New Taipei City Travel

On a summer morning, before the sun shines, go to the Shuangxi Lotus Garden to enjoy the flowers. The peach-pink lotus flowers peek out from the dense lotus leaves. Brush shoulders with children playing on the ridges beside the pond. One is looking for the best spot to enjoy the flowers, while another is looking for the crystal water drops sliding down the edges of the leaves, so the kid scoops up handfuls of water repeatedly from the pond and splashes it on the lotus fields, washing away the summer heat at the same time. After capturing all the ideal angles in the camera, there is also the farmer's market at the entrance of the garden and the handmade DIY series of lotus seasons, which are bustling with people and very lively.Then, go to the Ruanqiaoduan Water Park to play in the water and take a walk. When hungry, have a good meal at the nearby Shuangxi Old Street and stroll through the old town to feel the tranquility of the years. After a full stomach, look at the Chinese architectural aesthetics of the Lian Juren Historic House and the Zhuang Gong-Sheng Ancient House. The simple and charming inscriptions and carvings give a glimpse of the time's cultural status and social expectations.▲ About 30% of the flowers bloom in mid-June, and many lotus flowers are still in the bud. The flower season will last until August.The largest lotus field in New Taipei City is where to seize the limited beauty in summer.While driving on the Shuanggan Highway, flower fields are on both sides. The largest lotus garden field in New Taipei City is in Shuangxi. Shuangxi Lotus Garden has promoted friendly farming for more than ten years, with a scale of 7.5 hectares. Besides the two significant representatives of water lily fields, lotus, and water lily, the garden also planted various varieties such as Oga lotus, peony lotus, perfume lotus, Victoria regia, and louver lotus. The limited seasonal beauty kicked off in June and continued to bloom until August. ▲ DIY coin purse of silk printing involves smearing the pigment on the silk board and scraping the pigment evenly from top to bottom with a scraper.The "Shuangxi Lotus Season" officially opens in mid-June. The pond is full of flower buds, making people look forward to the scene of full bloom in midsummer. The organizer has prepared a series of handmade DIY activities to match the flower season, from making palace-style lotus pastry and experiencing silk printing of coin purses to creating lotus-shaped light soil pots. Many parents accompanied their children to participate. Walking along the farmer's market corridor with their finished works, they can't help but hold tofu pudding in one hand and honey water in the other, trying their best to resist the arrival of the hot summer. Organic fruits and vegetables, eggs, and pickled vegetables from local small farmers filled the stalls. In the hustle and bustle of chatting and selling goods, experience the gentleness and kindness of the Shuangxi people in such a leisurely life.▲ The entrance to the Ruanqiaoduan Water Park is on the side of the road. We recommend parking cars and then walking here.The clear and transparent secret water play spot relieves summer heat.Using ecological methods to build the Ruanqiaoduan Water Park, its entrance is next to the Pinglin section of the Jifu Highway. Walk down the stone steps, the view suddenly opens, and the green lawn appears. At the end of the lawn are stairs for easy entry into the water. The closure of Pinglin River banned fishing successfully, so now the water is clear, and you can see the bottom. There are also schools where fish can swim leisurely, including Taiwan shoveljaw carp and Taiwan torrent carp. This place has become a good place for the whole family to play in the water and have picnics.When playing in the water, be aware of the impact of chemical sunscreen on the aquatic environment, as it may cause ecological accumulation and even affect the endocrine system of marine organisms. When contacting natural waters in the hot summer, choose ocean-friendly sunscreen, or enjoy the sun!▲ At the end of the lawn are stone steps leading to the stream. The stream is shallow, and many fish swim leisurely in it.Stroll through the tranquil Shuangxi Old Street to explore the ruins and enjoy delicious food.After playing in the water and feeling hungry, why not go to the nearby Shuangxi Old Street to search for food? Unlike the noise of Shenkeng Old Street and Pingxi Old Street, the atmosphere of Shuangxi Old Street adds a sense of peaceful life to the old city area. Strolling through it, run against a century-old blacksmith shop made of red bricks at the corner and a two-story Western-style building Chinese medicine shop with the sign "Lin-Yi-He Pharmacy" hanging on it. Looking at the exterior of the building, it seemed like time had passed, but only by delving into it did you realize that everything was still steadily rotating.▲ The century-old blacksmith shop has witnessed Taiwan's development history from an agricultural society.Shuangxi Public Market gathers many people, and hidden delicacies are all around, whether it is the Caozaiguo with a chewy skin and a grassy aroma, filled with shredded radish, or the traditional shaved ice with dozens of ingredients to choose from. Although it lacks exquisite decoration, the market's delicious food still has a down-to-earth charm that makes residents and tourists visit repeatedly.▲ At the end of Changan Old Street is Shuangxi Old Ferry Dock, where the Pinglin and Mudan rivers also meet.At the end of Changan Old Street is the remains of Shuangxi Ferry Deck, which was the traffic hub of the Tamsui-Kavalan Historical and Cultural Trails during the Qing Dynasty, creating a prosperous period for Shuangxi Town. Changan Street was full of rice shops, cloth shops, inns, and Chinese medicine shops during its heyday.▲The words "Chuzhong (transferring filial piety towards parents)" and "Riuxiao (to show loyalty to the country)" are engraved on the left and right doors of the "Lian Juren Historic House."The ancient house tour is to explore the Shuangxi from a century-old mansion.There is also a century-old house called "Lian Juren Historic House" near the ferry dock. A large plaque with the words "Wenkui" is hung on the main hall door. In the past, people would thank their ancestors after achieving fame. At this time, local officials would present plaques to show their appreciation. Hanging plaques can also show the family's status in the imperial examination. In the fifth year of the Tongzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1866 AD), Yuan-Qiao Lian's descendant, Ri-Chun Lian, went to Fuzhou to take the provincial examination and passed the Bingzi imperial examination. He was the first imperial examination in Shuangxi District, so his house was honored as "Juren House." This "Wenkui" plaque was erected by Ri-Chang Ding, Fujian's governor, in 1876 AD.▲ The walls of the “Zhuang Gong-Sheng Ancient House” contain many meaningful stone carvings, which show the blessings and expectations of the ancestors.In the 34th of the Meiji era (1901), Ting-Can Zhuang went to Zhangzhou Prefecture in Fujian Province to participate in the Qing Dynasty's imperial examination and passed the imperial examination. After returning home, he co-founded the "Mei Zhu Yuan" private school with local Juren, Ri-Chun Lian, to cultivate talents. The locals called Ting-Can Zhuang's ancestral home the "Zhuang Gong-Sheng Ancient House." Mountains back the Zhuang's ancient house and face water in three courtyards in Fujian style architecture. It has circular stone windows with bamboo window frames on both sides and bats surrounding them, full of blessings, noble character, and unquestionable integrity.▲ The stone windows of the "Zhuang Gong-Sheng Ancient House," with bamboo window frames and bats surrounding them, are full of blessings, noble character, and unquestionable integrity.These century-old houses are still in their original stone appearance and are generally well preserved. Visitors can still see the intricate carvings under the traces of time. Through explanations from later generations, people can get a glimpse of Shuangxi's prosperous past. Time has preserved the stories of the old streets and houses waiting for visitors to explore one by one on foot.

The whirlwind caused by classic Taiwanese dramas often brings about pilgrimages. Sometimes, through the perspective of film and television works, familiar attractions will give us a new layer of emotion, while unfamiliar attractions will be a layer of mysterious colors. The Northern Coast has a rich ecology and charming sea views along the coast and is a favorite location for many film and television works.Arrive at Linshan Cape Wooden Plank in the morning for a bicycle tour, just like passing by the bicycles shared by Xiang Lun Ye and Xiao Yu Lu in the movie "Secret." Go to Tamsui Old Street for food at noon, and visit Fu-Yo Temple on Zhongzheng Road, which seems to be able to see the lively scene of the temple performance in "David Loman 2." Join a special guided tour of Fort San Domingo. The vermilion exterior walls are full of exotic styles in the afternoon. In recent years, many popular TV series such as "Seqalu: Formosa 1867" and "Gold Leaf" were filmed in the former Qing Dynasty British Consul's residence on the east side. At dusk, come to the nearby Customs Wharf to greet the sunset. Here is also the location where the music movie "52Hz, I Love You" creates a European-style flower market.▲ The Linshan Cape Wooden Plank is only 600 meters long and is suitable for walking, cycling, and enjoying the seaside scenery. Take a bicycle tour on the wooden plank to appreciate the natural terrain.In 2007, Jay Chou directed and starred in the musical fantasy romance film "Secret" which swept Taiwan. The romantic scene in the movie, in which Xiang Lun Ye rides a bicycle to take Xiao Yu Lu home and the two chat about everything under the sun, is filmed at the Linshan Cape Wooden Plank.The 600-meter-long Linshan Cape Wooden Plank Road is part of the "Linshan Cape Recreation Area" and is at the junction of Sanzhi District and Shimen District. Besides the coastal scenery, remember to look at the wind-faceted stone landform and the rich intertidal ecology. The andesite of Linshan Cape has gradually formed multi-faceted edges eroded by the northeast monsoon with fine sand for many years, so it is called "wind-faceted stone." The widespread andesite is also an excellent location for algae to attach. The replacement of the old and the new left the rock's surface with lime due to algae calcification, which accumulates layer by layer to form an algae reef. When riding a bicycle on the Linshan Cape Wooden Plank to the filming location, enjoy the sea breeze and get close to these rare natural geological landscapes.▲ At the entrance of Tamsui Old Street, the fragrance of delicious food fills the air, and crowds surge along the way.Tasty delicacies only cost coins, and visit the ancient temple, Fu-Yo Temple.After the exercise, fill the hunger with food from Tamsui Old Street. Regarding the must-eats in Tamsui, we must mention the three food treasures: "fish balls, a-gei, and iron eggs." A bowl of steaming fish ball soup is full of the simple taste of the fishing village, paired with a-gei topped with sweet and spicy sauce. When taking a bite, it is full of green bean noodles soaked in a salty and fragrant sauce. Finally, buy a pack of iron eggs as a snack to replenish the journey.Pass by the "Fu-Yo Temple" on Zhongzheng Road Old Street when searching for delicious food. Temples and businesses are adjacent to the busy streets, a unique street scene in Taiwan. It even found the integration of religion and life into the daily lives of ordinary people. On the day when "David Loman 2." was filmed at Fu-Yo Temple, it presented clips of Nana and Xiaola sisters learning religious rituals, such as carrying a sedan chair, which attracted many viewers.▲Fu-Yo Temple is the earliest temple built on Tamsui Old Street and has more than 200 years of history.Built with the mountain behind and the river in front, the Fu-Yo Temple is the earliest in Tamsui. Its construction history dates back to the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty when it was a Class III historic site. It is mainly dedicated to Mazu, who protects the place and ensures safe navigation. Therefore, it is also called Mazu Temple and carries many folk legends.According to legend, during the Sino-French War, when French warships bombarded Huwei (today's Tamsui), they saw a spirit guarding the Fu-Yo Temple, and the nearby houses were unaffected. After the war, Ming Chuan Liu petitioned Emperor Guangxu to grant a plaque because Mazu had made her presence. The plaque "Yitian Zhaoyou" (Praise Mazu for her meritorious service in protecting Taiwan during the battle) is still hanging in the temple's main hall. The temple retains many original Qing Dynasty items, and the unique architectural layout and rich carving art are also worth a visit.▲The building on the east side of Fort San Domingo Park was the official residence of the British Consul in the Qing Dynasty. The Fort San Domingo Park is a building that witnesses the evolution of history.It takes about 15 minutes to walk from Fu-Yo Temple to Fort San Domingo Park to see red brick buildings full of exotic styles. The TV series "Seqalu: Formosa 1867" and "Gold Leaf," which have recently caused a craze, were filmed in the former British Consul's residence on the east side of Fort San Domingo. They present the office of Xian-De Lee, the American Consul in Xiamen, and the scene of Yi-Xin Chang, the daughter of a tea merchant, negotiating the tea business, respectively.▲ The elegant and solemn interior of the former British Consul's residence is perfect for shooting solemn conversation scenes.The site of Fort Santo Domingo includes the main fortress, the former British consul's residence, and the south gate built during the Qing dynasty. Spanish initially built and called it "Santo Domingo City." After destroying it, the Dutch rebuilt it on the original site and named it "Fort Antonio" (Fort San Domingo). During the Qing Dynasty, the Tamsui Tongzhi (government sub-prefect) of the Taiwan Prefecture added four outer city gates. It was not until after the Sino-French War that the trade volume of Tamsui Port increased sharply, and the British decided to build the Consul's Residence next to it. The construction of Fort San Domingo came to a temporary end. This national monument has witnessed the passage of time, and over 300 years of history have been piled brick by brick.▲ Presented as "vases," the corridor railings combine the beauty of Chinese ceramics with Western vase railings.Fort San Domingo became the British Consulate from 1867 to 1972 because of the "Fort San Domingo Perpetual Lease" signing. It was not until later that they established the former Qing British Consulate on the east side of the main castle. The two-story red brick building was designed by British architects and constructed by Chinese craftsmen. It has typical British colonial architectural features such as sloping roofs and arch-ring corridors. Its excellent construction technology and exquisite materials have great architectural art value.★Tamsui Fort San Domingo Park Guided Tour Service: On-site registration is limited to 30 people per session.Daily at 10:00, 11:00, 14:00, and 16:00▲ You can see the Tamsui River Bayou and the Guandu Bridge from the Customs Wharf. Enjoy the magical sunset moment at the wharf.When coming to the Tamsui Riverside, remember to catch the moment when the sunset dyes the river golden. The Customs Wharf is on a platform downhill from Fort San Domingo. It is a great place to enjoy the sunset and the opening of the Taiwanese music film "52 Hz, I Love You." The flower shop's female owner carefully dragged the cart, strolling and singing in the European-style flower market.In the Qing Dynasty, Hu Wei became a trading port due to the signing of the Treaty of Tientsin and the Convention of Peking, and the Customs Wharf instantly became one of the most essential ports in Taiwan. The 150-meter riverside trail, built with Guanyin and Qilian stone, prevents erosion by the river water and is very sturdy. People can still see the stone mooring bollards where ships moored in the past. Today, the Tamsui Customs Wharf area has Western-style buildings and a port warehouse built during the Japanese rule. There are permanent exhibitions planned in the warehouse, and special exhibitions are changed regularly.▲ Let the sunset twilight draw a beautiful end to the journey. The Customs Wharf connects to the bottom of Tamsui Old Street and overlooks the Tamsui River Bayou and Guandu Bridge. The view is broad, just right for the sunset twilight to draw a beautiful end to the journey.See more New Taipei Cinematic Pilgrimage Road:Film Assist NTPC.