Once upon a time there was a walled city — Exploring Fangqiao City and the four temples

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When it comes to walled cities in Taiwan, the first places most people think of are Tainan City, Taipei City, and Hengchun Township. The gates of these cities, which were built by officials, still have their gates and even some of their walls, and some of them have had MRT stops named after them (Beimen [north gate] Station, Ximen [west gate] Station or the Taipei MRT line), and are a shared memory among present-day Taiwanese people. But did you know that there is also a walled city in Banqiao, the prime district of New Taipei City?

When going from the MRT Fuzhong Station to the Lin Family Mansion and Garden, perceptive travelers will notice that the streetlights in this area are particularly old fashioned, and that they are labelled “Fangqiao Walled City.” On top of that, when looking down, you can see the words “City Border” on the street tiles. The ancient Fangqiao Walled City had five city gates, just like Taipei; additionally, its history is even better known than that of Taipei, primarily due to two major factors that led to the establishment of the city: the Lin family of Banqiao and the Zhang-Quan fighting.

Back in the Qing Dynasty, there were frequent fights between Zhangzhou and Quanzhou immigrants; in order to defend themselves from the Quanzhou immigrants, the Banqiao Lin family, who originally came from Zhangzhou, built the Fangqiao Walled City in 1855, stretching out to present-day Ximen [west gate] Street, Beimen [north gate] Street, Nanmen [south gate] Street, and Guanqian West Road. However, during the Japanese occupation, the city was demolished to make place for traffic. Nevertheless, the temples located in the area still show traces of the old city.

Cihui Mazu temple
Located at the east side of the Fangqiao Walled City is the most popular Mazu temple in the Banqiao District. The temple is decorated on both the inside and the outside with fragmented ceramic art, sculptures, and color paintings, and the highly refined temple buildings are richly ornamented. In addition, the temple is a popular place for people to pray for prosperity, and local business magnates such as the Banqiao Lin family are all frequent visitors. If you look carefully, you can even find a dragon pillar bearing the business name of the Lin family.

Banqiao Jieyun Temple
The Jieyun Temple and the Xinzhuang Dizang Temple, both located near the west gate of Fangqiao Walled City, are historically related to the Zhang-Quan fights; the Dizang Temple was built by the Banqiao gentry to commemorate the Zhangzhou people who died in the altercations. The Jieyun Temple, which is on the other side, was formerly known as the Zhonghe Ciyunyan Temple, but was destroyed during the armed struggles, and its remains were taken over by the Banqiao Jieyun Temple. Its collection contains many precious ancient plaques and scrolls, and there are many wood carvings of flying immortals wrapped in gold foil on both sides of the roof as well as in the main hall, which are very spectacular. The caisson ceiling has a special long oval design, and is of great historical and religious value.

Banqiao Diyi Temple
The only one of the four temples to have been a city-designated temple, the Diyi Temple, was built by the Banqiao Lin family to commemorate the people who died fighting; it is also known as the Yuanshuai Temple. In 2021, after it was restored, the temple opened up for the public by appointment. The paintings of the Door Gods and the Qilin murals inside are all made by master painter Mr. Cai Longjin, the winner of the New Taipei Cultural Award. Next time you are in Banqiao, on your way to the Lin Family Mansion and Garden, slow down and closely follow the inscriptions on the ground to explore the former Walled City, and enter the temples to admire the exquisite paintings and craftmanship, and explore the past life of the city!

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Female Power: Her Story ⁠— Tamsui Women’s Road

Tamsui, one of the earliest international commercial ports in Taiwan, has rich cultural assets and scenic oceans and mountains, making a well-known tourist attraction in Northern Taiwan. Tamsui, which opened its port to merchants and trade in 1860, was the main center of trade for Taiwan and the rest of the world, and it contributed to many important changes in Taiwanese society. The first girl’s school, Tamsui Girls’ School, was founded in Zhenli Street, which is located in today’s Tamsui. Communities such as the New Taipei City Government, Tamsui Traveler, and New Taipei City Community Traveling and Learning Care Association collaborated on Tamsui Women’s Road. It aims to discover local stories of female power and connect with historical sites of feminine significance. Let’s put on our hanfu and discover Her Story in Tamsui.The House of Maidens and the House of ReverendsThe House of Maidens and the House of Reverends were built by Rev. William Gauld in 1906 and 1909 respectively. The House of The House of Maidens and the House of Reverends were built by Rev. William Gauld in 1906 and 1909 respectively. The House of Maidens was originally provided as a residence for Ms. Jane Kinney, the headmaster of Tamsui Girls’ School, and Ms. Hannah Connell, the headmaster of Tamsui Women’s School, and is currently the Office of the President of Aletheia University. The House of Reverends was the residence of Rev. William Gauld; its piano studio became a smash hit after it was featured in the extremely popular movie Secret (2007), and is now the Research and Development Center of Aletheia University. The appearance of the two Houses is similar to that of the British consulate residence situated not far away; all of them are red brick buildings containing a cloister. What differentiates the two houses from the British consulate residence is that the exterior wall decoration is much simpler than that of the official residence. Rev. Mackay and his wife Chang Tsung-mingChang Tsung-ming, who was originally named Tsung-tsai, grew up in Wugu District in New Taipei City. After marrying Rev. Mackay in the former British Consulate in Tamsui in 1878, she studied hard, becoming an English-proficient teacher in the Women’s School, which made Chang a woman ahead of her time. Chang and Rev. Mackay also helped many Taiwanese women fettered by tradition, and they played important roles in the history of women’s education in Taiwan. Tamsui Women’s Road will vividly show you Chang Tsung-ming’s journey in Mackay Memorial Museum in the form of a street play.At the end of 1879, Chang Tsung-ming and Rev. Mackay started their journey back to Canada, passing through Xiamen, Hong Kong, Singapore, and India, until they arrived in the Middle East. They visited the pyramids in Egypt, and the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. From there, they passed through Alexandria and arrived in Italy, where they visited the ruins of Pompeii, Rome and Vatican City. Then, they went to Paris and England, and finally arrived in Canada. After accompanying Rev. Mackay to finish his duties and fundraising in Canada, they flew through the US and Japan, and came back to Taiwan. This experience also made Chang Tsung-ming the first Taiwanese woman who traveled around the world.The Tamsui Girls’ SchoolAfter Rev. Mackay returned to Taiwan from Canada, he established the Tamsui Girls’ School in 1884 – the first women's school and the origin of women's education in Taiwan. The women's school has nurtured many outstanding women: the first female physician in Taiwan, Dr. Tsai Ashin (The heroine of the TV series A Cinematic Journey - the prototype of Qiu Yaxin) and the writer Wang Li Ruyue all graduated from Tamsui Girls’ School. In addition, in order to help educate married and adult women, Rev. Mackay established a women's school, which can be called the first “Classroom for Moms" in Taiwan.A-geiA-gei is a well-known snack in Tamsui. Just like Yonghe soy milk, when we think of A-gei, we think of Tamsui. The inventor of this famous snack was Ms. Yang Zheng Jinwen, who ran a snack stand with her husband, Yang Shugen. In 1965, she developed a new dish, for which she cut upoiled tofu, filled it with pork noodles, and sealed it with fresh fish paste. This dish became the symbol of Tamsui’s delicious cuisine, A-gei. The word “A-gei” originated from the Japanese word for oily tofu, "Abura-age." To the foreigners’ surprise, the packaging for takeaway A-gei was initially wrapped in newspapers to withstand the wet and cold weather in Tamsui during winter.Handmade thread-bound booksThe old name of Chongjian Street is Nine Valley Street, which refers to the nine stores that first opened here, making it the one and only Tamsui Old Street. Before the development of the shopping district in Tamsui’s Zhongzheng Road, Tamsui Old Street was the busiest place in Tamsui, with some of the old houses leading up into the hills still standing today. In the age of the Internet, where information is abundant, this place returned to the time of original paper books, bound one stitch at a time, carefully creating a world of books.The line “The beauty of Guanyin Mountain enters my view, a reflected painting of the morning sun” is from a poem by a female poet from Tamsui, Wang Li Ruyue. As you walk down Chongjian Street toward the MRT station, you can see Guanyin Mountain and the Samsui river in front of you, and experience the same feelings this poet felt. Tamsui, when looking from a female perspective, is the cradle of women’s education in Taiwan, which has fostered countless outstanding women before us. The first step from Tamsui then became a big step in the social change of Taiwan.

A Culinary Journey to the Night Markets! From Morning until Night, eating Chinese and Western Food Makes You Happy

-->Sometimes, delicacies link good travel memories! The traffic becomes more convenient after the operation of the Circular Line has started. Following the steps of gourmands, it's suggested to take a night market journey that satisfies your body and mind. The journey starts from the "World Soy Milk King;" the burnt-flavored soymilk cooked by using a traditional method goes well with hot egg pancake rolls, Shaobing (a layered flatbread), radish cake, etc., abundant Chinese-style breakfast starts a wonderful day. The so-called No.4 Park, which is known as the "823 Memorial Park" is the urban oasis; people can stroll or walk a dog leisurely; when feeling tired, people can read a book at the National Taiwan Library; at noon, the shop is filled with a warm aroma from the so-called "Dlcservice Cafe", which is located in the small lane near the Jingan MRT Station, offers mellow and aromatic coffee and Japanese-style meal boxes. In the evening, people can take a walk in the "Banqiao Station." On the year-end, the station is transformed into a dazzling New Taipei City Christmas Wonderland as there are not only extremely fantastic lighting decorations available for taking good photos but also a marketplace and series of activities. It's a must-go destination! At last, the journey comes to a perfect ending at the Nanya Night Market, which is the food paradise in Banqiao; the snacks, such as sesame oil chicken, stinky tofu, stewed pork ribs with medicinal herbs, etc. are available from the start until the end of the night market, super satisfying and enjoyable!World Soy Milk King--> Yonghe-made soy milk is known throughout the isles of Taiwan, with World Soy Milk King has the leading business plan and the mostfame.World Soy Milk King is open 24 hours a day, offering Chinese-style breakfast throughout Taiwan with a twist. It can be said that World Soy Milk King is responsible for mobilizing Taiwanese to get three square meals a day, and convincing Taiwanese that soy milk and oil sticks is not just for breakfast. In fact, breakfast has been expanded to mean north-China noodles, and includes Taiwanese-style and Cantonese favorites, making World Soy Milk a sanctuary of good eats.info.Location and Address: No. 284 Yonghe Road Section 2, Yonghe City, Taipei CountyContact Phone Number: 886-2-89270000Opening Hours: 24HThe traffic information from the Dingxi MRT Station to the World Soy Milk KingGet off at the Dingxi MRT Station. Go along Yonghe Road, and it takes about a 3-minute walk.823 Memorial Park--> Formerly called No. 4 Park, the name of this expanse of green changed to 823 Memorial Park after a monument was erected in it to commemorate victory in the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis, which had begun with the 823 Artillery Bombardment. The park is located at the Zhonghe-Yonghe border and at 10 hectares is the largest park in either district. The National Taiwan Library is here, as is a spacious green area and forest path, plus basketball courts and playgrounds. Local residents come to exercise, whether it is walking or taking their dog for a stroll, and to enjoy a rare expanse of green in this dense urban zone.info.Location and Address: No. 20, Lane 347, Anle Road, Zhonghe District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 235 (Between Zhongan Street and Anping Road)Contact Phone Number: 886-2-22482688Opening Hours: Open all year roundThe traffic information from the World Soy Milk King to the 823 Memorial ParkTake the MRT Zhonghe-Xinlu Line and get off at the Yong'an Market MRT Station. It takes about a 3-minute walk to reach the destination.823 Memorial Park's informationThe Dlcservice Cafe--> Located close to the Jing'an MRT Station, the "Dlcservice cafe," which has a country-style decoration at the gate. Once you open the wooden door, the interior decoration gives people a very relaxing feel. There're small objects hanging on the walls, such as postcards and leather accessories. Exactly, it sells Japanese groceries. The decoration setting and the menu are usually changed every half a year. Every place in the shop has its signature, people can feel the owner's considerate design in the different corners. The shop provides coffee and food, including pancakes, homemade yogurt, light meals and lunch boxes. You don't see anything wrong, the Japanese-style meal boxes are the same as the ones in the Japanese dramas. The food arrangement makes people want to take more photos, and the abundant contents taste very delicious! Having lunch or an afternoon tea here is a warm and comfortable enjoyment as if you're at home.Photos are provided by the Dlcservice Cafeinfo.Location and Address: No.6, Ln. 167, Jing'an Road, Zhonghe Dist., New Taipei CityContact Phone Number: 886-2-89433173Opening Hours: 12:00~21:00 (It closes on Mondays)The traffic information from the 823 Memorial Park to the Dlcservice CafeTake the MRT Zhonghe-Xinlu Line and get off at the Jing'an MRT Station. It takes about a 3-minute walk.The Dlcservice Cafe's informationBanqiao Railway Station--> The peripheral area of Banqiao Station is a new shopping area in the city and its most prosperous business quarter. In addition to Taiwan Railway Station, Taipei Metro Station and bus stops, Banqiao Station has other public facilities, including a big shopping mall, food court and library, which have turned the area into a new commercial center. New Taipei City Hall is five minutes away on foot. Visitors can participate in events held on the big square of the station and enjoy the view in the 32-floor observatory free of charge. These features make Banqiao comparable with first-class cities in the world.info.Location and Address: No.7, Sec. 2, Xianmin Blvd., Banqiao Dist., New Taipei City, Taiwan 220Contact Phone Number: 886-2-89691036Opening Hours: 06：00~24：00The traffic information from the Dlcservice Cafe to the Banqiao Railway StationAt the Jing'an MRT Station, transfer to the Circular Line and get off at Banqiao Station, which is the destination.Banqiao Railway Station's informationNanya Night Market--> As the street food paradise of Banqiao people, “Nanya Night Market” is located on “Nanya East Road”. Besides street foods, there are many fashion vendors and game stands. From the beginning to the end of the night market, there are many famous food stores you should never miss. From steamed pork buns (xiaolongbao), sesame oil chicken soup, stinky tofu, and small sausage in large sausage, after eating across the market, you will be full to the throat.info.Location and Address: Nanya E. Rd., Banqiao Dist., New Taipei City, Taiwan 220Contact Phone Number: 886-2-29686911Opening Hours: 17:00-02:00The traffic information from the Banqiao Station to the Nanya Night MarketStart from the Banqiao Station, walk along the Xianmin Boulevard. It takes about a 20-minute walk to reach the destination; or, take the MRT and get off at the Fuzhong Station, then, it takes about an 8-minute walk.Nanya Night Market's informationReturn Trip Traffic InformationWalk to the Fuzhong MRT Station, and transfer to either MRT Line that reaches your home.Circular Line MAP