Zhengbin Fishing Harbor Colorful Houses is a row of brightly painted fishing-village residences along Zhengbin Fishing Harbor in Keelung, repainted in 2018 under the city government's Urban Color Plan using 55 colors selected from 269 color swatches. The harbor itself was built by the Japanese in 1934 and was once Taiwan's largest port during the colonial era, layering modern fishing history with recent community revitalization.
Zhengbin Fishing Harbor was built by the Japanese in 1934 and was once Taiwan's largest port during the colonial era. The colorful houses along its shore resulted from a city government initiative that began with color workshops in 2016 and a 2017 pilot color scheme, completed in June 2018, using 55 colors selected from 269 color swatches.
What to See at Zhengbin Fishing Harbor Colorful Houses
Zhengbin Fishing Harbor was already an important fishing base for Keelung during the Japanese colonial period, and parts of its early harbor infrastructure are still discernible today. In a recent community revitalization initiative, the exterior walls of harbor-front residences were repainted in various colors, creating what is now known as the "Colorful Houses." The Colorful Houses face the harbor's water surface, and the visual effect is most complete when the reflections are clear.
Beyond the Colorful Houses themselves, Zhengbin Fishing Harbor's Japanese colonial remnants add another historical layer to the site. Some of the harbor-edge buildings retain architectural forms from early fishing industry facilities, which can be observed alongside the painted makeover. The harbor is still an active fishing port rather than a purely touristic destination, so you can still sense the daily rhythm of a harbor community.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Visit
Practical Information
Getting There & Hours
- Take a bus heading toward Heping Island and get off at the stop near Zhengbin Fishing Harbor.
- The outdoor area can be visited at any time, though morning light and water reflections are at their best in the early hours.
Nearby Connections
- Heping Island Geopark is within walking distance — suitable for a combined half-day itinerary.
- Shiliao East Battery is on Heping Island and can be extended to for an additional historic site visit.
Source: compiled from publicly available documents and on-site information. Photos to be replaced with Dio's own shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
When were the Colorful Houses painted?
They were painted under the city's Urban Color Plan, starting in July 2017 and completed in June 2018.
How old is Zhengbin Fishing Harbor itself?
The harbor was built by the Japanese in 1934 and was once Taiwan's largest port during the colonial era.
Sources
- 觀光景點－正濱漁港彩色屋 - 基隆市中正區公所 — 官方景點介紹
- 懷舊碼頭色彩屋亮麗變身 九十歲老漁港成最萌網紅｜天下雜誌 — 色彩計畫沿革與時程