Tamsui Old Street

　　The Tamsui Riverbank is synonymous with beauty and a place that radiates romance. With its serene riverside views and abundant historical and cultural charm, it has long been known as the "Venice of the East." Whether in daylight, at night, or across the four seasons, it presents ever-changing and captivating scenes. Located along this beautiful river is Tamsui Old Street, one of the most distinctive old streets in northern Taiwan. The numerous time-honored eateries on the street make it one of Tamsui’s most renowned destinations.

　　It has become trendy to visit Tamsui in search of nostalgia. Despite the proliferation of modern buildings, the old streets around Zhongzheng Road, Zhongjian Street, and Qingshui Street west of Tamsui MRT Station still feature many vintage brick shops. Among them are several historic temples that reflect the area’s development: the oldest, Fuyou Temple, is said to have been first built during the Yongzheng reign (18th century) of the Qing Dynasty; 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, strolling along the sloping streets of Tamsui Old Street, one can vividly imagine the lives of the early settlers.

　　After the Japanese colonial period, Tamsui Port gradually silted up, and the rise of Keelung Port further overshadowed it, reducing it to a small local fishing harbor. However, Tamsui’s coastline is most famous for its sunset. The scene of the setting sun dyeing the river red has been celebrated by countless poets and painters. There are ferries at the ferry terminal that travel between Tamsui and nearby Bali, with many passengers boarding simply to enjoy the pleasure of drifting on the river. From the boat, visitors can clearly see the vast mangrove reserves thriving in the wetlands along the Tamsui Riverbanks.

　　2. Featured Snacks: Tamsui has a long history and has developed a diverse culinary scene. Zhongzheng Road, which runs close to the coast, boasts numerous seafood restaurants, among which Haifeng Restaurant stands out for its great value. For snacks, Tamsui fish balls, fish crisps, iron eggs, and a-gei are especially popular, as well as the delicious Tamsui plum juice. Zhongzheng Road is lined with shops selling fish balls and fish crisps, including several longstanding and well-established ones such as Deyu Fish Balls, Kekei Fish Balls, Weixiang Fish Balls, and Xu Yi Fish Crisps. Intriguingly, "iron eggs" are chicken eggs repeatedly braised until the egg whites condense into thin, black, chewy layers with a rich aroma. A-Po Iron Eggs, which have been around for over 30 years, are one of Tamsui’s most iconic snacks. As for "a-gei," it's made by stuffing vermicelli into fried tofu skin, coating it with fish paste, steaming it, and then topping it off with a special spicy sauce—creating a uniquely flavored dish. After sampling these authentic snacks, don’t forget to try the sweet-and-sour plum juice to delight your taste buds.