Smangus Day Trip Round-Trip Transfer from Hsinchu | Departures from Taipei/New Taipei/Taoyuan/Hsinchu

— Attraction Introduction —

- Smangus

Located in the remote mountains of Jianshi Township, Hsinchu County, Taiwan, at a high altitude (approximately 1,500 meters), this is a Tayal indigenous tribe belonging to Yufeng Village. All residents are of the Tayal tribe. Due to its remote location, difficult access, and long-term lack of electricity, it was once known as the 'Dark Tribe' and is the most remote indigenous village in Taiwan. It later developed tourism following the discovery of a giant tree forest and has now become an important tourist destination.

- Smangus Cherry Blossom Season

The tribe is home to approximately 2,000 cherry trees, with Taiwan cherry blossoms and Showa cherry blossoms scattered throughout the area. Dense cherry blossom forests can be seen at the tribal archway, the trailhead 300 meters from the Canaan parking lot, and at the 2.5K mark of the Giant Tree Trail. The cherry blossom season typically runs from mid-February to early March each year.

- Tribal Observation Deck / Hunter's Trail

Located at a high point in Smangus, it offers a panoramic view of the entire Smangus tribe. It is a must-visit spot when in Smangus. There are two paths to reach it: one starts from the road to the front left of the Visitor Center, which is flat and less than 400 meters one way. The other is via the 'Hunter's Trail,' which is a steep climb of just over 200 meters, allowing you to experience the paths once used by hunters.

- YAYA Giant Tree (YaYa Qparung)

Smangus is famous throughout Taiwan for its red cypress giant tree forest. Upon arriving at the forest, you can see the 'Grandfather' giant tree, which is approximately 2,500 years old, with a trunk circumference of 20.5 meters and a height of about 35 meters. Its most distinctive feature is its 'human-like' shape, resembling a gentle mother with her arms spread wide to embrace the children who come to visit her in the mountains, waiting for you to listen to the sounds of the forest. It is said that when the Japanese arrived, the people of Smangus hid here to escape the war, so the tribe calls it 'Yaya,' meaning 'mother,' in gratitude for its protection of the entire tribe.

- Giant Tree Trail

The trail is approximately 5.2 kilometers one way, 10.4 kilometers round trip, and takes about 3.5 to 4.5 hours. Along the way, there are bamboo forests, maple forests, and cherry blossom forests, offering beautiful scenery. There are simple restrooms and rest areas along the trail. The trail has gentle slopes, is flat and easy to walk, though the ground can sometimes be muddy, so wearing non-slip shoes or rain boots is recommended.

- Silifu Waterfall

The Silifu Waterfall Trail is a newly developed trail by the Smangus tribe. During the rainy summer season, you can enjoy the majestic waterfalls, and in autumn, you can admire the maple leaves along the trail, making for a refreshing experience. The round trip takes about 1.5 hours.

- Koraw Ecological Park

Koraw Ecological Park is an ecological trail behind the Smangus tribe. In the Tayal language, it means 'fertile land where the tribe farms; when returning to the tribe at sunset, one is always covered in dark soil.' It represents the beauty of the land and symbolizes a bountiful harvest year after year. The park is dominated by Lauraceae and Fagaceae plants, and when the breeze blows, it feels like being in a paradise on earth.

- Tribal Classroom

Initiated in 2000, the Tribal Classroom combines traditional and modern perspectives to build the tribe through education. The classroom features exterior walls stacked with raw logs, and inside, if you look up, you might catch a glimpse of eagles flying through the skylight.

- Canaan Cafe & Restaurant

Located on a high terrace in the tribe, in front of the New Canaan cabins, the cafe is a large, well-designed wooden building. It offers a variety of drinks and meals, and features a terrace area with views of the surrounding mountains. The craft shop is located nearby, where you can choose tribal handicrafts, commemorative albums, and other creative works.

【Shared Group Transfer】

– Departure Time: 07:00 / 08:20 (Departure may be delayed in case of traffic congestion; we appreciate your understanding)
– Departure Point: Taipei Main Station East Exit 3 / HSR Hsinchu Station Exit 4 (Pick-up and drop-off locations may be temporarily adjusted based on the meeting point situation on the day; please pay attention to messages from the driver)
– Duration: 11~13 hours
– Return Information: Depart Smangus at 16:20
– Drop-off Time: 19:00~19:30 Drop-off at HSR Hsinchu Station / 20:00~20:30 Drop-off at Taipei Main Station
– Minimum Group Size: 4 people or more
– Vehicle Type: 5-seater (SIENTA or RAV4) / 9-seater (VW T5/T6 or Hyundai STAREX)

【Private Tour Transfer】

– Departure Time: Taipei 07:00 / Taoyuan 07:30 / Hsinchu 08:00 (Please check your messages for the actual departure time)
– Departure Point: Customer-specified pick-up location in Taipei City / New Taipei City / Taoyuan City / Hsinchu City
– Duration: Approximately 13 hours for pick-up/drop-off in Taipei/New Taipei area, approximately 10~11 hours for pick-up/drop-off in Taoyuan/Hsinchu area
– Return Information: Depart Smangus at 16:20
– Drop-off Time: 20:00~20:30 Drop-off at the customer-specified location in Taipei City / New Taipei City / Taoyuan City / Hsinchu City
– Private Tour Vehicle Type: 5-seater (SIENTA or RAV4) / 9-seater (VW T5/T6 or Hyundai STAREX)