Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Tamsui (Danshui)
POP 130,000
This historic town at the mouth of the Danshui River quickly became a popular destina-
tion when the MRT line was extended here in 1998. The final leg of the journey runs past
mountains and thick mangrove forests making it feel like a trip well out of town. And
when you pop out of the station into the wide riverside park with street musicians, bike
paths, moored wood junks, and views of an emerald volcanic peak (Guanyinshan) dom-
inating the skyline it all looks very promising - and it is.
For centuries, Tamsui (which means 'fresh water') occupied an important trade and
defensive post for the various empires that sought to control Taiwan. Its strategic posi-
tion, at the mouth of the largest river system in the north where it empties into the Sea of
China, and its steep terrain, made it ideal both as a natural port and a location for forts
and cannons. In 1629, the town's most famous landmark, Fort San Domingo, was estab-
lished by the Spanish; it was later controlled by the Dutch, Chinese, British and Japan-
ese.
Other signs of Western influence include a row of late-19th-century mansions and
Taiwan's oldest university. All of these were founded by George Leslie MacKay, a 19th-
century Canadian doctor and missionary whose name is nearly synonymous with Tamsui.
Mackay came to Taiwan in 1872 and is revered in certain Taiwanese circles for intro-
ducing Western techniques of education and medicine. Thanks in no small part to his in-
fluence, Presbyterianism is the most popular Christian denomination in Taiwan.
By the 20th century, silting had caused Tamsui to lose its importance as a port and the
area reverted to a sleepy fishing and farming community until the recent boom in tour-
ism.
These days work continues on landscaping and beautifying the riverfront as well as
restoring historic sights scattered among the narrow lanes winding up the hillsides.
