Keelung, Taiwan

Keelung is a port city, the second largest in Taiwan, and has the rough-around-the-edges, devil-may-care vibe so common in places where mingling with sailors is common. Though a modern city today, in the markets and alleys you'll still catch a whiff of the city's long and storied history, which involves foreign invaders, pirates and intrigue by the barrel full.Keelung is a quick trip from Taipei by either bus or train and offers a lot to the casual traveller who knows where to look. Thanks to its strategic importance over the centuries, the area has a number of old forts. Befitting a coastal town, you'll also find ocean parks, scenic lookouts and, perhaps most germane to the gourmand, copious amounts of excellent seafood.