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New Taipei City Travel

Exploring Tamsui Womenet s Road: Hearing the voice of women voice in the Red Castle

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Category :
Nostalgic tour of the old street & Secret attractions
Travel days :
1 day
適合對象 :
Public & Family & Couples & The aged

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      Introduction

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      Let's embark on a deep travel led by women in Tamsui. Begin by walking from the alleys near Tamsui Mazu up to Chongjian Street to uncover the romantic tale of the painter Lin Yu-chu and the writer Wang Chang-hsiung. Then, explore the century-old Red Castle to witness women's dedication to heritage and create your own thread-bound book. Finally, delight in the performance of Peking Opera at the Tamsui Customs Wharf against the backdrop of a sunset. Guided by an elegant female guide, let's embark on a cultural journey through Tamsui and listen to the stories of women in this area.
      福佑宮與重建街

      Visiting Tamsui Mazu and the two old streets
      Commencing the journey from the old alley adjacent to Fuyou Palace to visit Tamsui's four major temples – Fuyou Palace and Yinshan Temple dedicated to the worship of Mazu, Longshan Temple, and Qingshui Temple. Mazu, symbolizing the fortitude and compassion of women in the past time, is the goddess most familiar to the Taiwanese people and serves as the guardian of Tamsui's maritime activities. Fuyou Palace holds numerous legendary tales. According to accounts, during the Sino-French Battle of Tamsui and World War II, Tamsui Mazu manifested miracles and successfully safeguarded the safety of the Tamsui region. Furthermore, Fuyou Palace sits at the crossroads of two historic streets in Tamsui – Chongjian Street and Zhongzhen Road – bearing witness to the area's development over the past 200 years.
      福佑宮與重建街

      Painter Lin Yu-chu’sromance of Chongjian Street
      Ascending the stairs that wind along the mountain slope, you will arrive at Tamsui's Chongjian Street, the original commercial street. Today, in contrast to the bustling Zhongzheng, Chongjian Street exudes a more serene ambiance. However, it remains the authentic Tamsui Old Street and is home to many political and economic figures of Tamsui. From the mid-19th century to the early 20th century, this area was the most prosperous district in Tamsui. Gazing back at Chongjian Street offers a panoramic view of the picturesque Tamsui River landscape. It also holds significance as the romantic backdrop for Painter Lin Yu-chu and Writer Wang Chang-hsiung.
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      福佑宮與觀音山

      Lin Yu-chu was born on Qingshui Street near Chongjian Street. Qingshui Street, previously known as the "rice market street", was the primary location where rice vendors congregated in Tamsui a hundred years ago. Lin's family, for example, was involved in the rice-selling business. While studying at Tamsui Girls' School, Lin Yu-chu encountered her respected teacher, Chen Jing-hui. Chen Jing-hui, the grandson of Canadian missionary Mackay, had previously received a comprehensive arts education at the Kyoto City Specialized School of Art. Under Chen Jing-hui's careful guidance and through her dedication to learning, Lin Yu-chu began to shine in the field of painting.
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      With the encouragement of her teacher, Lin Yu-chu participated in Taiwan's grand annual art event – the Taiwan Fine Art Exhibition. In 1936, Lin Yu-chu's Nihonga artwork titled "Lighthouse at the Estuary" and Chen Jing-hui's "Aftertaste" were both selected for the 10th Taiwan Fine Art Exhibition. The outstanding accomplishment of a 17-year-old girl within Taiwan's art community during that era significantly heightened the radiance of Tamsui.
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      “If you open the door within your heart, you will witness the vibrant spring scenery.
      Though spring may not endure, it has the power to alleviate my distress for the moment.”

      With its lyrics penned by the physician and writer Wang Chang-hsiung, the song 'If I Open My Heart’s Door' has already become a classic Taiwanese song known to all Taiwanese people. Lin Yu-chu and Wang Chang-hsiung met through her teacher Chen Jing-hui. During their courtship, the two frequently rendezvoused on Chongjian Street, leaving behind their footprints, which have now transformed into a notable spot on Chongjian Street today – The Alley of Love, a place that exudes warmth and romance.
      戀愛巷
      重建街巷弄

      After visiting the distinctive shops along Chongjian Street such as "Vanilla Street House" and "Nine Valley 28", you will veer into an inconspicuous alley. This alley serves as a time tunnel leading to the Tamsui Red Castle.
      香草街屋
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      Grandma of the Red Castle, Hung Hsu-feng, preserves the Red Castle for Tamsui.
      The brick arched corridor leads to the Tamsui Red Castle, standing proudly on the slope of the old street. This red-brick Western-style building is a century-old landmark in Tamsui and has been featured in numerous paintings depicting this region. Constructed in 1899 by the wealthy businessman Li Yi-he, it was later acquired by Tamsui Street's chief, Hung Yi-nan, in 1913 and became a gathering place for local literati and scholars, attracting many prominent figures. In the 1960s, it was further purchased by Hung Hsu-feng, the owner of Te Yu Taiwan Fish Crackers.
      淡水紅樓

      "When Taiwan's economy started to take off, a construction company once approached Hung about rebuilding the Tamsui Red Castle, but Hung Hsu-feng steadfastly refused to sell it. The reason is that the Red Castle is not only a shared memory among the people of Tamsui but also holds a significant meaning symbolizing family unity and blessings. By steadfastly preserving the Tamsui Red Castle, it now functions not solely as a restaurant but also partners with Tamsui Community College to promote vegetarian cooking and participates in cooperative endeavors with 'Vanilla Street House' on Chongjian Street. These collaborative efforts actively safeguard the heritage of old Tamsui through ongoing initiatives.
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      Visitors can savor a cup of traditional tea within the Red Castle's century-old splendor; don traditional Hanfu attire; and, under the guidance of Li-hsin, a representative possessing national treasure-level female expertise, craft their own thread-bound book at a leisurely pace. This allows visitors to momentarily detach from the digital age's information bombardment and immerse themselves in ancient craftsmanship predating the industrial era, facilitating a serene and mindful experience for the body and soul.
      線裝書製作
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      The days of sea lights – Wang Jing's Road towards Peking Opera
      Situated on the banks of the Tamsui River, the Tamsui Customs Wharf plays a significant role in Taiwan’s international trade history. After Taiwan opened the port in 1860, Tamsui welcomed its most splendid era. The wharf, constructed from stones such as Guanyin stone or Kiligan rock, stands as a testament to Tamsui's history as an international trading port. However, as a result of river channel siltation, the functions of the Tamsui port gradually declined, causing it to lose its former prominence.
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      Afterward, the clamor of wharf workers was replaced by the voices of women. In 1975, the Navy Art Work Brigade relocated from Zuoying in Kaohsiung to Tamsui Customs Wharf. The Haiguang Peking Opera Team and Haiguang Peking Opera Training Class, embodying the strength and aspirations of women, also found their new home by the Tamsui River. The former port warehouse was then repurposed as a dedicated space for training Peking opera skills. Over time, talents like Wang Ching, known as the “sea light”, were drawn here and eventually illuminated the Peking Opera stage with their brilliance.
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      王菁老師京劇表演

      In the old warehouse of Tamsui Customs Wharf, several renowned Peking Opera performers such as Wei Hai-min, Wang Hai-bo, and Shen Hai-jung were nurtured. These performers gracefully dance on stage, narrating stories through their art. They also challenge traditional gender roles, where women are not just supporters behind the scenes but also prominent figures on stage. Rooted in local culture, Tamsui Women’s Road will persist in uncovering stories of women in Tamsui and scripting a future of gender equality.
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      Exploring New Taipei by Taipei MRT – Zhonghe-Xinlu Line (Luzhou branch)
      The Luzhou branch of Zhonghe-Xinlu Line spans across Luzhou and Sanchong Districts. Both districts belonged to Luzhou Township before 1947. Now they are collectively called Sanlu District, surrounded by Erchong Floodway and Tamsui River like an island. There are 12 bridges connecting Taipei City and Wugu-Xinzhuang area. With a vast waterfront area, this location is highly suitable for cycling.Luzhou branch of Zhonghe-Xinlu Line is entirely underground. Launched in 2010, this branch has a total of five stations, including Sanchong Elementary School (O50), Sanhe Junier High School (O51), St. lgnatius High School (O52), Sanmin Senior High School (O53), and Luzhou (O54). As a satellite town of Taipei City, the Sanlu area is only separated from Taipei City by a bridge. It is also the district with the highest density of temples in Taiwan. Take the MRT now and visit Sanlu!Luzhou (O54): Breeze Canal"Luzhou Fanyue" (paddling under the moonlight at Luzhou) was one of the eight scenes of Tamsui River in Qing Dynasty, capturing the scenery of river and sandy bays around Luzhou in the early days. Although Luzhou has been highly urbanized today, it is still possible to enjoy the mountain and river scenery in the waterfront area. Breeze Canal is located within Erchong Floodway. It is a designated waterway in New Taipei City for hosting international competitions of rowing and canoeing. The annual Dragon Boat competition is also held here! On usual days, the waterway is also open to the public for activities such as windsurfing and kayaking. This location is blessed with the widest view in the Sanlu area, with Guanyin Mountain and Yangmingshan standing on two sides of Tamsui River. The natural scenery here is rare in the city.Sanmin Senior High School (O53): Luzhou Li's Residence, Yonglian Temple, Luzhou Temple Street Commercial DistrictThe historic site of Li's Residence in Luzhou is a cultural landmark in the Luzhou area. In Luzhou, where the population density is as high as 27,000 people per square kilometer, it has not been easy to preserve Li's Residence in its complete, original appearance. Luzhou Li's Residence was built in 1895 with nine halls and sixty rooms. There is a lotus pond in front of the courtyard. It is a grand mansion of a prominent local family. The architecture is of a combined layout of a farmhouse and an official's residence.The Li family of Luzhou immigrated from Quanzhou, Fujian to Luzhou during the Qianlong period of Qing Dynasty. The third generation of the family after immigrating, Li Shuhua, served as a Confucian School official in Anping and Fengshan counties, which greatly enhanced Luzhou’s scholarly culture. The fifth generation of the family after immigrating, Li Youbang, was a lieutenant general who performed well in the Second Sino-Japanese War who eventually died in the White Terror political oppression. Consequently, General Li Youbang Memorial Hall was set up at Li's Residence in Luzhou, in memory of the modern history of Taiwan.When it comes to the most representative delicacy of Luzhou, it has to be Qiezi noodles (tshı̍k-á-mī in the Taiwanese dialect)! The name, Qiezi, comes from the movement of shaking noodles in a skimmer when the noodles are cooked. It is served with a rich broth made from pork bones and added with leeks and bean sprouts so it is fresh and filling at the same time. Qiezi noodles is a representative noodle dish of northern Taiwan, equally well-known as Danzi noodles from Tainan in southern Taiwan. Qiezi noodles originated from the stalls in front of Yonglian Temple. Today, Luzhou Temple Night Market that developed around Yonglian Temple has become the liveliest commercial district in the area! Qiezi noodles as well as Yonglian Temple are important identities for Luzhou locals!Sanhe Junier High School (O51): Bihua Temple, Bihua Fabric StreetWith great location advantages, Sanchong is only a bridge away from Taipei City. In the era of rapid economic and population growth in Taiwan, a large number of people poured into Sanchong. In the 1970s, the government pushed the "your living room as the workshop" campaign and turned the whole population into a workforce and created economic miracles. The prosperous Sanchong Bihua Fabric Street, in its heyday, was where more than 300 fabric stores gathered in the 1980s. Having witnessed the rise and fall of Taiwan's garment industry, it has now been transformed into a fabric museum. Offering a wide variety of fabrics at affordable prices, it is a favorite of DIY enthusiasts and students! At the end of Fabric Street, you will find the century-old Bihua Temple which used to be dedicated to Sakyamuni, and now has become a temple integrating Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. It is a popular place of worship.Sanchong Elementary School (O50): Sanhe Night MarketAs it gets dark, you will find yourself at the last stop of Luzhou Branch, Sanchong Elementary School. From here it is an 8-minute walk to Sanhe Night Market, which is the night market frequented by Sanchong locals. There are many stalls that have been around for more than three decades, and the price here is more affortable compared to tourist night markets such as Shilin Night Market. Sesame oil chicken soup, wontons, rice balls, xiaolongbao, milk sticks, ba-wan (Taiwanese meatballs), papaya milk, sweet potato balls, crispy sticks, and green onion cakes are all popular delicacies at Sanhe Night Market.
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      "Spend some Time" to Travel to Wanli and Taste Autumn Crabs in Autumn
      The Taiwanese rain trees on the streets are blooming yellow flowers, the maple trees on the hillside are turning red, and the ground is no longer hot at night. The cooling temperature in northern Taiwan is the best time to taste autumn crabs. The Route 2 Taiwan of autumn has lost the passion and blood of summer and replaced gourmets' praise. Come to Wanli in autumn, go to Yehliu Geopark and Ocean World, and see the strange rocks and beautiful stones up close, get to know the marine life, and then go to the nearby Yehliu Fishing Port to "Spend some Time" to feast on the plump Wanli crabs!Yehliu Geopark, a world-class scenic spot, is a cape where the remnant of Datun Mountain extends into the sea. Because of weathering, sea erosion, and crustal movement create mushroom rocks, erosion caves, tofu stones, candle-shaped rocks, and potholes. The cool autumn is the most comfortable time to visit Yehliu Geopark. Along the 400-meter-long coastal trail, appreciate the masterpiece of nature. The must-visit superstar in the geological park is "Queen's Head," a unique mushroom rock located in the second area of the cape. Its elegant curves seem to resemble a queen gazing into the distance, and it is the symbol of Yehliu and even Wanli. The "Charming Princess" in the first area of the cape has a ponytail-like shape and has become increasingly popular in recent years. It is a popular check-in spot in Yehliu.The circular building next to the ticket office of the Geological Park is Taiwan's oldest brand of marine zoo - Yehliu Ocean World. The 2F Sea Elves Education Hall has a 10-story diving platform. The performers will climb up the platform and dive into the pool. Their superb skills will cause the audience to applaud continuously. Then the performances of animal stars such as sea lions and dolphins will occur. Under the guidance of the keepers and host, the audience will further understand the habits, ecological and physical characteristics of marine life, and rescue knowledge of stranded animals in the wild.B1 is the Underwater World Exploration Hall. Traveling through the underground cave passages, you can see the marine life in the Yehliu sea area through large glass windows, including cute clownfish, fierce pink-tail triggerfish and sharks, and living fossils - horseshoe crabs, which let people feel in a blue crystal dragon palace.Wanli CrabYehliu Fishing Port on the west side of Yehliu Cape is a central hub for catching Wanli crabs. The Wanli fishermen have advanced catching techniques and a large fleet. Every autumn, they go to the "Northwest Fishery" off the coast of Cape Fugui to catch crabs, accounting for more than 80% of the total crab supply in Taiwan. There is a seafood street next to the fishing port. The large water tanks at the door of each restaurant, filled with live Wanli crabs and various seafood, allow people to choose from a wide variety of fresh seafood.There are three main species of Wanli crabs: three-spotted crabs, flower crabs, and ridged swimming crabs. The New Taipei City Government completed the registration of the Wanli crab trademark in 2014, making it the number one sea crab brand in Taiwan. Using various cooking methods, you can steam or boil the plump autumn crabs in soup to bring out the delicious crab meat.Located in Dong-Ao Fishing Harbor east of Yehliu Cape, the Elisa Coffee, with an unparalleled sea view, is a good choice for a lazy afternoon. The ample space on two floors and the large windows let people to enjoy the Yehliu Geopark and Camel Peak leisurely. The café has a wide selection of exquisite drinks and unique desserts, such as marshmallow chocolate pizza with a salty and sweet taste, which is a surprise in every bite.After having the sweet and delicious Wanli crab and enjoying the beautiful scenery of Yehliu, remember to visit the Guihou Crab Theme Park before leaving Wanli. This sea view park with the theme of Wanli crab has many cute giant crab doll statues, adding lively colors to your autumn trip to Wanli.
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