Situated at the confluence of three rivers in the southwest corner of Taipei County, Sanhsia is an area rich in both history and natural scenery. Once a flourishing agricultural trade center and forty years ago a booming coal-mining town, Sanhsia has over the years been supported by the local tea industry and the commerce which the rivers bring. Today, one of the few places where Ching dynasty architecture and a traditional tea market' can still be seen, Sanhsia offers much of historical significance to the visitor.

Named for the mountains and gorges which were given shape by the junction of two mountain streams and the Tahan river, the city is located in a 190 square kilometer region that is 92 percent mountainous. While recent industrial development in other areas of Taiwan have decreased thearea's importance to the island economy, the small city which grew up on the fertile riverside plains was for many years a vital economic center.

The first Chinese settlers came to the area from the Anhsi region of Fukien province beginning with the reign of Ching dynasty emperor K'ang Hsi in 1685. Attracted by the abundant forests and mountains of the area, the clans of Lin, Wang, Hsu and Tung settled in the area by 1746. The remarkable similarity between the Sanhsia area and their native Anhsi enabled the pioneers to adjust quickly and preserve many of the customs and traditions of their heritage.

In settling the area, the Chinese pioneers applied the wisdom of the saying, "Live by the mountains, eat from the mountains; live by the sea, eat from the sea." The mountain slopes, steep and well-drained, proved ideal for the cultivation of tea. The streams provided a bountiful harvest of fish and water to irrigate the fields. Of the rich supply of lumber and medicinal plants found in the forests, camphor trees provided a marketable source of lumber and resin.

By the end of the 18th century, the area was a flourishing farming and trade center. The Tahan River, which is a tributary of the Tamsui River, provided a navigable route to Taipei. Soon as many as 80 sailboats were daily plying the river routes between the cities, laden with the region's produce. In recognition of the new prosperity and stability of the area, residents erected a temple to honor the god K'uan Kung.

Geographical factors were influential in the development of industry in Sanhsia. The rivers' proximity prompted the establishment of a dye trade. A thriving dye commerce then gave birth to a textiles business. Soon the streets of Sanhsia were alive with the cries of hawkers and were crowded with tradesmen's shops. Years later, the discovery of rich coal veins in the surrounding mountains consolidated the commercial importance of the area.

From 1895, the Japanese occupation of Taiwan triggered the decline of Sanhsia's commercial fortunes. Japanese policy encouraged quick exploitation of natural resources but overlooked long-term development. As a result, the area's established businesses failed to mature. The camphor industry suffered competition from synthetic products while the Tamsui River suffered heavy silt build up which eventually curtailed sailboat trade. The recovery of Taiwan in 1945 did little to turn around Sanhsia's fortunes, and the city began to slip into quiet obscurity. Neighboring industrial centers of Panchiao, T'ucheng and Shuling drained Sanhsia of its youthful labor force. Thus, the onset of the technological age in the latter half of this century found Sanhsia cloaked in antiquity.

In Sanhsia, commercial decline was a blessing in disguise for the preservation of traditional architecture and cultural heritage. Today, the city center boasts some of the most complete examples of Ching dynasty and Japanese period architecture. A stroll down winding Minch'uan Street reveals row upon row of traditional town dwellings-- known as Chieh Wu in Chinese. Only four meters wide in front, these windowless homes extended up to 40 meters in length. Featuring rooftop skylights, these dwellings were separated into three sections, each divided by a courtyard or T'ien Ching.

Originally constructed of wood, these homes were partially razed during the Japanese occupation when the road was widened. Reconstructed with brick facades, these buildings now feature niches once used to lodge guns in the advent of attack from aborigine tribes.

During the heyday of the coalmining industry in the 1940's, nearly one-fifth of Sanhsia's population was employed in over 20 active mine shafts. Today there are just four mines in operation. High rates of lung disease, increasing dependence on cheaper imported coal, and general disinterest among the younger generation, have contributed to the demise of the local coal industry. One-tenth of the region's work force is still involved in mining coal.

Tea cultivation has long been the major source of income for the Sanhsia area. Benefited by ideal climatic conditions and good drainage, over 900 hectares of the region's land is given over to the cultivation of tea leaves. Lungching and Paochung are the most commonly grown varieties of tea.

The tea harvest requires the labor of almost every able-bodied man, woman and youth in the area. Rising before dawn, the pickers climb up the slopes to where the tea leaves grow. The best picking time is midmorning when the dew has evaporated and the sun is not too strong. Small children are often allowed to accompany their older siblings to school, allowing parents greater freedom to pick tea leaves. Following harvesting,the leaves are carried down to town for marketing. Spread on the ground, the leaves are inspected by potential buyers. The traditional haggling over the tea transacted by buyer and seller known as Cha Shih is virtually extinct outside of Sanhsia.

Tourism is playing an increasing role in the economy of the region. Sanhsia holds a great attraction for city dwellers eager for a chance to fish in streams, climb hills, relax and enjoy the magnificent scenery.

Sanhia's Tsu Shih temple has become a well-renowned site. Now undergoing its third renovation, the temple awes visitors with its intricately carved wooden roof and stone pillars. Chinese paintings are brought to life in these carvings. More than one hundred different birds are captured in the carvings of one pillar.

While times of commercial prosperity have passed, Sanhsia remains rich in the memories and history of her growth. An intriguing view of the transitions its society has undergone is just a part of Sanhsia's special character.

(Gerald Hatherly)

[Picture Caption]

1. The magnificent Tsu Shih Temple utilizes traditional materials and design combined with modern building techniques to produce a wonderful site for all. 2. Adhering to the Chinese adage, "Use wood for the ceiling", the temple boasts intricately carved ceilings, as in this example.

1. The temple pillars and walls boast exquisite stone carvings. 2. A small child offers incense and prayer to a temple god. 3. A faithful Taoist at worship in the Shingshiou Temple. 4. The Tsu Shih Temple comes alive with crowds of the faithful during the birthday of the temple god. 5. An exterior shot of the lovely Tsu Shih Temple.

1. One of the many stone paths that wind through this mountainous terrain. 2. An orange farmer utilizes a pulley system to deal with mountainous terrain. 3. Terraced fields are another adaptation to the mountain environment. 4. A huge bamboo tea-leaf drying basket stands taller than a man. 5. One step in the processing of the area's chief tea variety, Paochung tea. 6. In pursuit of finest quality teas, competitions are held to select choice teas. Here a judge carefully weighs each amount.

1. Traditional roof styles still much in evidence in Sanhsia. 2. Emerging from the depths of a mine shaft, miners are covered with dust after a hard day's work. 3. The red brick store-front pillar introduced during the Japanese occupation (1895-1945). 4. View of the famous Sanhsia Bridge. 5. Water droplets bead this ancient urn now overgrown with lush plant life.

1. Street vendors sell delicious sweet potato cakes. 2. Former town mayor Lin-i points out the former methods employed in the once flourishing dye trade. 3. Today sophisticated machinery is used in the dyeing process. 4. An older resident admires the needlepoint poem done by his wife before their marriage. 5. A small convenience store displays its wares. 6. Traditional row housing crowds the narrow, winding streets and alleys of Sanhsia.

1. A quiet street scene. 2. A young boy enjoys a favorite story while idling in a barber's chair. 3. The Sanhsia area abounds in cool, silvery waterfalls. 4. 'Camel Pond' derived its name from the characters carved on a pond-side rock. 5. A small road-side shrine. 6. The public announcement board, a must in this hilly region. 7. A vase of flowers and delicate paper cuttings lend an air of grace to this temple room.

1. The red brick of the house and the green shrubs of the yard create a pleasant scene. 2. An old, established textile shop. 3. The moist climate promotes the growth of moss, even amongst bricks. 4. Modern departments stores are found in the bustling commercial core. 5. On their way home from class, these youngsters eagerly examine the latest toys. 6. A happy group of children frolic in front of a traditional style house.

1. Sunlight reflects off the fading exterior of this former factory dormitory. 2. Excess temple roof tiles make for an intriguing shot. 3. These students happily pose for a class picture. 4. Happily enjoying a refreshing ice, these young boys reflect the ease and simplicity of life in Sanhsia.

1. The temple pillars and walls boast exquisite stone carvings.

2. A small child offers incense and prayer to a temple god.

4. The Tsu Shih Temple comes alive with crowds of the faithful during the birthday of the temple god.

3. A faithful Taoist at worship in the Shingshiou Temple.

5. An exterior shot of the lovely Tsu Shih Temple.

1. Street vendors sell delicious sweet potato cakes.

2. Former town mayor Lin-i points out the former methods employed in the once flourishing dye trade.

3. Today sophisticated machinery is used in the dyeing process.

4. An older resident admires the needlepoint poem done by his wife before their marriage.

5. A small convenience store displays its wares.

6. Traditional row housing crowds the narrow, winding streets and alleys of Sanhsia.

1. Traditional roof styles still much in evidence in Sanhsia.

2. Emerging from the depths of a mine shaft, miners are covered with dust after a hard day's work.

3. The red brick store-front pillar introduced during the Japanese occupation （1895-1945）

4. View of the famous Sanhsia Bridge.

5. Water droplets bead this ancient urn now overgrown with lush plant life.

1. Street vendors sell delicious sweet potato cakes.

2. Former town mayor Lin-i points out the former methods employed in the once flourishing dye trade.

3. Today sophisticated machinery is used in the dyeing process.

4. An older resident admires the needlepoint poem done by his wife before their marriage.

5. A small convenience store displays its wares.

6. Traditional row housing crowds the narrow, winding streets and alleys of Sanhsia.

1. A quiet street scene.

2. A young boy enjoys a favorite story while idling in a barber's chair.

3. The Sanhsia area abounds in cool, silvery waterfalls.

4. 'Camel Pond' derived its name from the characters carved on a pond-side rock.

5. A small road-side shrine.

6. The public announcement board, a must in this hilly region.

7. A vase of flowers and delicate paper cuttings lend an air of grace to this temple room.

1. The red brick of the house and the green shrubs of the yard create a pleasant scene.

2. An old, established textile shop.

3. The moist climate promotes the growth of moss, even amongst bricks.

4. Modern departments stores are found in the bustling commercial core.

5. On their way home from class, these youngsters eagerly examine the latest toys.

6. A happy group of children frolic in front of a traditional style house.

1. Sunlight reflects off the fading exterior of this former factory dormitory.

2. Excess temple roof tiles make for an intriguing shot.

3. These students happily pose for a class picture.

4. Happily enjoying a refreshing ice, these young boys reflect the ease and simplicity of life in Sanhsia.