Walking through colorful fishing harbors, landing on a centuries-old island, listening to stories of maritime faith, savoring the Ama’s feast, climbing ancient fortresses, and visiting indigenous communities—stepping onto Heping Island reveals that it is not only a scenic coastal destination but also a harbor island rich with layers of history, culture, and diverse community memories.

This journey begins at the vibrant houses of Zhengbin Fishing Harbor. Built along the sea, this colorful harbor district has been hailed as “Taiwan’s Venice.” Fishing boats drift slowly across the harbor, the salty sea breeze sweeps through the streets, and the aroma of coffee wafts from small cafés, together creating the unique and charming atmosphere of Keelung Harbor life.

From here, young participants embark on an exploration together. Crossing Taiwan’s first cross-sea bridge—Heping Bridge—they officially arrive at Heping Island, a small island with a history spanning four centuries. Once an important base for Spanish navigation, missionary work, and trade, the island had already become a hub of international maritime exchange 400 years ago. Cultures from different eras intersect here, leaving deep and multilayered historical traces across the island.

Exploring the alleys and temples of the island reveals stories of maritime faith that have been passed down through generations. The Shaliao Tianhou Temple quietly guards this coastline, witnessing the centuries-long coexistence between fishermen and the sea. Mazu worship is not only a symbol of maritime safety but also embodies the emotional and cultural memories of the island’s residents. Through guided local tours, visitors gradually gain insight into the religious culture and social context behind the harbor community.

The journey also offers a cultural experience of the distinctive “Ama Feast.” Local seafood ingredients, such as seaweed flower, hair algae, red algae, squid, and jiku-la, are presented to showcase regional flavors. Each dish embodies the wisdom of generations living alongside the sea, allowing participants to experience through taste how the ocean shapes local ways of life.

Next, following a rustic trail upward, the group ascends an ancient fort that once protected the harbor. From the high vantage point, the expansive coastline unfolds, and one can reflect on the traces of Keelung’s past in mining, shipbuilding, and maritime development. These relics serve not only as symbols of military defense but also as important testimonies to Keelung’s growth as a harbor city.

At another point in the journey, participants enter the cultural spaces and gathering halls of the Amis people to experience urban indigenous life up close. Through totems, cultural exhibitions, and interactive sharing, the Amis community’s cultural memories and life stories in this harbor city become visible, prompting reflection on transitional justice and the coexistence of diverse groups, and demonstrating how multiple communities live and develop together along the same coastline.

 

As the journey unfolds, it becomes clear that exploring Heping Island is not merely a trip, but a deep immersion into harbor history and island culture. Amid the sea breeze and rolling waves, visitors encounter landscapes woven from culture and diversity, gaining a renewed understanding of the relationship between place, ocean, and people.

Heping Island is one of the earliest developed offshore islands in Taiwan. Since the Spanish landed here in 1626, the northern region of Taiwan has maintained the earliest written records and a continuous history of international exchange. The island presents a rich and layered identity, encompassing fishing communities, religious traditions, and military history. Its heritage includes the 300-year-old Tianhou Temple dedicated to Mazu, the intangible cultural heritage of the Sanfu Wanggong maritime processions at Sheling Temple, the ruins of the All Saints’ Church left by the Spanish, churches of the indigenous communities, and the fishing techniques brought by early Ryukyuan settlers, such as harpooning billfish and shallow-water fishing. Beyond cultural and historical treasures, Heping Island also boasts world-class coastal geology and pristine natural landscapes.

For more than a decade, the Keelung City Aixiang Cultural Association has been deeply engaged with the Heping Island community, dedicating efforts to local cultural documentation and community development. Starting from the theme of “life between people and the sea,” the association has gradually built a rich repository of local knowledge through oral histories with elders, investigations of ancient wells, research on temple beliefs, documentation of maritime food culture, and environmental restoration initiatives. These accumulated resources not only preserve the community’s historical memory but also serve as valuable educational materials for young learners.

The association frames its work around the concept of “an island where humans and deities coexist.” Through guided tours and hands-on experiences, participants explore three dimensions—religious beliefs, maritime culture, and landscape transformation—to understand the resilience and spirit of coexistence of the island’s residents across different times and social contexts.

✦ Highlights ✦

1. A tapestry of multicultural island stories
From the rituals at Tianhou Temple to the Sanfu Wanggong maritime processions, and from the colorful houses of Zhengbin Fishing Harbor to the remnants of the shipbuilding yard, guided experiences allow youth to witness the intertwined history of religion, industry, and maritime life, offering insights into the evolving lifestyle of a harbor community.

2. Field-based learning of community knowledge
Drawing on decades of accumulated oral histories, studies of ancient wells, and temple culture research, participants engage in immersive field visits to gain a deep understanding of Heping Island’s cultural context in religious practice, traditional skills, and fishing village ecology.

3. Local ingredients as educational tools
Using food as a medium for learning, participants prepare dishes such as seaweed dumplings, squid rice noodles, and agar jelly, blending culinary education with environmental awareness. Through this multisensory experience, participants learn how local ingredients and culture are intertwined with the island’s historical development.

4. The aesthetics of coexistence between faith and daily life
Life on Heping Island is inseparable from faith. From Han temple architecture and boat rituals to alleyway festivals and the harvest celebrations of the local Amis community, religious practice is integrated into daily life. Activities are scheduled to coincide with temple festivals and indigenous celebrations, guiding youth to observe the philosophy of “coexisting with deities” and to appreciate the inclusiveness and continuity of local culture.