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Tamsui District ( Hokkien POJ: ''Tām-chúi''; Hokkien Tâi-lô: ''Tām-tsuí'';
Mandarin Mandarin or The Mandarin may refer to: Language * Mandarin Chinese, branch of Chinese originally spoken in northern parts of the country ** Standard Chinese or Modern Standard Mandarin, the official language of China ** Taiwanese Mandarin, Stand ...
Pinyin: ''Dànshuǐ'') is a seaside district in New Taipei, Taiwan. It is named after the
Tamsui River The Tamsui River (alternatively Danshui River, ) is third longest river in Taiwan after Zhuoshui River and Gaoping River, with a total length of , flowing through Hsinchu County, Taoyuan, Taipei and New Taipei City. It is located in northern pa ...
; the name means "fresh water". The town is popular as a site for viewing the sun setting into the Taiwan Strait. Though modest in size (population 184,192), it has a large role in Taiwanese culture.


Name


Historical

Originally settled by the
Ketagalan Ketagalan or Ketangalan () are a Taiwanese aborigines, Taiwanese aboriginal people originating in what is now the Taipei Basin. Their Ketagalan language, language has now become extinct. On 21 March 1996, the road in front of the Presidential O ...
aborigines, the location was called ''Hoba'', meaning "stream's mouth". ''Hoba'' was loaned into Taiwanese Hokkien as ''Hobe''. Historical works in English have referred to the place as "Hobe", "Hobé", or "Hobe Village". The Spanish arrived in the 17th century and called this place ''Casidor'' and the Tamsui River ''Kimalon''. Dutch records have used the placenames ''Tamsuy'' and ''Tampsui'' to refer to this area but have also referred to another " Lower Tamsuy" in the south of the island. In his 1903 book ''The Island of Formosa'', former US diplomat
James W. Davidson James Wheeler Davidson (14 June 1872 – 18 July 1933) was an American-born Canadian businessman, diplomat, explorer, journalist, and philanthropist. He is remembered for writing ''The Island of Formosa, Past and Present'' (1903), a book on th ...
related that the spelling and pronunciation of the placename () has been given in many variants by "as many so-called authorities. Tamsui, Tamshuy, Tamshui, Tamsoui, Tan-sui, ...". The first variant "Tamsui" is consistent with Hokkien literary readings, and (possibly by chance) is equal to the Church Romanization of an older pronunciation (''Tām-súi'') minus tone markings and hyphen. The variant "Tan-sui", with exception of the hyphen, is consistent with the
romanization of Japanese The romanization of Japanese is the use of Latin script to write the Japanese language. This method of writing is sometimes referred to in Japanese as . Japanese is normally written in a combination of logographic characters borrowed from Ch ...
. However, the first variant was apparently already well-known circa 1900, and features prominently in two English-language maps of the same era. Furthermore, at that time, the term "Tamsui" was used "in a most liberal way; it may mean the harbor, the river, the village of Hobe, Twatutia, or Banka, and it may mean the whole district."


Modern

From 1950 until the 2010 creation of New Taipei City, Tamsui was officially "Tamsui Township" (; Hokkien POJ: ''Tām-chúi-tìn''; Hokkien Tâi-lô: ''Tām-tsuí-tìn'') in the former Taipei County. The spelling "Danshui" (from Hànyǔ Pīnyīn ), formerly used officially by the Taiwan government, Taipei Metro, and other sources, is based on the
Mandarin Mandarin or The Mandarin may refer to: Language * Mandarin Chinese, branch of Chinese originally spoken in northern parts of the country ** Standard Chinese or Modern Standard Mandarin, the official language of China ** Taiwanese Mandarin, Stand ...
pronunciation. Meanwhile, the name "Tamsui" is based on the Taiwanese Hokkien pronunciation. Having long used "Tamsui" as the official English name, the local government of the district informed the
national government A national government is the government of a nation. National government or National Government may also refer to: * Central government in a unitary state, or a country that does not give significant power to regional divisions * Federal governme ...
in 2011 that "Tamsui" rather than "Danshui" should be used in English.


History


Spanish colony

The Spanish arrived in the area of Tamsui in the 17th century. In the fall of 1629, the Spanish established the first major non-aboriginal settlement comprising the town and mission of Santo Domingo. The Spanish occupied northern Taiwan for the purpose of securing Spanish interests in the Philippines against the Dutch (who were already established in the South of Taiwan by then), the British, and the Portuguese, as well as for facilitating trade with China and Japan. In 1642, the Spanish were expelled from Taiwan by the Dutch. The Spanish had already abandoned their settlement in Tamsui in 1638 and the Dutch built a new fort which they named Fort Anthonio (after the Governor-General of the Dutch East India Company Anthonio van Diemen). It is today known as '' Angmo Siaa'' () and is the main building of the
Fort San Domingo Fort Santo Domingo is a historical fortress in Tamsui District, New Taipei City, Taiwan. It was originally a wooden fort built in 1628 by the Spanish Empire, who named it "Fort Santo Domingo". However, the fort was then destroyed by the Spani ...
museum complex. In addition to "pacifying" the aboriginal tribes in the area, the Dutch also encouraged the immigration and settlement of the area by Han Chinese, as well as expanding the production and trade of
sulfur Sulfur (or sulphur in British English) is a chemical element with the symbol S and atomic number 16. It is abundant, multivalent and nonmetallic. Under normal conditions, sulfur atoms form cyclic octatomic molecules with a chemical formula ...
, animal skins, and other indigenous resources. The Dutch left Fort Zeelandia in Taiwan in 1662 following their defeat by
Koxinga Zheng Chenggong, Prince of Yanping (; 27 August 1624 – 23 June 1662), better known internationally as Koxinga (), was a Ming loyalist general who resisted the Qing conquest of China in the 17th century, fighting them on China's southeastern ...
at the Siege of Fort Zeelandia, who continued the policy of increasing Han Chinese immigration until the surrender of his grandson Zheng Keshuang to the Qing Dynasty in 1683. In 1668, the Dutch left
Keelung Keelung () or Jilong () (; Hokkien POJ: '), officially known as Keelung City, is a major port city situated in the northeastern part of Taiwan. The city is a part of the Taipei–Keelung metropolitan area, along with its neighbors, New Taipe ...
after getting harassed by aboriginals from Tamsui.


Qing dynasty

Because of its proximity to mainland China, as well as its location in a natural harbor, Tamsui quickly became a major fishing and trade port. The Qing naval patrol also established an outpost in Tamsui in 1808. In 1862, the
Qing The Qing dynasty ( ), officially the Great Qing,, was a Manchu-led imperial dynasty of China and the last orthodox dynasty in Chinese history. It emerged from the Later Jin dynasty founded by the Jianzhou Jurchens, a Tungusic-speaki ...
government opened Tamsui to foreign trade under the terms of the
Treaty of Tientsin The Treaty of Tientsin, also known as the Treaty of Tianjin, is a collective name for several documents signed at Tianjin (then Postal Map Romanization, romanized as Tientsin) in June 1858. The Qing Empire, Qing dynasty, Russian Empire, Secon ...
, exporting tea,
camphor Camphor () is a waxy, colorless solid with a strong aroma. It is classified as a terpenoid and a cyclic ketone. It is found in the wood of the camphor laurel ('' Cinnamomum camphora''), a large evergreen tree found in East Asia; and in the k ...
,
sulfur Sulfur (or sulphur in British English) is a chemical element with the symbol S and atomic number 16. It is abundant, multivalent and nonmetallic. Under normal conditions, sulfur atoms form cyclic octatomic molecules with a chemical formula ...
, coal,
opium Opium (or poppy tears, scientific name: ''Lachryma papaveris'') is dried latex obtained from the seed capsules of the opium poppy ''Papaver somniferum''. Approximately 12 percent of opium is made up of the analgesic alkaloid morphine, which i ...
, and dyes. By the mid-19th century Tamsui had become the largest port in Taiwan, boasting a sizable foreign population as well as a British consulate at Fort Santo Domingo. Canadian medical doctor and missionary
George Leslie Mackay George Leslie Mackay 偕瑞理 or 馬偕 ''Má-kai'' (21 March 1844 – 2 June 1901) was a Canadian Presbyterian missionary. He was the first Presbyterian missionary to northern Taiwan (then Formosa), serving with the Canadian Presbyterian Mis ...
arrived in Tamsui on 9 March 1872, proceeding to establish Taiwan's first hospitals in Western medicine and formal educational facilities, including Oxford College (now part of
Aletheia University Aletheia University (after Greek ἀλήθεια, 'truth') () is a private university in Tamsui, New Taipei City and Madou, Tainan in Taiwan. It was founded by George Leslie Mackay as Oxford College. It has close links to the Presbyterian Chu ...
), the oldest European-style higher-education institution in Taiwan by some measure. During the
Sino-French War The Sino-French War (, french: Guerre franco-chinoise, vi, Chiến tranh Pháp-Thanh), also known as the Tonkin War and Tonquin War, was a limited conflict fought from August 1884 to April 1885. There was no declaration of war. The Chinese arm ...
the French attempted an invasion of Taiwan during the Keelung Campaign. Liu Mingchuan, who was leading the defence of Taiwan, recruited Aboriginals to serve alongside the Chinese soldiers in fighting against the French. The French were defeated at the Battle of Tamsui, and the Qing forces pinned the French down at Keelung in an eight-month-long campaign before the French withdrew. In 1884, the harbour of Tamsui was blockaded by the French Navy under the command of Admiral Amédée Courbet, during the
Sino-French War The Sino-French War (, french: Guerre franco-chinoise, vi, Chiến tranh Pháp-Thanh), also known as the Tonkin War and Tonquin War, was a limited conflict fought from August 1884 to April 1885. There was no declaration of war. The Chinese arm ...
. The French were defeated at the Battle of Tamsui by the Chinese and, according to traditional accounts, with the divine assistance of the Goddess
Mazu Mazu or Matsu is a Chinese sea goddess also known by several other names and titles. She is the deified form of the legendary figure Lin Mo or Lin Moniang, a Fujianese shamaness whose life span is traditionally dated from 960 to 987. Re ...
.


Japanese rule

By the time Taiwan was ceded to Japan following the end of the Sino-Japanese War in 1895, Tamsui's position as a seaport was beginning to wane due to the accumulation of sediments in the
Tamsui River The Tamsui River (alternatively Danshui River, ) is third longest river in Taiwan after Zhuoshui River and Gaoping River, with a total length of , flowing through Hsinchu County, Taoyuan, Taipei and New Taipei City. It is located in northern pa ...
. By the 20th century, most of Tamsui's port operations had moved to
Keelung Keelung () or Jilong () (; Hokkien POJ: '), officially known as Keelung City, is a major port city situated in the northeastern part of Taiwan. The city is a part of the Taipei–Keelung metropolitan area, along with its neighbors, New Taipe ...
, and the local economy had switched primarily to agriculture. However, public infrastructure construction projects by the Japanese led to Tamsui's rise as a local administrative and cultural center. In the early years of Japanese rule (1895–1945), the population of the city was nearly 6,000. From 1920, under the prefecture system, Tamsui was called , and was governed under Tamsui District of Taihoku Prefecture.


Post-war

Following the end of World War II in 1945, Tamsui reverted to being a small fishing town as township of Taipei County. With the expansion of nearby Taipei City, Tamsui slowly became a center for tourism along Taiwan's northwest coast. In the last ten years, the city has become popular as a suburb of Taipei in the local real estate market. Following the completion of the Taipei Metro's
Tamsui Line The Tamsui line () was a Taiwanese railroad branch line, located in the cities of Taipei and New Taipei and operated by the Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA). It connected the city of Taipei with the town of Tamsui. The route is currently serve ...
in 1997, the town experienced a sharp increase in tourist traffic, reflected in the completion of several riverside parks, the growth of open-air markets specializing in traditional handicrafts and street-stall snacks, the construction of a fisherman's wharf, and the increase in passenger ferries traversing across and along the river.


Administrative divisions

Tamsui District administers forty-two urban villages ().


Climate


Education

*
Aletheia University Aletheia University (after Greek ἀλήθεια, 'truth') () is a private university in Tamsui, New Taipei City and Madou, Tainan in Taiwan. It was founded by George Leslie Mackay as Oxford College. It has close links to the Presbyterian Chu ...
*
St. John's University St John's University may refer to: *St. John's University (New York City) **St. John's University School of Law **St. John's University (Italy) - Overseas Campus *College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University, St. Joseph, Minnesota and Col ...
* Tamkang University *
Taipei College of Maritime Technology Taipei University of Marine Technology (TUMT; ) is a private technological university located in Taiwan. History The university was originally established as China Maritime College. It was then upgraded to China Junior College of Maritime and C ...
*
New Taipei Municipal Tam-Shui Vocational High School New Taipei Municipal Tam-Shui Vocational High School was founded in 1985. In 2013 it was converted to the local government, New Taipei City, and was named New Taipei Municipal Tam-Shui Vocational High School. The campus covers 12.48 hectares. ...
*
New Taipei Municipal Zhuwei High School New Taipei Municipal Zhuwei High School (ZWHS; {{zh, c=新北市立竹圍高級中學) is a combined junior and senior high school located in Tamsui District, New Taipei City, Taiwan. It was founded in 1996. As of 2014, the principal was Wu Zong ...
* Tamshui Junior High School


Tourist attractions

*
Drop of Water Memorial Hall The Tamsui Itteki Memorial House () is a memorial hall in Tamsui District, New Taipei, Taiwan. History The memorial hall was opened on 5 April 2011 and inaugurated by New Taipei Mayor Eric Chu. Exhibitions The memorial hall houses Minakami T ...
*
Former British Merchant Warehouse The Former British Merchant Warehouse () is a historical warehouse in Tamsui District, New Taipei, Taiwan. History The area used to be a warehouse to store tea-related products by the British tea merchants. It was then later bought by Shell Oil ...
*
Fort San Domingo Fort Santo Domingo is a historical fortress in Tamsui District, New Taipei City, Taiwan. It was originally a wooden fort built in 1628 by the Spanish Empire, who named it "Fort Santo Domingo". However, the fort was then destroyed by the Spani ...
*
Hobe Fort Hobe Fort or Huwei Fort is a historical fort located near Fort Santo Domingo, in Tamsui District, New Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China. History In the 1880s Imperial China (Qing dynasty) and France fought a war over an area that is today ...
* Museum of Tamsui Fishiegoodies * Tamsui Art Gallery *
Tamsui Church The Tamsui Church () is a church in Tamsui District, New Taipei, Taiwan. History The current Tamsui Church building was built by Japan. It was then renovated in 1932 due to deterioration and opened by the son of George Leslie Mackay on 28 No ...
*
Tamsui Customs Officers' Residence The Tamsui Customs Officers' Residence () is a historical residence in Tamsui District, New Taipei, Taiwan. History After Taiwan was forced to open foreign trade in early 1860s, foreigners soon came into the island. Qing Dynasty government soo ...
* Tamsui Customs Wharf *
Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf The Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf (), officially the Tamsui Second Fishing Harbor (), is a major fishing harbor and a scenic spot on the right bank of the Tamsui River estuary, at the western tip of Tamsui District, New Taipei City, Taiwan. The prede ...
* Tamsui Fuyou Temple * Tamsui Historical Museum *
Tamsui Lover's Bridge The Tamsui Lover's Bridge () is a bridge in Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf, Tamsui District, New Taipei, Taiwan. History The bridge was opened on 14 February 2003. Architecture The shape of the white-colored bridge resembles the mast and rigging of ...
* Tamsui Lungshan Temple * Tamsui Meteorological Observatory *
Tamsui Old Street The Tamsui Old Street () is a street in Tamsui District, New Taipei, Taiwan. Features The street is lined with shops selling traditional pastries, A-gei, Iron egg, Iron Eggs, Fish ball, fish balls, fried fish crackers. There are also prominent ...
* Tamsui Qingshui Temple * Tamsui Qingshui Deity's Grand Procession, on 6th day of 5th lunar month, an important fiesta for Tamsui District *
Tamsui Red Castle The Tamsui Red Castle () is a 19th-century mansion in Tamsui District, New Taipei, Taiwan. History The building was originally called Daguanlo and was planned in 1895 and built in 1899 during the Japanese rule of Taiwan as an accommodation f ...
*
Teng Feng Fish Ball Museum The Teng Feng Fish Ball Museum () is a food museum about fish balls in Tamsui District, New Taipei, Taiwan. History The museum was established in 2004. Architecture The museum building is divided into two exhibition halls. The first exhibition ...


Transportation


Taipei Metro

*
Tamsui Station Tamsui () is a metro station in New Taipei, Taiwan served by Taipei Metro. It is the terminal station of the . The location of the station can be traced back to the same-named station of the now-defunct Tamsui railway line. Tamsui station is the ...
* Hongshulin Station *
Zhuwei Station The Taipei Metro Zhuwei Station (formerly transliterated as Chuwei Station until 2003) is located in the sea-side district of Tamsui in New Taipei, Taiwan. It is a station on the Tamsui Line. The position of station could be traced back the same ...


Light rail

* Danhai light rail


Sister city

* Chico, California, U.S. – 1985


Notable natives

*
Joe Hung Joe Hung (; February 15, 1932 – February 20, 2018) was a Taiwanese journalist, diplomat, and translator. He served as a foreign correspondent for the Central News Agency (Taiwan), Central News Agency (CNA) from 1974 until 1989, as well as the ...
, representative to Italy (1993–2000) *
Tu Tsung-ming Tu Tsung-ming (, ja, Tō Sōmē), was the first Doctor of Medical Sciences (equivalent to Ph.D.) of Taiwan. He was born in Tamsui in 1893, trained as a physician at Taiwan Governor's Medical School, and received his doctorate degree from Kyoto Im ...
, former physician


Gallery

File:Tamsui 2.jpg, A French sketch of Tamsui in 1893 File:At the Tamsui Port ca. 1970.jpg, Tamsui Port, circa 1970 File:淡水鄞山寺.jpg, The Yinshan Temple in Tamsui, 2018 File:Tamsui Harbor, by Li Mei-shu.jpg, Tamsui Harbor (
Li Mei-shu Li Mei-shu () (13 March 1902 – 6 February 1983) was a Taiwanese painter, sculptor, and politician. Born to an upper-class family in Sankakuyū (), Japanese Taiwan (modern-day Sanxia District, New Taipei City). Education Li Meishu began to ...
, 1930) File:Tamsui by Chen Chengpuo.jpg, Tamsui (
Tan Ting-pho Tan Teng-pho (; 2 February 1895 – 25 March 1947), was a Taiwanese painter and politician. In 1926, his oil painting '' Street of Chiayi'' was featured in the seventh in Japan, which was the first time a Taiwanese artist's work could be d ...
, 1935) – 91 × 116.5 cm – Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts File:Ni Jianghuai 1936.jpg, Tamsui Church (Ni Chiang-huai, 1936) – Paper, watercolor – 49.5 × 66 cm – Taipei Museum of Fine Arts File:Danshui waterfront.jpg, Tamsui waterfront at sunset File:Tamsui Long Pier-1.JPG, The sunset in front of the Long Pier of Tamsui


Sources

* History section retrieved and translated fro
Tamsui District office website


Notes


Bibliography

* *


External links

* *
Tamsui Historic MuseumWhy Tamsui people are called Tamsuian?Tamsui Travel Guide
{{Authority control History of New Taipei Districts of New Taipei