Fort San Domingo

The basics

For history buffs, few other Tawain sights rival Fort Santo Domingo, a national historic site. Explore the recently restored fort building, the British residence next door, and the Qing dynasty-era gate and south entrance. Notable artifacts include heritage furnishings, decor, and historic weapons. But that’s not all that draws visitors to this outpost near the island’s northern coast. The hilltop fort offers one of the most impressive views of the Tamsui sunset and surrounding mountainous scenery. It often features on full-day tours of northern Taiwan’s highlights.

Things to know before you go

• Don’t forget to head outside (and bring a camera) after exploring the fort’s interior: It’s known for views overlooking the Tamsui River and Guanyin Mountain.

• Owing to its historic architecture and numerous stairways, some parts of the fort may not be accessible to wheelchair users.

• You can buy tickets to the fort on-site, which include admission to the nearby Hobe Fort.

How to get there

Fort Santo Domingo is at No. 1, Ln. 28, Zhongzheng Rd., Tamsui District, New Taipei City. If traveling from central Taipei by car, take National Highway 1 and exit at the Taipei Interchange to Provincial Highway 2B. You can also take the Taipei Metro to Tamsui Station, which is a short bus ride or a 20-minute walk away.

When to get there

Fort Santo Domingo is open daily, except for the first Monday of the month, from morning until early evening. The fort is open one hour later on weekends, and the last admission is 30 minutes before closing time. Note that sunset is one of the most popular times to visit.

Visit Hobe Fort

To continue your tour of Tamsui’s historic military monuments, be sure to visit Hobe Fort, just a 15-minute walk away. Built-in the late 19th century by a Chinese military general, it offers a marked contrast to Fort Santo Domingo—especially since much of the fort still looks the way it did centuries ago, giving it a moody look and feel.