Sanxia District: Difference between revisions

Sanxia (Chinese: 三峽鎮; pinyin: Sānxiá Zhèn) is an urban township in the southwestern part of Taipei County in northern Taiwan (ROC). In 2009 the entire county is due to become a city in its own right: a special municipality called New Taipei.

The old name (三角湧, POJ: Saⁿ-kak-éng, literally triangular surge) refers to the meeting of the Tahan River, Sanxia River, and "Horizontal River" (橫溪). In 1920 Taiwan's Japanese government designated it an administrative area named Sankyo (三峽 (Romaji: Sankyō; POJ: Sam-kiap): "Three Gorges."

Geography

• Area: 191.45 km²
• Population: 100,021 people (September,2009)

View from Changfu Bridge (長福橋) in Sanxia

Education

• National Taipei University

Attractions

• Zushi Temple (袓師廟)- The most important religious site in Sanxia. Originally built in 1769 by Fukienese immigrants to Taiwan, it has been rebuilt three times, of which the last effort (beginning 1947) is the masterpiece of renown Taiwanese artist Li Meishu. It is considered by many to be the most intricately sculpted temple in Taiwan.
• Minquan Old Street (民權老街) - A business street built during the Japanese rule, it is a very well-preserved example of Japanese colonial architecture of the time. The street features stores selling art, ceramics, and local specialty foods (most notably Bull Horn Croissants).
• Historical Relic Hall (三峽鎮歷史文物館) - preserves artistic and cultural artifacts from Sansia's past.
• County Hakka Museum (臺北縣客家文化園區) - the largest Hakka cultural center in Taiwan exhibiting the culture, history, and influence of the Hakka people in Taiwan and abroad.
• Li Meishu Memorial Gallery (李梅樹紀念館) - art gallery showcasing the works of prominent Taiwanese artist Li Meishu.
• Pigs of God (神豬) Contest - The largest event held at Zushi Temple around Chinese New Year where farmers compete to raise the fattest pig. The fattest pig is then sacrificed to the local Taoist god Zushi-Ye (祖師爺). Controversial to animal rights activists, Zushi Temple is one of the few places in Taiwan that still practice this tradition.
• Sanxia Indigo Blue Dye Festival - A celebration of Sanxia's past as a major dyeing center in northern Taiwan.

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  Walking along Minquan Old Street
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  Zushi Temple
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  Colonial Japanese architecture along Minquan Old Street
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  Shops along Minquan Old Street
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  Changfu Bridge across the Sanxia River
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  Bull Horn Croissants, a local specialty
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  Inner Court of Zushi Temple
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  Details on Zushi Temple

Transportation

• Car — Sansia is served by Freeway No. 3.
• Bus — Sansia is accessible by bus from Taipei (buses 702, 703, 705, 706), Taoyuan, and Yingge (Blue 19).
• Train — Although Sanxia does not have a train station, it is accessible by bus from Yingge Train Station across the river.
• MRT — Accessible via the Bannan Line of the Taipei MRT to Yongning (永寧). Bus 916 from exit 1 connects to Sanxia on Highway 3. In addition, bus 910 leaves from Fuzhong (府中) station in Banqiao. Both routes are multi-section tickets, paying on entry or exit.

External links

• Government website