Saisiyat Folklore Museum Introduction
The Taiwanese indigenous Saisiyat people are widely known for their biannual spirits worship festival. They primarily inhabit Wufeng Township in Hsinchu County, and Nanzhuang Township and Shitan Township in Miaoli County. The Saisiyat people in Wufeng Township are close to the Atayal people and are referred to as "Northern Saisiyat," while those in Nanzhuang Township are close to the Hakka people and are called "Southern Saisiyat." With a sparse population, the Saisiyat established the "Saisiyat Folk Museum" by the shores of Xiangtian Lake in Miaoli to preserve their precious culture and artifacts. Understanding Saisiyat culture and appreciating traditional crafts, the Saisiyat Folk Museum covers an area of about 6,000 square meters and is a three-story building. From a distance, visitors can see stone pillars decorated with Saisiyat totems and the building itself covered with bamboo strips. The first floor features a bamboo weaving craft area and an exhibition room, the second floor is a permanent display area, and the third floor includes ritual display areas and an outdoor observation deck that overlooks the lake. The museum showcases the Saisiyat's bamboo weaving, ramie textiles, and artisanal creations, including fishing and farming tools, as well as details of Saisiyat festivals, all comprehensively included in the folk museum. There are also irregular hands-on experience sessions and cultural performances. The Camellia oil tree-lined avenue offers scenic walks by Xiangtian Lake, which, due to its higher elevation, often has a misty surface during winter and spring, resembling a fairyland. This is also the site where the Saisiyat hold their spirits worship festival. The lakeside promenade next to the folk museum features a green tunnel formed by Camellia oil trees, making it a perfect place to visit after exploring the Saisiyat Folk Museum, allowing visitors to absorb the phytoncides while enjoying the beautiful scenery of the lake and mountains.
