Top 5 "Firefly Rivers" in Southern Taiwan – A Breathtaking Sight You Must Experience in Your Lifetime

▲ Alishan is a famous firefly-watching destination in southern Taiwan. (Photo / Screenshot fromAlishan New Impression fan page)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Thanks to Taiwan’s beautiful mountains and waters, firefly-watching hotspots are extremely popular across the country every summer. ETtoday News Cloud has specially compiled a list of the top 5 firefly-watching spots in southern Taiwan. These places not only have beautiful environments but also feature countless "fireflies" for visitors to enjoy, helping everyone spend a wonderful summer night.

1. Alishan
The firefly season in Alishan is approximately from April to June, featuring mainly black-winged fireflies and large black fireflies. In addition, there are autumn and winter species such as the sacred tree firefly and the giant-angle snow firefly, making it one of the few places where you can see fireflies all year round. Popular firefly-watching spots include Ruifeng, Rueili, Fenchihu, and Guanghua, among which Guanghua Village has become a well-known eco-village for firefly watching due to successful conservation efforts in recent years.

Period: April–June
Locations: Ruifeng, Rueili, Fenchihu, Guanghua Village

2. Kenting Sheding Nature Park in Pingtung
Under pristine natural conditions, Kenting Sheding Nature Park sees thousands of fireflies appearing in the woods every spring break season. On days after rain, in addition to the "fire gold aunts," you might even spot the beautiful "night sprites" that emit light and live right on the ground.

Period: April–June
Location: Next to Kenting Street on Provincial Highway 26, Hengchun Town, Pingtung County

▲ The Tainan Baihe Nanliao Firefly Season always attracts large numbers of tourists. (Photo / Screenshot fromNanliao Rural Culture Industry Association fan page)

3. Tainan Baihe “Nanliao Firefly Season”
Visiting Tainan’s Baihe District now isn’t just about admiring some of the most beautiful kapok flower avenues in the world — at night, you can also venture deep into the woods to enjoy the sparkling blue-green firefly lights. The "2017 Nanliao Rural Firefly Season" has already begun. With only 300 spots available per day to experience this unique event, you definitely shouldn’t miss out on this rare opportunity.

Dates: April 14 – May 31 (Time slots: Monday–Thursday: 19:00 / 19:50; Friday–Sunday: 19:00 / 19:30 / 20:00)
Meeting Point: Nanliao Community Activity Center (Search “Baihe District Nanliao Shequ Activity Center” on Google Maps)
Fee: NT$100 (pay on site)
Facebook:Nanliao Rural Culture Industry Association

▲ The Kaohsiung Namasia Firefly Season not only lets visitors admire fireflies but also helps them learn about different indigenous cultures. (Photo / Screenshot fromNamasia District Office)

4. Kaohsiung Namasia Firefly Season
Namasia is considered the backyard of Kaohsiung and also a firefly paradise. Starting in April, the district office hosts a series of firefly-watching events. The firefly-watching areas open during regular hours are the Nansalu and Dakanuwa trails. Aside from viewing fireflies, visitors can also learn about various indigenous cultures, such as the Bunun, Tsou, Kanakanavu, Hla’alua, as well as Hakka and Hoklo cultures, and appreciate the importance of ecological conservation and respect for life in nature.

Time: April 1–April 22
Location: Namasia District Office, Kaohsiung City; No. 230, Daguang Lane, Dakanuwa Village, Namasia District, Kaohsiung City
Firefly Ticket Fee: NT$60 per person (includes same-day insurance, please bring exact change)
Ticket Sales Locations:
Namasia District Office (No. 230, Daguang Lane, Dakanuwa Village, Namasia District, Kaohsiung City): Sunday to Friday, 4:00 PM–7:00 PM; Saturday, 1:00 PM–7:00 PM
Nanshalu Firefly Trail: Sunday to Friday, 4:00 PM–7:00 PM; Saturday, 1:00 PM–7:00 PM
Mango Tree Market (No. 13, Pinghe Lane, Maya Village, Namasia District, Kaohsiung City): Saturday, 1:00 PM–7:00 PM

▲ Rainbow Ecovillage sees large numbers of fireflies every year and is said to have the highest density in Taiwan. (Photo/Screen capture fromRainbow Ecovillage Facebook)

5. Chiayi Rainbow Ecovillage (formerly Ruolan Mountain Villa)

You may not be familiar with the name “Rainbow Ecovillage,” but it’s actually the well-known “Ruolan Mountain Villa Firefly Conservation Area,” located in Rueili, Chiayi, at an altitude of 1,000 meters in a serene and secluded environment. From March to June each year, large numbers of fireflies appear in the area, boasting the highest density in the province.

Ticket Price: NT$60 per person (no guided tour)
Time: March–June (Open to public at 7:40 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only)
Official Website:http://www.ruohlan.com.tw/
Address: No. 10-1, Rueili Village, Meishan Township, Chiayi County
Phone: 0921-420176, 0988-342108

Things to Note Before Firefly Watching

1. Keep quiet and avoid loud noises.
2. Avoid using bright lights, or use red cellophane to wrap flashlights as red light causes less disturbance to fireflies.
3. Take all trash with you to avoid damaging the ecological environment.
4. Do not catch or touch fireflies.
5. Fireflies emerge from grass or woods, and snake sightings are common during firefly season. To protect both the fireflies’ reproduction and your own safety, never enter grassy or wooded areas.