Saisiyat Cultural Museum Introduction
The Saisiyat, one of Taiwan's indigenous peoples, is widely known for their biennial Toad Festival. They primarily reside in Wufeng Township, Hsinchu County, and Nanzhuang and Shitan Townships in Miaoli County. The Saisiyat in Wufeng Township, who live near the Atayal, are known as the "Northern Saisiyat," while those in Nanzhuang Township, close to the Hakka, are referred to as the "Southern Saisiyat." With a sparse population, the Saisiyat established the Saisiyat Cultural Museum by the Xiangtian Lake in Miaoli to preserve their precious culture and artifacts. The Saisiyat Cultural Museum covers an area of about 6,000 square meters and is a three-story building. From a distance, one can see stone pillars decorated with Saisiyat totems and the main building wrapped in bamboo strips. The first floor features bamboo and rattan weaving craft areas and special exhibition rooms, the second floor hosts permanent exhibits, and the third floor is dedicated to ceremonial displays and an outdoor observation deck overlooking the entire lake view. The museum showcases Saisiyat bamboo weaving, ramie textiles, creative crafts, including fishing and farming tools, and details of Saisiyat festivals, all comprehensively included within the cultural museum, which also hosts irregular hands-on activities and artistic performances. The Bitter Tea Oil Tree Avenue, located by Xiangtian Lake, is a scenic walking path. The terrain around Xiangtian Lake is relatively high, and in winter and spring, the lake’s surface is often shrouded in mist, creating a fairyland-like atmosphere. This area is also where the Saisiyat hold their Toad Festival. The lakeside walking trail next to the cultural museum features a green tunnel made of Bitter Tea Oil trees, making it a perfect spot to visit after exploring the Saisiyat Cultural Museum, allowing visitors to absorb phytoncides while enjoying the beauty of the lake and mountains.
