Fort San Domingo, Tamsui Taipei

Fort San Domingo, Tamsui
Tuesday - Sunday 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Admission fee: NT$ 80.00

Fort San Domingo is a historical fortress built in 1628 by the Manila based Spanish East Indies of the Spanish Empire. It was originally made of wood. 

In 1642, the Dutch colonized Northern Taiwan,  drove out the Spanish forces and built a new fort. Fort Antonio named after Anthony Van Diemen, the viceroy of the Dutch East India Company was completed in 1646. The fort which still stands today was nicknamed "Hong Moa Chen" by the local Chinese inhabitants meaning "Red Hair Fortress" in reference to the Dutch people who they called 'red hair savages'.

Nearby is the former British consular residence, a Victorian style house with some Chinese elements constructed in 1891 when the British government leased the fort. 

Our hotel is located about two blocks away from the Daan MRT station. The MRT ride from Daan station to the last stop in the Tamsui - Xinyi line is about 50 minutes. From Tamsui MRT station, we took bus R26 to alight at the Fort San Domingo stop. The bus route is on narrow roads, passing by small commercial establishment built along the Tamsui River. 

We used our Taipei FunPASS so we entered for FREE. There is a steep walk/ramp to get to the fort area. It can also be reached by a flight of stairs which I unfortunately chose to go up. I left sister dearest down because she has difficulty climbing stairs due to her foot injury. Unbeknownst to me though, she asked the friendly staff if there is an easier way to go up. They volunteered to drive her using a small buggy.  I was all sweaty and running out of breath from climbing those really steep flight of stairs and here she comes up beep beep beep in a buggy! LOL

Entrance to Fort San Domingo, Tamsui

Fort San Domingo with the flags of the different 'occupiers'

The British consul's residence

Interiors of the British consul's residence

Inside the British consul's residence

The British consul's residence

scenic view of the Tamsui river from the fort

side view of the British consul's residence