Tamsui District of New Taipei is famous for it's delicious food and historical atmosphere. It is one of the most popular and well known areas in all of Taiwan. Some local delicacies here include A-gei, iron eggs, fried squid, and other seafood. Historical places near here include Fort San Domingo, Hobe Fort, Tamsui Old Street, Bali Old Street, and the Shihsanhang archaeological site. There is plenty here to see and do for almost every kind of traveler.
Below we have created a list of what we think are the best places to see near Tamsui. Map: Please see a map below of the places we will visit in this blog: 
Tamsui Old Street (aka Danshui Old Street or Tamshui Old Street) is a street in Tamsui District of New Taipei famous for it's delicious food and historical atmosphere. It is one of the most popular and well known old streets in all of Taiwan. Some local delicacies here include A-gei, iron eggs, fried squid, and other seafood...(read more)
Hours: Every day 11 AM - 8 PM. Price: Free How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 north from Taipei until you reach Tamsui. The old street is near the Tamsui MRT station. Parking can be hard to find, but there should be plentiful parking at Tamsui Elementary School and other places further away. By MRT: Take the red line MRT north to Tamsui station and you have arrived. See the map above for reference. Bali Old Street 八里老街 
Bali Old Street (aka Bali Ferry Dock Old Street 八里渡輪頭老街) is a shopping area near Bali Wharf, connecting with Tamui Old Street via ferry and bicycle route. It is one of the oldest ports in Taiwan, with a long history of businesses and great seafood nearby...(read more)
Hours: Roughly 9 AM to 10 PM, each store has different hours. Price: Free (35 NT ferry ride from Tamsui) How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 15 north to Bali, the old street is right next to the ferry dock. There is some paid parking near the old street, and free scooter parking. By Ferry: You can take the ferry from Tamsui Old Street (35 NT, 7-10 minutes). The last ferry leaves at about 8 PM. See the map above for reference. Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology 十三行博物館 
Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology (aka the 13th Site Museum of Archaeology) is a museum in Bali District of New Taipei featuring archaeological exhibits on Taiwan's history and prehistory, as well as international archaeological exhibitions. Here is one of the best places in Taiwan to see clearly what Taiwan was like in prehistoric times.
Hours: 9:30 AM - 5 PM daily, closed the first Monday of each month Price: 80 NT per person How long does it take to see everything? About 2 Hours How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 15 to Bali, then take a right on Shihsanhang Road. By Bus: Take the Shuttle bus Red No. 13 from Bali Old Street or Guandu MRT station (about 20 minutes). By Bicycle: Take the MRT to Tamsui, the take the ferry to Bali Old Street. From there you can rent a bicycle and ride 2KM over to the museum. See the map above for reference. Fisherman's Wharf 淡水漁人碼頭 
Fisherman's Wharf is a popular leisure fishing port in Tamsui. The area features a large grassy park, a pedestrian bridge with great views, and a long pier with tons of food options, especially seafood. Popular activities here include watching the sunset, enjoying the scenery, and enjoying local snacks...(read more).
Hours: Food stalls are open from roughly 11 AM to 8 PM. Price: Free How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 as far west as possible and you will reach the wharf. There is paid parking inside. By bus: Take Red Bus 26 from Tamsui MRT station west to Fisherman's Wharf station. By light rail: The fisherman's wharf station on Tamsui's Danhai light rail line (LRT) is expected to open sometime in 2020. See the map above for reference. Fort San Domingo 紅毛城 
Fort San Domingo (aka 紅毛城 Hongmaocheng, “City of Red Hair") is one of the oldest buildings in Taiwan, with a nearly 400 year history. Originally built by the Spanish, it was handed over to nine different nations including the Dutch, Qing, Japan, British, Australia, USA, and the ROC. Now it is a popular tourist destination in Tamsui.
Hours: 9:30 AM to 5 PM Price: 80 NT per person (includes passage to the British Consulate, Hobe Fort, and the Little White House). How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 north from Taipei until you reach Tamsui. The fort is past the old street on highway 2. Parking can be hard to find, but there should be plentiful parking at Tamsui Elementary School and other places further away. By MRT: Take the red line MRT north to Tamsui station and walk 1 KM north or take a bus to the fort. See the map above for reference. Former British Consulate Residence in Tamsui 淡水原英國領事館邸 
The former British Consulate in Tamsui is over 100 years old, spanning a long and complex history in Taiwan. Originally built by the British, it was handed over to Australia, the USA, and then the ROC. Now it is a popular tourist destination in Tamsui.
Hours: 9:30 AM to 5 PM Price: 80 NT per person (includes passage to the British Consulate, Hobe Fort, and the Little White House). How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 north from Taipei until you reach Tamsui. The fort is past the old street on highway 2. Parking can be hard to find, but there should be plentiful parking at Tamsui Elementary School and other places further away. By MRT: Take the red line MRT north to Tamsui station and walk 1 KM north or take a bus to the fort. See the map above for reference. Hobe Fort 滬尾砲台 
Hobe Fort (Aka Huwei Fort) is a Qing Dynasty era fortress in Tamsui, New Taipei that once has massive guns that protected the waterways nearby. The fort is included in a historical monument ticket that allows you to see other historical buildings in the area. It is also one of the best preserved historical fortresses in Taiwan.
Hours: 9:30 AM to 5 PM Price: 80 NT per person (includes entrance toFort San Domingo and the Little White House) How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 north from Taipei until you reach Tamsui. The fort is near Heping Park off highway 2. Parking can be found in front of the fort. By MRT: Take the red line MRT north to Tamsui station and walk 1 KM north or take a bus/taxi to the fort. See the map above for reference. Tamsui Customs Officers' Residence (Little White House) 淡水小白宮 
Tamsui's Little White House (officially the Tamsui Customs Officer's Residence) is an important historical building in Tamsui near Fort San Domingo. The ticket to Fort San Domingo and Hobe Fort also allows entrance to this building, so you should definitely check it out if you visit the area.
Price: 80 NT (including entrance to For San Domingo and Hobe Fort) Hours: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM (tickets not sold after 4:30) How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 north from Taipei until you reach Tamsui. The white house is past the old street on highway 2. Parking can be hard to find, but there should be plentiful parking at Tamsui Elementary School and other places further away. By MRT: Take the red line MRT north to Tamsui station and walk 1 KM north or take a bus to the white house. See the map above for reference. Other Historical Places to Visit: Because there are so many historical buildings in this area, I am just going to put them all in one blog. The rest of the blog is a introduction of the historical buildings around Aletheia University (真理大學). Tamsui Presbyterian Church Grand Chapel 大禮拜堂 
Within walking distance of Fort San Domingo is the Grand Presbyterian Chapel which was completed in 1997. It is inside the campus of Aletheia University (真理大學) and features a 32 foot high pipe organ. The building is a landmark for the university. It stands near the Oxford University erected by Rev. Mackay, an influential missionary in his time.
Hours: Inside: by appointment only. Outside: all day. Price: Free How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 north from Taipei until you reach Tamsui. San Domingo Fort is past the old street on highway 2, and Aletheia University and the chapel are right behind it. Parking can be hard to find, but there should be plentiful parking at Tamsui Elementary School and other places further away. By MRT: Take the red line MRT north to Tamsui station and walk 1 KM north or take a bus to the Chapel. See the map above for reference. Oxford College 牛津學堂 
Oxford College was completed in 1882 by Presbyterian Reverend George Mackay (the most influential Christian missionary and westerner in Taiwan of his time). After going back to Canada to ask for donations in 1880, he was able to obtain $6,215 Canadian dollars to build the University. There he taught philosophy, medicine, and theology. History, Chinese, geology, biology, and mineralogy were also taught. It was also the first private museum in Taiwan.
Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday 10AM-12AM, 1-4PM Closed Sunday, Monday, Thursday, and Friday. Price: Free How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 north from Taipei until you reach Tamsui. San Domingo Fort is past the old street on highway 2, and Aletheia University and the Oxford College are right behind it. Parking can be hard to find, but there should be plentiful parking at Tamsui Elementary School and other places further away. By MRT: Take the red line MRT north to Tamsui station and walk 1 KM north or take a bus to the Chapel. See the map above for reference. A look inside: 
You can walk inside for free when it is open.
Inside the college building now is a memorial hall for Reverend Mackay. There are many historical photos here.
Also there are books and souvenirs on display.
A view of the college from the outside.
A closer look at the old cement and brick work, which appears to be a combination of Hokkien and Western architecture.
Bok Su Lao (Reverend Building) 牧師樓 
The Reverend Building (aka Bok Su Lao) was built in 1909 as a dormitory for Rev. William Gauld and other foreign Presbyterian missionaries. Later it became the residence of other reverends, and became known as simply the "House of Reverends" or "Pastor House." In 2014, it was converted into its current form as a Coffee Shop.
Hours: 10 AM to 7 PM Closed Mondays. Price: 150 NT per person (at least). This means must to pay at least 150 NT for some coffee/snacks to see inside. How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 north from Taipei until you reach Tamsui. San Domingo Fort is past the old street on highway 2, and Aletheia University and the Oxford College are right behind it. Parking can be hard to find, but there should be plentiful parking at Tamsui Elementary School and other places further away. By MRT: Take the red line MRT north to Tamsui station and walk 1 KM north or take a bus to the Chapel. See the map above for reference. The House of Maidens 姑娘樓 
The House of Maidens sits right next to the Reverend Building and looks nearly identical. It was built in 1906 for the female Principle of Aletheia University, and also as a dormitory for female students. In 1965 the building became the university president's office, as well as university archives.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM Price: Free How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 north from Taipei until you reach Tamsui. San Domingo Fort is past the old street on highway 2, and Aletheia University and the Oxford College are right behind it. Parking can be hard to find, but there should be plentiful parking at Tamsui Elementary School and other places further away. By MRT: Take the red line MRT north to Tamsui station and walk 1 KM north or take a bus to the Chapel. See the map above for reference. Reverend Mackay's Residence 馬傑故居 
Reverend Mackay, the first Presbyterian Missionary to Taiwan and one of the best known westerners ever in Taiwan, built his house a few steps away from where the Reverend Building now stands, in 1885. He died here in 1901, and the building was later used as the residence for other Presbyterian reverends. During WWII, his son took care of the home and made it a place of refuge for the homeless and needy. The house has been used by the Mackay Family and partially by Aletheia University ever since.
For a full biography on Reverend Mackay's life, check outthis article. Hours: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 10 AM to 4PM. Price: Free How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 north from Taipei until you reach Tamsui. San Domingo Fort is past the old street on highway 2, and Aletheia University and the Oxford College are right behind it. Parking can be hard to find, but there should be plentiful parking at Tamsui Elementary School and other places further away. By MRT: Take the red line MRT north to Tamsui station and walk 1 KM north or take a bus to the Chapel. See the map above for reference. 
View of the front of the house.
Long version of the history I just wrote above.
Inside is the Mackay Memorial Museum. I was not lucky enough to come at a time when it was open.
View of the front porch.
Missionary House 教士會館 
The missionary house was one of two dormitories that Reverend Mackay built in 1875 for foreign missionaries. It was built after Spanish style architecture to make it cooler during the summer.
Hours: Tuesday, to Sunday, 11 AM to 5PM. Free guided tours are available in the morning if booked in advance. Price: Free How to get there: By Car/Scooter: Take provincial highway 2 north from Taipei until you reach Tamsui. San Domingo Fort is past the old street on highway 2, and Aletheia University and the Oxford College are right behind it. Parking can be hard to find, but there should be plentiful parking at Tamsui Elementary School and other places further away. By MRT: Take the red line MRT north to Tamsui station and walk 1 KM north or take a bus to the Chapel. See the map above for reference. 
The day I went is was also closed.
There are many other historical buildings to see around Tamsui. I recommend that you go there, walk around, and discover the history there for yourself! Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more of our blog coverage of Taiwan!
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Author 作家We are US Expats that have extensive experience living and working in Taiwan. In our day, we had to learn many things about Taiwan the hard way. But we have come to learn that Taiwan is one of the best places in the world for Foreigners to live. Our blog does not represent the opinions of every foreigner in Taiwan. We are just trying to help others learn more about this beautiful country. Archives 檔案
March 2020
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