What To Do In Sanwan (三湾)

We Are Where Again?

There are countless hiking trails on the border between Hsinchu and Miaoli Counties. Taking you through Taiwan’s breathtaking natural beauty, you could spend weeks exploring the countryside and still find new things to do. After hitting the trails, you might want to discover new, off-the-beaten-path places in rural Taiwan. One of the places that might pop up on your radar is the small town of Sanwan (三湾).

There are many touristy towns situated up the mountains from Hsinchu such as Beipu, Guanxi, and Xinpu. Just like many of these other hotspots, Sanwan also touts its very own “Old Street”. The name itself is enough to attract curious travelers, but is Sanwan worth visiting?

Most people pass through Sanwan to get to Lion’s Head Mountain. Read more about Lion’s Head Mountain here!

How To Get To Sanwan

Sanwan is a small stopover town for travelers visiting Lion’s Head Mountain and Beipu. Without your own transportation, the village can be considered a bit out of the way. If you’re coming from Zhunan, however, you can easily take bus 5804 or 5805A to Sanwan. Both of these bus routes end in the nearby town of Nanzhuang. The price for the bus is about 52 NT (1.62) and takes about 49 minutes.

The “old street” of Sanwan is in reference to the original main street of the town. With the creation of the nearby highway, traffic turned away from this once-busy avenue. Thus, it became one of the oldest streets in Sanwan, quiet and sleepy like much of the village as a whole.

If you’re looking to explore Hakka culture, be sure to head over to the New Tile House Hakka Cultural District!

Agriculture Roots

The few “sights” that Sanwan has all point to the town’s rural history. Even the main temple, Wugu Temple (五穀廟), presides over farming and crops. The temple has a history that dates all the way back to 1852. Unfortunately, it was completely destroyed by an earthquake in 1935. Several years later, the temple was rebuilt. On the 26th day of the 4th month according to the lunar calendar, celebrations will take place for the temple god, Shennong (神農).

Wugu Temple is the first, and arguably the only, sight worth seeing along Sanwan’s old street. The only thing other than the temple that may get a few shots from your camera is the Sanwan sign itself. Along the street, you’ll also find many decorative pots lining the top of a brick wall. This is a family-style Hakka restaurant known as Awusao (阿戊嫂の店). Unfortunately, they are only open for reservations.

Looking for nature closer to Hsinchu? Why not check out Green Grass Lake!

Zhongshan Park

Continuing down the old street, you’ll then come across Sanwan’s Zhongshan Park. Much like several of the other destinations around the town, more money went into the welcome sign rather than making the park actually presentable. There is a small viewing platform, however, that gives a sweeping view of the surrounding farmland. The park itself is overrun with weeds.

The park ends with a small pavilion and a mausoleum with steps leading back up to the old street.

Other than this small road, Sanwan has to stretch kinda far to find other places to add to its list of destinations. Sanlianpi (三聯埤), also known as Sanwan Lake, is a nice hiking area located several kilometers outside of the town. One of the more famous sites is actually the Yonghe Reservoir (永和山水庫) about 4km away. Closer to Sanwan, you can find hiking trails across the river at Longending (龍峎頂步道) which is home to some sweeping views of the valley.

Needing a plan for a day in Hsinchu? I have a whole day trip itinerary here!