Hsinchu Smangus | God's Tribe - Giant Tree Group - February-March Cherry Blossom Season One-Day Carpool Tour (Pick up in Taipei/Hsinchu)

Amazing day experience to Smangus Village and hiking in he forest. Saw some cherry trees and some amazing nature landscapes. Our driver Chen Wei was amazing and very friendly. I also enjoyed the ride to get there and back as it was mountains and twirly.

Smangus truly is a paradise on Earth, living up to its reputation as 'God's Tribe.' It was rainy, wet, and cold before we set off, but unexpectedly, the weather gradually cleared up as we approached Smangus. My jacket even felt like too much, and I even got a bit sunburned. I'd recommend coming 10-15 days earlier for an even better experience; some green shoots are starting to appear now, but it doesn't detract from the viewing or enjoyment. The only minor drawback was that the driver didn't offer much of a tour once we arrived at Smangus, simply letting us explore on our own. He also smoked by the car and chewed betel nut once we were back in the vehicle, and the smell made an already dizzying journey even more uncomfortable. While the quality of drivers can be a hit or miss, I would still sign up for this trip again if I were to return. Also, there's a fixed time for descending the mountain, so you really must gather at the designated time, or you'll be left behind...

Stepping into Smangus feels like entering a hidden mountain paradise, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the world. Although the journey is long, the mountain scenery along the way is beautiful, and the air is fresh and pleasant. The tribal atmosphere is simple and natural, making one feel relaxed and at ease. Strolling through, you can deeply experience the tranquility and rhythm of nature, temporarily letting go of life's stresses. This trip offers both physical and mental relief, making it an unforgettable and healing experience.

Even though most of the cherry blossoms have fallen, many places are still very beautiful and worth visiting.

Mr. Wang Qisong is an excellent driver. The entire journey was smooth and stable. As soon as I got in the car, I automatically went into sleep mode and slept all the way to my destination. The return trip was just as easy to sleep through. I didn't get car sick at all, it was awesome! 👍 The driver was friendly and polite, a perfect score 💯 and worthy of praise!!! He gave those of us who went cherry blossom viewing a great experience and memory. Thank you to the hardworking driver~~~

Although the travel time was long and we spent a lot of time in the car, once we arrived at our destination and stepped out to see the vast sea of cherry blossoms, all the fatigue from the journey seemed to disappear.

the route to smangus village offers some spectacular mountain and valley views, and the occasional sakuras and bamboo groves. depending on traffic, you may find it a bit rushed to see the yaya qparung, the largest tree in the grove. based on your fitness and the weather, the mountain trek can take between 60-90mins one way, and due to traffic control, the transport has to leave the village before 2pm. if you plan to reach the sacred tree grove, you got to move fast. if its sakura season and you are just going to the sakura garden in the mountain, then it will need less time. you could also just hang out in the village - plenty of sakura around! the organiser set up a group chat the night before with very clear instructions for pick up and drop off, and the drivers’ contact details. our driver, mr cao, was very helpful in explaining what to expect, helping us manage time, and sharing knowledge about taipei. transport travel time was about 2-3hours each way.

Our driver, Mr. Weng Xinyi, was an excellent driver, very kind, and quite conversational. He shared many different experiences and insights with us, making it a wonderful day trip experience.