Sanxia
Sanxia, New Taipei, Taiwan
A traditional district located in New Taipei City, Sanxia has been a busy trading center since the Qing dynasty. Today, it’s renowned for the red-brick buildings that line its Old Street, its many shops and street-food stalls, and its proximity to sights like the Qingshui Zushi temple and the Manyueyuan National Forest Recreation Area.
The basics
One of the largest districts in New Taipei City, Sanxia is a popular day-trip destination for Taipei locals and visitors, and for good reason. Its Old Street—the southern section of Minquan Street—is one of the busiest in the region, and its shops sell everything from antiques and furniture to toys and traditional knicknacks. Its other top attraction is the Qingshui Zushi temple, which dates back to 1867 and is known for its incredibly ornate architecture. Beyond the town center, Manyueyuan National Forest Recreation Area is lush with forests, mountains, and waterfalls.
Sanxia’s proximity to downtown Taipei and its wealth of cultural offerings—as well as to Yingge, a nearby district celebrated for its ceramics—make it a popular, easy place to visit independently.
Things to know before you go
Don’t leave before trying Sanxia’s culinary specialties, such as its golden, horn-shaped croissants, sticky rice dumplings, and douhua, also known as tofu pudding.
Sanxia is a popular destination for architecture lovers, thanks to its distinct Japanese-built, Western-inspired baroque buildings.
Want to learn more about the region’s history and background? Head to the Sanxia History Museum or the New Taipei City Hakka Museum.
How to get there
Sanxia is located in the southwest of the New Taipei City municipality. Trains from Taipei connect to nearby stations like Xinpu and Yongning; local buses, including the 702, 705, 706, 802, and 812, make up the rest of the distance. If traveling by car, it’s about 45 minutes from Taipei via National Highway No. 3.
When to get there
Most of the shops on Sanxia’s Old Street are open daily, from morning until evening. Weekends are especially popular times to visit, so consider stopping by during the week for a calmer experience. Sanxia also hosts several major festivals that reflect its culture, including an Indigo Dye Festival in the summer.
Yingge
Just 2 miles (3.4 kilometers) from Sanxia is Yingge, another New Taipei City district with its own vibrant Old Street. Yingge is particularly renowned as a center for ceramics, and its hundreds of vendors sell all manner of porcelain pieces. Meanwhile, the Yingge Ceramics Museum makes it easy to learn more about the tradition’s history.
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