The Keelung Tower rises from the harbour waterfront area and is hard to miss — its bright orange crane-inspired structure stands out against the grey port infrastructure behind it. From the observation deck you get a sweeping view of the working harbour, the surrounding hills, and on clear days the mountains of the northeast coast. The structure doubles as a public landmark and is lit up at night in a way that makes the waterfront considerably more interesting after dark.
The tower is a short walk from Keelung Train Station along the harbour boulevard. It is free or very low cost to enter the observation level, and the visit does not take long — plan about 30 minutes. The area around the tower has been developed into a small waterfront plaza with cafes and seating, making it a reasonable place to take stock of the harbour view before or after exploring the night market.