An intellectual journey to Tamsui with your children: Cultural heritage and girls’ education

Anchor point
3810
Category :
MRT Travel & Family tour & Outdoor excursion & Nostalgic tour of the old street
Travel days :
1 day
適合對象 :
Public & Family & Couples & The aged

推薦路線

Day
    第一天

      Introduction

      Anchor point
      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.
      淡水古蹟微型博物館

      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.

      得忌利士商行

      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.
      淡水古蹟微型博物館

      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.
      淡水古蹟微型博物館

      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.
      牧師樓與姑娘樓

      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”.
      牧師樓與姑娘樓

      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.
      馬偕紀念館


      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).

      馬偕紀念館

      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.
      馬偕紀念館

      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.
      滬尾藝文休閒園區

      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.
      1024x768_3cd6187f-9335-49e7-95ed-5503570aec04

       
      day01
      Day 1 Traffic Updates
        Previous
        Romantic River Bank- “Tamsui” Sunset and Relic One Day Tour
        “Tamsui” of New Taipei City is a beautiful river bank with sunset and numerous relics. Whether strolling along the river banks hand in hand or shopping on Old Street, trying the local snacks or enjoying the unparalleled ocean view, all of them present an enjoyable traveling atmosphere. Beginning from the“MRT Tamsui Station”, visit the “Tamsui Old Street” to shop around and taste popular local snacks such as A Gei, fish fries and traditional egg pancakes; then move on to the centuries old white Qing Dynasty architecture the “Little White House” and pose with the romantic half domed archway and corridors. The nearby “Bok Su Lao” is featured with red brick exterior and slanted rooftops, and the “Tamsui Red Castle” with three hundred years of history used to multi-function as a military defense, consular office and dungeon. “Cloud Gate Theatre”is the rehearsal and performance venue of the renowned performance group Cloud Gate. The park contains several works of art, including famous works by sculpting master Ju Ming. Here you can leaf through Cloud Gate selected books and uniquely developed art products of the dancer lifestyle. Finally, transfer to the “Lover’s Bridge” to capture unbeatable ocean views and the beautiful sunset in Taiwan. The neighboring “Fisherman’s Stage” allows visitors to enjoy the gentle ocean breeze and enjoy performances by independent bands.
        Next
        Art Realm New Taipei: Sanxia Slow One-Day Tour
        New Taipei City advances low-carbon tourism by emphasizing transportation, meals, and attractions, working to reduce travel emissions. Professional institutions calculate carbon footprints, and VCS-certified carbon credits are purchased to achieve sustainability. The Sanxia low-carbon tour begins at the environmental education site of Lujiaoxi Constructed Wetland, continues to TINA Kitchen eco-restaurant for healthy seasonal meals, proceeds to New Taipei City Art Museum for an art experience, and concludes with a guided walk through Sanxia Old Street to appreciate local cultural heritage.Spanning 16 hectares, Lujiaoxi Constructed Wetland sits at the confluence of Dahan River and its tributary Lujiao River. Once a landfill, the site was renovated by the New Taipei City High Riverbank Construction Management Office into a constructed wetland, becoming New Taipei's first on-site wastewater treatment facility certified by the Environmental Protection Administration .Using aquatic plants and natural purification methods, Lujiaoxi Wetland effectively improves Dahan River’s water quality through sedimentation, filtration, and biological absorption. The wetland attracts numerous bird species and amphibians, creating an excellent ecotourism destination. Environmental volunteers guide visitors through wetland plants—giant elephant’s ear, shell ginger, paper mulberry, fountain grass, flute reed, wild sugarcane, and silvergrass, and ecology.TINA Kitchen, near Yingge Ceramics Museum, embraces the "farm to table" philosophy, offering 16 main course options plus an extensive self-service bar featuring fresh vegetable salads, dessert breads, and various hot and cold teas and coffee—balancing flavor with health. The "Organic Yam" brand maintains its commitment to 'organic agriculture + organic food processing + organic living,' extending into organic bakeries and natural soap workshops, practicing environmentally conscious, organic lifestyles.New Taipei City Art Museum sits in Yingge, renowned for ceramic craftsmanship. Designed by architect Kris Yao, the silver-white structure takes inspiration from riverside reeds, expressing wind-swept movement through staggered vertical lines. Incorporating green building principles, the museum uses expansive glass to draw natural light inside while balancing ventilation and insulation, creating comfortable viewing conditions. The extensive outdoor grounds provide habitat for numerous Taiwan-endemic species, establishing the museum as a significant New Taipei landmark combining aesthetics with environmental consciousness.Follow the Can Culture, Art & Nature on a guided walk through Sanxia Old Street. This 260-meter street winds S-shaped along Sanxia River. In earlier times, a light railway transported tea and coal from Sanxia's hills. Most existing street houses date back a century. Continuous red-brick arcades and baroque archways create Sanxia Old Street's distinctive character. Examining the facades reveals intricate decorative styles—each building's gable and nameplate designs contain unique architectural language, made more vivid through the guide's commentary.Built in 1769, Sanxia Qingshui Zushi Temple underwent reconstruction led by art master Li, Mei-shu, incorporating works by craftsmen from various schools and contemporary artists. It's acclaimed as the "Oriental Art Palace." The guide leads visitors through the temple's elaborate caisson ceilings, vibrant cut-and-paste decorations, and exquisitely carved stone pillars.The Can’s Haksip Village sits beside Sanxia Old Street. Originally Alin Hospital founded in 1947, it transformed into a local revitalization hub starting in 2017, earning recognition as one of the Ministry of Culture's Top 100 Cultural Bases. Haksip Village takes its name from Taiwanese for "collective learning," connecting craft artisans, specialty food merchants, community schools, and corporate partners to build community support networks.The village hosts Hidekawa Fermentation Workshop and Tofu House, Sanyi Metalworking, Shike Studio, and Grass Book House. Hidekawa uses non-GMO domestic soybeans contract-farmed from the Jianan Plain to produce tofu products and miso, reducing food miles. Sanyi Metalworking and Shike Studio preserve and advance traditional crafts while offering hands-on experiences in metalworking, wood carving, and gold hammering techniques. Experience Haksip’s collaborative spirit in the village, and try Hidekawa’s tofu ice cream combining Sanxia Biluochun tea with domestic soybeans—tea and bean fragrances intertwining as the tour concludes.The "Art Realm New Taipei: Sanxia Slow One-Day Tour" meets the Ministry of Environment's "Green Tourism" standards and appears on the "Green Lifestyle” information platform. Carbon footprint calculations show this tour produces 10.2 kg CO2e per person.
        Read more