Tamsui Customs Wharf Park Introduction
The Customs Wharf, located on Zhongzheng Road, 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 the history of trade. At that time, the Wharves Bureau and the British consular ship house were established here, and the Chinese government formally invited the British national Horatio N. Lay to serve as the "General Tax Commissioner," transferring customs management authority to foreigners. This stands as an important historical evidence of the foreign powers' aggression in northern Taiwan during the late Qing Dynasty. Within the Tamsui Customs Wharf area, there are Western-style buildings and two "Wharf Warehouses" built during the Japanese colonial period, which are now designated historical sites. From the riverbank walkway, one can clearly see the Tamsui Customs Wharf, approximately 150 meters long, constructed with a gravity-type wall. The surface of the wall is made of hard stone, filled with pebbles for construction to resist tidal erosion. At that time, materials primarily used included Guanyin stone and Keelung river stone, along with "mooring stones" and "boarding areas" for loading and unloading goods. Currently, it serves as a military dock for the navy, situated within a military camp area. From afar, one can glimpse this historical relic from the Qing Dynasty, recalling the port's prosperity a hundred years ago. Bicycles are currently allowed to enter the park for tours, and within the area, a "Bike Energy Station" has been established to provide rest, basic maintenance, and consultation services. The scenic views are excellent, allowing visitors to gaze at the Guandu Bridge from the park's riverbank, as well as enjoy beautiful sunset views over the Tamsui River estuary. Nearby, there are also the "Tamsui Fisheries Cultural Imaging Museum," which displays many scenic postcards of Tamsui, and a scenic café where visitors can enjoy mountain and sea views, as well as breathtaking sunset scenery.
