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Taiwan‘s capital city of Taipei has plenty to do, but if you’re on the lookout for a day journey possibility, one well-liked city close to Taipei to take a look at is Keelung 基隆 (jí lóng). One of Taiwan’s main ports, Keelung City is is lower than an hour away from Taipei and even supposing it apparently rains over 200 days in a yr in Keelung, it’s a beautiful little coastal city for a sit back day journey from Taipei. Here’s my solo information to Keelung with options on issues to do and easy methods to get round simply.
How to get from Taipei to Keelung
Keelung is situated northeast of Taipei alongside the north coast between well-liked spots Yehliu in Wanli and the mountainous Jiufen. It’s about 30 minutes by automotive from Taipei. Here’s a Klook hyperlink [affiliate] in case you’re trying to lease a automotive to go to Keelung – may save the time and trouble of ready for public transport particularly when you’ve got a small group.
By practice
TRA practice from Taipei to Keelung City takes about 45 minutes to get from Taipei (Taipei Main Station, Songshan Station or Nangang Station) to Keelung Station. There are loads of trains that depart each 15-20 minutes and the fare prices 41 NTD (about S$1.80) which you’ll be able to pay for by Easycard on the practice gantry.
You might additionally take the practice from Taipei to Ruifang Station, after which change to the Shen’ao Line which leaves each hour and cease at both Badouzi Stop or Haikeguan Stop in case you are headed to Badouzi.
By bus
Kuokuang bus 1813 from Taipei Main Station to Keelung City takes about 50 minutes, however it is a little more depending on site visitors circumstances – the Tourist Info desk beneficial not taking the bus on weekends/public holidays as general highway site visitors is larger.
Bus 1800 goes from Taipei City Hall Bus Station to Keelung City in about half-hour.
Bus 2088 goes from Taipei City Hall Bus Station in Xinyi to Keelung’s Taiwan Power Station 電力公司站 (a brief stroll from Miaokou Night Market) in 25 minutes. It additionally goes to Badouzi and stops on the NMMST which is beneficial in case you plan to go to Badouzi first.
Map of Keelung
Here’s a map of all of the issues to do in Keelung on this submit. I’ve divided it up into areas you can discover close by.
Things to do round Keelung Port 基隆港
This space across the Keelung Harbour is the place most individuals will first expertise Keelung! If you’re quick on time or simply lazy to journey additional, these items are all inside strolling distance of the Keelung Train and Bus Station
Keelung Landmark Park 基隆地標公園
It’s arduous to overlook the enormous KEELUNG letters alongside the hillside overlooking the port space, harking back to the well-known Hollywood signal on the hill. Most individuals admire the view from across the harbour, however do you know it’s really fairly simple to rise up to the letters?
Officially referred to as the Keelung Landmark Observatory, this remark deck is situated in a park alongside the Huzishan path 虎仔山步道 and affords a pleasant view of the Keelung port under. It’s a well-liked hangout spot within the evenings when the letters are lit up and you may get pleasure from Keelung’s night time lights from above.
I popped by within the afternoon on a extremely sizzling day in summer time – solar safety is significant as there’s not plenty of shade up right here! I believe it took me about 20 minutes to stroll up there. The view was superb~
What’s close by
- I didn’t see this after I visited beforehand, however there’s a cool bookstore in-built a former college compound referred to as Bleu&Book at TPES 太平青鳥 – appears to be like like a pleasant place to relaxation in after the climb up! [Google maps]
How to get to Keelung Landmark Park
From Keelung practice station, exit in direction of Zhongshan 1st Road and straight throughout the station you need to see the signal for the Keelung Landmark Observatory. Follow the indicators up the slender pathways and staircases. Eventually you need to see the Taiping Elementary School – the deck and park is correct subsequent to the college.
You might drive up there as nicely – there are roads and carparks close to the signal, so you can also make a fast cease when you’ve got a automotive for the day.
Keelung Harbour and Maritime Plaza 基隆港 海洋廣場
Keelung Maritime Plaza 海洋廣場 is a beautiful picket promenade by Keelung’s Harbour and a pleasant place to simply sit down and sit back by the water. Great view of the Keelung letters, numerous benches to relaxation your ft and large open area the place you’ll be able to admiring the ships and cranes in view. It does remind me slightly little bit of Singapore’s skyline however with extra mountains!
How to get to Keelung Maritime Plaza: Keelung Maritime Plaza is alongside Zhongyi Road 忠一路, only a quick stroll from Keelung Station. [Location on Google Maps]
1915 Yangming Oceanic Culture & Art Museum 1915陽明海洋文化藝術館
Around the Keelung Harbour space is a small museum the place you’ll be able to study Keelung’s maritime historical past. Run by Yang Ming Shipping Company, the Keelung 1915 Yangming Oceanic Culture and Art Museum (yup it’s a mouthful) has 2 flooring of interactive fashionable displays that showcase Keelung’s historical past as a transport port.
The displays are fashionable, enjoyable and interactive so I believe children would get pleasure from wanting round. I occurred to be there at 11am when the guided tour for the 2nd degree was beginning, so I joined it for a bit. It was carried out by a person who labored for the corporate for a really very long time and began guiding after retirement. The tour was carried out in Chinese and was fairly informative because the information identified the assorted displays and shared a few of his personal tales, however it was presupposed to be 1.5 hours lengthy so I made a decision to stroll round by myself after a bit.
The 4th flooring of this museum can be the highest flooring with the present store, cafe and the place there’s roof entry for a panoramic view of the encircling space!
The museum is centrally situated and does give a fast overview of Keelung’s historical past in case you don’t know something about this place. In the occasion you get rained out, it’s place to simply hang around for a bit and keep dry in addition to it’s not costly to go to.
Location: 4 Gangxi Street 港西街4號 [Google Maps] the museum is sort of prominently situated on the west aspect of Keelung Harbour between the Train Station and the harbour.
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm (final ticket bought at 330pm). Closed on Mondays.
Entrance charge: 150 NTD – the ticket comes with a free tea + snack you can redeem on the high flooring cafe and a few reductions for the restaurant on degree 1 and present store.
There are mounted guided tour timings at 930am, 11am, 130pm and 3pm carried out in Chinese. Learn extra on the official web site
Miaokou Night Market 廟口夜市
Also often known as Keelung Night Market, that is maybe one in all my favourites out of all of the night time markets that I’ve visited in Taiwan – which is saying one thing as a result of I’ve been to plenty of Taiwan night time markets particularly in Taipei! It’s open within the afternoon and at night time, is comparatively small however packed full of excellent meals, and straightforward to find and navigate.
Dianji Temple 奠濟宮
Miaokou interprets to ‘Temple entrance’, that’s as a result of the market stalls first arrange store right here on the entrance of Dianji Temple, a small shrine you can nonetheless discover alongside the road right now that’s over 100 years previous.
What to eat at Miaokou Night Market
The stalls at Miaokou Night Market are very neat – 2 rows on both aspect of the road with steel signage on high and individually numbered. The stall names are in English, Chinese and Japanese, which makes it simple for guests to seek out particular stalls.
I’ve visited Miaokou Night Market a number of occasions and most just lately with a tour information who’s a Keelung native, there are many meals choices however right here’s a group of a few of the meals I take into account must-eats in Keelung.
Fish paste tempura 天婦羅 (Tianbula): I’ve had tianbula in different components of Taiwan and by no means actually appreciated it due to the textures and the overly saccharine sauce, however this one in Miaokou Night Market is fairly good! Freshly fried and doused with a little bit of candy sauce in a served in slightly bowl with bits of cucumber, I like to recommend making an attempt the tianbula right here.
Nutritious Sandwich 營養三明治 (yingyang sanmingzhi) : it is a fairly bizarre sandwich that’s one way or the other grow to be a Keelung specialty – deep fried bread with sausage, tomatoes, cucumbers, egg and slathered with mayonnaise. I believe it’s a extremely odd mixture and never my kinda meals, however simply know that it’s an area delicacy and check out it for your self! Also I’m undecided it’s really nutritious given all that deep fried bread…
Crab thick soup 螃蟹羹 (pang xie geng) and glutinous rice 油飯 (youfan): This is a reasonably traditional Taiwanese xiaochi staple however one way or the other one thing I at all times eat after I’m right here in Keelung. A small bowl of thick starchy soup with shredded crab meat, mushrooms and fungus paired with savoury sticky glutinous rice. My favorite factor to eat at Miaokou!
Shaved ice 泡泡冰 (paopao bing): A candy solution to finish your consuming journey in Miaokou is to scrub all of it down with some shaved ice or paopao bing! I personally at all times get peanut flavour however there are many totally different flavours out there. The portion is fairly beneficiant so depart slightly room for dessert!
How to get there: Miaokou Night Market is a ten minute stroll eastwards from Keelung Train Station situated alongside Rensan Road 仁三路 between Aisan Road 愛三路 and Aisi Road 愛四路 [Google Maps]
Quanjiafu Yuanxiao 全家福元宵
A particular shoutout to this explicit retailer that isn’t in the primary Miaokou Night Market stretch however had a few of the fluffiest and yummiest yuanxiao 元宵 (much like tangyuan that are candy soup dumplings) that I’ve ever eaten. The store normally solely begin promoting cooked yuanxiao from 430pm onwards, however through the day you’ll be able to pop by the shop and purchase bins of raw yuanxiao to take residence and put together for your self.
On my journey to Keelung with Taiwan Tourism, our information managed to get the store to open up their kitchen shutters within the afternoon and present us how they painstakingly make these yuanxiao. You is likely to be considering that they make balls of dough, poke a gap in them and put within the sesame filling and name it a day, however the cause the feel of those yuanxiao are so good is as a result of they begin out with balls of sesame filling and slowly coat them with a number of layers of glutinous rice flour by shaking them by hand in a big rattan tray.
It’s backbreaking work, however the balls are comfortable but springy and so scrumptious!
The store additionally specifically ready some bowls for us to attempt – black sesame yuanxiao in bowls of heat osmanthus soup. SO GOOD. I’m not even normally a fan of black sesame however I appreciated these rather a lot! Also, it did occur to be yuanxiao (fifteenth day of the Lunar New Year) once we visited so it was very nice to be consuming these then!
How to get there: Quanjiafu yuanxiao 全家福元宵 is situated a brief stroll away from the Miaokou Night Market alongside Aisi Road. No. 50-1 Aisi Road 愛四路50-1號 [Google Maps]
Ren’ai Market 仁愛市場
Miaokou night time market is by far the most well-liked night time market in Keelung, however in case you are on the lookout for a moist market that sells contemporary produce, head to Ren’ai market 仁愛市場 as an alternative.
Lots of locals frequent this indoor market, there are some sundry and meals stalls across the edges of the market and extra stalls in case you pop as much as the second degree – it’s virtually an area division retailer, however the bulk of the central portion on the bottom flooring is a moist market promoting contemporary meals. I believe I’ve to return again and slowly take my time exploring this market!
How to get there: Ren’ai Market is a few block away from Miaokou Night Market alongside Aisan Road. No. 21 Aisan Rd 愛三路21號 [Google maps]. Open 8am – 7pm each day.
Keelung market excursions
If you need some native data to point out you the most effective of what Keelung’s markets have to supply, take into account becoming a member of a gaggle tour. I’ve not tried this earlier than, however Keelung for a Walk has some fascinating excursions out there, together with a Midnight Fish Market Adventure Tour of close by Kanziding Fish Market 崁仔頂漁市 which is most bustling within the wee hours when the catch of the day is delivered!
Things to do in Zhongzheng Park 中正公園
Located about Quarter-hour stroll from the east aspect of Keelung Harbour, Zhongzheng Park on Shoushan Hill is residence to plenty of fascinating temples in Keelung and extra beautiful views in case you’re prepared to perform a little stair climbing. The base arch is about 5 minutes stroll from Miaokou Night Market, so you’ll be able to work off all that night time market meals with a stroll up this hill!
Zhupu Altar 主普壇
One factor I realized was that Keelung is very festive through the seventh Lunar Month (round July or August primarily based on our calendar), which is uncommon as a result of that’s normally thought of an inauspicious month when the spirits are believed to roam the earth and Chinese attempt to keep away from holding festive celebrations throughout this era. However right here in Keelung, the Ghost Festival (Zhongyuan Ji 中元祭) is a extremely huge factor and they’re well-known for his or her Ghost Festival festivities so in case you’re planning to go to, know that it is likely to be further crowded throughout this era.
Zhupu Altar 主普壇 or the Main Altar is among the key locations that these festivities are held, particularly on the twelfth day of the seventh Lunar Month the place the constructing is totally decked out and lit up – try these articles on Taiwan Scene and Coco in Taiwan for extra.
When it’s not celebrating the Ghost Festival, Zhupu Altar is normally a museum that showcases artefacts in regards to the Ghost Festival 中元祭祀文物館, however sadly for me it gave the impression to be present process some kind of renovation and was closed. It was nonetheless beautiful to admire the view from under although.
You can drive or take a taxi up right here in case you somewhat not climb the hill, however whereas admiring the view, I seen that there was a viewing platform that gave the impression to be connected to the hillside. There was a non-public occasion occurring so I couldn’t return there to research for myself, however it appears to be like to be the Keelung Tower viewing platform!
Did a little bit of googling and located this video by Building Surfer (Chinese however English subs can be found) which has these actually cool drone photographs of the Tower and talks about its historical past and design. Keelung Tower is supposed to resembles the various cranes within the port city and is among the many revitalisation initiatives occurring in Zhongzheng Park and Keelung! I undoubtedly wish to come again right here once more and take this carry up (as an alternative of climbing the hill…).
How to get there: There is a staircase that leads from the Zhongzheng Park Arch alongside Xin’er Road diectly to the altar, however it’s presently closed. Zhupu Altar is situated in Zhongzheng Park. No. 280, Xin’er Road 信二路280號 [Google maps]
Big Buddha Temple 大佛禪寺
Another spotlight of Zhongzheng Park is the Big Buddha Temple proper on high of the hill. You can’t miss this big 22.5m excessive statue of Avalokitesvara Buddha aka Guanyin even from afar. And right here’s why you need to do your analysis as a result of you’ll be able to apparently climb up 5 storeys to see the view from contained in the statue?? I didn’t know that, ah nicely extra issues to return again and take a look at in future!
What I did discover was that there have been numerous little sport stalls arrange across the park and it was like a mini household funfair occurring. Might have been a weekend factor, however it’s good for households together with your children to simply hang around and play right here whereas admiring the beautiful view.
How to get there: you’ll be able to drive up Shoushan Road or stroll up the slope from Zhupu Altar [Google Maps]
Things to do round Heping Island 和平島
If you’re on the lookout for beautiful coastlines round Keelung, Peace Island or Heping Island is a well-liked place to go to. Formerly often known as Sheliao island 社寮島, it was one of many first locations that Westerners and the Han Chinese first set foot on in Taiwan. It was separate from the mainland till they construct Heping Bridge.
Hop on a public bus or take a taxi experience about 10-Quarter-hour east from Keelung Station alongside the shoreline.
Zhengbin Fishing Port Colourful Houses 正濱漁港彩屋
Paint something in rainbow colors and the vacationers will come – Zhengbin port was traditionally essential as one of many largest fishing ports in northern Taiwan through the Japanese colonial period and for exporting copper from the mines of close by Jinguashi. It steadily turned rather a lot quieter because the fishing boats moved to neighbouring Badouzi, although the rainbow homes have introduced any guests and vacationers again.
According to this article by Commonwealth Magazine, the rainbow colors had been added round 2018-2019 and concerned each neighborhood session and enter from color consultants – it wasn’t only a spur of the second determination – and a part of bigger plans to revitalise this explicit neighbourhood.
Most individuals cease by right here right now en path to Heping Island which is correct throughout the Heping Island bridge, and one of many higher spots to snap a photograph of the homes from.
How to get there: Zhengbin Fishing Harbour is a 10-15 min drive or about 20 minutes by bus from Keelung Train Station. Buses drop on the Zhongzheng Road-Zhengbin Road intersection cease and stroll a couple of minutes, or on the Heping Bridge cease [Google Maps]
What’s close by
- If you might be into previous ruins, the deserted buildings of Argenna Shipyard 阿根納造船廠遺構 are on the opposite aspect of Heping Bridge
Heping Island Park 和平島地質公園
Heping Island Park 和平島地質公園 is the primary cause most individuals go to this island. It’s situated on the northern finish and takes about 20 minutes stroll from the bridge.
Heping Island Geopark is much like Yehliu in Wanli with numerous fascinating coastal formations, however one of many issues that makes this park particular are the seawater swimming pools that they’ve alongside the coast. The waves listed here are fairly sturdy, however breakwaters and particular swimming pools have been constructed so that folks, kids and even pets can swim safely within the seawater! The swimming pools had been closed due to some occasion after I visited, however I think about this could be tremendous well-liked particularly within the sizzling summer season.
Besides the ocean swimming pools, there are additionally some simple trails to stroll the place you’ll be able to admire the weirdly formed rocks and Keelung Islet 基隆嶼 within the distance. Generally it’s fairly accessible and a straightforward one-stop store to benefit from the North Coast. I see why it’s so well-liked and it’s appropriate for households too.
Location: No. 360 Pingyi Road, Zhongzheng District 中正區平一路360號 [Google Maps] Located on the northern finish of Heping Island proper on the finish of Pingyi Road.
Opening Hours: 8am – 6pm (7pm from May to Oct). Last ticket bought 1 hour earlier than closing time.
Entrance charge: 120 NTD – you should buy on the door or save a while and purchase on-line at Klook [affiliate link] the place typically it’s slightly cheaper!
Learn extra on the official web site
Things to do in Badouzi 八斗子
Badouzi 八斗子 was the biggest fishing village in Northern Taiwan and the location of a main energy plant through the Japanese reign. It was additionally a separate island and later joined to the mainland through land reclamation. It’s undoubtedly slightly quieter out right here, so place to get away from the crowds for a bit.
National Museum of Marine Science and Technology 國立海洋科技博物館
A former steam energy station constructed through the Japanese Colonial period, the buidings are actually residence to the very fashionable wanting National Museum of Marine Science and Technology (NMMST) 國立海洋科技博物館 which is a really massive museum with displays revolving round marine life, the fishing business and the Ocean. Technically all of the parks round listed here are additionally a part of their grounds.
I’ll admit that I haven’t had time to really go into the Museum, although I’ve walked via its grounds and extra of its out of doors areas as under, however it’s someplace I do wish to go to. Lots of interactive and enjoyable displays together with an Ocean Theatre and that iOcean which appears to be like like these 4D experiences. Again it’s one other good possibility for households and a solution to whereas away wet Keelung days.
Location: No. 367 Beining Rd, Zhongzheng District 中正區北寧路367號 [Google Maps]. Take bus 103, 1051, 791 from Keelung Train Station or bus 1811/1812 from Taipei Main Station (West) and cease at NMMST or Haikeguan (bishuixiang) 海科館 (碧水巷)
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm (6pm on weekends). Closed on Mondays.
Entrance charge: 200 NTD for the primary exhibition corridor – you should buy on the door or save a while and purchase on-line at Klook [affiliate link] the place typically it’s slightly cheaper! Other displays value further, test the web site for full particulars.
Learn extra on the official web site
Badouzi Shoulang Cloth Dyeing Workshop 八斗子薯榔染布
One of the extra uncommon actions you are able to do in Badouzi is a dyeing workshop carried out by the Badouzi Tourism Association 八斗子產業觀光促進會. Other components of Taiwan are well-known for Indigo dyeing, however right here they use one thing referred to as a shoulang 薯榔 (Dioscorea rhipogonoides) – there doesn’t appear to be a standard title to it, however it’s a bizarre root that’s kinda like an enormous potato/nut hybrid which will be discovered rising abundantly within the hillside. It can’t be eaten however locals have discovered that it creates a deep purple/brownish dye which fishermen used to dye fishing nets and twine as a result of it helps to stop mould.
The rules of tie-dyeing something are fairly easy, regardless of the dye. The teacher confirmed us just a few easy patterns we might do – I appreciated the snake-skin like texture which entails making a scrunchie like form with raffia.
This subsequent step is slightly uncommon – since we had about half an hour or so for the dye to set in, our hosts took us on a mini village tour of Badouzi, introducing some enjoyable info and fascinating spots throughout the village itself. It’s very quiet general and such a beautiful peaceable place.
Daping Shore 大坪海岸
The mini strolling tour additionally took us in direction of Badouzi Fishing Harbour 八斗子觀光漁港 the place we might see all of the fishing boats within the bay and eventually to Daping Shore 大坪海岸, slightly spot on the coast with some superb coastal rock views. It was kinda wet and moist – undoubtedly want good mountain climbing sneakers for this because the rocks are all kinds of slippery however the view was so good.
But the purpose of coming to Daping Shore was to dip our shoulang-dyed material into sea water! Apparently the saltwater makes the dye extra reddish! So that was fairly enjoyable to see. Currently my material’s color appears to have gone again right into a extra brownish color, however apparently in case you use salt water it ought to grow to be purple once more! You can see our workshop photographs on FB.
Workshop particulars
More particulars and signup hyperlink will be discovered on the Badouzi Tourism web site.
Cost: 650 NTD for the dyeing workshop which additionally features a mini village tour. If the climate is nice, you get to attempt on the normal straw sneakers that the fishermen used to stroll in alongside the shore!
Badouzi Seaside Park 八斗子海濱公園
Badouzi Seaside Park is a much less well-known possibility in comparison with Heping Island, however has beautiful coastal surroundings you can go to at no cost and situated proper behind NMMST.
Wangyou Valley 望幽谷
The key sight to see in Badouzi is the Wangyou Valley 望幽谷 – Wangyou 望幽 loosely interprets into ‘looking at peace’ however sounds much like 忘忧 or ‘forgetting worries’, so that is the right spot to relax and calm down slightly. Take a stroll via the picturesque inexperienced valley and admire the shoreline options – you’ll be able to see Keelung Islet within the distance.
There are a number of paved footpaths and viewpoints in Badouzi – 65 Highland is probably the most crowded viewpoint the place you’re taking that inexperienced valley shot. But simply 5 minutes stroll up a slope and also you’ll discover virtually no person at 80 Highland which affords extra superb sea views and a coated pavilion. Another quick climb takes you to the very best 101 Highland the place there are two deserted navy posts you can climb up on to and get a tremendous 360º view of the encircling space, however word that there’s no shade up right here.
How to get there: If you might be driving, there’s parking situated on the 65 Highland space the place you’ll be able to climb as much as 101 Highland from there. There is a highway that goes straight as much as 101 however there’s a gantry.
Chaojing Park 潮境公園
From 101 Highland, there’s a path that leads you to the jap aspect the place Chaojing Park 潮境公園 is situated. This park was previously a dumping floor however right now has been become a cute little coastal park with a number of fascinating artwork installations – most noteworthy are the nautilus shell slide that kids love and the cluster of big brooms. Lots of individuals simply go there to hang around or take walks – after I was there, there was a gathering of fancy chook homeowners the place I noticed 3 vibrant macaws, some smaller parrots and even a tamed falcon of some kinds flying across the park.
How to get there: No. 61, Lane 369, Beining Rd 北寧路369巷61號 [Google maps] Chaojing Park is situated on the jap aspect of the Badouzi peninsula.
Things I Missed
It appears to be like like I’ve seen plenty of Keelung however that’s really not true!
- Badouzi really has a bunch of different cool issues I wish to see. The seaside Badouzi Railway Station 八斗子火車站 is meant to be very photogenic.
- Located proper subsequent to Badouzi Station is the Shen’ao Railbike which makes use of the previous railway tracks that had been previously used to move coal. It stretches alongside the shoreline from Badouzi to Shen’ao
- There is a Badouzi Weekend Night Market to take a look at close to the Fishing Harbour
- I additionally actually wish to take a ship to Keelung Islet at some point!
- I additionally wish to head west of Huzishan path and Keelung City – Zhongshan District has some lookout factors like Qiuzishan Lighthouse and Baimiweng Fort
- Going even additional west to Anle District earlier than you hit Wanli are some good seashores – Waimushan and Dawulun, and there’s additionally Lover’s Lake and Dawulun Fort
Other northern Taiwan spots to go to
Have you checked out my Taiwan web page but? Most of my Taiwan posts are there properly categorised by location
Ruifang – Jiufen/Jinguashi, Shifen, Sandiaoling
I’ve seen a good bit of the Taiwan North Coast – try close by areas like Wanli and Jinshan whenever you go to Keelung!
Lots of individuals additionally head to Ruifang which is residence to Jiufen with its Spirited Away vibe within the mountains and Shifen with the lanterns and waterfall. For one thing extra offbeat, head to Sandiaoling to see 3 totally different waterfalls as an alternative.
Looking for extra to do alongside Taiwan’s North Coast? Check out these posts or see all my Taiwan posts for extra.