Step into the Azure Galaxy Nestled in the Forest: 4 Must-Visit Firefly-Watching Spots in Hualien

▲ A stunning view of fireflies at Hualien’s Liyu Lake. (Photo provided by Ideal Formosa)

Reported by Cai Wenjun / Compiled by staff

Firefly season has arrived, and across Taiwan, you can see tiny blue-green lights dancing through the greenery at night. Hualien, blessed with stunning mountains and waters, also boasts numerous firefly hotspots. This article rounds up 4 must-visit firefly-watching locations in Hualien. Enjoy a forest bath while admiring the glowing fireflies — a spectacle so magical it feels like floating in a galaxy, an experience unique to this time of year.

1. Liyu Lake
Liyu Lake is a popular firefly-watching destination in Hualien. Starting every April, as the firefly season kicks off, taking an evening stroll along the lakeside path near the mountains rewards you with a twinkling view resembling an angelic halo that lights up the entire valley landscape.

▲ Fireflies at Fuyuan National Forest Recreation Area. (Photo fromHualien Butterfly Valley Hot Spring Resort’s Facebook page)

2. Fuyuan National Forest Recreation Area
The Fuyuan Forest Recreation Area features a 70-hectare camphor tree plantation, making it an ideal spot for a forest bath. It also boasts rich ecological resources such as fireflies and birds, along with a natural vegetation mix of camphor woods and broadleaf forests. Venturing deep into the green forest at night to watch the fireflies dance is one of the most beautiful sights of spring in April and May.

3. Mayuan Tribe
Located at the foot of the Central Mountain Range, the Mayuan Tribe lies deep in the mountainous area of Ruisui Township. Accessible only by heading inland from Fuyuan Village along Provincial Highway 9 and then following winding mountain paths, the tribe remains largely untouched due to limited vehicle access. As a result, it preserves a wealth of traditional Bunun cultural elements and pristine ecological surroundings. Lush woodlands and clear streams create a hidden paradise seemingly cut off from the world. Fireflies are commonly spotted around the Mayuan Elementary School, Mayuan Church, and waterfalls in the tribal hills — they flutter freely among the shrubs and clean water sources.

▲ A sea of fireflies at the Danongdafu Plain Forest Park. (Photo provided by Hualien Forest District Office)

4. Danongdafu Plain Forest Park
Since its opening, the Danongdafu Plain Forest Park has adopted a low-density development approach, resulting in abundant ecological resources and Taiwan’s longest forest bicycle trail, perfect for cycling enthusiasts. From March to April each year, the forest comes alive with thousands of magical glowing dots at night, turning it into a hidden firefly-watching gem known mostly to locals.