New Taipei City Travel

Temperatures rise and drop, and it is sometimes cloudy, and sometimes sunny. People do not know what to wear for unpredictable weather. However, it signals the full bloom of flowers in spring when the weather constantly changes! Tamsui and Sanzhi at the Northern Coast have gradually said goodbye to rainy winter to welcome pink cherry blossoms that come into blossom. You can admire Yoshino cherry blossoms that bloom after Taiwan cherry blossoms in Tianyuan Temple, a resort for admiring cherry blossoms. They announce the arrival of Spring God with their pinkish white flowers. Cherry blossoms by Maple Tree Lake, Sakura Path and Sanzhi Sansheng Trail awake from the stroke of the spring breeze, blooming under the clear sky.Located at the outskirt of Tamsui, Wuji Tianyuan Temple stands on the hill to the northwest of Datun Mountain. The magnificent temple faces the sea with the mountain in the back. Founded in 1972, the temple enshrines Jade Emperor. In 1992, the temple extended and constructed Zhenyuan Altar in the back mountain. The five-story sacred altar is 200 meters tall with a diameter of 108 meters. The grand and majestic architecture is the most well-known landmark on the hill of Tamsui. Undoubtedly, its gorgeous forest of cherry blossoms has made the temple even more famous. Cherry blossom trees that were planted when the temple was first founded have made it a much anticipated spot for admiring cherry blossoms in New Taipei City today thanks to temple workers who take good care of these trees.Cherry blossoms are grown in two areas at Tianyuan Temple. Taiwan cherry blossoms grown in the back mountain are pink, white and peach. They are usually in full bloom from late January to late February. Cherry blossoms grown around the altar are Yoshino cherry blossoms, and they are in full blossom around mid-March and late March. Cherry blossoms bloom all over the mountain set off the magnificent altar of Tianyuan Temple. The unique and elegant scenery has made the temple a beloved spot for photographers. They can take photos from diverse angles as the altar has been built on a slope.🌸Due to climate, the time for cherry blossoms to be in full bloom varies. You may check the latest flowering information on the websites of https://cpqweb.com/ntpciflower/and https://www.facebook.com/ntpcflowernews/?locale=zh_TW for more information.After admiring the beauty of the architecture of Tianyuan Temple and cherry blossoms, we come to Maple Tree Lake which is only five minutes away from the temple by car. Located inside Yangmingshan National Park, the lake which is surrounded by mountains on its three sides possesses the dreamlike scenes of Magnolia grandiflora, camellias and cherry blossoms. Maple Tree Lake has the largest forest of Magnolia grandiflora in Taiwan. Purple and pinkish white Magnolia grandiflora are planted by the lake. They are called “lotuses growing in the trees,” and are respected and loved by Buddhists. Moreover, they are important drug ingredients and spices. They are ornamental plants, and they provide benefits to humans as well.🌸The flowering season of Magnolia grandiflora is between early February and mid-March every year.16,000 cherry blossom trees were planted on Qingshan Road and Dahu Road successively nearly three decades ago in Sanzhi that is located right next to Tamsui. They include Taiwan cherry blossoms, double-layer cherry blossoms and Yoshino cherry blossoms, and they bloom in turn between late January and early April. They grow on both sides of the road, so it is called Sakura Path which is a popular spot for admiring cherry blossoms in Sanzhi. Landscape trails and observatories have been built for certain parts of the path. It is breathtaking to stroll on the flower path where the petals of cherry blossoms are flying all around.Sansheng Trail that is built along Dakeng River and paved with andesite is another renowned cherry blossom viewing path in Sanzhi. Over 300 double-layer cherry blossom and Yoshino cherry blossom trees have been planted along the 2-kilometer trail. Sansheng Trail combines “production,” “life” and “ecology.” The fields in farming villages are pleasing to see. You can walk on the wooden arch bridge to listen to the murmuring of the river, admire the falling of petals, and enjoy the happiness that belongs solely to spring.

The picturesque Tamsui was once Northern Taiwan’s window connecting to the world in the latter half of the 19th century. The thriving international trade contributed to Tamsui’s golden years; and, through merchants and missionaries, western goods and ideas also arrived in Tamsui and entered Taiwan. The first girls’ school, first Western-style hospital, and first golf course in Taiwan were all established in Tamsui, each of which subsequently transformed the entire landscape of Taiwanese society.Come to Tamsui with your children on the weekend to Visit the Tamsui Historical Museum of Douglas Lapraik & Co., and learn about Tamsui’s cultural heritage through interactive games. Visit places like “The House of Maidens”, “The House of Reverends”, and “Mackay Memorial Museum”. Then discuss with your children the impact of the opening of Tamsui Port on Taiwan. Take a leisurely stroll through the FAB Green Village, explore the whimsical public art of the Danhai Light Rail , and immerse yourself in the artistic atmosphere of modern Tamsui.In 1860, after Taiwan’s ports were opened for international trade, Tamsui quickly emerged as Northern Taiwan’s most international commercial port, and attracted numerous foreign firms to establish an office in Tamsui. The Douglas Lapraik & Co. located at the end of Tamsui Old Street, together with Tait, Ckiangsu, Elles, and Dent, were the top five foreign firms in Tamsui. Apart from its engagement in international trade, Douglas Lapraik & Co. was a giant in Taiwan’s shipping industry at the end of the 19th century. With its control of this island’s external trade, it has facilitated the prosperous development of Tamsui after the opening of Tamsui port.Featuring historical significance, this foreign firm’s architecture is an ideal place for showcasing Tamsui’s prosperous past. After a year of preparation, the permanent exhibition of the “Tamsui Historical Museum” is launched within Douglas Lapraik & Co. The exhibition features a collection of 12 cultural heritage sites in Tamsui, including Fort San Domingo, the Former Site of the Tamsui Customs Officer’s Residence, Tamsui Customs Wharf, the Former Residence of Tamsui Township Head Tada Eikichi, Hobe Fort, the Tamsui Police Chief’s Residence, Douglas Lapraik & Co., Shih’s Old Residence (in Qizaiding of Tamsui), Cheng’s Old Residence (by Gonsitian River), Japanese Trader Nakano’s Residence, the Former Residence of Kinoshita Seigai, and the Former Tamsui Elementary School Hall. These sites represent significant architectural and historical landmarks.The Tamsui Historical Museum has categorized the exhibited cultural heritage into four main types: political, military, commercial, and educational. Each category is transformed into interactive games that incorporate their respective historical narratives. Through playful and engaging interactions, children can effortlessly gain insight into interesting facts about Tamsui’s historic sites and embark on a journey of imagination to visualize the bygone charm of Tamsui.After ascending the sloping path of Zhenli Street, entering the campus of Aletheia University, and passing through the Finance and Economics Building, you will come across two century-old red-brick buildings that appear even more elegant framed by the surrounding green trees. In front of these buildings is a lush garden, while just beyond, you can glimpse the Tamsui River and Guanyinshan. These two similar-style colonnaded Western-style buildings are “The House of Maidens” and “The House of Reverends”, which were built in 1906 and 1909 respectively.These two buildings, constructed from bricks and Chinese firs imported from Xiamen, were personally designed and supervised by Reverend William Gauld. The House of Maidens was originally gifted to Miss Jane Kinney, the principal of Taiwan’s first girls’ school, Tamsui Girls’ School, and Miss Hannah Connell, the principal of Women’s School, as their residence. It holds significant historical value as a witness to the development of contemporary girls’ education in Taiwan. Today, it serves as the Office of the President at Aletheia University. The House of Reverends, on the other hand, served as the residence of Reverend William Gauld. Its music hall is widely known for its appearance in the movie “Secret”.The white building next to “The House of Maidens” and “The House of Reverends” is the Mackay Memorial Museum, also known as the Dr. Mackay’s former residence. Constructed in 1875, this building was personally designed by Dr. Mackay, and its Spanish-style architecture is well-suited for the humid and rainy climate of northern Taiwan. Dr. Mackay lived here with his Taiwanese wife, Chang Tsung-ming, and his children until he passed away in 1901 due to an illness.In 1872, Dr. Mackay took Douglas Lapraik & Co’s flagship “Sea Dragon” from Kaohsiung to Tamsui, where he embarked on his decades-long missions of preaching, teaching, and providing medical services in Taiwan. Dr. Mackay also nurtured many talents in Taiwan’s religious, educational, and medical circles. Moreover, recognizing the social bias against women in Taiwan, he pioneered women’s education in Taiwan by founding Tamsui Girls’ School. Dr. Mackay’s wife, Chang Tsung-ming, was also a teacher at Tamsui Girls’ School and was fluent in English. Both of them are important figures in the history of women’s education in Taiwan.👉Visiting the interior exhibitions of the Mackay Memorial Museum requires prior arrangement. Please contact the Tamsui Oxford Archives of Aletheia University at (02-2621-2121).Chang Tsung-ming once accompanied Dr. Mackay on a trip back to his homeland, Canada, at the end of 1879. During the journey, they passed through Xiamen, Hong Kong, Singapore, India, and the Middle East. They visited the pyramids in Egypt, went to Jerusalem to see the Western Wall, and, through Alexandria, proceeded to Italy to visit the ruins of Pompeii, Rome, and the Vatican. They then traveled through France and the UK to reach Canada, where they completed missionary work and fundraising activities. Afterward, they returned to Taiwan via the United States and Japan. This journey made Chang Tsung-ming the first Taiwanese woman to complete a trip around the world.Stroll along the wooden boardwalk by the Tamsui River and, shortly after passing Fort San Domingo, you’ll find the snow-white FAB Green Village on your right. This geometrically symmetrical architecture that echoes Tamsui’s arched western style building designs has attracted numerous visitors for sightseeing and photography. The FAB Green Village combines a renowned European hotel, shopping plaza, movie theater, and garden plaza. After enjoying a meal in the shopping plaza, you can visit the rooftop garden on the third floor to sit on the vast lawn with your children, gaze into the distance at Bali’s left bank and Guanyinshan, and relish the captivating Tamsui sunset.Take a bus to the Danhai Light Rail Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf Station and step into the Danhai Light Rail system filled with elements from Jimmy Liao’s picture books. Let the heartwarming characters from Jimmy’s picture books accompany you on the light rail. Just like the characters do in “Sometimes, Sometimes”, close your eyes and the light blue light rail train is about to start your journey to dreamland and cozy home.