Smangus - God's Tribe
How to get there
There is currently no public transportation to Smangus and so all the visitors need to drive by themselves into the tribe in the mountains or go with a tour. For foreigners, it's also possible and even more convenient (but should be more dangerous) to ride a scooter or motorbike up to the village.
By car or motorbike:
1) Drive on National Highway 3 (北二高 or 國道三號) south toward Hsinchu (新竹), and leave the highway at Zhulin Interchange (竹林交流道), pick the Zhudong-bound exit (竹東).
2) Head for Neiwan on Neiwan-bound County Route 120 (120縣道).
3) After passing Neiwan (內灣), keep driving toward Jianshi (尖石), and turn right through Jianshi Bridge (尖石大橋) at the traffic sign "29 km". The road connects Hsinchu County Route 60 (竹60縣道) with the bridge.
The Jianshi Gasoline Station (operating hr: 7am - 5pm) there is the last one after Jianshi Township.
4) Turn left at Jinping Bridge (錦屏大橋) (There are some stone carvings along the bridge).
5) After driving on a mountainous road for around 30mins, you will bump into a T-road -- While both directions will bring you to Smangus, it's recommended to take the left one as it is straighter and wider, compared to the right one, even though it takes a bit longer time though.
6) Drive all the way straight along the road and always pick Xiuluan-bound (秀巒) direction (even though Smangus is located in Yufeng (玉峰)).
7) Stop at the checking point in Xiuluan and apply for the entrance. You will need to fill in an application form and may need to show your ID.
8) At the traffic sign "39 km", take left at another T-road (where "Welcome to Tribe Snazi"「歡迎光臨司那基部落」 is written on a gateway).
9) After 1.5-hour driving on the bumpy road, passing a red arch bridge, there is a tollbooth written "Welcome to the God's Tribe, Smangus"「 歡迎光臨上帝的部落司馬庫斯 」) -- It's the entrance to the tribe: Here you are at Smangus!
Tourist Attractions
Sleeping
How to get there
There is currently no public transportation to Smangus and so all the visitors need to drive by themselves into the tribe in the mountains or go with a tour. For foreigners, it's also possible and even more convenient (but should be more dangerous) to ride a scooter or motorbike up to the village.
By car or motorbike:1) Drive on National Highway 3 (北二高 or 國道三號) south toward Hsinchu (新竹), and leave the highway at Zhulin Interchange (竹林交流道), pick the Zhudong-bound exit (竹東).
2) Head for Neiwan on Neiwan-bound County Route 120 (120縣道).
3) After passing Neiwan (內灣), keep driving toward Jianshi (尖石), and turn right through Jianshi Bridge (尖石大橋) at the traffic sign "29 km". The road connects Hsinchu County Route 60 (竹60縣道) with the bridge.
The Jianshi Gasoline Station (operating hr: 7am - 5pm) there is the last one after Jianshi Township.
4) Turn left at Jinping Bridge (錦屏大橋) (There are some stone carvings along the bridge).
5) After driving on a mountainous road for around 30mins, you will bump into a T-road -- While both directions will bring you to Smangus, it's recommended to take the left one as it is straighter and wider, compared to the right one, even though it takes a bit longer time though.
6) Drive all the way straight along the road and always pick Xiuluan-bound (秀巒) direction (even though Smangus is located in Yufeng (玉峰)).
7) Stop at the checking point in Xiuluan and apply for the entrance. You will need to fill in an application form and may need to show your ID.
8) At the traffic sign "39 km", take left at another T-road (where "Welcome to Tribe Snazi"「歡迎光臨司那基部落」 is written on a gateway).
9) After 1.5-hour driving on the bumpy road, passing a red arch bridge, there is a tollbooth written "Welcome to the God's Tribe, Smangus"「 歡迎光臨上帝的部落司馬庫斯 」) -- It's the entrance to the tribe: Here you are at Smangus!
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| "Welcome to the God's Tribe, Smangus"「 歡迎光臨上帝的部落司馬庫斯 」 |
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| The local school buildings made of cypress |
* The tribe itself, e.g. Qegiy (the Two Trees of Husband and Wife), Koykay (the local catholic church), the newly built school buildings made of cypress, and a watchtower, with the surrounding excellent view of the Snow Mountains (雪山山脈)
* The giant cypress trees (incl. Yaya Qparung) (4-5hr round trip)
* Tglig Slibu (Slibu Falls) (1.5-hr round trip)
* Koraw blag na hiyal (the Eco-Park) (1-hr round trip)
* Rra minnanak na Llyung (Shenmi Valley Falls「神秘谷瀑瀑布」) (1-hr round trip)
Food
* Breakfast is included in the room rates. You'd also like to book the lunch or dinner (NTD 250 per person as from Jul 2012) when you book the room on the phone call or at the reception. The restaurant is on the second floor of the main grocery.
* A small grocery (until 9pm) run by the community is available for food and necessities. Another grocery can be found right next to the Two Trees (on the way to the entrance to the trail to Yaya Qparung) where you can buy some snacks and drinks.
* For somewhere to meet up with people, there is a café serving some beverage and meals right next to the tourist information centre (until 10pm - 11pm).
* For somewhere to meet up with people, there is a café serving some beverage and meals right next to the tourist information centre (until 10pm - 11pm).
* Sometimes a bread van would come to Smangus at around 9pm and you could buy some breads from it.
* Both the tourist information centre and the main grocery are equipped with fountains of hot and warm water for you to spoil your instant noodles.
* Both the tourist information centre and the main grocery are equipped with fountains of hot and warm water for you to spoil your instant noodles.
Buy
* Souvenirs, e.g. post cards, bracelets with Taiwanese aboriginal totems, etc., can be found in the grocery near the entrance.
* Fruits like peaches and vegetables can be bought in the right seasons.
* Fruits like peaches and vegetables can be bought in the right seasons.
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| The corridor of a guesthouse at dawn. |
* The accommodation in the tribe is offered by the common organization called Tnunan and has no other options in the tribe.
* The room rates range between NTD 1,600 and 5,000. It's recommended to book an ideal room ahead.
* Check-in: 3pm/ check-out: 12pm (The service is actually quite flexible and negotiable, as the business is run by the open-minded and easy-going Taiwanese aboriginals :)
* Check-in: 3pm/ check-out: 12pm (The service is actually quite flexible and negotiable, as the business is run by the open-minded and easy-going Taiwanese aboriginals :)
Language
* Most of the villagers speak fluent Chinese Mandarin and the Atayal language.
Information & Entertainment
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| Tourist Information Centre |
* A tourist information centre (which also functions as the reception of the guesthouses) at the entrance is open between 9am - 5pm.
* A free tribal tour in Chinese Mandarin is held at 3:30pm and 4:30pm every Sat, beginning from the tourist information centre.
* Every Sat evening some musical performances of the villagers take place in the church from 7:30pm. Meanwhile, the head (or the deputy head) of the tribe would share the history of Smangus. The performances are free but are all in the Atayal language or Chinese Mandarin, though.
Other Resources
* Smangus -- The official website of Smangus, where you book the room and meals, and confirm all the tourist information. (Chinese Mandarin)
* Journey to Smangus -- An Astraulian writer's notes on his several visits to Smangus. (English)
* Wandering Taiwan -- Two Taiwanese girls Micki and Kristen's travel notes on Smangus. (English)
* Wikitravel -- Wikitravel's page on Smangus (English)
> To my travel note on Smangus
* Every Sat evening some musical performances of the villagers take place in the church from 7:30pm. Meanwhile, the head (or the deputy head) of the tribe would share the history of Smangus. The performances are free but are all in the Atayal language or Chinese Mandarin, though.
Other Resources
* Smangus -- The official website of Smangus, where you book the room and meals, and confirm all the tourist information. (Chinese Mandarin)
* Journey to Smangus -- An Astraulian writer's notes on his several visits to Smangus. (English)
* Wandering Taiwan -- Two Taiwanese girls Micki and Kristen's travel notes on Smangus. (English)
* Wikitravel -- Wikitravel's page on Smangus (English)
> To my travel note on Smangus
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