Historic Boat House Transformed into Bike Rest Stop: Easier Cycling Exploration of Tamsui

▲Tamsui’s historic boat house during the British Consular period has been transformed into a bike rest stop. (Photo / Courtesy of New Taipei City Government website)

Reported by Chen Rui-zhong / Compiled by HowToTrip

On the riverside side of the road across from the main gate of Fort San Domingo stands a roofless structure with walls that often piques the curiosity of visitors. It turns out to be the “New Boat House,” a faithful reconstruction by the Tamsui Historic Site Museum based on the original boat house from the British Consular period, which has now been repurposed as a bicycle rest station.

Liao Wen-ching, director of the Tamsui Historic Site Museum under the New Taipei City Government’s Department of Cultural Affairs, explained that in the 19th century, when the British rented Fort San Domingo as their consulate, they built a boat house beside the Customs Wharf using U-lice stone for convenience during inspections and official business. The boat house was used to park the British consul’s boat. Now, to recreate the historical ambiance of the surrounding area during the British Consular period, the museum has faithfully reconstructed the site as it once was, resulting in the boat house visitors see today.

In addition to being a faithful reconstruction, the boat house has been outfitted with bicycle racks. Cyclists traveling along the Golden Waterfront can park here, and just cross the road to reach Fort San Domingo, eliminating parking concerns.Visitors who don’t have a bike lock can also borrow a numbered bicycle lock from the Fort San Domingo Visitor Service Center. Exploring historic sites by bike is both healthy and time-saving.

History of the Boat House:
In the mid-19th century, the British Empire expanded its commercial reach into Taiwan through military force and established a consulate at Fort San Domingo. British merchants dominated the trade and shipping of Tamsui Port. As a result, the British Consulate built a boat house at the current location of the “New Boat House” using U-lice stone, along with four workers skilled in rowing. When the British consul needed to inspect the harbor, he would push the boat into the sea and then set out for an inspection. This was a unique sight in Tamsui Port at the time. After World War II, Tamsui Port was closed, shipping declined, and in 1972, the consulate was withdrawn. The boat house gradually fell into disrepair. Later, due to considerations about the surrounding road landscape and the need for a parking lot, the long-dilapidated boat house was demolished.