Hsinchu, Taiwan | 2 days and 1 night in Hsinchu | Simakus Sacred Trees Hiking & Zhenxibao Church & Secret Waterfall | Depart from Hsinchu

We have a great time - 2 days 1 night at Smangus. The hike to the giant trees is a must do and to enjoy the 芬多精. We stay in 雅屋民宿 and the room is very large for the 3 of us. Dinner and Breakfast at 雅屋民宿 are plentiful and very delicious. Our driver 小流氓 is very knowledgeable and caring. We enjoy the short trip and will definitely come back again.

Temperature was cold in the highland, but was also sunny with no rain. The hiking trail to the big trees was quite manageable for beginners. A very refreshing getaway on the whole with friendly tour guide.

The mountain scenery was breathtaking, our driver, nicknamed "Little Rascal," was a skilled driver and provided engaging and entertaining tours, and the rooms at Riri Spring B&B were comfortable. It's a bit of a shame that many giant trees on the Giant Tree Trail were destroyed by Typhoon Connor, but it's still highly recommended.

The trip was relaxed, and our tour leader and driver, Mr. Dazhu, was humorous, provided detailed explanations of the attractions, and had excellent driving skills. Even on winding roads, he didn't swerve and reminded us of important safety precautions. It was a very enjoyable journey.

The first day's Giant Tree Trail was a long walk round trip, but most of the path was gentle, and I loved the feeling of being immersed in the forest for so long. In the evening, we checked into Ri Ri Chun Guesthouse. Yaya (meaning "mother" in the local language) warmly welcomed us. The next day, she even picked some Ma Gao Er Dai (a spice that actually tastes like lemon with a slightly spicy flavor) and rushed to introduce it to us before we left. The guesthouse was clean and tidy, making us feel comfortable and at ease. The following day, Brother Jiang explained many of the forest's plants and various stories about the Atayal people (Zhenxibao Church, weaving workshops, etc.), allowing us to get closer to and understand this forest and cherish every opportunity to travel. Almost every tribe has its own agricultural products, and we bought a lot of organic cabbage and other fruits and vegetables along the way. We were truly grateful to be able to bring back organic produce directly from the source. The millet donuts at Shin Kong Mitsukoshi and the fresh milk tea sold at Yaya are amazing! The millet donuts are not greasy at all, and they're chewy and bouncy with just the right amount of powdered sugar, which perfectly enhances the aroma of the donuts. The fresh milk tea, for some reason, has a richer, more mellow flavor compared to store-bought milk tea. I highly recommend everyone try them!

I feel that the KKday platform system design and its interaction with consumers is cold.

The Simakus tribe, called God, truly lives up to its name. Overcoming physical fatigue, I entered the giant forest, surrounded by beings that have stood here for thousands of years. Past troubles paled into insignificance. They neither accepted nor pushed away, but simply lived quietly for thousands of years. May the trees still be here 2,500 years from now, bearing witness to the passage of time. Brother Jiang's driving skills and introductions were both comfortable and informative. I learned so much about this land I had never heard of before. Trees are more than trees, and people are more than people. Coming to this place in person, Taiwan, a small country with so many mountains, is truly a treasure island.

It was a great experience. The guide's explanation service was excellent. He told us a lot of local stories, the lives of the residents, and the local history. I will definitely visit again.

The drive to the mountain village was a long one, but thanks to the driver's steady driving, I slept very comfortably the entire time. The 11-kilometer forest trail was well-maintained, with occasional views of the vast mountain scenery. The trail was nestled in the cozy forest, keeping the air cool even in summer—a true natural cooling experience. Although the typhoon destroyed many giant trees, I still felt a sense of gratitude and happiness surrounded by these thousand-year-old trees. I admired the simplicity of the century-old church and the legends and spirit of the Atayal tribe. Thank you to our guide, Little Rascal, for his easygoing and engaging explanations and excellent care for us. The children's singing filled my ears near the Forest Primary School. On a summer afternoon, the cool breeze lingered, escaping the hustle and bustle of life. Sitting on the bench in the forest classroom, I slipped into a midsummer dream...

Brother Jiang's super professional tour guide Brother Jiang's super professional tour guide Brother Jiang's super professional tour guide