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District in New Taipei, Taiwan
Photo: L. Chang - Changlc at English Wikipedia, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Tamsui (淡水 Dànshuǐ), or Danshui, Danshuei, Tamshui) is a district of New Taipei that was the center of shipping and commerce in northern Taiwan in the 19th century. The city is still popular with visitors from Taipei and boasts many historical attractions, and is a popular location for viewing the sunset.
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紅毛城, lit: Red Hair Castle
constructed by the Dutch as 'Fort Anthonio' in 1641, and gained its present name in reference to the red-haired Dutch. The compound also served as the British Consulate in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It enjoys commanding views over the mouth of the Tamsui (Danshui) River.
淡水老街
Located along the Tamsui (Danshui) River, this pedestrian shopping area offers tourists a wide selection of restaurants, arcades, and stores specializing in traditional handicrafts. Visitors can sample Tamsui's local specialties: A-Gei (crystal noodles stuffed in fried bean curd, served with a mild hot sauce), fish ball soup, and "iron eggs" (eggs which have been stewed in a mix of herbs and spices until pickled). Do try the food vendors which are located up and down the strip.
英商嘉士洋行倉庫
The area used to be a warehouse to store tea-related products by the British tea merchants. It was then later bought by Shell Oil Company and expanded into four large warehouse and oil tanks. After the bombing by United States in 1944, the warehouse burned for three days and was half destroyed. It was eventually retired as a backup storage since and donated by Shell.
滬尾砲台
Built in 1886, it is one of the best preserved forts of its type in Taiwan.
前清淡水關稅務司官邸
The residence is a white-colored building built in a colonial style nicknamed Little White House. It was constructed in 1870 by the Qing government to handle the customs from the rapidly increasing trade with foreigners.
淡水海關碼頭
Completed in 1861, this wharf was constructed to serve the Tamsui Customs Office.
淡水紅樓
Built in the Victorian style in 1899 as the residence of a local businessman, it houses cafes and restaurants.
于右任墓
A monument to the educator, scholar, calligrapher, and politician Yu Youren.
淡水漁人碼頭
Downstream from the town, it offers a boardwalk, chic coffee shops and food windows, and some seafood restaurants with prices that the average local would consider outrageous (but may seem reasonable to visitors from Western countries). Fisherman's Wharf is also a departure point for tourist boats traveling along Taiwan's scenic northeast coast. The "Lover's Bridge", a single slanted tower cable stay pedestrian bridge, that is modeled after a sailing ship's mast and rigging, spans the harbor. The bridge's illumination changes color at night, making this area a favorite with local couples and romantics, and is also a popular site for shooting Taiwanese films and drama series. Outdoor concerts are sometimes held in the amphitheater, and some of the restaurants feature live music at times.
一滴水紀念館
Contains collections of Taiwanese and Japanese literature.
情人橋
Completed in 2003, the bridge is designed to evoke the image of the sails of a ship.
魚藏文化館
A very small establishment by the harbour with some information about fisheries in Taiwan.
登峰魚丸博物館
The museum displays the production and environmental impact of creating fish ball products. The museum building is divided into two exhibition halls. The first exhibition hall is located on Tamsui Old Street consists of three floors. The second exhibition hall is where the Weixiang Fish Ball Shop used to be.
福佑宮
Built in 1782, it is one of the oldest temples in Tamsui. You can find it near the Old Street.
淡水禮拜堂
A mock-Gothic style Presbyterian church that was built by the Japanese and expanded later.
緣道觀音廟
A temple to the goddess Guanyin with pleasant gardens and a restaurant.
淡水無極天元宮
An impressive multi-storey pagoda-style temple surrounded by gardens. The temple is a popular destination, particularly when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.
龍山寺
Built in 1858, it is one of many temples dotted around Taiwan which share the name "Longshan".
鄞山寺
Dating back to 1822, this temple has been declared a 'county-level monument' by the government.
海風餐廳
A traditional Taiwanese seafood restaurant.
達觀樓
A colonial building sits on the hillside, built in 1899. This is the best view cafe in Tamsui. They serves both Western and Chinese dishes. The entrance is just east of the Mackay statue, atop a hill reached by 106 stone steps.
淡水中信大飯店
Sec. 2. Near the MRT Hongshuilin Station on Danshui Line.
旅行邦尼
Quiet hostel with friendly staff in an alley off Tamsui Old Street. Big lockers, wifi, and a free, simple breakfast.
Tamsui is most easily accessed from Taipei by taking the MRT Tamsui (Red) Line to its northern end at Tamsui Station. The ride is roughly 40 minutes from Taipei Main Station.
Read in the guideBy boat
Ferries across the river to the town of Bali and the Fisherman's Wharf depart from the Tamsui Ferry Pier, about 10 minutes north of the MRT station by foot.
By bus
The R26 bus will take you from Tamsui MRT Station to Fort Santo Domingo or Fisherman's Wharf.
By bike
Rent a bike in one of several shops on the main road north of Tamsui MRT Station. A normal rate might be NT$300 for the whole day.
By tram
The Danhai LRT connects Fisherman's Wharf and MRT Hongshulin station through Danhai New Town, maybe a "light" ride after a long walk?
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Taipei (Songshan) · International · TSA
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