Guandu Wharf (關渡碼頭, aka Lingshan Temple) is a popular riverside area in Beitou District of Taipei. Along with a bike path with beautiful wildlife and river scenery, there is a ferry terminal and a small night market to check out. Nearby you can also check out Guandu Temple and Guandu Nature Park. It is definitely worth a visit on your next trip to Taipei.
Historical Background: Guandu was originally known as Gantoumen 干豆門 (literally dried beans gate). Positioned with Guanyin Mountain and Datun Mountain behind it and facing the Tamsui River, it became a crucial port due to its strategic location. In the early days, settlers arrived in northern Taiwan through Guandu Wharf to establish their homes and cultivate the land, leading to the early development of the area. However, over time, sediment build-up at the mouths of the Keelung and Tamsui Rivers caused a decline in water transportation. Guandu Wharf sits adjacent to Guandu Nature Park and Guandu Temple. On holidays and in the evenings, visitors frequently stroll and relax around the wharf. It’s also a popular spot for cyclists, with many riding from Bali via the Guandu Bridge or from Tamsui to enjoy the beautiful scenery. It's an ideal location for sightseeing. The Taipei Ferry Company started operations in 2003, but due to sedimentation, many ferry routes along the Tamsui and Keelung Rivers have been shut down. Since 2023, a small night market has been set up near the wharf. Price: Free Hours: 7 AM to 5 PM Tours: You can book a 2-hr Raohe Night Market Walking Private Tour with a Tour Guide, or Taipei at Night: Din Tai Fung Dinner & Raohe Street Night Market Guided Tour on KKday here, or Klook here . Where to stay: High end: We have stayed at and recommend the Nangang Marriott (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). We have also stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here or Agoda here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Ferry Routes:
How to get there: By Ferry: Please see the ferry routes above. Many ferry routes may close due to sedimentation. As of the time of writing, only the Tamsui to Fisherman's Wharf ferry was running on a daily basis. For the latest ferry information, please check the Ferry website here. By MRT: Take the MRT red line to Guandu Station. The wharf is about a ten minute walk to the west. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. By Car: If you travel there by car, there is lots of paid parking near the wharf. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Scooter: There is free parking next to the wharf. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy, and there are many bike paths nearby. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. Map: Our Journey: We have been to Guandu Wharf twice and had a great time each visit. Besides the wharf which leads to a ferry ride to other places along Taipei's Rivers, you can also enjoy views of Guandu Temple and Guandu Wildlife Preserve. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Taipei. Many ferry routes may close due to sedimentation. As of the time of writing, only the Tamsui to Fisherman's Wharf ferry was running on a daily basis. The Guandu Ferry currently only runs on an irregular schedule. For the latest ferry information, please check the Ferry website here. 
As you can see above from the Ferry website, originally ferry routes reached to Dadaocheng Wharf 大稻埕碼頭, Zhongxiao Wharf 忠孝碼頭. Currently there is no regular service to Guandu Wharf, so to get there you must take an alternate route such as the MRT, Bus, Car, Scooter, or Bicycle.
You can check out our drone footage of the area above.
You can also check out our 360 degree panorama of the area above.
Even though Guandu Wharf currently does not have regular Ferry Service, it is still a great place to enjoy the beautiful riverside scenery in Taipei. I will start here at the dam in front of Guandu Nature Preserve. They built a dam here to let in brackish water to give nutrients to the mangrove forests in the nature preserve.
In front of the Dam is Guandu Fishing Port, where you can find many sampans and small boats that will not get stuck in the mud due to the shallow water level in the Tamsui River.
There are quite a few fishing boats in here which are still in use.
There is also a bicycle path here that includes a bridge over Guandu Fishing Port.
Guandu Temple (關渡宮, aka Lingshan Temple) is a popular temple in Beitou District of Taipei dedicated to the goddess Mazu, dating back to the Qing Dynasty. The temple is said to be the most important Mazu Temple in northern Taiwan. It is definitely worth a visit on your next trip to Taipei...(read more)
There are also many grassy areas along the fishing port here.
Bikers climbing over the bridge.
View of Guandu Fishing Port from on top of the bridge.
Do not pollute the wetland area.
Danshui River Basin Important Wetland (Wetland of National Importance) To ensure the natural flood control and related functions of the wetland in order to maintain biodiversity and promote wetland ecological conservation and wise use, the following acts are banned unless with the competent government authorities' permit:
View of Guanyin Mountain from the bridge.
Mangrove forest slowly encroaching into the Tamsui River.
The bike route stretches deep into the mangrove forest at Guandu Nature Preserve.
View looking back toward Guanyinshan.
View of the mangrove forest spreading into the Tamsui River.
View toward Guandu Nature Preserve.
Looking down at the Guandu Fishing Port.
View toward Guandu Wharf.
Cyclists making their way up the hill, with Guandu Wharf and the ferry behind it.
Aerial view of Guandu Fishing Harbor.
Another view with Mt. Guanyin in the background.
View toward Taishan.
View toward Luzhou.
Aerial view of the Guandu Wharf with ferry docked here. You can see how shallow the water is here, so it is really dangerous for the ferry to try to keep a regular route while risking coming aground.
You can see more photos of the area above.
You can book a 2-hr Raohe Night Market Walking Private Tour with a Tour Guide, or Taipei at Night: Din Tai Fung Dinner & Raohe Street Night Market Guided Tour on KKday here, or Klook here . Also be sure to check out our guide to Taipei here. You can also check out our full travel guide to Taiwan here.
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Author 作家I am an American expat who has extensive experience living, working, and traveling in Taiwan. In my day, I had to learn many things about Taiwan the hard way. But I have come to learn that Taiwan is one of the best places in the world for Foreigners to live. This blog does not represent the opinions of every foreigner in Taiwan. I am just trying to help others learn more about this beautiful country. Categories
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