Tamsui Dragon Boat Festival: Religious Procession to Cause Traffic Controls, Vehicle Restrictions

Tamsui District in New Taipei City is preparing for significant traffic disruptions during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, June 19-20, due to the annual religious procession of the Qing Shui Yan Temple. To manage the expected crowds and facilitate the event, authorities will implement traffic controls along the procession route.

Non-resident vehicles will be prohibited from entering the Tamsui urban area. Public bus services operating within the district will be rerouted and will not enter the city center. The New Taipei City Department of Transportation's Traffic Safety Section chief, Li You-chin, advised the public to utilize public transportation options such as the MRT, the Tamsui-Kavalan Light Rail, and the Bali-Tamsui ferry to access the area.

Authorities anticipate a surge in visitors, not only for the religious event but also for popular tourist spots like Tamsui Old Street, Fisherman's Wharf, and the Tamsui-Kavalan Bridge. Given the traffic restrictions and limited parking within Tamsui, reliance on public transit is strongly recommended. The MRT Tamsui Station is the recommended stop for accessing Tamsui Old Street and the city center, while the MRT Hongshulin Station followed by the light rail is advised for reaching Fisherman's Wharf and the bridge.

New Taipei Metro Corporation stated it would increase MRT service frequency during the holiday period, particularly between 2 PM and 7 PM, adding approximately 22 extra train services. The Tamsui-Kavalan Light Rail has seen a nearly 30% increase in daily ridership in May compared to the first quarter, reaching an average of 21,551 passengers per day since the bridge's opening.

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The procession route will be subject to traffic control. Vehicles belonging to non-Tamsui residents will be prohibited from entering, and bus routes will be diverted and will not enter the city center. We urge the public to use public transportation such as the MRT, Tamsui-Kavalan Light Rail, and Bali-Tamsui ferry.