Taiwan Travel Journal 2024.06.05 台灣旅行日記 (八里)

Bali District is located at the northwest end of the Taipei Basin, on the west side of the Tamsui River outlet, across from Tamsui District. Archaeological research shows that Indigenous peoples have been active in Bali since prehistoric times and share a deep connection with Austronesian culture. During the Kingdom of Tungning (1662–1683), there are also records of Spanish and Dutch presence in the area.

During the Qing Dynasty, a large number of immigrants came to Taipei. In 1790, Bali was officially upgraded to a zhengkou—a port authorized for cross-strait trade. However, the port channel gradually silted up, and its shipping and trade functions were overtaken by Huwei (present-day Tamsui) on the north coast.

It was not until 1990 that Taipei Port was selected for construction in Bali Township, allowing Bali to once again regain its status as an international commercial port.

We took the MRT to Tamsui and then a ferry to Bali. Our first stop was a walk through Bali Left Bank Park.

八里區位於台北盆地西北端,淡水河出海口的西側,與淡水區隔河相望。考古遺址研究,八里自史前時代即有原住民族活躍於此,與南島文化有著深厚的淵源。明鄭時期(1662-1683)時期,也有西班牙人及荷蘭人在此的記錄。

清朝時期,大批移民湧入台北。 1790 年(乾隆55年),八里正式升格為正口,成為兩岸貿易的港口。然而,八里港的航道逐漸淤塞,其航運和貿易功能逐漸被北岸的滬尾(現今淡水)所取代。

直至 1990 年,台北港才選定於八里鄉興建,讓八里再次恢復國際商港的地位。

我們坐捷運到淡水,然後搭渡輪到八里。先到八里左岸公園走走。

Old Banyan Bunker 老榕碉堡

Originally part of the Bali Ferry Head Barracks of the Army's 178th Brigade, the bunker lookout has been converted into an observation deck. The old Banyan Bunker now serves as the Bali Office of the High Riverbank Construction Management Office under the New Taipei City Government.

這碉堡瞭望台原為陸軍 178 旅八里渡船頭軍營,現已改建為觀景台。老榕碉堡現已成為新北市政府高灘地工程管理處八里辦公室。

New Taipei City Foundation for Sustainable Environmental Education 新北市永續環境教育中心

The New Taipei City Foundation for Sustainable Environmental Education was originally known as the Bali Left Bank Association. It was officially established in January 2008 and now serves as a center for the long-term promotion of sustainable environmental education, conservation, and research in New Taipei City. In addition to offering guided tours and wetland tour programs along the Left Bank, the center also regularly hosts parent-child educational activities.

新北市永續環境教育中心前身為八里左岸會館,於 2008 年 1 月正式開館,是新北市長期推動永續環境教育、保育及研究的機構。中心除了提供左岸導覽服務和左岸溼地遊學課程外,另有不定期舉辦的親子教學活動。

In front of the education center, I saw a stone sculpture of a kappa, which I found very unique. After doing some research, I learned that the kappa is a legendary creature from Japanese mythology, typically depicted with the beak of a bird, the limbs of a frog, the body of a monkey, and the shell of a turtle.

There are many different legends about kappas in Japan, and their identities vary widely. Some portray them as negative and frightening beings, while others depict them as cute and mysterious mascots.

This particular stone sculpture was gifted to the education center by the Japanese Kappa Association in recognition of Taipei County’s achievements in river and wetland restoration in recent years. It symbolizes the protection of clean waterways and serves as a reminder of the importance of water resources and environmental conservation.

The statue also aims to encourage continued efforts in river restoration and to attract more visitors to the Bali Left Bank—especially Japanese tourists—thereby promoting local prosperity.

在教育中心前,我看到了一座河童石雕,覺得很特別。查了資料後,我才知道河童是日本神話中的傳奇生物,通常有著鳥喙、青蛙四肢、猴子身軀和龜殼的形象。

日本流傳著許多關於河童的傳說,他們的身份也各不相同。有的傳說將他們描繪成邪惡可怕的生物,有的則將他們描繪成可愛又神秘的吉祥物。

這尊石雕是日本河童協會有感於台北縣近年來在河流濕地治理上的成就,贈予教育中心,象徵守護清澈水道,並提醒人們重視水資源與環境保護的重要性。

該雕像還旨在鼓勵繼續努力修復河流,並吸引更多遊客前往八里左岸,尤其是日本遊客,從而促進當地的繁榮。

Bali Left Bank Park Hunsha Plaza 八里左岸公園婚纱廣場

It started to rain, so we had to head back. Since there were too many people waiting for the ferry, we decided to have lunch first and visit a ganzi shop (a Hokkien term for a grocery store) before taking the ferry.

下雨了,我們只好往回走,但是等渡輪的人太多,我們決定乾脆先先吃個午餐,逛逛「ganzi」(閩南語,意為雜貨店),再坐渡輪。

Travel/Point of Interest Posts 旅遊景點帖子