Sankeng Old Street is a Hakka settlement street in Longtan District, Taoyuan, preserving shophouse styles from the Qianlong to Xianfeng reigns of the Qing dynasty. Han settlers began moving into the area from 1744 (the 9th year of the Qianlong reign), and thanks to shipping along the Dahan River, it once thrived as a goods distribution hub known as 'Longtan's First Street.' Natural flagstone paths and traditional hùlóng-style buildings wind along the street, maintaining the scale of a hundred years ago; adjacent to Sankeng Nature Ecology Park, a trail along the Daping Red Bridge leads through agricultural pond and vegetation landscapes, letting a visit flow naturally from historical architecture into nature walking.
Han settlers began moving into the Sankeng area from 1744 (the 9th year of the Qianlong reign); thanks to shipping along the Dahan River, it became Longtan's earliest thriving settlement, earning the nickname 'Longtan's First Street.' The street's shophouses were built between the Qianlong and Xianfeng reigns of the Qing dynasty, and some structures — such as the Chuan Sheng Xin Ji Store — were registered as a Taoyuan City historic building in 2003.
Highlights of Sankeng Old Street
The Sankeng settlement was established during the Qing dynasty and became a distribution point for goods thanks to convenient water transport. Its street layout has been preserved to this day. The old street's surface is paved with natural flagstones, and multiple traditional hùlóng buildings stand on both sides, with red-brick walls and washed-stone (xuǎn shí zǐ) finishes that showcase northern Taiwan's Hakka traditional architectural character. Compared to more heavily commercialized old streets, Sankeng maintains a quieter atmosphere, making it better suited for a leisurely historical stroll.
The old street adjoins Sankeng Nature Ecology Park, which has a birdwatching trail and pond wetland — a rare natural buffer zone in the hilly terrain of Longtan. Daping Red Bridge spans the pond with a distinctive red steel structure, the most recognizable landmark around the old street and a popular vantage point for photographing pond reflections at dawn or dusk.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
Practical Information
Getting There & Timing
- Located in Sankeng Village, Longtan District. Accessible by car or scooter; small roadside parking spaces are available near the old street entrance, with limited capacity on weekends.
- The old street is open at all times with no admission fee. Some buildings are private residences — please admire them from outside and do not enter without permission. The ecology park trail is open during the day.
Nearby Connections
- Taoyuan Hakka Cultural Center (sp-ty-18) is about 5 km away — plan a Longtan Hakka culture half-day combining the cultural center and the old street.
- Shimen Reservoir (sp-ty-17) is about 15 minutes from Sankeng by car and can be extended into a full-day Longtan itinerary.
Sources: Taoyuan City Government Tourism Bureau, on-site survey records. Hero image pending Dio's original photography.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far back does Sankeng Old Street's history go?
Han settlers moved into the area from 1744 and it once thrived as a goods distribution hub thanks to Dahan River shipping.
Why is it called 'Longtan's First Street'?
Because it was Longtan's earliest and once most prosperous settlement, earning it this nickname.
Are any buildings on the old street registered as historic?
Some, such as the Chuan Sheng Xin Ji Store, were registered as a Taoyuan City historic building in 2003.
Where is Daping Red Bridge?
It spans the pond beside the old street and is a landmark along the Sankeng Nature Ecology Park trail.
Sources
- 三坑子老街 - 維基百科 — 聚落形成年代、歷史建築登錄資訊
- 三坑老街 - 桃園觀光導覽網 — 桃園市政府觀光旅遊局官方景點介紹