Run through the blue firefly river – Nantou’s Lugu Township hosts a “Firefly Night Run” starting this Saturday

▲ Fireflies at Phoenix Valley Aviary in Lugu Township, Nantou County, are in full bloom. Participants in the luminescent night run will get to witness this stunning sight. (Photo provided by Town Culture Creation)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Road races like Mountain-River Runs and Rainbow Runs are nothing new, but running through a shimmering blue "firefly river" is something special. Taiwan’s first ever “Love & Passion Firefly Night Run,” organized to protect firefly habitats, will kick off on the evening of May 3rd. The event will be led by an Electric Three Princes drum performance troupe in Lugu Township, Nantou County.

Fireflies have extremely high environmental requirements, appearing only in pollution-free areas with clean water and fresh forest air. To promote firefly conservation and raise awareness about preserving their living environments, the Zhulu Industry Tourism Association is hosting its inaugural Firefly Night Run this year.

The 4-kilometer route starts in front of Yonglong Community Activity Center and ends at the entrance of Phoenix Valley Aviary. In addition to enjoying a cool, comfortable evening run through Lugu’s tea fields, participants will be treated to the breathtaking sight of fireflies dancing in the sky upon entering the aviary. Organizers will also ask runners to turn off their LED wristbands and keep noise to a minimum, encouraging them to walk and experience close encounters with the fireflies. Nearly 900 firefly and running enthusiasts from across Taiwan have signed up for this night run.

Before the run begins, organizers have invited ecological experts from Phoenix Valley Aviary to host a fun warm-up activity called “Firefly Trivia King,” testing participants’ knowledge about fireflies. Additionally, polar educator Li Qingyan will lead the Lugu Electric Three Princes drum team in leading stretching exercises and setting the pace for the run, aiming to inspire greater appreciation for firefly conservation.