Tamsui Old Street 淡水老街: scenic & bustling street in New Taipei City

October 28, 2024

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Boardwalks along riverfronts are incredibly popular for their gorgeous scenery. It’s a little like strolling down South Wharf in Melbourne and Clarke Quay in Singapore!

Tamsui Old Street, or 淡水老街, is a boardwalk area along the riverfront located in New Taipei City. However, what struck me as being a little different here is the nostalgic feel.

What to do and see at Tamsui Old Street (Outer Street)

When you reach the waterfront area at Tamsui Old Street, you’re immediately greeted by this amazing view.

You can actually take a ferry from the pier here at across to Bali Left Bank (八里左岸), which is a relaxing area popular with cyclists.

As the name ‘Old Street’ suggests, it is lined with lots of shops. Tamsui Old Street is actually divided into the inner and outer side, so what we first saw was the outer side.

This is nearer to the river coast and where you’ll find a mish-mash of shops selling souvenirs and offering traditional childhood games!

We visited Tamsui Old Street on a Sunday, which explains why the whole street was so incredibly crowded. Lots of these visitors were actually locals coming to enjoy their weekends!

You may also get to spot some owners walking their cute dogs along the riverfront!

We were quite lucky that we picked the late afternoon to visit Tamsui Old Street, as it gave us time to catch the sunset.

Many people will gather around the walkway here to catch a glimpse of the golden hour while being entertained by live performances.

We actually enjoyed this sunset while listening to a busker belting out Mandarin pop songs! It was a wonderfully relaxing experience.

What to do and see at Tamsui Old Street (Inner Street)

Once night falls, the inner old street really comes to life.

This is the traditional old street where you’ll find traditional pastry shops, grocery stalls, and shops selling everything from outfits to toys.

It’s a bit like a night market! Vendors will be hawking their wares and ludicrous discounts on the street.

Even if you’re not buying anything, the bustling and lively atmosphere is definitely worth soaking up.

Translation: Sick of living, clearing stock at 100 NTD, buy 1 get 1 free

The street is also very famous for traditional Taiwanese food and snacks. The most popular stalls are supposedly the ones selling Ageh (oiled tofu), fish ball, fried fish crackers, traditionally baked cake, Granny’s iron eggs, etc.

If those snacks aren’t up your alley, not to worry. We decided we weren’t keen on eating anything, but decided to give some of their games a go.

A lot of the stalls in Tamsui Old Street feature games that you’ll typically find at carnivals and night markets, including shooting targets and throwing rings.

Simple, nostalgic, and easily enjoyed by both adults and children!

Be warned though: it’s not easy to win prizes, and you might end up spending a fortune here if you’re not careful!

Is Tamsui Old Street worth visiting?

This old street is not exactly located in Taipei itself, and takes about 40 minutes to travel here from the Taipei Main Station. It’s a bit of a journey, but one that I feel is worth taking.

Even if playing carnival games and eating traditional street food is not quite your thing, the vibes and scenery here are really unmatched.

You’ll understand why the locals like to come here on the weekends!

DIRECTIONS

Address: No. 1, Zhongzheng Rd, Tamsui District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 251

Take the MRT Red Line 2 to the northern terminus station Tamsui (淡水). Exit the station and turn left, then walk along the waterfront.

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