Tamsui Old Street Introduction
Walking out of Tamsui MRT Station and turning right, you will find the famous Tamsui Old Street along Zhongzheng Road, the extended Chongjian Street, and Qingshui Street. Tamsui Old Street is not only a well-known tourist attraction in Taiwan but also attracts many foreign visitors. The streets are lined with lively shops, including traditional pastry shops and grocery stores, as well as those selling trendy clothing and toys. A must-try delicacy in Tamsui is "Ah-gei," which is a phonetic translation from the Japanese term for fried tofu. It is made by hollowing out fried tofu, filling it with stir-fried glass noodles, soaking it in braising sauce, sealing it with fish paste, and then steaming it, finally drizzled with sweet chili sauce or the shop's secret sauce. Other special snacks include fish balls, Auntie's Iron Eggs, and fish crisp, along with many historical sites to explore, ensuring there is always something to enjoy. Tamsui Old Street is divided into inner and outer sections; the outer section features the golden waterfront walkway along the Tamsui River, while the inner section consists of the traditional old street, bustling with shops selling traditional pastries, grocery items, trendy clothing, and toys. In the evening, you can also enjoy the beautiful sunset views over the sea from the golden waterfront walkway. Chongjian Street, located on a hillside, developed earlier and still retains many wooden and brick old houses on either side, where you can get a view of the Tamsui River mouth from the top of the street. Later, due to commercial development, another street was formed parallel to Chongjian Street, primarily featuring rice shops and milling businesses, hence the name "Rice Market" (now the northern section of Qingshui Street). It wasn't until the construction of the Qingshui Temple that Rice Market Street was renamed Qingshui Street. Continuing along Zhongzheng Road Old Street, you can see the statue park of Dr. Mackay, who had a significant influence on Tamsui, along with historical sites such as Qingshui Temple, Fuyou Temple, Huwei Mackay Memorial Hospital, and Tamsui Church. Besides seeking beautiful scenery in the old street, the unique shops within the old street make it a great place for shopping and enjoying delicious food.
