Encountering Jimmy – enjoying cherry blossom along the Danhai Light Rail

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螢幕擷取畫面 2022-08-17 100528
Category :
Senior citizen & Route 2 Taiwan-Cycling Routes
Travel days :
1 day
適合對象 :
Public

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      Introduction

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      In the city, people are rushing around for work every day. The pace of life is so fast that it is impossible to relax. After getting off work, the advertisements on the street and various notifications on the mobile phone are holding our eyeballs hostage. You must feel exhausted from this kind of life. "Sometimes, sometimes" suggests that you should get rid of the stimulus that is imposed on the "window to the soul." Take Danhai Light Rail from Tamsui, ride in the blue train, and feel the blue sky and the sea in the transparent carriage!

      Stroll through the 4-kilometer-long dreamy cherry blossom tunnel and collect the Jimmy-themed sculptures that are loved by adults and children along the Light Rail. Visit the century-old Sanheyuan, Gongsitian River Cheng's Ancient House. Cycle back to Tamsui Old Street along the Tamsui Golden Coast Cycling Route in the evening, accompanied by the golden sunset. This will be a trip where you can't help but keep pressing the shutter!

      淡海輕軌幾米

      Sometimes, sometimes: Jimmy's public art along Danhai Light Rail
      Danhai Light Rail is the second light rail system in Taiwan and an important outbound transportation system for Danhai New Town. During the design phase, Danhai Light Rail collaborated with the well-known illustrator/author Jimmy, who, under the theme of "Sometimes, sometimes," created public artworks at eleven MRT stations of the Green Mountain Line. If you observe carefully, the chairs in the waiting area, card sensors, and sculptures in the station all got the hidden ingenuity of Jimmy. The sense of fantasy and healing in Jimmy's illustrations jumped from paper into the reality. Listen carefully - the music that goes on when the Light Rail train enters the station was also specifically chosen to match the atmosphere.
      遇見幾米 淡海櫻該這樣玩
      幾米彩繪

      The mambo of blossoms: Huwei Cherry Blossom Avenue and Beitouzi Creek Cherry Blossom Trail
      "The train is arriving at, Danjin Denggong Station." Looking towards the right, the cherry blossom tunnel will be right in front of your eyes! Huwei Cherry Blossom Avenue is named after the ancient name of Tamsui, Huwei. The 4-kilometer-long Huwei Cherry Blossom Avenue is full of Yoshino cherry blossoms and Taiwan cherry blossoms. You can overlook Datun Mountains from here too. It is the longest cherry blossom trail in the world.
      滬尾櫻花
      滬尾櫻花大道

      Beitouzi Creek Cherry Blossom Trail next to Danjin Beixin Station is 3.5 kilometers in length. More than 100 Yoshino cherry trees are planted along the trail. During the blooming season, both sides of the trail are covered by pink cherry blossoms. Many visitors are brought here by the beautiful scenery. It is a tranquil garden in Danhai New Town.
      北投子溪

      The ding-ding-dong commuter train: Gongsitian River Cheng's Ancient House
      Danhai Light Rail changes from an elevated section to a road-level section after passing Tamsui District Office Station. The ding-ding-dong sounds became a part of the soundscape of this location, warning road users that the Light Rail train is about to pass. Around Binhai Shalun Station, where the line splits into the Green Mountain Line and the Blue Coast Line, there is a hidden century-old ancient house that has witnessed the past of Danhai area.
      公司田溪程氏古厝

      Cheng's Ancient House was built during the Guangxu period of Qing Dynasty. It is the first traditional residential house in Tamsui District to be designated as a historic building. The structure is of a typical Sanheyuan, surrounded by bamboo reed and ditches, showcasing the beauty of Minnan architecture in early Tamsui. The roof ridge is of the "golden mabei" format, and the side wall is made of andesite. There is even an embrasure in the design for resisting thieves! This place was also an ancient battlefield of the Sino-French War in 1884. During the Battle of Huwei, Qing army deployed troops near the ancient house and successfully fended off the attack of the French army.
      公司田溪程氏古厝

      Never-ending wishes: Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf
      Fisherman's Wharf Station, the terminus of the Blue Coast Line, is the top spot in northern Taiwan for enjoying the sunset. Lover's Bridge during the magic hour is particularly stunning. You can close your eyes and try using the other senses to feel the moment. The temperature would become more pleasant around this time. Ride a YouBike along the Golden Coast to Tamsui MRT Station. Gaze at Guanyin Mountain on the other side of Tamsui River and Danjiang Bridge that is currently under construction. From here, you can draw the perfect ending to the trip and be on the way home with great satisfaction.
      漁人碼頭

       

      Next
      Get going! Experience one day of in-depth Hakka culture of Sanxia.
      "Hakka, indigo dyeing, and old streets" are probably the three main impressions that come to mind when thinking of Sanxia. Sanxia was formerly known as "Sanchiaoyung," and "yung" means water waves in Taiwanese. Hengxi, Sanxia River, and Dahan River converge here, forming a triangular plain. The place name shows the characteristics of the past century - abundant water resources and open plains.The Hakka immigrants in Sanxia engaged in the dyeing, tea, and camphor industries with rich natural conditions as the background. Moreover, the rivers crisscrossed the area, enabling the transportation of large quantities of cloth, making the dyeing industry a thriving industry. To get to know Sanxia, start with the indigo dyeing experience. Wandering around the former Sanchiaoyung Street (now called "Sanxia Old Street") and visiting the New Taipei City Hakka Museum to experience the collision of Hakka culture from the past to the present.▲ Sanxia was once a significant center of the indigo dyeing industry. (Photo source: authorized and provided by Can Culture Art and Nature)Here is the significant center of indigo dyeing, a part of Hakka culture.Sanxia is a place with many hills, suitable for growing the blue-dyed plant "Assam Indigo." The confluence of rivers also provides advantages for leaching and river transportation. Hakka immigrants took advantage of the perfect geographical conditions and developed the treasures of this land. The place once experienced a prosperous era with many dyeing factories until the introduction and popularization of chemical dyes.When visiting Sanxia Old Street, people still see the old dyeing workshop plaques hanging high. A group of young people who returned to their hometown, holding the concept of local creation, rented a century-old house on Qingshui Street next to Sanxia Old Street and jointly established "Can Culture Art and Nature" to maintain the gradually declining culture. It provides a traditional craftsmanship experience and a canteen with fermented and brewed local ingredients.▲The courtyard of Can Culture Art and Nature, nestled against the century-old house, is shaded by large trees and full of greenery.Participating in Can Culture Art and Nature's DIY blue dyeing, the instructor will start by tracing the history of blue dyeing in Sanxia and then delve into the principles and techniques of blue dyeing. Through various methods of tying, determine the pattern differences on the fabric. After designing each pattern, the next step is to immerse the fabric in a traditional dyeing vat, gently massage it, and finally disassemble the tying tools. Drying in a well-ventilated place helps the dye to oxidize, and the color will gradually turn blue.▲ Dip the tied fabric into the dye vat and press it gently. (Photo source: provided by Can Culture Art and Nature)Once welcomed by the Hakka people, the blue dress is wear-resistant, dirt-resistant, and can be repeatedly dyed. As part of the Hakka culture of Sanxia, through a complete experience, people can understand the unique connotation of blue dyeing in Sanxia from a new perspective. It is not only a superficial living craft but also carries the simplicity that the Hakka people adhere to. Nowadays, many local dyeing workshops have launched course experiences and held the Sanxia Blue Dyeing Festival to allow this beautiful craft to take root in Sanxia and continue well.▲ Dry in a well-ventilated place to help the dye solution oxidize. (Photo source: provided by Can Culture Art and Nature)👉 Registration Information for Indigo Dyeing Experience DIY of Can Culture Art and Nature.The class opening has over six or more people, and participants must register three days in advance..Course time: Morning session 10:00 (holidays only) / Afternoon session 14:00 (weekdays and holidays)..The actual situation is subject to the organizer.Explore local cuisine in the unique old street that combines Minnan and Western styles.After experiencing indigo dyeing, visit the nearby Sanxia Old Street to visit the ancient sites and eat delicious food. It feels like traveling through time and space. Walking on Sanxia Old Street, it seems to see still the scene of people transporting coal and camphor wood on the road. This settlement street, which faces the river and the mountains, combines ancient Greek columns, Roman arches, and Baroque decorations. The long red brick arcade is a check-in spot for tourists.▲Sanxia Old Street is an S-shaped street built according to the terrain, and the red brick arcade is a tourist must-photograph attraction.The must-try food in Sanxia Old Street is not only the Golden Croissants. It would help to catch the original Golden Croissant ice cream. The modified croissant cup used to hold it has a crisper taste. There are also many ice cream flavors to choose from. Everyone should have an ice cream to cool down when the autumn heat comes. Handmade tofu pudding made according to the ancient method, rice blood with a unique garlic sauce, and braised dishes made with Chinese medicine and fruits and vegetables are also classic foods. Taste every deliciousness for just coins' price!▲ The most famous one is the Golden Croissant of Sanxia, which has also developed many extension products, such as Golden Croissant ice cream.👉 Read more: Sanxia Old Street Tour Guide (Sanxia Old Street Shopping District Official Website)It is a comprehensive collection of Hakka history, culture, and art, a place for education and entertainment.With a satisfying meal, why not walk to the " New Taipei City Hakka Museum," only a ten-minute drive from Sanxia Old Street? The round earthen buildings come into view with Hakka architectural elements such as the Vochang (Hakka dialect for "the place for drying grains in sunlight ") and corridors. The gun holes on the outer wall and the watchtowers at the commanding heights are all meant to prevent and resist foreign invasions and have rich landscape features.▲ The earthen building is not only eye-catching in appearance but also incorporates Hakka architectural elements.Entering the New Taipei City Hakka Museum, the central theme is the history and culture of Taiwan's Hakka people. The permanent exhibition of cultural relics is from multiple perspectives, including clothing, utensils, and art. A ceramic boutique area and traditional clothing display also incorporate Hakka imagery into artworks. They even combine blue dyeing and floral fabrics with Barbie dolls, using features such as slanted plackets, fasteners, and culottes to create a unique Hakka Barbie. Moreover, there are occasional special exhibitions of Hakka artists to showcase the artistic styles and features created by the New Taipei Hakka people under the changing environment.👉Read more: Current Exhibitions at New Taipei City Hakka Museum▲ For more information about current exhibitions, please visit the official website of the New Taipei City Hakka Museum.The gourmet restaurants in the park can satisfy your cravings for classic Hakka dishes that are "salty, fragrant, and fatty" or afternoon tea snacks such as steamed cakes and mochi. If you want to experience the Sanxia Hakka culture in New Taipei City, visiting the New Taipei City Hakka Museum is the first choice for physical, mental, and spiritual enrichment!
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