Introduction to Literature and History

Geographical environment

Tamsui, a town with a 400-year history, was formerly known as "Huwei." Located at the mouth of the Tamsui River, a vital economic artery in northern Taiwan, it was once a crucial international gateway for northern Taiwan. This strategic location not only attracted a large influx of people and economic prosperity, but also attracted the attention of surrounding powers who naturally wouldn't easily let go of such business opportunities and the subsequent assertion of national power. In addition to the successive intervention of foreign powers, ethnic groups from various coastal regions of China also entered Taiwan through this area during the Ming and Qing dynasties to cultivate and develop the land. Due to its advantageous terrain, Tamsui quickly integrated with the international community, thereby influencing the entire island of Taiwan. Therefore, Tamsui has always been an important player on the stage of Taiwan's history.

Tamsui is located on the north bank of the Tamsui River estuary, which originates in the Taipei Basin. To the east, it is connected to Beitou District via Guandu and Pingding; to the north, it borders Sanzhi District via the Datun Mountain Range, which meanders down and protects the residents at the foot of the mountains to the east; to the west, it connects to the Taiwan Strait; and to the south, across the Tamsui River, lies Guanyin Mountain in Bali District. Overall, Tamsui is roughly diamond-shaped, with a maximum east-west distance of 12.5 kilometers and a maximum north-south length of 13.5 kilometers. The towering Datun Mountain, the rolling hills, the long Tamsui River, the strategic location of the river mouth, and the concave harbor shape... these important geographical conditions are all factors that have contributed to Tamsui's development.

In 1632, the fifth year of the Chongzhen reign of the Ming Dynasty, the Spanish entered the Taipei Basin by sailing up the Tamsui River and subjugated the three major tribes of Wuluwan. Their territory extended from Zhubang (Hsinchu) in the south to Yilan in the east. According to their old records, there was a place called "Parecuchu", which is the transliteration of the old name of Bali District, Balikushe. Another legend says that as early as 1358, the indigenous people who occupied the present-day Bali area named it "Arieun", which was the original name of Baliben, but this cannot be verified now. Bali is mainly located on the west side of the mouth of the Tamsui River. It faces Tamsui District to the northeast across the river, borders Linkou District to the west, and is separated from Wugu District to the south by Guanyin Mountain. Its northwest coast borders the Taiwan Strait. Roughly elongated in shape, it extends southeast and southwest at both ends, resembling crab claws, thus controlling the outlet of the Tamsui River into the Taipei Basin. Its geographical location is extremely advantageous, and it was one of Taiwan's important river ports in its early days. Looking at the topography of Bali District, about two-thirds of the land is hilly and mountainous, while the remaining third consists of alluvial deposits distributed along the northern coastal area and the eastern and western sections of the Tamsui River. The main mountains are Guanyin Mountain (612 meters) and Taiping Mountain (147 meters). The terrain is varied, facing rivers, basins, and the ocean, with beautiful natural scenery nestled between mountains and water. Guanyin Mountain is named so because it has 18 small peaks that surround each other, with one peak in the center that is particularly tall. When viewed from the north bank of Tamsui, the overall shape of the mountain resembles Guanyin lying on her side.

Data source: Tamsui Historic Sites Museum, Tamsui District Office, Bali District Office, New Taipei City