Smangus is a village in the Hsinchu mountains, home to the aboriginal Atayal tribe. At 1500 meters above sea level, it is renowned as Taiwan's most remote aboriginal village, and the last one to gain electricity access in 1979.
Besides its unique indigenous culture, Smangus is a tourist hotspot due to its grove of ancient Cypress trees, some nearly 3,000 years old. Additionally, the village is a highly sought-after destination during Taiwan's cherry blossom season.
Cover image via weniliou / Shutterstock
