Tamsui Taipei Guide 2026: Fort San Domingo
Discover the historic charm of Tamsui, Taipei. From the red brick walls of Fort San Domingo to the iconic filming locations of 'Secret' at Aletheia University.
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Discover the historic charm of Tamsui, Taipei. From the red brick walls of Fort San Domingo to the iconic filming locations of 'Secret' at Aletheia University.
This post was written in partnership, as I received complimentary services from the featured business,
and I may receive a small commission through affiliate activities.
Taiwan's Red Fortress, "Fort San Domingo"
The filming location of 'Secret': "Aletheia University"
Fort San Domingo | Aletheia University
紅毛城 | 真理大學
Hey there, everyone! I'm travel influencer Ciel!
Today, I want to talk about a must-visit spot in Taipei, Taiwan,
especially if you're planning a trip out to Tamsui—
the famous "Fort San Domingo & Aletheia University"!
Fort San Domingo | Aletheia University: Quick Guide
Opening Hours
Fort San Domingo Mon-Fri 09:30-17:00
Sat-Sun 09:30-18:00
Aletheia University Mon-Fri 08:00-17:00
Closed on Sat & Sun
Tel: Fort San Domingo +886 2 2623 1001
Aletheia University +886 2 2621 2121
Other Info
Fort San Domingo: Admission 80 TWD (approx. ~$2)
📍 Filming Site of 'Secret': Fort San Domingo | Aletheia University 📍
📍 Fort San Domingo
No. 1, Lane 28, Zhongzheng Rd, Tamsui District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 251
📍 Aletheia University
No. 32, Zhenli St, Tamsui District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 251
What is Fort San Domingo?
With its striking red brick architecture,
Fort San Domingo is an absolute must-visit when exploring Tamsui.
Alongside Aletheia University, it's famous as a filming location for the movie 'Secret,'
but it's also a historic Western-style fortress
with nearly 400 years of rich history.
It was originally built by the Spanish, and later rebuilt by the Dutch,
giving it the iconic look it has today.
The name "Hongmao Cheng" (Red-Hair Fortress)
was coined because it was managed by the red-haired Dutch settlers
back in the day.
How to Get There
From downtown Taipei:
Take the MRT Red Line (Tamsui-Xinyi Line)
⬇️ (Takes about 50 minutes from Taipei Main Station)
Get off at Tamsui Station
⬇️
Take bus R26, 757, 837, 857, or 880
and get off at the Fort San Domingo/Aletheia University stop.
or
Fire up Google Maps and take a scenic 20-minute walk!
▼ Grab an EasyCard for seamless transit and convenience store runs in Taiwan! ▼
Taiwan EasyCard (Pick up at Taoyuan / Kaohsiung Airport)
The admission fee for Fort San Domingo is 80 TWD (approx. ~$2),
and since the ticket has a beautiful print of the fortress on it,
it makes for a lovely little travel souvenir to keep.
▼ Want to snag your tickets in advance? Check out this link! ▼
[Taipei, Taiwan] Tamsui Fort San Domingo Admission Ticket : MyRealTrip
After grabbing my ticket and walking in,
I was amazed to see that it looked exactly the same as it did when I visited 8 years ago!
It felt so well-preserved, untouched by time.
Even the little teddy bear was still there doing great! ❤️
The stunning red-brick fortress walls
were also looking as beautiful and pristine as ever.
Stepping inside,
these distinguished gentlemen (?) were still there to welcome us,
Inside, you can tour the rooms as they were used back in the day,
making it a super fascinating spot for history buffs.
However, as for us...
✨️Are you ready for the best photo spots?✨️
Fort San Domingo Photo Spots
When you look at the entrance, there are beautiful trees lining both sides,
so if you stand right in the middle,
your photos will turn out absolutely gorgeous.
It has always been famous as the ultimate spot for getting that shot of a lifetime,
so make sure you don't leave without snapping one!✨️
Next up is the hallway with the beautiful arched pillars!
This is another spot that has been super popular for ages.
Most people seem to take photos using the arched pillars as a backdrop, but...
Personally, I found it a bit tricky because the angle was too close.
So, I just captured the pillars themselves, and I was still so happy with the result.
Honestly, even without the pillars, just framing the red brick railings looks amazing.
And beyond the two spots I just mentioned, as you wander around,
you'll find quite a few hidden corners that make you want to stop and snap a photo.
I highly recommend taking your time to explore
and find your very own favorite photo spots.
Aletheia University
If you've made it to Fort San Domingo,
and especially if you are a fan of the movie Secret,
you absolutely can't skip Aletheia University right next door, right?
This particular photo looks incredibly hip and modern, but
as you walk in from the main gate,
you'll see gorgeous school buildings that will take your breath away!
While it's famous as a movie filming location,
it's actually Taiwan's very first Western-style university, founded in 1882,
making it a place with deep historical significance.
To be honest, the campus isn't very big,
but it's incredibly scenic—fully living up to its reputation as a movie set.
I highly recommend pairing it with your visit to Fort San Domingo.
Seriously, isn't it stunning?!!
Even if this place hadn't been featured in a movie,
I feel like anyone visiting Fort San Domingo
would have naturally wandered over to explore Aletheia University anyway.
Of course, it's also a fantastic place to take photos,
so don't miss the chance to grab some beautiful green shots!💚
✔︎ Taipei, Taiwan: Tamsui Travel
Fort San Domingo & Aletheia University Review
Years ago, the giant castella cakes were all the rage here,
which is why I first planned a trip to Tamsui—to eat castella
and to see the filming locations of the movie Secret, which I loved.
Even on a return visit, it is just as charming and beautiful as ever.
And even if you aren't hunting down castella, the nearby Tamsui Old Street offers so many different things to eat.
If you're planning a trip to Taipei, definitely carve out a day for Tamsui
and make sure to visit Fort San Domingo and Aletheia University.
Taiwan EasyCard (Pick up at Taoyuan / Kaohsiung Airport)
[Taipei, Taiwan] Tamsui Fort San Domingo Admission Ticket
Cielso
ⓒ2026.Cielso All rights reserved.
This post was written after receiving a free service from the provider,
and I may receive a small commission through partner activities.
Taiwan's Red Fortress "Fort San Domingo"
"Secret" Filming Location: Aletheia University
Fort San Domingo | Aletheia University
紅毛城 | 真理大學
Hey there! I'm Ciel, your travel influencer-!
Today, I want to share a guide for anyone visiting Taipei, Taiwan—
specifically, if you're planning a trip to Tamsui,
you've got to check out "Fort San Domingo & Aletheia University."
Quick Guide: Fort San Domingo & Aletheia University
Opening Hours
Fort San Domingo Mon-Fri 09:30-17:00
Sat-Sun 09:30-18:00
Aletheia University Mon-Fri 08:00-17:00
Sat-Sun Closed
Tel: Fort San Domingo +886 2 2623 1001
Aletheia University +886 2 2621 2121
Etc.
Fort San Domingo: Admission 80TWD (~$2)
📍 Filming Location of 'Secret': Fort San Domingo | Aletheia University 📍
📍 Fort San Domingo
No. 1, Lane 28, Zhongzheng Rd, Tamsui District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 251
📍 Aletheia University
No. 32, Zhenli St, Tamsui District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 251
What is Fort San Domingo?
With its striking red brick buildings, Fort San Domingo
is a must-visit spot on any Tamsui itinerary.
Along with Aletheia University, it's famous as a filming location for the movie *Secret*,
but it's also a historic Western-style fortress
with nearly 400 years of history.
Originally built by the Spanish, it was later rebuilt by the Dutch
into the structure we see today.
Its local name, "Hongmao Cheng" (Red Hair Castle),
came from the locals referring to the red-haired Dutchmen
who managed and occupied the fort.
How to Get There
From downtown Taipei,
take the MRT Red Line (Tamsui-Xinyi Line)
⬇️ (Takes about 50 minutes from Taipei Main Station)
Get off at Tamsui Station
⬇️
Hop on bus R26, 757, 837, 857, or 880
and get off at the Fort San Domingo / Aletheia University stop
or
Open Google Maps and take a scenic 20-minute walk!
▼ The EasyCard: Essential for transit and convenience store runs in Taiwan ▼
Taiwan EasyCard (Taoyuan/Kaohsiung Airport Pickup)
Admission to Fort San Domingo is 80 TWD (about ~$2),
and the ticket itself features a beautiful print of the fortress—
perfect to keep as a cute travel souvenir!
▼ If you want to grab your tickets in advance, check out this link: ▼
[Taipei, Taiwan] Tamsui Fort San Domingo Admission Ticket : MyRealTrip
After buying my ticket and wandering around,
I was amazed to see that it looked exactly the same as it did 8 years ago!
It feels wonderfully preserved with very little change.
And the cute little teddy bear was still there keeping watch! ❤️
The charming red-brick fortress of Fort San Domingo
is also beautifully preserved.
As you step inside,
the historical mannequins are still there to welcome you (?)
Inside, you can tour the rooms as they were used back in the day,
making it a fascinating space if you're a history buff!
But let's be honest...
We're probably all a bit more interested in the ✨️Photo Spots✨️, right?
Fort San Domingo Photo Spots
Right at the entrance, you'll find gorgeous trees framing both sides, making for a perfect shot!
If you take a photo right in the center,
it turns out incredibly beautiful.
Both then and now, this is known as the ultimate spot for getting that perfect shot,
so make sure you don't leave without one! ✨️
Next up is the corridor with the arched pillars!
This is another classic spot that's been famous for a long time.
Most people tend to frame their shots with the arches in the background...
But I actually found it a bit tough because the distance was so close.
So, I just captured the pillars on their own, and I was still so happy with the result!
Honestly, even without the pillars, just the brick railings look gorgeous.
Besides the two main spots I mentioned, as you wander around,
you'll find quite a few spots where you just know a photo will look amazing.
I highly recommend exploring slowly to find your own unique photo spots
and snapping some memories!
Aletheia University
Since you've made it to Fort San Domingo,
and especially if you're a fan of the movie *Secret*,
you absolutely can't skip Aletheia University right next door!
This photo alone makes it look super hip, but...
As you walk in from the main gate,
you'll see the incredibly stunning school building!
While it's famous as a filming location,
it's actually Taiwan's very first Western-style university, founded in 1882.
It's a place rich with history.
Honestly, the campus isn't very big,
but because of its fame as a movie set, it is undeniably beautiful.
I highly recommend visiting it along with Fort San Domingo!
Seriously, isn't it gorgeous?!!
Even if this place hadn't been a movie set,
I'm sure I would have stopped by Aletheia University
anyway after visiting Fort San Domingo.
Of course, the photos here turn out fantastic too,
so I highly recommend snapping some unforgettable shots here as well! 💚
✔︎ Taipei, Taiwan: Tamsui Travel
Fort San Domingo & Aletheia University Review
Years ago, the giant castella cakes were so famous
that I planned my trip to Tamsui just to try them,
and visited because I absolutely loved the movie *Secret*.
But even coming back today, it is still just as beautiful.
Even beyond the castella cakes, the nearby Tamsui Old Street has an amazing variety of food to enjoy.
If you're traveling to Taipei, I highly recommend dedicating a day to a Tamsui getaway,
and making sure to stop by Fort San Domingo & Aletheia University.
Taiwan EasyCard (Pick up at Taoyuan / Kaohsiung Airport)
[Taipei, Taiwan] Tamsui Fort San Domingo Admission Ticket
Cielso
ⓒ2026.Cielso All rights reserved.
Take the MRT Red Line from downtown Taipei for about 50 minutes and get off at Tamsui Station. From there, you can either take bus R26, 757, 837, 857, or 880 and get off at the Fort San Domingo stop, or walk for about 20 minutes to reach the destination.
Fort San Domingo is open on weekends from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM, so you can easily visit it. However, Aletheia University is closed on Saturdays and Sundays, so please keep this in mind when planning a weekend trip.
The entrance fee for Fort San Domingo is 80 TWD, which is ~$2. The ticket features a beautiful print of Fort San Domingo, making it a great travel souvenir to keep.
The name 'Hongmaocheng' translates to 'Fort of the Red-Haired,' referring to the Dutch who managed the fort in the past. Originally built by the Spanish, it was later rebuilt by the Dutch into the red brick structure you see today.
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