Tamsui Customs Wharf Park Introduction
Located on Zhongzheng Road, the Customs Wharf became an extremely important port in Taiwan during the Qing Dynasty due to the Treaty of Tianjin in 1858 and the Treaty of Beijing in 1860. It holds a significant position in Taiwan's trade history. At that time, the Port Bureau's wharf and the British consulate’s boat house were established here. The Chinese government subsequently appointed the British Horatio N. Lay as the "Commissioner of Customs," transferring customs management to foreigners. This serves as crucial historical evidence of foreign invasion in Northern Taiwan during the late Qing Dynasty. Within the Tamsui Customs Wharf area, there are Western-style buildings and two "Port Warehouses" built during the Japanese rule, now designated as municipal historical sites. Along the riverside path, one can clearly see the approximately 150-meter long gravity-type embankment of the Tamsui Customs Wharf, constructed with a hard stone surface and filled with pebbles to prevent erosion from the tide. The stones used included Guanyin stones and Qilian shore stones, as well as "mooring stones" and "boarding points" for loading and unloading ships. Currently, it serves as a military dock for the navy, and it’s an area with military restrictions. From a distance, one can admire this relic from the Qing Dynasty and imagine the bustling port from a century ago. Bicycles are allowed for self-guided tours within the park, and a "Bicycle Energy Station" has been established to provide rest areas, simple repairs, and consultation services. The area offers excellent views; not only can visitors see the Guandu Bridge from the riverside, but they can also enjoy the sunset at the Tamsui River estuary. Nearby, the Tamsui Fisheries Life Culture Image Museum displays many postcards of Tamsui landscapes and includes scenic cafes where visitors can enjoy views of mountains, seas, and beautiful sunsets.
