoy, making for a delightful experience. For the return trip, taking the train back to Taipei is advisable, as Keelung Train Station is the first stop, ensuring a seat. The train ride takes about 45 minutes.

There are plenty of seafood snacks due to its coastal proximity. A seemingly endless array of food stalls.

Keelung Temple Night Market

Address: Ren 3rd Rd., Ren'ai Dist., Keelung City

Opening Hours: 12:00-00:00

Website: https://eng.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?sNo=0002105&id=298