Riding the ferry to Dadaocheng takes you away from the calm of Danshui back into the metropolitan bustle of Taipei. And while the ferry ride is enjoyable along this stretch of the Blue Highway, the inherent charm of this River Cruise is the respite from the city smog that it offers, something that is most noticeable along the Danshui leg of the route.
Dadaocheng Wharf has many points of interest, including the Lin Liu-Hsin Puppet Museum (林柳新紀念偶戲博物館) and Hsiahai City God Temple (霞海城隍廟), located on the well-preserved Dihua Street (迪化街).
It is also possible to take the ferry along Keelung River to the Dajia Wharf.
Here, you can visit Taipei Fine Arts Museum (台北市立美術管館) the Taipei Children's Recreation Center (台北兒童育樂中心), or the nearby amusement park. Perhaps the most scenic areas Dajia Wharf has to offer are the Dajia Riverside Park (大佳河濱公園), which boasts a grand water fountain, as well as the expansive Xinsheng Park (新生公園), which is a great place for group outings and sporting activities.
There are different types of passenger boats to choose from along the Blue Highway, operated by different companies. The 80-seat ferries that ply the route sell snacks and beverages and have plenty of room to enjoy the outdoor surroundings. The seating on the smaller speedboats is enclosed, giving only a limited view of the riverbanks, and the ride tends to be uncomfortably loud and bumpy.
The Blue Highway can be unreliable. On a recent trip this reporter found that ferries were not running from Guandu Wharf, meaning that buses and MRT transportation were required to travel to and from this spot. It's easy enough to do, but certainly a letdown if your aim is to get out on the water.
However, these temporary incon-veniences are to be expected as the Taipei City Government is working to improve the Blue Highway system. Just recently, the Public Works Department spent NT$175 million on constructing new marinas for ferries at the Dajia Wharf. Further improvements the city has in mind include the use of solar-powered boats.
Despite some shortcomings, the Blue Highway is a relatively cheap and convenient way to taste local specialties, take in a number of interesting tourist spots and enjoy the open spaces that the river offers.
RSS