Chungcheng Park

Chungcheng Park is located northeast of Keelung, overlooking the city and its harbor. It was called Kang Park in the past.

The park has three levels. On the first level is a historic canon fort. On the second level is a Buddhist library and two temples, Chung Lieh Temple and Chu Pu Tan Temple. These two temples attract many worshippers during the Ghost Festival, on July 15th of the lunar calendar.

On the third level of the park is Kuan Hai Pavilion (Sea Viewing Pavilion). From here, visitors can see the entire Keelung city and the ocean.

In Chungcheng Park, there is a white statue of Guanyin, Goddess of Mercy. This 25-meter statue has become one of the landmarks of Keelung. It is also the biggest Guanyin statue in Southeast Asia. Inside the statue is a stairway leading to the top.

Numerous domestic and international visitors gather at Chungcheng Park during the Ghost Festival. The first immigrants to Taiwan used to fight against each other for land. In order to stop the disputes, they built a temple for yearly worship. The temple was in Kao Sha Park during Japan's colonial occupation of Taiwan (1895-1945), and later moved to Chungcheng Park. The Ghost Festival rituals held in Chungcheng Park every year are the most famous religious event in Keelung.

Here is an interesting article to read:

• 2005 Keelung City Ghost Festival (August 2005)