Dawulun Beach (大武崙白沙灘), also called Waimushan Beach, is a beautiful little beach located just outside Keelung City in New Taipei, right next to the Dawulun Fishing Harbor.
It’s not the easiest place to reach, but if you’re looking for a dreamy beach completely off the main tourist track, Dawulun definitely deserves a spot on your list of things to do in Keelung.
What really makes Keelung’s Golden Beach so special is its picture-perfect setting. With clear warm water and soft golden sand, it’s easy to see why Dawulun is such a popular hangout spot among locals. Moreover, the bay offers spectacular views over the coast and Keelung Island in the distance, while lush mountains create the most incredible backdrop imaginable.
Although Dawulun Beach is relatively small compared to other beaches near Taipei like Fulong, it’s undoubtedly one of the most beautiful beaches in Taiwan!
Here’s what you need to know about planning the perfect beach day at Dawulun Beach.
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Before Visiting Dawulun Beach
Before heading out to Dawulun Beach, here are a few tips to help you plan a seamless trip.
- Check the weather forecast because it rains a lot in Keelung!
- Bring cash as there are no ATMs in the area.
- Bring snacks and drinks if you don’t want to eat at one of the eateries. There are no 7-Elevens here.
- Put your swimsuit on at the Keelung Station because the public bathroom is tiny.
- Make sure you bring a high SPF sunscreen to protect you from the sun’s rays, especially if you visit during summer in Taiwan. I love this Sun Bum SPF 30 sunscreen spray – it’s vegan and reef-friendly.
- Don’t forget your camera!
How to get to Dawulun Beach
Dawulun Beach is not the easiest place to reach and requires some planning if you rely on public transport. Here are the deets.
Getting from Taipei to Keelung Station
Both trains and buses regularly leave Taipei Main Station and take less than 1hr to reach Keelung. It’s best to get a nice early start as there’s actually quite a lot to do in the surrounding area (but more on that later).
The first train leaves Taipei Main Station at 5:45 am for Keelung, and the last train back to Taipei is at 11:03 pm. Tickets generally cost TWD 41-64 depending on which train you take. I highly recommend downloading the Taiwan Railway app. It’s one of my favorite travel apps in Taiwan; it’s super easy to use and provides real-time info on schedules, delays, and more.
Alternatively, you can also take Kuo-Kuang Bus 1813 from Taipei Station. The ticket costs TWD 59 and the ride takes about 50 minutes. See the bus route and schedules here.
Getting from Keelung Station to Dawulun Beach
The easiest way to get to Dawulun Beach is to hop in a taxi or an Uber. The ride costs about TWD 250 per way. If that’s not for you, you can still get to Dawulun Beach by bus, but you’ll need to plan.
Unfortunately, the Coastal Keelung Shuttle Bus (T99) no longer runs to Waimushan, so getting there by bus now is a bit of a mission.
If you must take the bus, you can catch bus #862 bound for Tamshui MRT or one of the Keelung buses (like 505, 508, 790) at Chenghuang Temple and alight at Wusheng St. Entrance. From there, it’s roughly a 2km walk to Dawulan Beach. The ride costs TWD 15, and buses are frequent. Make sure to bring your Easy Card (Taiwan’s tap-and-go transport card), as the bus driver won’t give you any change.
I also suggest checking real-time schedules on Google Maps, as there may be a better route on the day you travel. Oh, and tip: track your whereabouts on Google Maps, as the bus drivers don’t always stop at every stop.
What to do at Dawulun Beach
Relax at the Beach
Dawulun’s main draw is its pristine beach, and one could easily spend hours swimming and baking in the sun here.
If you can, bring a beach umbrella because there’s not much shade on the beach and it gets really hot here in summer! Alternatively, you can also rent a pop-up beach tent along the main road. The store, opposite the harbor (picture on the left) has ample stock and some really cool-looking inflatable tubes and paddle boards for rent.
There are public toilets (the small blue building) right in front of the beach where you can wash your feet. The bathroom is tiny, though, so if you visit on the weekend, you might have to wait a while. Alternatively, this place (photo on the right) has outdoor showers and an area where you can wash your feet for a small fee.
Hike to Lover’s Lake Park
If you get sick of playing in the water or lounging on the beach, you can tackle the trail to Lover’s Lake Park (情人湖公園). There are two trailheads near Dawulun Beach; one right in front of the bus stop (Google Maps) and one just a little further east, the Haixing Trail (900m).
Both offer stunning views over the bay and will take you to Lover’s Lake Park, where you can walk around a pretty mountaintop lake or visit Lover’s Tower, Eagle Rock, and Dawulun Fort.
Just a heads up, the trail starting by the bus stop is quite intense. It’s only about 800m to the top, but it’s very steep, and the footpath is quite slippery. If you want to tackle this trail, ensure you do it early and bring ample snacks and water. I didn’t get to the top because it was extremely hot, and there were just too many hornets for my liking! But if you’re brave enough, definitely give it a go! Just keep an eye out for hornets and snakes!
Insider’s tip: If you really want to do this hike, a much easier route is to go directly to Lover’s Lake Park from Keelung Station (take bus 509), spend an hour or two exploring the park, and then hike down to Dawulun Beach from there.
Wander along the Waimushan Shore Walk
Another cool thing to do (if it’s not too hot) is to walk along the Waimushan Shore Walk (外木山情人湖濱海大道) toward the Waimushan Scenic Area (外木山濱海風景區) or even further to the Waimushan Fishing Harbor.
The walk takes about 30 minutes, and the views over the ocean and Waimu Mountain are really special. Along the way, you’ll find several benches where you can take a breather and a handful of cafes and restaurants. Pop into Santorini Sea View Restaurant if you’re looking for a nice place with outdoor seating.
The easiest way to get back to Keelung from here is by taxi or Uber. And if you’re still hungry, don’t skip the Miaokou Night Market before you head back to Taipei – it’s one of the most famous night markets in Taiwan!
Where to Eat in Dawulun
As already mentioned, there are no convenience stores at Dawulun Beach and only a handful of eateries.
The tiny mom-and-pop grocery store (pictured below) sells water, cold drinks, a small selection of Taiwanese snacks, and basic swimming gear if you forgot to bring yours.
Alternatively, Chu Chu Cafe near the bus stop is a cute laidback cafe with a lovely view over Dawulan Bay. It’s a nice place to grab something to eat or an ice-cold beer on a hot summer’s day. There’s ample seating both inside and outside too. The food menu is pretty basic with things like bagels, waffles, risotto, and pasta, but they’ve got a good selection of drinks (coffee, tea, smoothies, beer, cocktails – you name it). The menu is in English and Chinese, and you’ll find the staff friendly and attentive.
If you’re craving more traditional Taiwanese cuisine or some fresh seafood, there are a few other restaurants near the little grocery store.
樂海海鮮碳烤Club has an English menu, and the seafood looks amazing, but they weren’t open when I went. If you go to any of the others, downloading Google Translate (set to Traditional Chinese) on your phone might be a good idea, as their menus will probably only be in Chinese.
Klook.comWhere to Stay
There isn’t any accommodation in Dawulun, so your best bet is to stay in Keelung.
Drizzle Inn is a lovely posh hotel featuring both dorm and private rooms. The best part? It’s within walking distance of the Keelung Station and Night Market. (Check rates and availability).
Another great option is the Evergreen Laurel Hotel which offers lovely views over the harbor. (Check rates and availability).
Dawulun Beach Keelung in Conclusion
Whether you come to work on your tan, play in the water, or tackle one of the nearby hiking trails, Dawulun Beach makes for a great day trip from Taipei, and is the perfect spot to spend a fun day at the beach!
I hope this guide comes in handy when planning your trip to Dawulun Beach – Keelung’s best-kept secret! If you think I’ve missed anything, let me know in the comments below!
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