Spring-exclusive Glowing Wonderland: Top 4 Firefly Viewing Spots in Taiwan

By MOOK Scenic Spots, compiled report
 
Every year during the transition from spring to summer, it's the season when fireflies appear. Suburban areas and ecological parks around Taiwan hold firefly festivals. The faint glowing lights in the dark sparkle magically, a dreamlike scene rarely seen in urban areas. Here are four firefly viewing spots in Taiwan and information on the firefly viewing experiences. Nature enthusiasts, jot these down quickly!

1. Hualien Danongdafu Plain Forest Park
Danongdafu Plain Forest Park is the earliest place in Taiwan where fireflies appear. Every year in March and April, a firefly season is held, kicking off the island’s firefly festival. The “2019 Danongdafu Firefly Fun” involves 10 surrounding community tribes. Not only can you admire precious fireflies, but there are also expert-guided tours by local guides and free local specialty souvenirs.
 
[Info]
2019Danongdafu Firefly Fun
Location: Danongdafu Plain Forest Park Service Center (No. 31, Farm Road, Guangfu Township, Hualien County)
Time: March 16 to April 14 (three sessions daily)
Ticket: NT$198 per person (free for children under 2) / NT$160 for Hualien residents
Fee includes guided tour and local community souvenirs
Registration: via official website

2. Tainan Nansi Meilin Firefly Season
Tainan also hosts many firefly events. For example, the “2019 Nansi Meilin Firefly Season,” organized by Tainan City, kicked off on April 20. During the event period, firefly experiences are available every Saturday and Sunday. You can walk along the firefly-filled Wulong Trail while listening to guides’ explanations. In addition, there’s the “Nanliao Rural Firefly Season” in Baihe, which started on April 12, as well as the city-closest firefly spot “Xinhua Forest Farm” and the hidden firefly wonderland “Nanhua Guanshan.”
 
[Info]
2019 Nansi Meilin Firefly Season
Location: Wulong Trail
Time: April 20 to May 5
Firefly activities: Every Saturday and Sunday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM during the event period (registration required online)
 
2019 Nanliao Rural Firefly Season
Firefly gathering location: Nanliao Community Activity Center
Time: April 1 to May 31
Registration: by phone appointment only TEL: 06-6822977
Registration hours: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Nighttime firefly observation at Xinhua Forest Farm
Gathering location: Student Practice Hall, Xinhua Forest Farm, National Chung Hsing University
Time: April 12 to May 11
Firefly viewing activities: Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 17:30 to 19:30 at night; from Monday to Thursday, firefly viewing is primarily by group (30 people) reservation
Registration method: Online registration only
※ Children under 4 years old are not recommended to participate
 
Watching Fireflies in Nanhua Guanshan
※ The area is remote. Those wishing to go firefly watching must contact the local “Guanshan Community” to arrange a required reservation-based shuttle service. Daily visitor numbers are limited to 150 people.
Contact number: Mr. Zhang Xingfa, Guanshan Community, 0937-663-197 (recommended to call in the evening)

3. Spring Firefly Watching at Taichung’s Dakeng Ecological Park
The Taichung City Scenic Area Administration holds four free spring firefly viewing events in the biodiverse Dakeng Ecological Park, with registration on a first-come, first-served basis. In 2019, the firefly events also incorporated environmental education and frog ecology interpretation, allowing participants to learn about habitats and frog ecosystems while enjoying the fireflies. The “Spring Firefly and Frog Watching” sessions on April 13 and 14 opened for online registration at 8:00 AM on April 9; the sessions on April 20 and 21 opened for registration at 8:00 AM on April 16, with a limit of 65 people per session.
                                                                                                 
【Info】
Spring Firefly and Frog Watching at Taichung’s Dakeng Ecological Park
Venue: Dakeng Ecological Park
Time: April 13, 14, April 20, 21
Registration time: Online reservation opens at 8:00 AM on April 9 for the April 13 and 14 sessions
Online registration opens at 8:00 AM on April 16 for the April 20 and 21 sessions.