Inside the Stone Wall

During annual flowering season of cherry blossom, Wuji Tianyuan Temple attracts countless sightseers. The problem is that besides Tamsui Old Street, which is 5-kilometer away, it is hard to find a meal here as the temple is surrounded by farmlands and barracks. Inside the Stone Wall is a never-never land deep in bushes and paths and provides an ideal location of dining for coming tourists. Its most distinctive feature is Taiwanese Min-style structure, as it has preserved the traditional living way in Taiwan. Circle tables placed in the middle of either courtyard or indoor space allows visitors enjoy their meal in century-old sanheyuan (三合院, traditional Chinese residential structure). It would be a misery if you miss the specialty heye zhengxiaren sigua tofu (荷葉蒸蝦仁絲瓜豆腐, peeled shrimp, luffa and tofu steamed in lotus leaves) for its well-balance between mild freshness and greasy. Jinzhen huaji tang (金針花雞湯, orange daylily chicken soup) will warm your body in a cool winter day. It is an almost-satisfying dining experience, except for its slow dishing speed during rushing hours - waiting a single dish for up to 30 minutes is possible, which is certainly an unacceptable condition to any customer.

While waiting your dishes being served up, you might lead your child to play old-way hopscotch in courtyard or have a little tour in sanheyuan to know more about these historical buildings: narrow passages, octagon-shaped windows, wooden beams and columns and early household goods. If you have not paid attention, you would probably miss the hundred-years-old sweet-olive tree alongside houses - in summer, its fragrance fills the space. Recently, a wooden two-story house was built behind the original houses years ago. The first floor is a shop selling village-made handicrafts, toys and toiletries; the second floor serves as a cafe for visitors not intending to have a full meal to take a sip of suburb life within an enjoyable environment.