Introduction
Sanzhi Township is a typical rural village with beautiful creeks and cherry blossoms. The waterwheel parks here are the reason why this place is known as the “hometown of waterwheels,” making it the best place to enjoy countryside sceneries in Taipei County.
Besides promoting the waterwheel culture, the “Wild Rice Stem and Waterwheel Festival in Sanzhi” is complemented with other activities that promote Sanzhi Township’s unique natural sceneries, the “Wild Rice,” and its life-style.
Content of Activities:
1. Innovative Countryside Activities
The industries of Wild Rice Stem and waterwheel are combined with artistic activities including using the shell of Wild Rice Stem to make paper and artists teaching the public making monotypes of waterwheels and Wild Rice Stem.
2. Concert and Promotion of Tourism
Well-known bands and local groups work together to deliver a musical performance in Sanzhi, and the audience is encouraged to help protect nature by taking public transportation or by biking – which is certainly a great idea to enjoy the beautiful sceneries.
3. Competition of Creativity
Sanzhi Township's attractions include the beautiful environment, terraces, Li Tien-Lu Hand Puppet Historical Museum, and local artists. The activity invites elementary school students to get creative on recycling, producing waterwheel models, and works of life-drawing and poetry.
4. Sales of Sanzhi’s Produce
The local produce includes Wild Rice Stem, Chinese Yam, No. 57 Sweet potato, King Oyster Mushroom, and Chinese Yam powder.
The local “Mrs. Tian Gourmet Team” has developed a variety of delicacies and wishes to promote them as local specialties to the visitors.
Purpose
With the rich terraces and water resources in this rural town, Sanzhi Town wishes to promote its agricultural tourism through related activities and local features such as Wild Rice Stem (harvested in October), waterwheels, and local artists in order to achieve diverse developments.
Local Attractions
FuDe Watermill Wildgrass Area
Sanzhi Township is known for waterwheels that the early settlers used to husk rice and make tea, making these tools a very
important culture in local agricultural development. There were up to 20 watermills in the old days. Located near Balian River in FuDe Village, FuDe Watermill Wildgrass Area is the largest waterwheel park in Sanzhi and focuses on the themes of tourism,
ecology, and health. This place is great for enjoying nature and wild life.
Li Tien-Lu Hand Puppet Historical Museum
Li received the honor as the “Important Hand Puppet Artist” from the Ministry of Education due to his contributions in the art of hand-puppeteering for more than 70 years that helped preserve this traditional art. Li Tien-Lu Hand Puppet Foundation and the Historical Museum were thus created to further achieve this goal. The first floor of the museum is a multi-purpose hall for education and performances. The second floor is an exhibition hall where the puppets, props, and other related items Li used are on display.
The new hall with three floors was officially opened on 2005/1/1. The third floor exhibits puppets created by Huang Yi-Que, a master puppeteer in Quanzhou, China. The first and second floors have souvenir shops and cafes. The old and new halls are linked together with a number of areas for experiencing things like puppets, musical instruments, show performances, DIY workshops, and computer games. Sensor-activated multimedia tour guide systems are installed for the exhibits.
Qianshui Bay
Located in Zhilan Community of Sanzhi Township, the 1km-long Qianshui Bay’s shape looks like a crescent, has soft white sand and clear sea water, and is close to shallow reefs. The rich marine life forms here make it great for picking shells, fishing, and catching crabs. There are also other waterfront facilities such as dykes, trails, and observatories. The coffee shops here combined with the beach are also why many newly-weds come here to take wedding photos.
