Exploring Taipei – Tamsui
Tamsui, also called Danshui, is a coastal town located on the north of Taiwan. Because of its proximity to the center of Taipei, the seaside district is a popular spot for locals to have a mini getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. Just hop on the MRT Red Line 2 from Taipei Main Station and it’s the last stop on the 40 minute journey.
In ancient times, Tamsui was called Hoba and its original settlers were Ketagalan aborigines. It later became a major fishing and trading port, and was even colonized briefly by the Spanish and the Dutch in the 17th Century. Today, visitors are drawn to Tamsui because of its spectacular sunsets, amazing local cuisine and a relaxed atmosphere.
Tamsui Old Street
Right by the MRT station is the Old Street of Tamsui. It has mostly restaurants, cafes, and a variety of stores selling foodstuff, gifts and clothing. You can find Tamsui’s specialty food such as a-gei (淡水阿給), which is fried tofu stuffed with glass noodles, topped with fish paste and steamed. There were two hole-in-the-wall restaurants selling the same thing but we went to the more crowded one of course (the one on the left). The tofu was good but not mind-blowing. It was something I’ve never tasted before so I’m definitely glad I got to eat it.
Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf
You can take a ferry from the waterfront promenade or a bus (Red-26, 836, or 837) from the MRT station to get to the Fisherman’s Wharf. My friend and I chose to make the 20-30 minute walk along the waterfront where we enjoyed the view, snacked on grilled squid (it was SO GOOD!) and stopped for a cup of cappuccino.
The fisherman’s wharf is a place where locals congregate so it had a festive atmosphere with live music and performances. Some of them stay overnight in hotels located in the vicinity and many others (especially young people) hop on party boats that cruise down the river.
However, time-strapped travelers can just spend the afternoon at the wharf and catch a train back to the city for dinner. We walked down the pier and parked ourselves at a good spot with other photographers to wait for the sunset. After the sun went down, we took a bus back to Old Street to catch the MRT back to the city.
Alternatively, you may walk along the Lovers’ Bridge to view the sunset. It’s aptly named because they began building it on February 14, 2003.
When you visit Taipei, definitely hop on a MRT for a short day trip to Tamsui. To learn about other places within a two hour journey by public transportation from Taipei, check out my posts on Jiufen, Yangmingshan and Wulai.
Directions to Tamsui: Take the MRT Red Line 2 all the way to Tamsui (the very last stop).