New Taipei City Travel

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.

Shiding District is the geographical center of New Taipei City, the main catchment area of Feicui Dam, and an essential path along the southern route of Tamsui Kavalan Historical and Cultural Trails. Many approachable trails around Shiding Old Street are suitable for families to wander together. From the Tamsui-Kavalan Suspension Bridge, you can walk along the Waian Historic Trail, Wutuxi Trail, and Sifenzi Historic Trail, bathing in the green mountain trails. Then, go to the bee farm and tea garden on the Beiyi Highway to learn about the ecology of bees, taste tea, and feel the infinite vitality of the real estate industry.The Dipteris Conjugatas standing at the end of the Tamsui Suspension Bridge marks this place as an important scenic spot of the Tamsui Historic Trail. The red bridge of the Tamsui-Kavalan Suspension Bridge spans the Shiding River, and the pavilion and stone slabs simulate the scene of the transport wharf in the past. After crossing the suspension bridge, enter the Waian Historic Trail, go under the tall National Freeway 5 viaduct, and head to Shiding Old Street.The southern route of Tamsui-Kavalan Historical and Cultural Trails is known as the "Tea Road." In the mid-19th century, after Taiwan opened its ports, tea became an essential international export commodity for Taiwan. The vast mountainous area between Taipei and Yilan became a significant tea production center, and the settlements in the valleys became trading bases for tea merchants. People transported Baozhong tea from the Shiding and Pinglin areas to Muzha, Jingmei, and Bangka along the southern route of Tamsui-Kavalan Historical and Cultural Trails and Jingmei River waterway transportation network. After being processed and packaged in Dadaocheng, the merchants shipped the tea out of Tamsui to the world.The endpoint of the Waian Historic Trail: Shiding Old Street is the earliest developed area in Shiding. It is divided into two streets, east and west, by the Wanshou Bridge, built with stone bridge piers. The century-old tofu shop, the unique hanging-leg building (diaojialou), and the skyless street on the old street are all classic attractions in Shiding. Passing by the Shiding Elementary School, which is more than 120 years old, reflects a flourishing population of Shiding during the coal mining period in the early years.After passing through Shiding Elementary School, connect to the Wutuxi Trail built along the left bank of the Wutuxi. The trail is roughly parallel to Dingge Road, with a total length of about two kilometers and gentle undulations. Bamboo forests lined the path along the way, accompanied by Formosa Acacia, tung flowers, ficus variegata blume, nest ferns, and lagerstroemia subcostata of Shansu and Han. Besides, fishing protection policies allow rivers to retain various fish species, with clear and transparent water quality and a rich and diverse ecosystem.The Sifenzi Historic Trail is a mountain trail connecting Sifenzi and Yueshan Lake. Along the trail, you can see many historical sites, such as a stone bridge, stone houses, a Tudi Gong temple, tea plantations, terraced fields, and bamboo gardens. The picturesque scenery of Shiding has attracted many people who love mountain life to build their homes here. After walking the three major mountain trails in Shiding, arrive at the Mamami Honey, about a 5-minute drive from Shiding Old Street. Under the guidance of the beekeeper, you put on professional bee-proof clothes and enter the home of honey. In the garden where hundreds of bees are flying, observe the ecology of bees up close and deeply understand the importance of bees to the world's ecosystem.The Bei Yi Highway is a 58-kilometer highway connecting Taipei and Yilan. The highway transportation function of the Bei Yi Highway replaced the traditional traffic route – Tamsui- Kavalan Historical and Cultural Trails, and has formed many new settlements. The latest traffic route brought traffic and people and allowed many industries to move to the side of the highway. Wang Lai Tea, which focuses on tea cultivation, is among the best. In the tea house full of unique award plaques, enjoy the excellent tea brewed by the tea garden owner and quietly appreciate the beautiful tea garden scenery.