基隆塔這個地方，假如不是基隆人的話，可能完全沒聽過，其實，這是正常的，因為基隆塔是基隆市的新地標，它在 2023 年底，才正式營運，基隆塔的原址為基隆市警察局第二分局舊廳舍，也是日治時期的久寶寺，在 2019 年拆除後，政府在討論基地再利用的方案中，尋求最大的可利用性，最後，就成為現在看到的基隆塔。
基隆塔雖然號稱為塔，但是它的外型並不是ㄧ般人所認知的寶塔外型，它是一座在海港處常見到的橋式起重機外型，在港埠，橋式起重機的作用是用來上下貨輪上的貨櫃，而基隆塔是用來運送人上下塔，藉由景觀電梯將人送到離地面 19 層樓的高處，從而眺望基隆港市景的觀景台，前基隆市長林右昌曾提及「為想擺脫雨都基隆給人總是下雨而陰陰暗暗的印象，因此基隆塔色調以橘色呈現」，想帶給遊客活潑洋溢的感覺。
其實，基隆塔的入口處並不明顯，它並沒有一個明顯寬闊的入口，相反地，它隱藏在基隆巷弄裏面，假如沒有注意到指標的話，很容易錯過，我就是錯過了入口，來回找了幾趟，才看到入口，跟我認知的觀光景點，有些差異，和朋友直接坐景觀電梯到塔頂，一出電梯，就可以看到號稱基隆最美的天空步道，和塔下完全不一樣，塔頂視野開闊，可以一覽基隆港、城、丘的美景，讓遊客不僅能飽覽基隆城之美，還能眺望基隆海港，及基隆周邊郊山，因為基隆是重要海港，重要的進出口，所以基隆的郊山上有著許多的軍事據點，現今也成了許多人前往的觀光景點，像是獅球嶺砲台。
天氣很好的時候，遊客也不少，我去的時候，還看到一行五人，金髮碧眼的外國觀光客，我還真好奇，他們怎麼會知道這麼新的景點，就連北部人，都不一定知道這個景點，很奇怪，在這裡到處都可以看到，插畫家 Duncan 知名的戴粗框眼鏡，留西瓜皮髮型的公仔，說實話，整體基隆塔的空間並不大，塔內有些藝文空間，但沒多少人在那邊逗留，起重機的外型是真的蠻特別的，但是白天可以逛的地方不多，假如沒下雨的話，夜晚時，來這邊看基隆的夜景應該有另一番感受。
If you're not from Keelung, chances are you haven't heard of Keelung Tower. That's pretty normal because it only started operating at the end of 2023. Keelung Tower stands on the former site of the Keelung City Police Department's Second Branch, which used to be Jiubao Temple during the Japanese colonial period. It was torn down in 2019, and after discussions on how to reuse the site, it eventually became what we now know as Keelung Tower.
Despite its name, Keelung Tower doesn't look like your typical tower. It actually resembles the gantry cranes you see at harbors. While those cranes are used to load and unload cargo containers from ships, Keelung Tower is all about ferrying people up and down. It has scenic elevators that take you up to a height equivalent to 19 floors above ground level, offering a panoramic view of Keelung Harbor and the city skyline. Former Keelung Mayor Lin Yu-chang once said they wanted to shake off Keelung's rainy reputation by painting the tower in vibrant orange tones, aiming to give visitors a lively feeling.
Finding the entrance to Keelung Tower isn't straightforward. It's tucked away in an alley, not some grand entrance. I actually missed it a couple of times myself before finally spotting it. But once you're inside, it's a whole different experience. You can take the scenic elevator straight to the top and step out onto what's dubbed as Keelung's most beautiful skywalk. The view from up there is breathtaking, with sweeping vistas of Keelung Harbor, the city, and the surrounding hills. Keelung's hills are dotted with military fortifications due to its importance as a seaport, which have now become popular tourist spots, like the Shiqiuling Fortification.
On a sunny day, there are quite a few visitors. When I went, I even saw a group of five foreign tourists with blonde hair and blue eyes. I was really curious how they found out about this new attraction. Even locals from the northern region might not know about it. It's quite surprising. Throughout the tower, you'll see illustrations by the famous artist Duncan, known for his thick-framed glasses and watermelon rind hairstyle. Honestly, the space inside Keelung Tower isn't huge. There are some art spaces, but not many people linger there. The crane-like appearance is indeed quite unique, but there's not much to explore during the daytime. However, I bet the experience would be different if you visit at night to enjoy Keelung's city lights, provided it's not raining.
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