Taiping Mountain City (Zengzi Liao) Introduction
Taiping Mountain City, located on the western coast of Keelung, has a historical trajectory intertwined with the development of Keelung Port, originating from an early fishing village at the foot of the mountain, also known as "Zengziliao," where "Zengzi" means "fishing net." In the 1950s, a large influx of laborers settled in, leading to the construction of small, dense buildings following the terrain. Although the paths in the mountain city may seem winding and complex, one can easily reach the summit of Huzaishan and the famous landmark in Keelung by following the elevation. Accompanied by the west coast port area policy, the Keelung City Government was the first to introduce the aesthetics of life in the mountains and sea and activate the settlement, gradually improving the living space through artistic co-creation, reducing messy areas, and preserving the original way of life. The process also gradually built a platform between the residents and the city-port, injecting new vitality into the community. Currently, there are nine renovated spaces within the mountain city that serve as resting or static display areas, which can also transform into temporary activity venues during markets, such as the "Mountain-Sea Theatre," previously surrounded by iron sheets, becoming a community activity area; and the "Time Memory Pavilion" and "Garden View Sky," which were formerly collapsed buildings, co-constructed with residents to transform them into publicly accessible spaces. Taiping Elementary School, located above the settlement, has advantages in its location, offering a view of the entire city-port, forming a node for understanding the rich spatial structure and historical text of Keelung city, and as one of the few open spaces in the mountain city, it attempts to become the most prominent highlight on the west coast through its unique geographical conditions and spatial dimensions, opening up the vision for Keelung city and embodying the everyday landscape of mountains, seas, cities, and hills. With the operation of the "Taiping Bluebird" bookstore, it showcases the spirit of a place for natural symbiosis and understanding knowledge, initiating an experience of the city of Keelung and even the world through reading. The Taiping Mountain City settlement is a community residential type, where winding alleys rise with the terrain, forming a distinctive settlement landscape. In recent years, various revitalization actions have been introduced, bringing in artists and local workers, allowing visitors to see the unique topography reminiscent of Jiufen along the hillside. Additionally, it is situated close to the port area center, within walking distance to popular attractions such as Yang Ming Marine Transport, Hsiao San Shopping District, and Ocean Plaza.
Taipei Mountain City (Zengzi Liao) Area Close-up
Taiping Mountain City (Tsengzi Liao) Steps
