Sanxia District

Sansia (Chinese: 三峽鎮; pinyin: Sānxiá Zhèn) is an urban township in the southwestern part of Taipei County, Taiwan Province of the Republic of China. The old name (三角湧, POJ: Saⁿ-kak-éng, literally triangular surge) refers to the meeting of the Tahan River, Sanhsia River, and "Horizontal River" (橫溪). In 1920, the Japanese administration, in transforming the entire Taiwan administrative area, renamed it to 三峽 (Romaji: Sankyō; POJ: Sam-kiap), which literally means Three Gorges.

Geography

Area: 191.45 km²
Population: 87,505 people (May.16th,2005)

View from Changfu Bridge (長福橋) in Sansia

Education

National Taipei University

Attractions

Zushih Temple (袓師廟)- The most important religious site in Sansia. 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 (台北縣客家文化園區) - 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 Zushih Temple around Chinese New Year where farmers compete to raise the fattest pig. The fattest pig is then sacrificed to the local Taoist god Zushih-Ye (祖師爺). Controversial to animal rights activists, Zushih Temple is one of the few places in Taiwan that still practice this tradition.^[1]
Sansia Indigo Blue Dye Festival - A celebration of Sansia's past as a major dyeing center in northern Taiwan.

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