Smangus Forest Recreation Area

　　   Smangus Forest Recreation Area spans both Wufeng Township in Hsinchu County and Tai’an Township in Miaoli County. It is now under the jurisdiction of Shei-Pa National Park and is a key recreational site in the park’s northwest area. Situated at an elevation of about 2,000 meters, it is perpetually shrouded in clouds and mist — the perfect place to “view clouds and admire fog,” which is how it got its name. The area consists of several interconnected trails, featuring major attractions such as Baxian Waterfall, the Cryptomeria Sea, Hinoki Sacred Tree, Smangus Waterfall, and Zhenshan Waterfall. It is also a necessary route for climbing Mt. Dabajian and is accessible via the Dalu Forest Road and South Qing Highway (County Highway 122), making it an ideal destination for cloud sea viewing, ecological appreciation, and seeing giant trees.

　　   The area centers around the Smangus Lodge, with various trails including the east and west lines of the Dalu Forest Road, the Smangus Waterfall Trail, the Zhenshan Trail, the Leshan Forest Road, and the Hinoki Giant Tree Forest Road connecting all the scenic spots. The Smangus Lodge offers excellent panoramic views where you can see famous peaks such as Mt. Dabajian, Mt. Xiaobajian, Mt. Pingding, and Mt. Snow.

　　   The forest ecology within the area is rich and well-preserved. Although most of the land is covered by man-made plantations, the secondary vegetation that thrives beneath the canopy is incredibly diverse. Coupled with unique native plants and specially cultivated ornamental species, Smangus displays different kinds of beauty across the four seasons. In spring, there are mountain cherries, tree peonies, and Rhododendron morii; in summer, there are balsams, goldenrods, and hydrangeas; in autumn and winter, the golden hues of Taiwan sweet gum and the fiery reds of maple leaves create spectacular and rare scenes in Smangus.

　　   In addition to beauty, there is also wonder. Along the Hinoki Giant Tree Forest Trail, you can find rare Crepis mollis and yellow-flowered balsams, both of which are listed as rare and endangered plants in Taiwan due to their limited populations. The Madala Valley along the Dalu Forest Road hosts Taiwan's largest natural reserve of Taiwan sweet gum, covering an area of 23.5 hectares. Both the sweet gum trees and the broad-tailed swallowtail butterfly — which feeds on them — are rare and precious national treasures.

　　   The Dalu Forest Road is the main access road to Smangus, offering beautiful scenery along the way. The Baxian Waterfall hangs on the mountainside at the 8-kilometer mark of the Dalu Forest Road, resembling a white silk ribbon against green surroundings, creating a picturesque view. The tree sea beyond the 21-kilometer point of the forest road is a man-made Cryptomeria plantation with trees nearly 30 years old, standing majestically. When misty vapors linger in the air, a vast sea of clouds spreads out beneath your feet, often bringing delightful surprises at every turn in the road.

　　   The Hinoki Sacred Tree is the most captivating attraction in Smangus, located along the eastern ridge of Luchang Mountain at an altitude of 2,300 meters. There are five sacred hinoki trees here, all ancient and majestic, exuding vitality and prompting awe for the wonders of nature.

　　   Smangus Forest Recreation Area has two additional trail systems. One leads to the majestic Smangus Waterfall, spanning approximately 1.5 kilometers, ending at a pavilion where you can view the waterfall from a distance. The waterfall is about 30 meters high, and its powerful flow often erodes the base, forming a deep pool. Due to unstable rock walls nearby, visitors are prohibited from approaching the waterfall itself. The other trail takes you to the summit of Zhenshan Mountain at 2,489 meters, an excellent spot for watching the sunrise over the sea of clouds and admiring distant views of Mt. Dabajian and the Snow Mountain range. Along the way, you can also visit the Zhenshan Waterfall.

　　   Transportation Guide: No direct bus service is available. You can take a chartered vehicle from Hsinchu City or Zhudong. For details, contact Dayu (03) 532-1703 or Shihao Tourist Company (037) 478-233.

　　   Notes: Smangus is a mountainous area under regular control. Visitors must carry their ID and register at the local office before entering.