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Sightseeing and Attractions

Taipei Country

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The life of any region arises out of its historical past, its remembrance of culture, and its hold on the future. The Taipei County government has established museums of tea culture, pottery and ceramics, and other sites to help preserve the memory of the common history and culture. Taipei County is rich in cultural resources. It's a major cultural county that hosts a rich variety of cultural activities. Come! Join us as we trace our cultural roots.The confluence of the Tamshui, Hsintien and Keelung Rivers gave rise to Taipei County, which expanded gradually inland from the smallish river mouth to achieve its present scope. The meeting ground of the rivers stretches away in a scene of grandeur as the seashore, its terrain carved out by the hand of time, faces off with the low mountains standing peacefully in the distance of Taipei County.


GENERAL

• Baiji Mountain
  Located to the southeast of Sansia, Baiji Mountain is covered with forests and pleasant hiking trails. The Baiji Shingshiou Temple, located on the flank of the mountain, is a branch of Taipei's popular Shingtian Temple; like the Taipei it is dedicated to Guan Gung, the God of War. This large and impressive temple attracts large numbers of devotees.
   

• Bitan Scenic Area
  The Sindian stream branches off the Tamsui River and winds its way through the Bitan area. There are terraces. ponds. and sand bars on both banks of the stream. This area is suitable for canoeing. fishing. barbecuing. rowing. and exploring nature.
   

• Danshuei
  Danshuei used to be called Huwei. It is a derivation from the ancient tongue Hoba. It means the river outlet. Danshuei is located in northwest of Taipei basin. Danshuei is surrounded by mountains and rivers and the scenery is beautiful. Hongmau Castle is a historical site in Danshuei with historical meaning. It was built by the Spaniards in 1626 and restored by the Dutch. The castle was called Anthony Castle. Because Taiwan people called the Dutch people Hongmau (people with red hair), the castle thus was called Hongmau Castle. It was also called Huwei Castle. The castle was once taken by the English and it was returned to our country in 1980. The castle is more than 300 years old and is designated as 1st class historical site. The building is red brick construction. The original furniture is reserved for indoor decoration. There are exhibition showrooms for historical data and pictures related to early Taiwan years. Across the lawn and garden, there is another red brick building facing the castle. It used to be the dormitory of British Consulate. When one ascends to the overlook platform, one can view one of the eight great scenes of Danshuei, the sunset at Shutai. Nearby there are Old Oxford School, Residence of Dr. Mackay and Danshuei College. These old buildings are mostly well preserved. When one walks among these buildings, he (she) would feel that times have turned back. One can enjoy the old streets, the cool breeze, the flower/trees planted by residents and the sense of relaxation. Walking on the old streets along the riverbank, visitors may view the old buildings and may try the tasty local dishes, such as fish dumplings, Argi (fried meat pastry) and hard eggs, etc. The dock is a good place for marvelous sunset viewing. Visitors can also take the boat ride between Danshuei and Bali. Anyone would love to watch the flying cranes and listen to the river flowing. At Bali, they have this famous dish from peacock clans. Danshuei is such a wonderful place and be sure to visit it.
   

• Eighteen Kings Temple
  This temple, which is notable for its bronze statue of a dog, has an interesting legend associated with it. It is said that sometime during the middle of the Ching Dynasty (1644-1911), 17 merchants and a dog died during a rough crossing from mainland China. The dog, which had tried to save its master, was buried together with the merchants, and their grave became a shrine called 18 Kings Temple. Apart from the dog, another singular practice is associated with the temple. The legend goes that the 17 merchants were fond of smoking, so many worshippers offer cigarettes at the shrine, lighting them and placing them in stands, just as they do with incense. 18 Kings Temple is a popular place of worship and is especially busy at night, when large crowds visit to make offerings of incense and food.
   

• Guanyin Mountain
  Historical Background : Guanyinshan Scenery Area is located at the west side of the metropolis of Taipei. Wuku and Bali Towns govern it, and its the closest scenery area near Taipei Downtown. The whole area has 18 mountain peaks with spectacular landform and beautiful scenery. The mountain contains the lithosphere, and seeing form the coast, it is just like Buddha sitting there. Guanyinshan peaks form a sight of Guanyin Goddess lying there, and the clouds around make the scenery more spirituality. At the top of the west side, you can overlook Taiwan Strait, and the east side is Guandu with Danshuei River around the town. The clouds move among the mountains and the change of them form time to time, the place is used to call from the mountain range one of the eight sceneries in Danshuei Town.
  Cultural Highlights : Dauntless Range Footway was built in 1961A.D. It is also called the Dauntless Men Range. Along the road, you can enjoy the famous scenery zones, the green mountains and blue sea, watching clouds in the rain, listening to the singing birds and plentiful agricultures, you will feel just like staying in the fairyland. Ling Yun Temple was also called . The history of the temple is about two hundred years, and it is one of the main tourist antiques of the main temples. Shih Chieh Temple was built in the year of 59, it contains Hai Hui Pagoda, Fa Wang Buddha palace, Guanyin Goddess Palace. It also set the Haw academy, and overlook sown from the balcony of the academe is the connection of the Keelung, Sindian, and Tahan Rivers. In morning, the tied rises and the tied falls, it pleases the people.
   

• Lin Family Gardens
  The best garden in northern Taiwan, Lin Family Gardens, used to be called "Lin Ben Yuan's Garden" or "Banciao Resort". Lin Ben Yuan is not a person's name. It represents the meaning of "remembering one's origin" when 2nd generation ancestor, Lin Pingho distributed property among his five sons. Among the five sons, only the 2nd and the 5th sons are Lin Pingho's blood descendents. Thus, the words of "Ben" and "Yuan" are used for commemoration. The Garden was built during 1888 to 1893 and it is the only classic garden as historical site. It is also the well-kept model building representing gardens and residences of Ching Dynasty. Its garden scenes are inspired by Chinese traditional gardens as well as the style of south of Yangtze. The place is eloquent and is listed as 2nd degree historical site. It is admired as "the best garden in Taipei". Part of the construction materials and technicians came from Changchou of China. The scale of construction was huge. Other than the garden and the architecture, a "three-section mansion" for 150 years old has been restored and presented to the public. The outer walls are covered with brick ornaments. There is delicate carving on the door, within the halls and on the poles supporting roof covers above front porch. There are unique windows of different styles. They are rare items in Taiwan and they fully reflect the beauty of Chinese traditional architecture.
   

• Lungtung
  The Lungtung service center is located at the entrance to Lungtung Bay. The service center is equipped with dining facilities. a diving classroom. and various exhibits. Lungtung Bay's most striking feature is Lungtung Cape.
   

• Mangrove (Hungshulin) Conservation Area
  Located quite near the Hungshulin MRT station (the station just before the Danshuei Terminus) is the Hungshulin mangrove swamp, the largest area of homogenous mangrove swamp of a type called shueibitzai ; kandelia candel in Chinese. This type of mangrove, which is usually found in estuaries, has adapted to the salty waters that wash in with the tides. This fascinating environment is also full of riverside birds, such as egrets and snipes and there are over 30 kinds of crabs in the area. The best way of getting into the swamp is via the Mangrove Conservation Area which is located on Lane 50 of Waiganjenlin south of the Hungshulin MRT Station. On the second floor of the station is the Mangrove Swamp Exhibition Center where visitors can gain an understanding of the special ecology of the swamps.
   

• Memorials to George Leslie Mackay
  The influence of foreign involvement in Taiwan can be seen in the works of George Leslie Mackay, a Canadian missionary venerated in Taiwan for his good work in the fields of religion, education, and medicine. Mackay was born in Oxford, Ontario, of a Scottish immigrant family in 1844. He came to Taiwan in 1871 as a member of the Canadian Missionary Society. He worked first in Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan, which at that time already had a relatively well-developed Presbyterian Church organization. After learning elementary Taiwanese, he moved north to Danshuei in 1872 where he preached the gospel to the local inhabitants. Although there was considerable resistance to his efforts, he gathered a sufficient number of disciples to establish the Danshuei Church , northern Taiwan's first church. Mackay also worked to improve education and health among the local population. He established a number of important institutions that are still in existence today. These include the Mackay Hospital and the Danshuei Girl's School ; the first school for girls in Taiwan). In 1878, Mackay married a local woman and settled in Taiwan, which was to be his home for the rest of his life. Mackay died in Taiwan in June 1901. He was buried in the foreigner's cemetery, but in order to indicate his special status as an honorary Taiwanese, his grave is separated from the main body of the cemetery by a wall. The gravesite has been preserved as a historical site. A number of his family and close disciples are buried in the same area. Mackay's grave can be picked out by its larger size and its distinctive candlestick design. Octagond Tower combines Byzantine architectural elements with a Chinese pagoda in a most unusual structure. It is constructed primarily of local materials and its alternate layers of red and white brickwork make it a distinctive landmark. It is also the symbol of the Tamkang High School. The Danshuei Girl's School was built in 1883 under Mackay's direction. A large-scale reconstruction and extension of the building was completed in 1916. The two-story building has deep verandahs shaded by trees and has a quiet and soothing atmosphere. This building, which is part of the Tamsui Oxford University College campus, was completed in 1882. It was designed by Mackay himself, who also supervised its construction. In 1914, Mackay's eldest son established the Tamkang High School, which was the forerunner of the current school of the same name. Oxford College w as the first important venture in western-style education, it represented an important step toward improving education in Taiwan.
   

• Sansia Tsu Shih (Divine Ancestor) Temple
  Tsu Shih Temple is one of the world's finest examples of current Chinese temple art. Built in 1770. the temple was in ruins by the end of World War II. The restoration project. which has taken over 40 years. is still incomplete.
   

• Shihfen
  Shihfen is located at the source of the Keelung River. The power of the rushing water has modified the layers of rock formations. creating beautiful scenery and several clusters of waterfalls. Special tunnels and bridges make this scenic area accessible.
   

• Shihfen Waterfall
  Historical Background : Shihfen means in Chinese, which means there used to be ten families working together to build the home. Shihfen Waterfall locates in Pingsi Town in Taipei County. It locates in the Shihfen stop of the Pingsi railroad and the bus stop of Dahua at the upper part of the waterfalls in Keelung River. It is a great waterfall with the big force of the current vast. It is the greatest screen curtain style waterfall in Taiwan. The pond underneath the waterfall is very deep. The waterfall is like housands of soldiers and millions of horses running down. This gives you the feeling of a blanket of white silk satin falling into a great wide deep pond. The water of the waterfall forms hydrosphere flowing above the waterfall. When the sun shines, the reflection forms a rainbow showing the clear sky with the beautiful rainbow. That is why it has the name of ainbow pond Besides, because of the ways of the rock is opposite to the flow of water. It belongs to the contrary waterfall. This circumstance resembles is the same as the Nichialagua Waterfalls. That is why it got the name of aiwans Nichialagua Waterfalls
  Cultural Highlights : Shih Fen Station: Along Keelung river valley is the Pingsi branch railroad. It starts from San Tiao Ling to Ching Tung stand with the total length of 12.9 kilometers. It was built for coal transportation in 1918, and Pingsi branch railroad was selected to by the tour trail railroad in 1992. Shihfen is one of the stands. The view near the station is beautiful scenery. The waterfall and the little anabranch make people affected amazement. Shihfen Liao has rangy river tableland, and Pingsi branch railroad is passing through. It is the best place of recalling old memories and expressing homesickness. Many of the ad merchants came here to take the act. Glasses hole locates underneath the railway with the distance not far from Shihfen Waterfall. The flow of the stream forms like the two holes of the glasses. That is why it named lasses holes.
   

• Sungte Park
  Sungte Park began with the placement of a simple plaque. Gradually, it expanded as people took better and better care of the site around this simple ornament. In 1987, ambitious artists got the notion of bringing in sculptures of modern art to make the park resemble the Soho area in New York. After some time the efforts fizzled. The park's little pavilion is a good place to take in the scenery below.
   

• The Guanyin Mountain Scenic Area
  Guanyin Mountain is an important landmark in the Taipei suburbs. It is located next to the Danshuei River and covers the area of Wugu and Bali townships. The old names for these two areas are Xinchi Mountain and Baliben Mountain. Guanyin is opposite the Datun Volcano Group with the Danshuei River in between. The shape of Guanyin Mountain is a bit like the goddess Guanyin lying down and facing upward. That is how the mountain got its name.The Guandu Bridge is the first continuous welded style steel bridge. Sunset in Guandu is one of best-known views around Guanyin Mountain. Both the mountain and the river views are matching one Another in beauty. Sunset on the Danshuei River is also very famous.The climate of Guanying mountainous area is wet and in the temperate zone. Natural life is rich in this area. That is why it has become an important midway point for animals migrating during spring time. The Guanyin mountainous area is home to twelve species of migratory birds and raptors, as well as three regular birds species and raptors. The Guandu and Wugu swamp areas are famous wet and low-lying areas in the Taipei suburbs, and this kind of area is good for observing wildlife.The Peaks of the Guanyin Mountain look like the goddess Guanyin lying down, and fog is often seen in this area. Many temples are located on Guanyin Mountain. For example, Lingyun Temple has been one of the four holy grounds for Buddhism ever since Taiwan was occupied by Japan.Prehistorical ruins, thousands of years old, were found on the western slopes, and the old Thirteen Column area of Guanyin Mountain. Among all ruins found, the Daben Pit Cultural Ruin has been designated as a first level site. A famous mineral found in this area is called "Guanyin Mountain Stone." Because of its delicate quality, it is often used for architecture, landscape, and sculpture purposes. The art of stone carving has become the main art featured in this area. A famous stone-carving, called "Offsprings of Dragon" is located in the stone-carving park of the Tourist Service Center of Guanyin Mountain.
   

• The Jinshan Scenic District
  The Jinshan peninsula is not only the site of some spectacular coastal scenery, but also a place of considerable cultural interest (the old town center of Jinshan, Jinbauli St. , is one of the last surviving streets that retains its ancient Ching Dynasty look). The focus of its scenic interest is the Candlestick Islets that lie just 450 meter offshore and which can be seen from the peninsula. These islets are, in fact, no more than rocky coral out- crops that have been shaped by wind and sea to form a natural adornment to the coastal scene. In Jinshan there is also the Jinshan Youth Activity center located 43 kilometers along the No. 2 Provincial Highway, which contains a well patrolled seaside resort the New Jinshan Seaside Swimming Resort and the Jinshan Hot Springs and Health Center. Camping and lodge accommodation are both available.
   

• Yingge Old Street
  Historical Background : Yingge was called Ge Shi Chuang in the past, because there was a bird-shaped stone near the town. After World War II, the government named this place. The so-called Ge Old Street is Chien Shan Pu Rd. After reconstruction, the old street has become a modern street, along which are pottery and porcelain shops. Though the old street no longer has its antique looks, some ancient buildings can still be found in Yingge Town. The new street is paved with beautiful rocks. Visitors can not only appreciate the pottery and porcelain works, but they can also enjoy the street performance and coffee on the street.
  Cultural Highlights : There are over 100 stores on the street. The products were pretty much the same in the past, but now the shops have their own workshops and artists. Each shop has its own characteristics and the pottery works are exquisite and refined. Some of the restaurants will give diners the cups or plates they use for free. Even the ice cream stand has lovely mugs and cups for customers to choose from. Besides purchasing the pottery and porcelain products, you can even learn how to make your own pottery works.

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Information provided by Tourism Bureau, Rep. of China.

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