Tamsui Old Street

Tamsui Old Street

The Tamsui riverside is synonymous with beauty and a place that exudes romance. With its picturesque riverside scenery and rich historical and cultural charm, it has long been known as the "Venice of the East." Whether by day or night, and in every season, it presents a variety of captivating views. Located along this beautiful riverside, Tamsui Old Street is one of the most distinctive old streets in northern Taiwan; and the many time-honored food establishments on the street are among the most famous attractions in Tamsui.

It has become trendy to visit Tamsui to relive the past. Despite the proliferation of modern buildings, many old-fashioned brick shops can still be found in the area around Zhongzheng Road, Zhongjian Street, and Qingshui Street on the west side of Tamsui MRT Station. Several historic temples located here also reflect the area’s development history: the oldest, Fuyou Temple, is said to have been first built during the Yongzheng reign of the Qing Dynasty in the 18th century; Wenchang Shrine, Longshan Temple, and Xingjian Temple were completed in the 19th century; and the Ancestral Master Temple was built in the early 20th century. Today, as you stroll along the sloping streets and visit Tamsui Old Street, glimpses of the lives of early settlers come vividly to life.

After the Japanese colonial period, Tamsui Port gradually silted up, and the rise of Keelung Port further overshadowed it, causing the port to decline into a small local fishing harbor. However, the most famous feature of the Tamsui coast is still the sunset. The sight of the setting sun dyeing the river red has been celebrated by countless poets and painters. At the ferry terminal, ferries travel between Tamsui and nearby Bali, with many passengers boarding just to enjoy the pleasure of drifting on the river. From the boat, the vast mangrove wetlands along the Tamsui Riverbanks can be clearly seen.

2 Featured Snacks Edit Tamsui has a long history and has developed a diverse culinary scene. Along Zhongzheng Road, which is close to the coast, there are numerous seafood restaurants, among which Haifeng Restaurant is especially popular for its good value. As for snacks, Tamsui fish balls, fish crisps, iron eggs, and a-gei are the most well-known, along with delicious Tamsui plum juice. Zhongzheng Road is lined with shops selling fish balls and fish crisps, including many long-established ones such as Deyu Fish Balls, Kekei Fish Balls, Weixiang Fish Balls, and Xu Yi Fish Crisps. The intriguing "iron eggs" are made by repeatedly braising eggs until the whites turn into thin, dark, chewy layers with a rich aroma. A-Po Iron Eggs have a history of over 30 years and are one of the most famous snacks in Tamsui. "A-gei" is made by stuffing vermicelli into fried tofu skin, coating it with fish paste, steaming it, and then pouring on a special spicy sauce, resulting in this uniquely flavored snack. After enjoying these authentic snacks, why not wash it all down with a cup of sweet-and-sour plum juice to delight your taste buds?