4ever Discovering
An Escape Out of the City to Tamsui
A Beach, Ice Cream, and The Ocean Breeze: What Else Could You Want?
Now, I’ve said before how amazing Taiwan is, and I will say it again. I’ve never lived anywhere where the mountains and beaches have surrounded me; this really is the best place to be if you want the best of both worlds. Even in the heart of the capital city, it is so easy to escape the hustle and bustle of your everyday life. The closest beach is located on the north coast, and can be easily accessible by the MRT. Emily and I have traveled here a couple of different times; how could you not take advantage of the ocean breeze when the weather is so hot? Tamsui is the perfect place to be on these hot, humid, summer days we have been having lately.
To get to Tamsui, all you have to do is ride the red line on the MRT for about an hour (depending on where you are leaving from). From Emily and my apartment, it takes us about 1.5 hours door-to-door. It’s not too bad considering you get to sit and enjoy the view of the water on the ride. An alternative is riding a U-bike. This is a very popular option as well; U-bikes are a great way to explore the city. Although we never made it with the bikes, we were told it takes about the same amount of time to get there as the MRT. You get to ride along the water, and just follow the Tamsui River north. Maybe next time we come to Taiwan, we will take the time to try it!
When Emily and I arrived in Tamsui for the first time, we went immediately to the beach. Being located so close to Taipei, I was surprised there would be a beach even available. But, there is a catch. You can relax at Shalun beach, but you cannot go swimming. Apparently there have been too many accidents in the past, so they have prohibited swimming. The current is very strong, and there were a few incidents where the swimmers did not come back. Pretty scary. So, Emily and I decided to follow the rules and just spend our time in the sand. We went when the water wasn’t very warm, so we weren’t really missing out on anything. I did try to go in just to get the sand off of me, and the beach patroller came quickly on his 4-wheeler, telling me is was not safe. I was only allowed to go in as deep as my knees. It was worth a try.
If you’re not there to only enjoy the beach, you can also venture around the popular Fisherman’s Wharf. Emily and I made our way here to grab some ice cream after our time in the sand. There are many restaurants around, and you MUST walk across the infamous Lover’s Bridge. I don’t know the story behind it, but it attracts a lot of people! There is even a sign in front of it that says ‘Love’, so you can grab a picture with your lover. Emily and I made sure to get one together...with our ice cream in hand. Let’s be honest, ice cream will always be our true love. It is a really cool area to walk around; there is live music, outdoor restaurants, and a long boardwalk to stroll along. Really, what better way can you spend your Sunday afternoon?
That’s pretty much the jist of our trip to Tamsui. We are all about finding beaches and ice cream, and anything else we do is just icing on the cake. But again, if you’re not into just going to the beach (like many locals here), you can explore around the town. Although we didn’t make it there, you can visit Fort San Domingo. This was originally built by the Spanish during their occupation of Northern Taiwan. It has been rebuilt a few times, and was officially reopened for the public in 2005. This fort has been controlled by the Spanish, the Dutch, the Qing Dynasty, the British, and then finally turned over to Taiwan again. It seems like a great place to visit if you are a history buff; unfortunately Emily and I are not. We would much rather find the ocean than visit a museum. But hey, whatever suits your fancy.
Another popular tourist attraction in Tamsui is the local Old Street. Similar to our Night Markets in Taipei, this old street is filled with food stands and carnival games. Being located so close to the ocean, you can imagine most of the food for sale is seafood. Emily and I never actually made it to the old street. Shame on us, we opted for Subway instead. I’m telling you, sometimes we just crave Western food; you can only eat so much street food before you want to find somewhere to sit and enjoy your meal.
Venturing to Tamsui is a very easy day trip from Taipei. Many locals go on the weekend to escape the city, and breathe in the ocean air. It is also a great place to spend your time when the weather is over 35 degrees. Being by the ocean always makes the temperature a little more bearable; that’s why our summer life will be so amazing. You don’t notice the 40 degree weather when you are relaxing in the water all day! Don’t worry, it’s not too late to book your tickets people! The more the merrier!