Keelung With Autistic Children

Keelung, a bustling port city in northern Taiwan, offers a surprising mix of cultural sights, delicious street food, and family-friendly activities—perfect whether you’re visiting as a cruise stop or exploring it as part of a Taiwan trip. Here’s a curated guide to help you make the most of your visit to Keelung with autistic children, with tips drawn from our own family’s experience.

Getting To Keelung

Getting to Keelung is relatively straightforward. Many visitors arrive via cruise ship since Keelung’s cruise port is right in the city centre (next to the train station). If you’re flying into Taiwan, you’ll likely land at Taipei’s Taoyuan International Airport. From there, you can reach Keelung by train or bus in about 1 to 2 hours.

• Bus: The bus from Taipei Taoyuan takes around 45 minutes to the centre of Taipei. From here you can get a bus which drops you in the heart of Keelung. There are also direct buses from central Taipei to Keelung (roughly 60 minutes, depending on traffic). For families with an autistic child, consider traveling during off-peak times to avoid the worst crowds on public transport.
• Train: Just like with the bus, you will change trains in Taipei to get from the airport to Keelung. Without including transfer times, the total time for the train from TPE to Keelung is around 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• Taxi/private transfer: If you prefer a more private option, taxis or pre-booked private transfers can take you directly from the airport or city to Keelung (this can be pricier, but it guarantees a seat and a calmer environment). Taxi’s are available right outside of the airport, you can discuss a price with them upfront before you travel. We recommend Gary from Yapit Travel for private transfers.

Tip: Many Taiwanese taxis do not carry child car seats by default. If your autistic child needs a car seat or booster, arrange a private transfer in advance or bring a portable travel seat.

• Cruise ship: If you arrive in Keelung by ship, you will be right in the heart of Keelung at the port. It is very easy to walk from the cruise ship port to a lot of the sights in Keelung without any issues.

Where To Stay in Keelung

For our stay in Keelung, we chose the Evergreen Laurel Hotel Keelung, and it turned out to be a wonderful base for an autism family trip. This hotel sits right on the harbour, offering spacious rooms with large windows overlooking either the port or the hills. For our kids, watching ships come and go through the big window at the end of the hall was an unexpected highlight – a built-in, quiet sensory activity! The rooms were very quiet thanks to solid soundproofing (which I am sure our hotel neighbours were thankful for when our kids were up and down through the night thanks to jet lag), which helped everyone relax and sleep better than we had in Taipei. The hotel staff were warm and welcoming; even with the language barrier, they went out of their way to accommodate our requests (we arrived early to the hotel, way before check in time but they gave us a room that was ready and brought all of our bags up to the room for us).

Evergreen Laurel Hotel Keelung

Room

The Evergreen Laurel has several features that families with autistic children will appreciate. There’s an indoor pool, which overlooks the harbour where all the ships and ferries come in and out – it’s a relatively calm environment with warm water and not too many people at a time. Actually, we were the only people in the pool when we went.

Pool

Games room

Play room

They also have a small arcade/game room and a kids’ indoor playground on site, meaning if we needed a quick play break without venturing far, it was available. We often made use of the play room when the kids were needing to run off some steam or when they were getting too sleepy before bed time. Overall, Evergreen Laurel Keelung provided a peaceful, comfortable environment for our family – I’d stay there again for the convenience and peace of mind it gave us.

Family-Friendly Activities in Keelung

Our itinerary in Keelung was a blend of cultural exploration, sensory experiences, and just plain fun for the kids. We had two days to explore, so we moved at a flexible pace. Below I’ll share some ideas of what to do in Keelung with autistic children.

Walking Through Miaokou Night Market

Miaokou Night Market is Keelung’s famous evening food market, instantly recognizable by its rows of glowing yellow lanterns lighting up the streets.

That said, sensory considerations for Miaokou Night Market are crucial. It can get very crowded and noisy as the night goes on. If your child is sensitive to noise, bringing noise-cancelling headphones is a good idea. Smells are another factor: the market is a paradise for foodies but can be an olfactory assault for those with sensitive noses. For a smell-sensitive child, consider a mask or even a dab of a familiar scent (like peppermint oil) under their nose. Also, stroller access is limited in the thick of the market crowds, but you can make it work especially if you aren’t shy with shouting “excuse me, please!”

Visiting the Colourful Fishing Village (Zhengbin Harbour)

Just a short drive from central Keelung (about 10 minutes by taxi) is Zhengbin Fishing Harbour, often dubbed the “colourful fishing village.” The buildings are painted in cheerful pastel hues, and boats bob gently in the harbour reflecting those colours.

Sensory notes: Zhengbin Harbour is relatively low on triggering sensory input. It’s outdoors and uncrowded, so noise was limited to ocean sounds and the occasional motor from a fishing boat.

This little fishing port doesn’t have “activities” per se, but it stands out as a sensory-friendly outing – it provides a visual feast without noise or crowds, and it lets the kids recharge. If your child enjoys colours or boats, this is a must-do. And if they need a movement break, there’s enough space to skip along the path or do a little “rainbow house hunt” game and a few pretty photos.

Taking in the View from Keelung Tower

Opened in 2024, Keelung Tower is a brand-new landmark that offers panoramic views of the city and harbour. The building itself is bright orange and shaped a bit like a crane, which immediately interested our children! Riding the elevator up to the observation deck was smooth and fast, I’ve seen others say they have had a lengthy wait to get in the elevator but when we went we were the only ones waiting to go up. At the top, our family was treated to an impressive 360-degree view through huge windows. We could see the bustling port, the ocean, and even the hillside temples and the big white statue in the distance. A member of staff stopped us and offered to take photos of us all together – something we often don’t get the chance to do! There’s a small bookstore and café on one of the upper floors (4th floor).

Sensory and accessibility considerations: Keelung Tower was a mostly autism-friendly experience. Because it’s new, they limit the number of people on the deck at once, so it never felt crowded or overwhelming up there. There is one area which is the furthest point out you can stand to admire the view, people take turns to stand there and everyone was very polite and stood back while other people took their photos. We did not encounter loud noises – the atmosphere was more like a library or museum, fairly quiet with just muffled conversations. If your child is sensitive to heights, know that while the viewing deck is fully enclosed with high glass walls (so no one can fall or anything), looking straight down might be dizzying for some. Travis was initially uneasy being so high, but he was also fascinated by the view. A strategy we used was limiting our time on the top floor with the glass walls so he felt he wasn’t being forced to stay there or face the fear for too long at one time. The tower also has access to Magpie Bridge – an outdoor sky bridge connecting to a nearby hill. It’s also worth noting that Keelung Tower has elevators and ramps, making it fully stroller and wheelchair accessible. We easily wheeled our stroller through all areas.

Overall, Keelung Tower was a hit, offering incredible views and it was a calm, climate-controlled environment – perfect for a break between more chaotic outdoor activities.

Zhongzheng Park – Temple on the Hill

Overlooking the city is Zhongzheng Park, famous for the huge white statue of the Goddess of Mercy (Guanyin) that sits atop its hill. We could see this temple from our hotel room and honestly, it looks so high up and far away that there was no way I thought we would be able to get the kids up there. Visiting this park combined a bit of cultural sightseeing with a mini-adventure. Luke, Travis and I found the temple by accident when trying to find a Totoro painting. At the top, we found ourselves in front of the towering 25-meter-tall statue and a beautiful temple. The temple here – called Zhuputan Temple – is an active place of worship, and we happened to visit when it was open and outside there were market stalls and all kids of games and arcades set up for the kids. I gently guided the kids around, pointing out different features of the temple and statues and encouraged them to ring a big bell on display – they wouldn’t.

The best part for the kids, though, was exploring around the base of the giant statue. Because we had found it by accident – leaving David and Sylvie below while Sylvie napped in the buggy, I didn’t have any cash on me to let the boys try out any of the arcade games. Outside, from the statue’s platform, we had a great panoramic view of Keelung City and the ocean.

Sensory factors: Zhongzheng Park is mostly peaceful and breezy. It’s definitely uphill, so be prepared either for a climb or a cab ride. If your child struggles with transitions from indoors to outdoors, note that this is entirely outdoors (with the exception of going into the temple or statue briefly, or if you choose to go inside to eat). In summer, it can be hot and there’s a lot of stair climbing if you explore different levels of the park – plan water breaks and maybe a cooling towel or hat for heat-sensitive kiddos. The temple area had incense burning, which is a smell to be aware of; it wasn’t overpowering in open air, but if your child is very smell-averse, you might skip going too deep inside the temple itself. The park had many open spaces where the kids could run a bit and blow off steam after behaving well in the temple.

Hilltop Multi-Level Playground

Right next to the temple and statue area in Zhongzheng Park, we discovered an unexpected gem: a multi-level playground built into the hillside. This playground became an instant favourite for our kids and earns our vote as the best sensory break in Keelung. It’s designed on a slope, meaning there are sections of play equipment on different terraced levels connected by ramps and stairs. There were slides that went from one level down to the next, climbing equipment, swings, and even vending machines with drinks. Our children’s eyes lit up when they saw it – after a lot of sightseeing, a playground was exactly what they needed to recharge!

What made this playground stand out was that it had equipment suitable for both younger and older kids, and it was partially shaded by trees. Our toddler enjoyed a safer toddler-sized slide and a small merry-go-round platform, while our older kiddo challenged himself on a rope climbing web that spanned between two levels. The atmosphere was friendly – many kids jumped on and off the merry-go-round with our kids.

Sensory-friendly highlights: This playground was great for sensory input in a controlled way. The climbing and swinging gave vestibular and proprioceptive input that really helped regulate our kids after the more stationary activities like the tower. Because it’s outdoors, loud voices just drift off into the air; it never felt too noisy. I will note that the playground’s multi-level nature means parents need to stay vigilant – it’s easy for a child to run up to the next level and momentarily out of sight. If your child tends to wander or bolt, you might want to physically follow them around or have one adult per child, since there are bushes and corners they could disappear behind for a moment. The surface was mostly soft mat and sand, so even if they fell or jumped, it was a forgiving landing.

Exploring Underground Caves

Watching Cruise Ships at Keelung Harbour

Keelung is one of Taiwan’s busiest ports, and a simple yet delightful activity we did before getting on our cruise ship was to stroll down to the Maritime Plaza by the harbour and watch the ships. Our hotel was nearby, so we walked there with our luggage on the way to the ship. The large cruise ships tower over the pier, and many people gather to admire them and take photos.

Why this worked for us: The harbour area gave a multi-sensory experience that was largely under our control. The visual stimulus of ships and water was engaging but not overwhelming. The sound of water and occasional seagulls was soothing. The promenade is flat and accessible; we could use the stroller or let the kids run a bit ahead in an open plaza section without fear of traffic. We did keep a close eye near the water’s edge, of course, but there are railings. Also, Keelung’s weather is unpredictable; if your child is sensitive to rain or wind, be prepared with a raincoat. During our visit, we saw nothing but beautiful sunny skies.

Our Favourite Sensory-Friendly Experience In Keelung

Tom’s World Arcade (Mall Rooftop)

To top off our Keelung adventures (quite literally), we spent a fun hour at Tom’s World Arcade, which is located on the upper floor of a local mall in Keelung. Think of a classic arcade: flashing lights, the dings and jingles of game machines, and lots of excited kids and teens running around. We decided to go here very deliberately as a treat for our kids after a long day of more structured sightseeing. The arcade is extremely loud, overwhelming in most situations but apparently not a problem while the kids were able to enjoy arcade games!

We loaded a game card with some tokens and let the kids choose what to play. This worked well, despite having to share one card between all of the kids which meant a big of juggling to make sure they all got to try what they wanted without waiting around for too long.

Sensory and strategy: An arcade is by nature a high-sensory environment: expect bright, flickering lights and constant noise (music, game sounds, coins clattering). For some autistic kids, this is heaven; for others, it’s overwhelming. We know our kids love screen time and interactive games, so this was within their comfort zone, but it doesn’t mean they’d always be able to handle this type of environment.

Accessibility: The mall had elevators, and the arcade itself is just like a big open room – easy to navigate on foot but a bit harder with a stroller or wheelchair. There were some routes we couldn’t access inside with a double pushchair.

Getting Around Keelung With Autistic Children

Once you’re in Keelung, you’ll find that getting around with kids – including those on the spectrum – is fairly straightforward, but there are a few considerations to keep in mind. Keelung City’s downtown is compact around the port. We were able to walk to many of the attractions on our list, which was great for flexibility. Walking gave us the flexibility to move at our own pace, pause when needed, and it provided our kids with much-needed movement input. Our kids often need to run, skip, or hop a bit to stay regulated, so walking between destinations actually helped rather than having to sit still in a vehicle.

If your child tends to bolt or has no sense of danger in public spaces, consider bringing a lightweight stroller or safety harness for walks in Keelung. The sidewalks in some areas (especially near the night market and older streets) can be narrow and occasionally have obstacles (scooters parked on sidewalks is a common thing in Taiwan). Fortunately, the city grid is such that you can often go one block over to find a smoother path if needed.

Taxis are plentiful in Keelung, especially around the train station, port, and tourist spots. We never needed to use a taxi, even when we were moving from the hotel to the port with all of our luggage and three kids. As mentioned earlier, if your autistic child needs a car seat, plan ahead – Taiwanese law requires car seats for children under 4 years old in private vehicles, but taxis are generally exempt and do not carry them.

Keelung also has public buses that can take you to surrounding attractions (like buses to Jiufen, or the local city bus to the caves and parks). If you’re staying longer or venturing to the outskirts, the buses are convenient and cheap (just be aware that stops are usually announced in Chinese, so having Google Maps open to track your stop is helpful).

Besides when we travelled from Taipei to Keelung, and then Keelung to Shiufen, we did not use any form of transport and managed our visit to the sites in Keelung by walking.

Is Keelung Autism-Friendly?

You might be wondering, in general, how autism-friendly is Keelung? The answer, based on our experience, is that Keelung doesn’t yet have many formal autism-focused accommodations (you won’t find sensory rooms at museums or specialized autism programs here like you might in some larger international destinations). However, Keelung – and Taiwan in general – offers a mix of environments and a culture that is quite welcoming to children, which can certainly cater to an autism family’s needs with a bit of planning and creativity.

Keelung is a very family-oriented society. You’ll see local families with children out and about at all hours – at the night market, in the parks, by the harbour. Children are generally adored in Taiwanese culture.

We also noticed Keelung has a lot of open-air or outdoor attractions – this is great for flexibility. Simply walking around the city, watching boats, exploring street markets, or visiting parks are activities you can start or stop at any time. We really appreciate destinations where you don’t feel “locked in” to a ticket or a tour. In Keelung, if one spot was too crowded or not engaging enough, we could just move on without feeling like we wasted money.

The biggest challenge of visiting Keelung with autistic children, in my opinion, is the sensory intensity of certain areas combined with weather. Keelung can be very crowded in specific spots (like the night market at peak hour). Keelung is nicknamed the “Rainy Harbour” for a reason – it gets a lot of rain. A sudden rain shower or the general humidity can amplify sensory discomfort. A hot, sticky or wet child is going to have less tolerance for everything.

In general, Keelung did not advertise itself as an “autism-friendly” destination, but it turned out to be quite manageable and enjoyable for our family. We didn’t experience any negativity or obstacles specific to autism. The combination of friendly attitudes, flexible sightseeing opportunities, and the availability of calming natural spots (beaches, parks, the waterfront) means that with some preparations, Keelung can be a lovely autism-friendly destination even without formal accommodations.

Things That Make Keelung Stand Out

• Many of Keelung’s main attractions (especially around the harbour and downtown) are fairly close to each other. For us, a family traveling with autistic children, this meant minimal transitions and travel time – which is a big plus when you want to avoid meltdowns.
• We found that almost everyone we interacted with in Keelung – from hotel staff and restaurant waiters to taxi drivers and shop owners – was kind and patient.
• Traveling with kids who have restricted diets or strong food preferences can be challenging, but Keelung had us covered more than we expected. In addition to the local food (which is delicious but maybe unfamiliar to kids), we found familiar options: there’s a McDonald’s and other options like Dominos and fast food restaurants. The really great part for us was being able to order food via Foodpanda and have it delivered to the hotel so our kids could eat in a familiar and quiet environment.

Tips for a Smooth Experience

1. Plan Ahead: Research each location and contact them to discuss any special accommodations your child might need. If you can plan to arrive after check-in time you should, or try to arrange an early check-in.
2. Sensory Tools: Bring along sensory tools and comfort items that help manage sensory needs, such as noise-cancelling headphones, sensory toys, and a sensory toolkit.
3. Clear Communication: Ensure that everyone involved in the trip understands the needs and preferences of the neurodiverse individual. Clear communication can prevent misunderstandings and enhance the travel experience. Consider using PECS or an AAC. We have a free pack of travel PECS available for download. Consider using our Taiwan PECS cards for your trip.
4. Safety: Consider getting an autism card for your child, or even better – use our emergency passport for medical information and important contacts. Our absolute must have safety item for travelling with an autistic child is a TinyTags wristband or tag that can be tapped or scanned by a mobile phone – giving the person who tapped it all of the information they need to get your child back to you. TinyTags also feature a location alert to help you find your child.

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