Poll Results Revealed: Top Firefly-Watching Spots in 2014, Aowanda Takes the Crown

Travel Center / Special Report

April and May, the transition between spring and summer, bring blooming flowers and the season of fireflies. In addition to compiling local firefly-watching activities for travelers’ reference, ETtoday E Travel also conducted a survey on “2014 Taiwan’s Most Desired Firefly-Watching Spots.”The survey collected responses from 422 readers, with “Nantou Aowanda Forest Recreation Area” taking the top spot, “Taichung Dongshi Forest Farm” in second, and “Hsinchu Neiwan” in third.

The top five “2014 Taiwan’s Most Desired Firefly-Watching Spots” are:

1) Nantou Aowanda Forest Recreation Area – 21.3% of the vote
2) Taichung Dongshi Forest Farm – 20.6% of the vote
3) Hsinchu Neiwan – 20.1% of the vote
4) New Taipei City Tucheng’s Tonghua Park & Chengtian Temple – 15.9% of the vote
5) Chiayi Alishan – 14.5% of the vote

The top two spots match the results of the “Taiwan’s Top 10 Firefly-Watching Locations” poll conducted by the Xianglin Cultural and Educational Foundation last year. Interestingly,the emerging firefly-watching destination, New Taipei City Tucheng’s Tonghua Park and Chengtian Temple,though not matching the firefly populations of Aowanda or Dongshi Forest Farm, surged to fourth place—outranking even Alishan. Its proximity to metropolitan areas likely makes it the top choice for Greater Taipei residents.

Many other recommended firefly-watching spots submitted by readers (not among the preset options) are also worth checking out, including: Xitou Sanshengyuan Area, Xizhi Dajianshan, Nantou Zhongliao Longfeng Waterfall, Sanxia Yuanshan Firefly Trail, Changhua County Dacun Township Pinghe Community Flower Tree Bank, Hualien Liyu Lake, Pingxi, Matsu, Hualien Liyu Lake, Bitan and Meishan, Puli Caons湿地, Taoyuan Xiangu Valley, Huafan University Water Source Area, Tainan Nansi Meiling, Hualien Mayuan Tribe, and Nantou Xitou.

When choosing a firefly-watching destination, the top three considerations were“transportation convenience,” “distance,” and “popularity of the spot,”highlighting that accessibility remains a key factor, followed by fame. “Size of the firefly population” ranked fourth.

Dongshi Forest Farm Sparks Firefly Watching Craze


▲ Dongshi Forest Farm’s fireflies have entered their peak season. (Photo / From Dongshi Forest Farm Facebook)

The 2014 “Taiwan’s Most Desired Firefly-Watching Spots” survey crowned “Nantou Aowanda Forest Recreation Area” first and “Taichung Dongshi Forest Farm” second. However, this year’s firefly craze was first ignited by Dongshi Forest Farm.＜＜Dongshi Forest Farm Fireflies at Peak – the Entire Forest Becomes a Viewing Area＞＞Officials had announced in early April that the firefly peak might arrive early, and indeed, between April 14–17, the numbers soared to hundreds of thousands, turning the whole Dongshi Forest Farm into a prime viewing zone. Although the numbers may gradually decline after peaking, visitors can still see plenty of fireflies on the weekends of the 25th and 26th—so plan your trip soon.

Although Dongshi’s firefly numbers are tapering off, Aowanda and Huisun Forest Farms haven’t yet hit their peaks. For those wanting to witness landscapes glittering with “firefly lights,” these two spots are great alternatives.＜＜Aowanda Fireflies Spotted Sporadically – Peak Expected Mid-April to Early May＞＞, ＜＜Huisun Forest Farm Kicks Off Firefly Season – Daytime Cherry Blossoms, Nighttime Fireflies＞＞


▲ Huisun Forest Farm is also a highly sought-after firefly destination. (Photo / Provided by National Chung Hsing University Experimental Forest Management Office, Photo by Cheng Meng-hsien)

Valuing Ecology, Protecting the Environment

Notably, 90% of poll respondents agreed that it’s essential not to disturb or damage the fireflies’ habitats and ecosystems during viewing. This reflects Taiwanese firefly enthusiasts’ growing awareness of non-intrusive and eco-friendly observation practices.

＜＜4 Principles for Firefly Watching: No Catching, No Entering Habitats, No Lights, No Noise＞＞
 
＜＜Click here to see more firefly news＞＞

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