A relaxing trip from the northernmost point of Taiwan to the southernmost point of Japan.

The tour begins with a flight to Taoyuan Airport, Taipei. Visitors have nearly two days to explore the nature, history, and culture of Keelung. This is followed by a luxury cruise experience, and then another two days enjoying the beautiful subtropical islands.

Keelung: Calm but not sad.

Located about 30 km from the capital, Keelung is Taiwan's second-largest port city, yet it's not as bustling or attention-grabbing as Taipei, Kaohsiung, or Taichung. Nevertheless, it still holds many interesting destinations, both in terms of history and nature, as well as its people.

Order a bubble tea, grab an umbrella in case it rains, and head out!

Những công trình kiến trúc đồ sộ toát lên nét văn hóa, truyền thống của Đài Loan — These magnificent architectural structures reflect the culture and traditions of Taiwan.

Dãy nhà cầu vồng cảng Triều Kinh (Zhengbin), Cơ Long — Rainbow houses in Zhengbin Port, Keelung

Keelung is nestled against mountains on three sides and faces the sea on one. Just climbing Keelung Tower will give you a panoramic view of the city from a height of 60 meters: the Lih-Rong An building, the Keelung sign reminiscent of Hollywood in Los Angeles (USA), and peaceful intersections and streets (somewhat quieter compared to a busy Monday in many other places).

From the tower, visitors can walk to Chupu Temple or Zhupu Shrine on Zhongzheng Mountain. On ordinary days, the shrine serves as a museum of local spiritual life, a blend of Buddhism, Taoism, and regional beliefs. It is the most important religious site in the area and the focal point during the Ghost Festival (the 15th day of the 7th lunar month). During this time, people from all over the city flock here to worship their ancestors and forefathers – a custom dating back to the Japanese colonial era in Taiwan.

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Một chùa thờ Phật trên núi Trung Chính, Cơ Long — A Buddhist temple on Mount Zhongzheng, Keelung

Near Keelung Tower, there's also Dianji Temple and Miaokou Night Market. You can visit Dianji Temple in the morning/afternoon and return to Miaokou in the evening. Keelung is most vibrant at these night markets. This is your chance to enjoy famous local dishes such as guanfu beef soup, ding bian cuo (rice noodle soup), Shenji pao-pao ice cream, or Hong Kong-style soft fried noodles, Japanese tempura, Korean squid soup, and more.

Hậu trường một hội đình/ hội chùa tại chợ Đại Đạo Trình, Đài Bắc — Behind the scenes of a temple/shrine festival at the Da Dao Cheng Market, Taipei.

Thế giới tôn giáo rực rỡ tại Đài Loan — The vibrant religious world in Taiwan

The presence of temples helps explain the formation of night markets in Taiwan. For example, in Miaokou, in the past, due to the large number of pilgrims visiting Dianji Temple on special holidays, street food vendors often gathered there to sell their wares. Gradually, these stalls were organized into rows with order and structure, thus forming the night market as we know it today.

Keelung's strengths lie in its natural and geological beauty. Visitors can visit Heping Geo Park or the "island within an island" to watch the sunset/sunrise. This is considered one of the most beautiful sunset viewing spots in Asia. The park boasts many stunning geological landscapes and an observation deck overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean. It's fascinating to open Google Maps and see yourself as just a tiny dot against the enormous ocean!

Đường phố Cơ Long từ trên cao — Keelung streets from above

Turn off your phone signal and have dinner in international waters.

After leaving Keelung, on the third day of the trip, travelers proceed with boarding the Norwegian Spirit cruise ship to Okinawa. The procedure is not complicated; you will be provided with a file containing all the necessary documents and instructions to submit along with your visa at Keelung port.

The check-in process at the counter takes less than 5 minutes if no problems arise. Afterwards, you will be issued your room key. Throughout the cruise, the key serves as both your room key and a debit card for payments on board. Additionally, depending on the service, you can also pay directly with an international credit card and/or cash.

There are various standard room types to choose from, such as windowless rooms, rooms with windows, and rooms with balconies; standard penthouse rooms, deluxe rooms, and suites are also available.

The cruise ship has 13 decks, with the top 7 decks dedicated to passenger experiences and the bottom 6 for operations and logistics. It also boasts 13 upscale restaurants, ranging from buffets to à la carte options, from Asian to European cuisine, 7 of which are free. With a capacity of approximately 2,000 people, the onboard amenities are diverse and cater to almost every passenger's needs, including a theater, spa, gym, swimming pool, casino, and shops selling high-end clothing, cosmetics, luggage, and handbags.

After about 3 hours at sea, the ship approached international waters and passengers began to lose 4G signal from Taiwan. The author of this article decided to turn off their phone, explore, and order some recommended dishes. The onboard staff were friendly and pleasant, always ready to assist.

If you need internet access, you can purchase a satellite internet package, but it's quite expensive. Unless absolutely necessary, use that peaceful time to stroll around the boat or head to the lobby to listen to music and enjoy some group activities.

Choosing to travel by cruise ship will save you time and enhance your experience, compared to having to fly with connecting flights and apply for two separate visas for Taiwan and Japan. About an hour before departure, groups will gather to complete immigration procedures in Okinawa, which are simple and quick thanks to close coordination between the Taiwan Tourism Bureau and the Japan Tourism Agency. After this step, you can stay in Japan for 7 days before returning to the cruise ship without needing a visa.

Okinawa: A subtropical paradise

The people of Okinawa are friendly and have a slower pace of life compared to cities on the larger islands like Tokyo, Osaka, and Hokkaido, so it will suit the relaxed, chill vibe you bring with you from Keelung.

Okinawa was formerly the Ryukyu Kingdom, inhabited by indigenous people, situated between mainland China, Taiwan, and Japan. Therefore, traditional Okinawan clothing is unlike the kimonos or yukata worn on the main island of Japan today; it is much more vibrant and colorful, especially the headwear.

Set ăn Ryukyu truyền thống — Traditional Ryukyu meal set

Experience a traditional Ryukyu set meal featuring pickled vegetables, soba noodles in bone broth, rafute (braised pork belly) simmered in awamori rice wine (a savory, spicy, and sweet flavor), bitter melon, and more. Having been occupied by the United States during World War II, Okinawan cuisine is heavily influenced by American culture. This is why canned spam and other fusion dishes like taco rice are frequently found on the region's menus.

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Okinawa's local produce includes molasses, a product of the sugarcane plant's adaptability to the weather conditions of the southwestern coastal region, especially during typhoons or droughts. Besides molasses, there are also sweet and sour kumquats, a hybrid between grapefruit and orange. Okinawans are known for their longevity, and these kumquats are often touted as one of the "keys to a hundred years." You might consider purchasing these from convenience stores, grocery stores, or supermarkets along your trip.

If you have time, visit the Churaumi Aquarium to immerse yourself in the tranquility of the sea. The space isn't particularly large, but it's spacious enough to make you feel small amidst the bigger and more important things.

Đồng hồ mặt trời tại lâu đài Shurijo, Nhật Bản — Sundial at Shurijo Castle, Japan

Okinawa is also famous for its Karate martial art and Eisa dance. Visitors wishing to learn more about Karate can choose a day tour to visit the Okinawa Museum and Okino-gu. Additionally, if you have the opportunity to enjoy traditional art, don't miss the Eisa dance with its traditional songs and the chanting of "Hiyasasa" (Go forth!).

If you're looking for souvenirs, consider buying a pair of shisha lions – Okinawa's lucky charms. Buy them in pairs, as lions with open mouths ward off evil spirits, while lions with closed mouths retain good spirits!