Taipei's Ocean Gene: The Forgotten Fishing Memory
Walking through Dihua Street in Dihua District, many people only see the dried goods and Lunar New Year fair stalls, not knowing this was once Taipei's most important seafood distribution center. During the Qing Dynasty, the Tamshui River shipping was well-developed, and seafood from Keelung and Tamshui was transshipped here to all of Taiwan. While organizing old street historical materials, I discovered that in the 1920s, there were over 30 fish shops on Dihua Street, specializing in "sea chicken" (whale and dolphin meat products) transported from the northeast coast.
Although Taipei is not by the sea, it is the most important starting point for whale-watching culture in all of Taiwan. This is not only because of convenient transportation, but also because this city carries the deepest cultural memory of Taiwanese people toward the ocean.
Ocean Culture Experience Starting from the City
Cultural Preparation Station: Dihua Ocean Culture Museum
Located on Section 1 of Dihua Street, the Ocean Culture Museum was formerly the fish market management office during the Japanese colonial period. The museum preserves a whale skeleton specimen from the 1930s — a sperm whale discovered offshore of Keelung at that time. There is no admission fee, but rich pre-whale-watching knowledge is provided. The old director, Mr. Chen, personally conducts tours, telling stories of Taipei's century-long relationship with the ocean.
Whale-Watching Culture Bookstore: Haijie Old Books Shop
An unassuming old bookstore on the second floor of Yongle Market specializes in collecting Taiwanese ocean literature. The owner, Aunt Mei, has preserved all whale-watching records since the 1970s, including precious fisherman hand-drawn sea charts. Every Saturday at 3 PM, there's "Whale Story Time," suitable for bringing children to listen to legends of whales and dolphins in Taiwanese waters.
Modern Whale-Watching Starting Point: Taipei Station Whale-Watching Shuttle
The "Ocean Shuttle" departs from East Gate 3 of Taipei Station every morning at 6 AM, directly to Keelung Bisha Fishery Port and Hualien Port. The bus is equipped with professional narrators, and the 2-hour journey from Taipei to the sea is the best whale-watching education. The shuttle costs NT$350, cheaper and more time-saving than taking the high-speed rail then a bus.
Fishery Transformation Witness: Nanmen Market Seafood Story
The historic "A Zhang Fish Stall" in Nanmen Market, Zhongzheng District, has been in the seafood wholesale business for three generations. The third-generation owner, A Zhang, transitioned from wholesale to whale-watching guiding, sharing the industry transformation story "From Whaling to Whale-Watching" at the stall on the first Sunday of each month. On-site reservations for Keelung whale-watching tours are available, 20% cheaper than regular travel agencies.
Hipster Whale-Watching Route: Huashan Creative Ocean Exhibition
Huashan 1914 Creative Park regularly hosts ocean photography exhibitions showcasing works from whale-watching photographers across Taiwan. The exhibition hall features VR whale-watching experiences, allowing people unable to go to sea to feel the thrill of swimming with whales and dolphins. The exhibition period usually aligns with the summer whale-watching season, with tickets at NT$180.
Practical Information
Transportation:
- Whale-watching shuttle: Taipei Station East Gate 3, daily 06:00 departure, NT$350
- Self-transport: Taipei → Keelung (train 40 min, NT$31) → Bisha Fishery Port (taxi 10 min, NT$150)
- Eastern route: Taipei → Hualien (Taroko Express 2 hr, NT$440)
Cost range:
- Museum guided tour: Free
- Bookstore lecture: NT$100 (incl. refreshments)
- Whale-watching tour: NT$800-1500 (transport not included)
- Creative exhibition: NT$180
Best timing:
April-October is peak whale-watching season, with July-August having the best sea conditions. weekday trips are recommended to avoid crowds for higher success rates.
Cultural Significance of Taipei's Whale-Watching
Taipei's whale-watching culture is not on the sea, but in the historical memories of the streets and alleyways. From the seafood shops on Dihua Street to the photography exhibition at Huashan, this city interprets the relationship between humans and the ocean in its own way.
For me, a street culture enthusiast, the most precious thing about Taipei's whale-watching is not that moment of seeing the whale, but understanding how this inland city stores and passes down ocean culture. When you smell the salty sea breeze in Dihua District, it's not just air from the Tamshui River estuary, but the cultural foundation of Taipei's longing for the ocean over a century.
True whale-watching starts with understanding. Taipei gives you the most important cultural preparation before going to sea.
