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Bali Left Bank Park and Shihsanhang Museum

A prehistoric site at the mouth of the Danshui River and a riverside cycling path
📍 New Taipei · Bali Left Bank⛩️ Historic sites and temples🔖 Prehistoric archaeology

The Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology sits on the south bank at the mouth of the Danshui River — Taiwan's first museum dedicated to an archaeological site, displaying artifacts from the Shihsanhang culture dating back approximately 1,800 years. The museum adjoins the Left Bank cycling path; a river breeze drifts in, and the silhouette of Guanyin Mountain reflects in the water. Archaeological knowledge and riverside leisure combine here into a distinctive half-day itinerary.

What to see at the Shihsanhang Museum

The Shihsanhang site is an important prehistoric site in Taiwan, designated a National Site. Excavated artifacts include iron implements, pottery, and human bones, bearing witness to human settlement life along the northwest coast of Taiwan roughly 1,800 to 500 years ago. The museum building itself is designed with a sloped-roof volume embedded into the terrain, recognized with architectural awards. The interior circulation is planned along the concept of an archaeological field, balancing exhibition and spatial experience.

The permanent exhibition is arranged by period and cultural layer, displaying excavated pottery sherds, iron slag, and skeletal remains, explaining the ironworking technology and social structure of the Shihsanhang people. An outdoor area has a reconstructed settlement landscape for observation. The museum adjoins Bali Left Bank Park; extending about 2 kilometers north along the cycling path leads to the Bali Ferry Pier, while heading south connects to the Wazihwei Nature Reserve.

How to make the most of your visit

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Permanent exhibition at the museumAllow 1.5 to 2 hours. Audio guides are available for loan. Suitable for families or visitors interested in archaeology who want to study the excavated artifact context in depth.
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Left Bank cycling pathAbout 12 kilometers of flat riverside path. Bicycles can be rented near the museum. On clear days, views of Danshui Fort San Domingo and Guanyin Mountain are beautiful.
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Ferry crossing the riverFerries run between Bali and Danshui. You can take the ferry to Danshui Old Street and then transfer to the MRT, creating a one-way loop route.
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Wazihwei Nature ReserveA short walk south from the museum reaches the Wazihwei Nature Reserve, with rich mangrove and waterbird ecology — good for quiet observation.

Practical information

Getting there and timing

  • Public transport: take a bus from MRT Danshui Station to Bali Left Bank, or take the ferry to the Bali Ferry Pier and walk.
  • Museum opening hours and admission prices are subject to official website announcements. The museum is usually closed on Mondays.
  • The cycling path has fewer visitors on weekdays; on weekends, arrive in the morning to avoid crowded parking.

Nearby connections

  • Can be combined with Danshui Fisherman's Wharf and Danshui Old Street into a cross-river day trip.
  • The Wazihwei Nature Reserve is at the southwest end of Bali District. Walking or cycling is required to get there — allow an additional hour.

Source: Official information from the Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology; Bureau of Cultural Heritage, Ministry of Culture, site data. Photos pending replacement with Dio's own shots.

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