Shuimei Wood Sculpture Alley Introduction
The streets of Sanyi are primarily centered around Zhongzheng Road, lined with numerous carving shops. Nearly half of the local residents make a living from the woodworking industry, primarily using timber sourced from Daxueshan, Alishan, Fengyuan, Zhushan, and Zhudong, with camphor wood being the main material, along with cypress and sandalwood. What makes Sanyi carvings unique is the artisans' skill in teaching based on the materials, often creating dynamic and lifelike works from large wooden prototypes, breathing new life into them. Currently, Sanyi wood carvings can be found in Shuimei, just about 1 kilometer along Provincial Highway 3 from the Sanyi interchange on the freeway, where more than 200 craft shops are concentrated. Some of these shops have production factories located behind them, leveraging their geographical advantage to attract many buyers, making it a major trading hub for Sanyi wood carvings. Walking along Shuimei Street, whether it’s the rugged Daruma, the solemn Guanyin, or the vividly lifelike small animals, there is an overwhelming array of sights to behold.
