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Tamsui, formerly known as Hobe, is the lifeline of Bali, referring to fishing installations at the river’s mouth. The Tamsui Ferry Dock sits on the right bank of the Tamsui River estuary and is a key settlement in northern Taiwan’s history of development. When the Portuguese occupied Taiwan, they praised Tamsui as the very origin of “Ilha Formosa.” In the early years after Taiwan’s Retrocession, besides the Tamsui–Bali route, there were also ferry lines from Shilin to Luzhou and from Guandu to Shizitou; however, after the Guandu Bridge opened in October 1983, ferry traffic gradually declined, leaving only the Tamsui–Bali service still in operation. To meet the launch of the inland Blue Highway, the Tamsui Passenger Wharf was completed in July 2004. Its floating-pontoon design allows easy berthing for sightseeing boats, greatly enhancing the tourism value of Tamsui’s water transport. The best way to reach Bali is by ferry; the Blue Highway itself is a symbol of the LOHAS lifestyle and of living close to water, a classic route that has continued since the Japanese era. Strolling and resting by the Tamsui Ferry Dock at dusk, the setting sun spills over the river, sparkling and rippling, while distant Guanyin Mountain looms like a giant landscape scroll filling the entire view. Board a ferry here for a quick, convenient trip to Bali or to Fisherman’s Wharf; from the boat, the Tamsui riverfront and the Guandu Bridge in the distance offer a distinctive new perspective.