Tamsui’s historic road?

Zhongshang Road claimed to have a number of “old” sites. Apart from Fuyou Temple, I didn’t see much that resembled Tamsui’s old history. In fact, Tamsui, part of New Taipei City, shone with newness while many of Taipei’s buildings needed a pressure washer.

Taiwan’s oldest temple

I wasn’t going to visit another temple, but as I made my way along Tamsui’s Zhongshan Road, I passed the oldest temple in Taiwan. My feet took over my thoughts and I stepped towards the side entrance.

Tamsui’s Fisherman’s Wharf

About three kilometres from Fort San Domingo was Fisherman’s Wharf situated at the mouth of Tamsui River at the very north of Taiwan. This was an ideal spot to idle along pathways lining the water’s edge and eat an abundance of seafood on offer.

A history of invasion

Fort San Domingo was a story of one European power after another seizing this location near the mouth of the Tamsui River. First the Spanish arrived in the early 1600s to deter Japanese troops invading. They built a wooden fort that was burnt down in 1636 when the aboriginal population rebelled against them. Just as they completed a stone fort, the viceroy of the Philippines commanded them to withdraw from Tamsui.

A reserve that should have been preserved

When I caught a train to Tamsui, my eyes followed a trail running parallel to the tracks that continued all the way to the last MRT station. On the journey I spotted so many pieces of garbage it seemed like someone had tipped a box of never-ending litter along the route.