It felt like stepping into a painting—Taiwan’s Instagram-famous Xiaobayan in Tamsui

Text & Photos /Foodie, Lens Catcher

After the Pokemon Go craze died down recently, the spawn rates of many rare Pokémon dropped significantly. While I’m not addicted to the game, seeing my Pokédex incomplete made me feel like something was missing. “Let’s take a walk in Tamsui,” said Foodie Dad—but what he really meant was, “Maybe we’ll spot a Dragonite in Tamsui, haha.” Still, I didn’t want to wander aimlessly around Tamsui, so while I was about to Google photography spots there, Foodie Dad nudged his phone toward me and said, “Look, the new ‘Water Center.’”

Let’s just say the photos taken by fellow photographers were too stunning, so I decided to bring my camera along the next day and rediscover my wandering photography soul in Tamsui—Demi

From Qirou Mountain Road in Tamsui, heading toward Jinshan, our navigation led us to the destination. The weather wasn’t great that day, and there weren’t many people around. A light drizzle fell from time to time, and the sky was shrouded in fog. The wind stirred the water, making it restless, and the occasional weak sunlight peeked through. To be honest, I didn’t find the scenery particularly beautiful—I mean, I’d never been to Banyan Water Center before, so I had nothing to compare it to.

But the reflections on the lake and the occasional glimpse of sunset glow gave me a glimmer of hope. I figured I could just enhance the photos later at home. So, this piece serves as a photography record—all the photos have been adjusted in Lightroom for lighting, shadows, white balance, tones, and more.

The wind made the water reflections choppy, and in the distance, I could see photography enthusiasts holding umbrellas while framing their shots. Photography is fascinating—on the same day, with the same scenery and angle, using different filters, white balance settings, and Lightroom adjustments can create entirely different effects and moods.

A few days later, after running some errands in Tamsui and realizing I still had time, I decided to take another detour there since the weather was perfect. Little did I know, the place had become a media hotspot. Compared to my first visit, the crowd had multiplied several times over—it was practically impossible to find a shot without people. The difference in lighting due to the two visits made the photos feel completely distinct, and even post-editing couldn’t replicate the same vibe. If you’re trying to guess which day a photo was taken—well, just look for the one with more people. Haha.

I personally really like this one, but I think I missed the perfect timing. It was from the first visit, where I spotted a boy holding hands with a girl walking by the water. That romantic atmosphere under the setting sun is something you often see—and it’s always deeply moving. I couldn’t help but press the shutter. I just wish I’d captured both their silhouettes against the sunset at the same time. What a missed opportunity.

The above was taken during the first visit’s sunset. There weren’t many people, but as soon as the brief sunset glow faded, the crowd quickly dispersed.

The weather during the second visit was great, and there was hardly any wind. Unexpectedly, the sunset turned out to be incredibly beautiful here—vivid red hues reflected off the water alongside the silhouettes of withered trees. It exuded a serene, unyielding yet peaceful vibe. But honestly, there were just too many people. I’ve always loved photographing landscapes with people because such scenes always feel full of emotion.

I just love these human-filled scenes—like this boy holding an umbrella for the girl. So heartwarming, right? (Oops, it’s getting dark and raining—why aren’t they going home yet?!)

I must say, what you see through the lens is a beautiful sight, but the actual experience is quite different. This place is actually a small section of farmland beside a rural road. Since it’s such a narrow path, even a single parked car can cause inconvenience—let alone a crowd of people.

Recently, viral photo spots like Nongchan Temple, Eagle Stone Peak, and Banyan Village have been overwhelmed by visitors eager to take pictures and check in. I think Taiwan still has many beautiful places. Whether you’re visiting for fun, photography, or check-ins, if everyone could be mindful of their behavior and respect the land, I believe many of these so-called Taiwanese hidden gems can continue to preserve their beauty.

Taipei’s Northern Route 8, Qirou Mountain Road (Tamsui Water Center)
Route: Qirou Mountain Road, New Taipei City, 4.5K mark on Route 8, roadside
Traffic control is in place on holidays. Visitors, please do not damage the environment or disturb local residents.

Foodie, Lens Catcher
Navigating the bustling yet leisurely-paced lives of Taipei locals.
Loves uncovering hidden culinary gems tucked away in cities, alleys, and right by your doorstep—passionate about exploring corners filled with stories.
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