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Bleu & Book in TaiPing: Rebirth of Abandoned Elementary School
Posted by Yu Tung, 11.15.2021
Last Sunday, my father and I went to Bleu & Book in TaiPing which is a new hot spot in our hometown, Keelung. The predecessor of this book shop is TaiPing elementary school, and it is my father’s alma mater. Under the lower birth rate, it has became an abandoned school since 2017. However, because it is located on the hill next to Keelung harbor, Blue & Book decided to establish their new branch here. Now, this abandoned school is a bookshop cafés with great views!
(TaiPing elementary school was next to the large Keelung sign.)
Tour of Blue & Book in TaiPing
"When you see Keelung, you can see Bleu & Book in TaiPing."
When you arrive at Bleu & Book in TaiPing, you will see a construction site at first. Half of space in this abandoned school is planned to be an art space for local artists, and it is still under construction.
On the right of the art space is the bookshop cafés. Keelung is known as a rainy city. Fortunately, the weather was very nice then, so there were lots of tourists.
"Unbox a city renewedly via reading."
In front of the door is a standing sign. Some artists and local politicians signed on it. In addition, if you want to sign on it as a memory, the clerks will lend a marker pen to you. I didn’t do that because I don’t want to be famous. QAQ
Many tourists will take a picture with the door of the shop for remembrance. However, I don’t think it is a great place to do that because there are always crowded with tourists. Some strangers may appear in your photo like mine. I didn’t photograph this lady on purpose.
First Floor
New books, recommended books and the best sellers are displayed in the first floor.
The coffee shop, Jing Sheng Yu, is also in the first floor.
Go straight ahead along the book shelf, you’ll find a reading area. The most importantly, you have to take off your shoes before entering.
Second Floor
On the right side of the second floor is a galley which displays many old photos of Keelung. I was attracted by those pictures because I was curious about how my hometown looked like before I was born.
(Keelung downtown in 1960 )
On the left side of the second floor is the other reading area. Those chairs are from other school in Keelung, so sitting on those wooden chairs makes people nostalgic. Moreover, if you feel tired when you are reading, you can relax your eyes by looking at plants which are outside the windows.
Third Floor
The third floor displays some domestic and foreign literatures about Keelung.
Through the windows in 3F, you can overlook Keelung city center and the harbor. It is chill to drink a cup of coffee and read with a great sea view.
(Keelung harbor is the one of the most important cruise terminals in Taiwan.)
(The container port and naval port)
As a local resident, I am proud of this new attraction. Keelung is progressing, and Bleu & Book in TaiPing shows its effort. On the other hand, Keelung has a rich historical background. Galley and literatures in the book shop let the local youngsters and strangers know how Keelung played an important role in Taiwanese history. Keelung is a beautiful city, and it is not a dirty, damp and backward city at all. Welcome to my hometown which has great sea and mountains view!
Information about Bleu & Book in TaiPing
Address: No. 135, Ln. 189, Zhongshan 1st Rd., Zhongshan Dist., Keelung City
Tel: 02-2427-6323
Business hours: Fri.~Sun. 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
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