Saisiyat Indigenous Cultural Museum Introduction
The Taiwan indigenous Saisiyat people are well-known for their biennial "Aliling Festival." They primarily reside in Wufeng Township of Hsinchu County, and in Nanzhuang Township and Shitan Township of Miaoli County. The Saisiyat in Wufeng Township live near the Atayal people and are referred to as "Northern Saisiyat"; those in Nanzhuang Township are close to the Hakka people and are called "Southern Saisiyat." Due to their small population, the Saisiyat have established the "Saisiyat Folk Museum" by Xiangtian Lake in Miaoli to preserve their precious culture and artifacts. This museum is devoted to understanding Saisiyat culture and appreciating the beauty of traditional crafts. The Saisiyat Folk Museum covers an area of about 6,000 square meters and features a three-story building. From a distance, one can see stone pillars adorned with Saisiyat totems and a structure wrapped in bamboo. The first floor includes areas for bamboo and rattan craft work and special exhibition rooms; the second floor is designated for permanent exhibitions, while the third floor houses ritual displays and an outdoor observation deck offering a panoramic view of the lake. The museum showcases Saisiyat bamboo weaving, ramie textiles, creative artworks including fishing and farming tools, and details of Saisiyat rituals, all comprehensively included in the folk museum. There are also irregular workshops and cultural performances held. The "Bitter Tea Oil Tree Avenue" offers a scenic walk by Xiangtian Lake, which, during winter and spring, is enveloped in mist, resembling a fairyland and also serves as the site for the Saisiyat’s Aliling Festival. The lakeside trail next to the folk museum is characterized by a green tunnel of bitter tea oil trees, making it an ideal visit after exploring the Saisiyat Folk Museum, allowing visitors to absorb phytoncides while enjoying the beautiful scenery of the lake and mountains.
