Tamsui Old Street Introduction
Walking out of Tamsui MRT Station and turning right leads you to Zhongzheng Road and the adjacent reconstructed streets and Qingshui Street, the famous Tamsui Old Street. Tamsui Old Street is not only a well-known tourist destination in Taiwan but also attracts many foreign visitors. The streets are lined with bustling shops featuring traditional pastry shops and grocery stores, as well as boutiques selling trendy clothing and toys. A must-try delicacy in Tamsui is "Ah-Gei," which is derived from the Japanese term for fried tofu. It is made by hollowing out fried tofu, stuffing it with sautéed vermicelli, soaking it in a braising sauce, sealing it with fish paste, and then steaming. It is often topped with sweet and spicy sauce or the shop's secret sauce. Other specialty snacks include fish balls, "A-Po's iron eggs," and fish crisp, along with many historical sites to visit, ensuring there is never a dull moment. Tamsui Old Street is divided into two sides: the outer side is along the golden riverside promenade by the Tamsui River, while the inner side is the traditional old street filled with shops. In the evening, visitors can enjoy beautiful sunsets over the ocean from the golden riverside promenade. The reconstructed street on the hillside developed earlier and still has many wooden and brick old houses along both sides. At the end of the street, you can look down from a high vantage point to see the Tamsui River estuary. Later, due to commercial development, another street parallel to the reconstructed street formed, primarily consisting of rice shops and rice milling businesses, earning it the name "Rice Market" (now the northern section of Qingshui Street). It wasn't until the construction of the Qingshui Zushi Temple that Rice Market Street was renamed Qingshui Street. Continuing straight along Zhongzheng Road leads to the Mackay Statue Park, which honors the profound influence Dr. George Mackay had on Tamsui. Along the way, you will also find historical sites such as Qingshui Zushi Temple, Fuyou Temple, Huwei Mackay Hospital, and Tamsui Church. Besides exploring the old street's charm, the unique shops within are also great places for shopping and enjoying delicious food. (Source: New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Website)
