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New Taipei City Travel

Get going! Experience one day of in-depth Hakka culture of Sanxia.

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Category :
Senior citizen & Family tour & Nostalgic tour of the old street & Gourmet shopping & Classic
Travel days :
1 day
適合對象 :
Public & Family & Couples & The aged

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Day

Introduction

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"Hakka, indigo dyeing, and old streets" are probably the three main impressions that come to mind when thinking of Sanxia. Sanxia was formerly known as "Sanchiaoyung," and "yung" means water waves in Taiwanese. Hengxi, Sanxia River, and Dahan River converge here, forming a triangular plain. The place name shows the characteristics of the past century - abundant water resources and open plains.

The Hakka immigrants in Sanxia engaged in the dyeing, tea, and camphor industries with rich natural conditions as the background. Moreover, the rivers crisscrossed the area, enabling the transportation of large quantities of cloth, making the dyeing industry a thriving industry. To get to know Sanxia, start with the indigo dyeing experience. Wandering around the former Sanchiaoyung Street (now called "Sanxia Old Street") and visiting the New Taipei City Hakka Museum to experience the collision of Hakka culture from the past to the present.
三峽曾是藍染產業的重鎮。(圖片來源:甘樂文創授權提供)
▲ Sanxia was once a significant center of the indigo dyeing industry. (Photo source: authorized and provided by Can Culture Art and Nature)

Here is the significant center of indigo dyeing, a part of Hakka culture.
Sanxia is a place with many hills, suitable for growing the blue-dyed plant "Assam Indigo." The confluence of rivers also provides advantages for leaching and river transportation. Hakka immigrants took advantage of the perfect geographical conditions and developed the treasures of this land. The place once experienced a prosperous era with many dyeing factories until the introduction and popularization of chemical dyes.

When visiting Sanxia Old Street, people still see the old dyeing workshop plaques hanging high. A group of young people who returned to their hometown, holding the concept of local creation, rented a century-old house on Qingshui Street next to Sanxia Old Street and jointly established "Can Culture Art and Nature" to maintain the gradually declining culture. It provides a traditional craftsmanship experience and a canteen with fermented and brewed local ingredients.
甘樂文創的庭院裡有大樹庇蔭,綠意盎然,和百年古厝相互依偎。
▲The courtyard of Can Culture Art and Nature, nestled against the century-old house, is shaded by large trees and full of greenery.

Participating in Can Culture Art and Nature's DIY blue dyeing, the instructor will start by tracing the history of blue dyeing in Sanxia and then delve into the principles and techniques of blue dyeing. Through various methods of tying, determine the pattern differences on the fabric. After designing each pattern, the next step is to immerse the fabric in a traditional dyeing vat, gently massage it, and finally disassemble the tying tools. Drying in a well-ventilated place helps the dye to oxidize, and the color will gradually turn blue.
將紮綁完成的布料浸入染缸,輕柔按壓。(圖片來源:甘樂文創授權提供)
▲ Dip the tied fabric into the dye vat and press it gently. (Photo source: provided by Can Culture Art and Nature)

Once welcomed by the Hakka people, the blue dress is wear-resistant, dirt-resistant, and can be repeatedly dyed. As part of the Hakka culture of Sanxia, through a complete experience, people can understand the unique connotation of blue dyeing in Sanxia from a new perspective. It is not only a superficial living craft but also carries the simplicity that the Hakka people adhere to. Nowadays, many local dyeing workshops have launched course experiences and held the Sanxia Blue Dyeing Festival to allow this beautiful craft to take root in Sanxia and continue well.
在通風良好的地方晾曬幫助染液氧化。(圖片來源:甘樂文創授權提供)
▲ Dry in a well-ventilated place to help the dye solution oxidize. (Photo source: provided by Can Culture Art and Nature)

👉 Registration Information for Indigo Dyeing Experience DIY of Can Culture Art and Nature
.The class opening has over six or more people, and participants must register three days in advance.
.Course time: Morning session 10:00 (holidays only) / Afternoon session 14:00 (weekdays and holidays).
.The actual situation is subject to the organizer.

Explore local cuisine in the unique old street that combines Minnan and Western styles.
After experiencing indigo dyeing, visit the nearby Sanxia Old Street to visit the ancient sites and eat delicious food. It feels like traveling through time and space. Walking on Sanxia Old Street, it seems to see still the scene of people transporting coal and camphor wood on the road. This settlement street, which faces the river and the mountains, combines ancient Greek columns, Roman arches, and Baroque decorations. The long red brick arcade is a check-in spot for tourists.
三峽老街為一條依地勢而建的S型街道,紅磚拱廊更是遊人必拍的景點。
▲Sanxia Old Street is an S-shaped street built according to the terrain, and the red brick arcade is a tourist must-photograph attraction.

The must-try food in Sanxia Old Street is not only the Golden Croissants. It would help to catch the original Golden Croissant ice cream. The modified croissant cup used to hold it has a crisper taste. There are also many ice cream flavors to choose from. Everyone should have an ice cream to cool down when the autumn heat comes. Handmade tofu pudding made according to the ancient method, rice blood with a unique garlic sauce, and braised dishes made with Chinese medicine and fruits and vegetables are also classic foods. Taste every deliciousness for just coins' price!
三峽金牛角最為知名,也因此發展出許多延伸商品,如:金牛角冰淇淋。
▲ The most famous one is the Golden Croissant of Sanxia, which has also developed many extension products, such as Golden Croissant ice cream.

👉 Read more: Sanxia Old Street Tour Guide (Sanxia Old Street Shopping District Official Website)

It is a comprehensive collection of Hakka history, culture, and art, a place for education and entertainment.
With a satisfying meal, why not walk to the " New Taipei City Hakka Museum," only a ten-minute drive from Sanxia Old Street? The round earthen buildings come into view with Hakka architectural elements such as the Vochang (Hakka dialect for "the place for drying grains in sunlight ") and corridors. The gun holes on the outer wall and the watchtowers at the commanding heights are all meant to prevent and resist foreign invasions and have rich landscape features.
土樓式建築不僅外觀吸睛,還融合了客家建築元素打造。
▲ The earthen building is not only eye-catching in appearance but also incorporates Hakka architectural elements.

Entering the New Taipei City Hakka Museum, the central theme is the history and culture of Taiwan's Hakka people. The permanent exhibition of cultural relics is from multiple perspectives, including clothing, utensils, and art. A ceramic boutique area and traditional clothing display also incorporate Hakka imagery into artworks. They even combine blue dyeing and floral fabrics with Barbie dolls, using features such as slanted plackets, fasteners, and culottes to create a unique Hakka Barbie. Moreover, there are occasional special exhibitions of Hakka artists to showcase the artistic styles and features created by the New Taipei Hakka people under the changing environment.

👉Read more: Current Exhibitions at New Taipei City Hakka Museum
若欲了解當期展覽,可至新北市客家文化園區官方網站查詢。
▲ For more information about current exhibitions, please visit the official website of the New Taipei City Hakka Museum.

The gourmet restaurants in the park can satisfy your cravings for classic Hakka dishes that are "salty, fragrant, and fatty" or afternoon tea snacks such as steamed cakes and mochi. If you want to experience the Sanxia Hakka culture in New Taipei City, visiting the New Taipei City Hakka Museum is the first choice for physical, mental, and spiritual enrichment!
Previous
Rebirth of Elephant Trunk Rock in Shenao
On one afternoon of December, 2023, Elephant Trunk Rock, a tourist attraction in Shenao, loudly crashed. Numerous tourists who had visited the site expressed their regret for the destruction of the rock, and they even posted photos of them taking with Elephant Trunk Rock on social media platforms. What’s more, some people launched the event of “sticking the trunk back to Elephant Trunk Rock,” which shows how reluctant people were to see the damage of the rock.Elephant Trunk Rock was a sea arch, and it was born after a rock had been eroded by the sea wind and waves for tens of thousands of years. As time goes by, the wonder created by erosion will eventually be taken back by the sea. However, some people with great imagination discover that the original site of Elephant Trunk Rock looks somewhat similar to a capybara, while others think it looks like “Lord Voldemort,” “steamed bun,” and so on. Let’s go to Shenao to see what the broken Elephant Trunk Rock looks like. Let’s hike on the Nanzilin Trail which is located to the east of Keelung Mountain to overlook the coastal cape and bay of the Northeast Coast. Then we will visit the capybara in Shenao, which is located to the west of the mountain, enjoy seafood, and feast our eyes on the grand views of the mountain and sea by riding a rail bike on the Shenao rail bike trail.Nanzilin Trail located to the east of Keelung Mountain is only 990 meters long. It is an easy trail with great views. The head of the trail is paved with wood, and the middle part and tail of the trail are made with stone steps. It is an easy and smooth trail. If you start the hike from the entrance to the trail at the back of Nanya Fishing Port, it takes around 50 minutes to reach the observatory which is approximately 200 meters above sea level. At the observatory, you can admire the curved bay of the Northeast Coast and lush mountains behind it.The landmark of Baxingmang has been set in the center of the observation deck on the top of the mountain, and it radially points at tourist attractions around Nanzilin Mountain. You can see Bitou Cape and Nanya Fishing Village to the east, and Keelung Mountain, the landmark of the Northeast Coast, and Yinyang Sea to the west. The beauty of the mountain and sea is pleasing to see.Moving westward along the Coastal Highway, you will arrive at Shenao Fishing Port which is renowned for its neritic squid within 10 minutes after you pass Keelung Mountain. Located to the east of Shenao Cape, the fishing port is the largest port in Ruifang District, and has the greatest number of fishing boats in Taiwan. Its prosperous fishing industry has nourished quite a few popular seafood restaurants. Savoring fresh seafood in Shenao is definitely the most wonderful pleasure after a hiking trip.After enjoying seafood, you can enter the Elephant Trunk Rock scenic area from the trail next to the third parking lot of Shenao Fishing Port. In the scenic area, you can walk along the beautiful coast of green stone grooves and mushroom rocks toward Elephant Trunk Rock. Looking back, you will see Keelung Mountain with a beautiful curve on the other side of the bay.Look at its small ears and honest-looking appearance! The sea arch which has lost its elephant trunk looks very similar to the cute capybara! Look closely, and you will see that this capybara seems to have its eyes partly closed. Elephant Trunk Rock was located on the tip of Shenao Cape, being surrounded by sea on three sides. Visitors could clearly see Keelung Islet in the distance from Elephant Trunk Rock. The website of New Taipei City Travel indicates that special natural landscapes are not named officially; instead, they are mostly named by the public. As everyone admires a tourist attraction from different perspectives, their imaginations for the broken elephant trunk are respected.After you admire the healing capybara, please do not rush to leave Shenao Fishing Port. The Sea-to-Sky Trail by the southern embankment of the port is a sightseeing trail that you must not miss in Shenao. Strolling on the Sea-to-Sky Trail, you can overlook Jiufen, a mountain town, and pose for photos with the cute sculptures of the neritic squid and squid. In addition, you will be able to see fishing boats coming in and out the port from time to time and enjoy the unique atmosphere of the port. Taiwan used to have an extensive light railway network which went to various towns. The network was mostly used for coal mining, sugar manufacturing, forestry and other industries. Additionally, it was used to transport some workers. However, as time changed, most light railways have been replaced by highway systems. Shenao Railway is one of the few light railways that have been preserved. Since its burden of transporting coal was removed, it has turned into a rail bike trail. You can ride a cute pufferfish-shaped bike on the old railway to enjoy the views of the sea. The Shenao rail bike trail that is adjacent to the coastline has been delicately designed with a bright and colorful light show in the tunnel. Houses nearby have been painted with the theme of the ocean as well. Moreover, you can see the ruins of Jianji Coal Mine, the only seabed coal mine in Taiwan, along the bike trail. The coal mine which was built in the mid-1950s was used to mine coal 500 meters below sea level. It was the motive force to boost the economic take-off of Taiwan as coal mining used to be the most prosperous industry in Shenao. The total length of Shenao rail bike trail is 1.3 kilometers, and it ends at Badouzi Station. The station is the terminal of Shenao Branch Line of Taiwan Railway, and it is also one of the most beautiful coastal stations in Taiwan as it enjoys the fame with Duoliang Station in Taitung. Moreover, Badouzi Station is the only station that strides across two cities in Taiwan. Standing in the center of the platform, you can face the azure ocean while embracing New Taipei City and Keelung at the same time.
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Light Rail 1-Day Food and Fun Tour for Grandparents and Grandchildren
The completion of the Light Rail allowed weekend jaunts with an additional region for exploration! Set out from Xinshi 1st Rd. Station (V06) with friends and family, where one will be attracted by Jimmy’s public art at Danhai Light Rail upon exiting the station, there are also different splendid installations along the light rail platform!You can then walk to the Little River Hot Pot restaurant in the periphery, where the clean and comfortable in-store dining ambience together with the food ingredients directly delivered from the place of production in collaboration with small farmers in Taiwan allow one to eat healthy without concerns. After the meal, take a walk to the Beitouzi River Cherry Blossom Wood Trail, where close to a hundred Yoshino Cherry trees flourish prosperously in March of every year, often attracting visitors here to take photos and the trail without cherry blossoms is also the first choice of the neighboring residents for taking a walk.You can then follow the road to arrive at the New Town characteristic Children’s Park, where children can have fun with the playground equipment and spend their energy, while adults can also use the exercise facilities on the side with added fun! Afterwards, you can ride on the Light Rail to arrive at the Gongqi Nature Park, where you can picnic and enjoy a simple afternoon tea on the large grasslands. After taking a small break, you can then head for the Cheng Family Abode in the vicinity, follow the traces of the traditional house, feel the changes of time to experience loads of memories.In the end, wrap up the day with the two popular tourist attractions of Huwei Fort Park and the Little White House, where a vast field of vision and magnificent sceneries can be enjoyed when looking far into the Tamsui River from the Little White House. This will be a productive and splendid day regardless of the distances walked!
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