Visit Sanyi Attractions - Taiwanese Secrets Photo Travel Guide

Taiwan’s Woodcarving Capital

The first thing you notice about Sanyi is that about 9 out of 10 shops seem to be selling wood stuff. And that’s the main reason why most people make it here. The small town, located in Northern Taiwan’s Miaoli County, is the island’s uncontested woodcarving capital. Sanyi’s environs also have a lot to keep you occupied.

Find a cheap hotel in Sanyi, Taiwan!

First of all you should know that you don’t have to visit the museum in order to see Sanyi’s hand-carved wood products. Zhongzheng Road, the town’s main artery is packed with little shops that are filled with wooden items that range from little Buddha keychains to massive pieces of furniture. Some of the artwork is truly astonishing. It’s unbelievable the precision and time that some of the pieces must have required.

Miaoli Wood Sculpture Museum

This is the town’s top attraction. Set in a modern building, the museum features an exhibition on the history of woodcarving as well as a vast collection of sculptures. More of the same and not really worth it if you want my opinion. Might as well keep your dollars and buy a cup of tea in town. No information in English.

Shengsing Village

This tiny, atmospheric Hakka village is tucked away in the mountains, 6km outside of town. On weekends, this has to be one of Taiwan’s most crowded tourist spots and it’s a real nightmare if you’re driving your own car. It once took me more than an hour to find a parking spot. There are plenty of reasons why it’s so popular, though. The mountain air is clean, the people are friendly, the traditional Hakka food is cheap and delicious and the old train station is…

Shengsing Old Train Station

Although way too popular, this abandoned train station is well worth a visit. Here, you’ll find a tiny wooden building where tickets used to be sold, platforms packed with Taiwanese tourists, old-style teahouses and restaurants perched on the mountainside and a 1km-long tunnel that you can cross in total darkness. Crossing the tunnel is a lot of fun and you can actually walk all the way to Longteng Broken Bridge, some 4km away.

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Longteng Broken Bridge

The remains of this red-brick viaduct are located deep in the hills, about 4km past Shengsing Village, along country road 49. The bridge was built in 1905 and collapsed in 1935 when the Hsinchu Earthquake rocked Taiwan. Apart from taking pictures of the ruins, sitting down at the busy cafe by the nearby train track and indulging yourself is pretty much the only thing worth doing here… and that’s just fine with me!

Hiking and cycling

With beautiful green hills surrounding the area, Sanyi is also an outdoor town. You’ll find people cycling or walking along the many mountain paths at any time of the day. Country road #56, the one that can take you all the way to Shengsing Village and the old train station is especially popular. Another cyclists’ favorite is the sinuous #130 which can take you as far as the Taiwan Strait, some 10kms away.

Some guidebooks recommend walking the April Snow Trail, a narrow path that begins right next to the museum. My advice: unless you feel the need to be surrounded by hordes of local tourists, simply skip it!

Eating in Sanyi

Sanyi is famous for the quality and the range of its dining options. The town offers some of Taiwan’s best Hakka food. Zhongzheng Road, Guangsheng Village (by the museum) and Shengsing Village are the 3 top spots to find good value restaurants and cafes.

Getting there and away – Getting around

The only train from Taipei leaves at 8:53am. It takes about 2.5 hours and costs around NT200. Trains are plentiful from Taichungand only take forty minutes to reach the town.

Sanyi Train Station is located in the ugly, commercial part of town, 2km away from the main woodcarving strip. When you exit the station, turn left on Zhongzheng Road to get to the sites introduced on this page. After about a kilometer, you’ll see the turnoff (left) for Shengsing Village and Longteng Broken Bridge.

If you’re fit and have the entire day, walking is the best way to explore the town and the surrounding countryside. Taxis are also available at the train station. Expect to pay around NT150 for a ride to the museum.

Accommodation

It’s well known, the town isn’t very rich in hotels and finding a cheap place to sleep is impossible as there are basically none. Most people simply head to Taichung at the end of the day for more sleeping options and a better nightlife. Know that nearby Miaoli has tons of hotels/motels in the NT1000-1500 bracket.

Still, it is possible to find affordable, budget accommodation in the city and this is the best place to book a room there.