Breaking News: Ali Mountain Guanghua Village Sees “Explosion” of Fireflies

▲ Firefly Viewing Explosion in Guanghua Village!

Reported and photographed by You t
ru / from Ali Mountain

As Taiwan enters its firefly-watching season, more and more people are starting to plan related leisure trips. In the Zhushan Township area of Chiayi County near Ali Mountain, there is a “Guanghua Firefly Trail,” a site that has seen successful habitat restoration in recent years. Due to its remote location, it sees relatively few visitors. A reporter visited on the evening of the 16th to film the fireflies and indeed witnessed a spectacular “explosion” of fireflies, making for a highly captivating sight.


▲ Fireflies can be seen throughout the woods, though as the night grows later, their flying activity gradually slows down.

The “Guanghua Firefly Trail” isn’t very long and can be leisurely walked in about 30 minutes. However, if you want to closely observe the fireflies or take photos, spending two hours or more still feels insufficient. Different types of fireflies can be spotted here in all four seasons, with up to 19 species in total. Around 6:30 PM when the sun sets, fireflies begin to appear across the mountains and forests, especially gathering in the thickest numbers in the grassy area just a 5-minute walk from the trail’s exit.

According to local guides, the number of fireflies sharply declined after Typhoon Morakot (88 Flood), but thanks to restoration efforts by nearby residents and relevant organizations, large numbers of fireflies have been seen again since last year, with this year seeing the highest numbers yet. As soon as visitors step into the woods, they can see fireflies dancing everywhere. The area, located in a valley and rarely visited, is completely free of light pollution. On a lucky night, you might even witness the astonishing sight of shooting stars above and glowing fireflies below at the same time.

%Fireflies are most densely populated right next to the trail.


Guanghua Firefly Trail
Location: Guanghua Village, Zhushan Township, Chiayi County