A Date with Fireflies！Comprehensive Guide to Mid-Taiwan’s Firefly-Watching Season

▲ Some scenic spots in mid-Taiwan have entered their prime firefly season—don’t miss this rare opportunity to enjoy the delight of fireflies dancing around you. (Photo credit:Dongshi Forest Farm Recreation Area official Facebook page)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

In the nights of April and May, fireflies fill the air with their glow. Places such as Aowanda and Dongshi Forest Farm offer glimpses of tiny green lights twinkling in the dark. Recently, Dongshi Forest Farm has entered its peak firefly season. Here’s a roundup of upcoming firefly-watching events in mid-Taiwan. Take this chance to breathe in the forest air alongside these magical insects.

Taichung Xinshe “Peach and Plum City, Firefly Fun”:Xinshe isn’t just about flower seas—it’s also home to tens of thousands of fireflies dancing through the mountains at night, a sight not to be missed in April and May. The Xinshe District Farmers’ Association offers one-day tour packages every weekend from April 19 to May 4. At NT$999 per person, the tours include visits to Xinshe’s agricultural lifeline—the Bai-Leng Canal, hands-on farming experiences, local cuisine, and exploration of hidden firefly-watching spots. For registration, contact the Xinshe District Farmers’ Association Travel Department at 04-2581-0868 or visit theTaichung City Government Agriculture Bureau websitefor more information.

Nantou Aowanda “Mabo Mini Tour – Overnight Firefly Watching”:Aowanda Forest Recreation Area, known for its pristine water sources and well-preserved forest vegetation, was ranked No. 1 on the “Taiwan’s Top 10 Firefly-Watching Spots” list in 2013. The firefly season features five tour sessions: “4/25–4/26, 4/26–4/27, 5/2–5/3, 5/3–5/4, 5/9–5/10.” For registration details, visit theAowanda Nature Education Center website.

Taichung Dongshi Forest Farm Eco Firefly Tour:Another one of the “2013 Top 10 Firefly-Watching Spots,” Dongshi Forest Farm currently hosts tens of thousands of fireflies and is expected to enter its peak season early. From now until May 15, there are eight scheduled sessions: “4/14, 4/17, 4/21, 4/24, 4/28, 5/5, 5/12, 5/15.” The two-day-one-night tour costs NT$1,200 per person. For registration, check theDongshi Forest Farm official websiteor call 04-2587-2191.
 

Taichung Dongshi “Ruanpi Pit Firefly Season”:The Ruanpi Pit Leisure Agriculture Area boasts a well-preserved natural firefly ecosystem and is another great spot for firefly watching in Dongshi. From April 12 to 27, the “Glowing Nights” event takes place every Saturday with traffic control in place. Outside these times but within May, visitors can also book dinner and firefly-viewing packages. For details, call 0975-031330 (between 8 AM and 5 PM).

Taichung Baxianshan Forest Recreation Area “Tung Blossom & Firefly Season”:Enjoy the snow-like blossoms of tung trees by day and the glimmer of fireflies in the woods by night. Baxianshan Forest Recreation Area lets visitors experience the beauty of “tung blossoms like snow, fireflies like sparks.” The “Tung & Firefly Season” includes four sessions: “4/26, 4/27, 5/3, 5/4.” Each session is limited to 50 participants and costs NT$250 per person. For more information, visit theBaxianshan Nature Education Center website.

Nantou Lugu Township “Love, Passion – Firefly Night Run”:Held on May 3, this 8.8-km night run is Taiwan’s first running event dedicated to firefly conservation. Participants can jog under a starry sky filled with firefly lights while enjoying the insect’s natural habitat. Registration is open now until April 15, with a limit of 800 participants. For details, visit theiPeiTe Registration website. Early registrants will also receive a Yokai Village goodie bag.

2014 Sun Moon Lake Taomi Caotan Wetland Firefly Season
Event Period: April 4 – May 31
Organizers: Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration; Taomi Leisure Agriculture Area Promotion Association
Meeting Point: Taoyuan Elementary School – Taomi Leisure Agriculture Area Visitor Service & Education Center
Registration Hotline: Miss Qiu 0963-504899; Miss Li 0975-644656
Event Website:www.facebook.com/2014TaomiHotaru

Romantic Lanterns “Dancing with Fireflies”
Event Period: April 17 – May 20, 18:30 – 20:00
Organizer: Tou She Cultural & Historical Exploration Development Association of Sun Moon Lake
Meeting Point: Dasheman Coffee Shop (Tai 21 Highway, Km 68)
Group Limit: Max 2 groups per day, minimum 20 people per group. Reservations or walk-ins accepted.
Registration Hotline: Mr. Lin 0926-638380; Miss Huang 0928-560861
Registration Fee: NT$1600 per group (insurance not included); NT$100 per individual (includes insurance and a small gift)
Registration Email: peat000sun@yahoo.com

Lotus Pond Forest Community Eco-Education & Firefly Season Event
Event Period: April 12 – May 11, 18:30 – 20:30
Organizer: Nantou County Lotus Pond Stream Conservation Association
Meeting Point: Lotus Pond Firefly Trail
Participant Limit: No more than 2000 people per day
Registration Hotline: 049-2897742 / 0926-662119 Mr. Xie
Registration Fee: NT$30 per person (for cleaning, maintenance, and conservation fund)

Sun Moon Lake Study Center – Firefly Watching Fun
Event Period: April 11 – May 25, meet at 19:00
Organizer: Sun Moon Lake Specialty Study Center
Meeting Point: Sun Moon Lake Specialty Study Center
Participant Limit: Minimum 20 people
Registration Hotline: 049-2861108
Registration Fee: NT$1200 per person for two days and one night (includes experience activities, accommodation, breakfast, and dinner)

Tannan Firefly Boulevard
Organizer: Tannan Community Development Association
Meeting Point: Tannan Elementary School
Registration Hotline: 049-2741328 / 0939-751710 Mr. Song / Miss Gu
Event date? April 10 ~ April 30
Number of participants? Up to 30 people per group
Registration fee? NT$1,000 per group
Event 2? April 19, assemble at 14:00
Number of participants? 250 people
Registration fee? NT$200 per person

Bamboo Stone Garden Eco-Learning Center “Twinkle Twinkle Cat V Suspected Health Insurance Hang/strong>
Event time? April 4 – May 4, assemble at 19:00
Assembly location? Bamboo Stone Garden Lobby
Registration phone? 049-2856679, must register at the counter before 15:30
Registration fee?
(1) Individual? NT$350 per person?
(2) Two-day-one-night, minimum 2 people: Weekday special NT$3,600   Holiday special NT$4,700
Minimum 4 people: Weekday special NT$6,000; Holiday special NT$7,200
*Includes accommodation, breakfast & dinner, firefly tour guide, accident insurance, etc.
Event website?www.bamboorock.com.tw