Tamsui Old Street Introduction
From Tamsui MRT Station, turn right onto Zhongzheng Road, including the extended Reconstruction Street and Qingshui Street area, and you'll find the famous Tamsui Old Street. Tamsui Old Street has long been a well-known attraction in Taiwan, drawing many foreign visitors. The streets are lined with bustling shops, offering a rich assortment of traditional pastry shops and grocery stores, as well as trendy clothing and toy shops. One must-try delicacy in Tamsui is Ah-Gei, which is a transliteration from the Japanese word for fried tofu. It is made by hollowing out the fried tofu and filling it with stir-fried vermicelli before soaking it in braising sauce, then sealing it with fish paste and steaming it, finally drizzled with sweet chili sauce or the shop's secret sauce. Featured snacks include fish balls, A-Po's iron eggs, and fish flakes, alongside many historical sites to visit, ensuring there are countless ways to enjoy it here. Tamsui Old Street is divided into inner and outer sides, with the outer side featuring the golden waterfront promenade by the Tamsui River, while the inner side showcases the traditional old street with numerous lively shops, rich in nostalgic flavor. In the evening, you can also enjoy the beautiful sunset over the sea at the golden waterfront promenade. Reconstruction Street, located on the hillside, developed earlier and still retains many old wooden and brick houses along both sides. At the bottom of the street, you can overlook the Tamsui River mouth from a height. Due to commercial development, another street parallel to Reconstruction Street formed, primarily focused on rice shops and milling, earning it the nickname "Rice Market" (now the northern section of Qingshui Street). It was only after the construction of the Qingshui Temple that Rice Market Street was renamed Qingshui Street. As you walk down Zhongzheng Road towards the old street, you will see the Mackay Statue Park, which has a profound influence on Tamsui, along with historical sites like Qingshui Temple, Fuyou Temple, Huwei Clinic, and Tamsui Church. Besides exploring the scenic spots in the old street, the unique shops within are also great places to shop and enjoy delicious food.
