By / MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team
The best season for firefly viewing in New Taipei City runs from late April to early June each year. Thanks to the city’s successful firefly conservation and breeding efforts, we’ve put together this “New Taipei Firefly Viewing Guide.” Featuring 48 hidden firefly-viewing spots across New Taipei City, provided by the New Taipei City Agriculture Bureau, the guide encourages visitors to spread out their viewing times and locations to minimize disturbance to the fireflies, allowing everyone to enjoy the romantic beauty of a sky filled with glowing insects.
New Taipei City boasts numerous hidden firefly-viewing spots, helping disperse crowds and viewing times during the season. (Image source / New Taipei City Tourism Bureau)
Fireflies are an indicator species for ecological health, with over 60 species found throughout Taiwan. More than a third of these can be spotted within New Taipei City, and firefly sightings have been reported in 14 of its administrative districts. This year alone, 10 new firefly viewing spots have been added compared to last year. Some areas even offer the chance to witness stunning "firefly rivers"—a rare phenomenon in urban environments and a unique kind of Taiwanese “light.”
April to June is the best time to admire fireflies in New Taipei City. (Image source / New Taipei City Agriculture Bureau)
Additionally, all firefly viewers should follow certain key guidelines to help preserve the experience. Stay quiet, avoid stepping into grassy areas, don’t leave litter, and never attempt to catch fireflies or shine bright lights on them. The optimal viewing hours are from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM—going too late may mean missing them altogether. Fireflies tend to appear in low-visibility, light-pollution-free mountainous areas, so visitors should take care of their own safety and preferably go in groups to avoid accidents. Before heading out, it's recommended to read the “10 Questions About Firefly Viewing” in the “New Taipei Firefly Viewing Guide,” strictly adhere to viewing principles, and avoid damaging habitats or disturbing the insects’ lives. Only by ensuring the sustainable survival of fireflies can we continue to enjoy the magic of dancing with them every year.
A spectacular display of fireflies resembles a beautiful Milky Way on Earth. (Image source / New Taipei City Farmers' Association)
【Info】
New Taipei City Firefly Viewing Spots
● Tucheng District
→ Tonghua Park and Nearby Firefly Trails (at the end of Chengtian Road, Tucheng District)
→ Shibi Liao Stream Nature Trail (opposite Nantianmu Plaza, Tucheng District)
● Sanxia District
→ Yuan Mountain Firefly Path
→ Yumu Elementary School
→ Jian’an Elementary School
→ Qiwu Barbecue Area, by the river, at the Lion Head Fork (Shizi Tou Wu Cha Lu)
(Note: Firefly activities require group registration, including guided tours, dinner, and insurance. Please call the Ankeng Li Office at 26726003)
→ Ridong Garden
(Note: Firefly activities require group registration, including guided tours, dinner, and insurance. Please call the Ankeng Li Office at 26726003)
→ Northern Route 114 and Northern Township Road 109
→ Daban Gen Forest Hot Spring Resort
→ Carbon Neutral Amusement Park
Note: There are 8 firefly viewing sessions from April 23–26 and April 30–May 3. Each session holds a lottery for 40 selected participants (each selected person may bring 4 guests, making a total of 5 people per group). One private car is allowed per group for firefly viewing. Non-drivers may bring up to 4 people, also totaling 5 per group.
For activity details, please call extension 12 at 26716880 and ask for Mr. Wu.
● Xindian District
→ Galaxy Cave
→ Quchi Wetland
→Hemei Mountain Trail (Yongye Intersection, Xindian District)
→Zhitan Elementary School (No. 92, Zhitan Road, Xindian District, New Taipei City)
→Guangxing Wetland
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●Wulai
→Approximately 3–5 km along the Xiluoan Section of Wulai Village
●Shiding
→.Erge Mountain (Nature Center)
→Yunhai Elementary School
→The back hills of Huafan University
●Pinglin
→Jiuqionggen Waterfront Park
→Huanhe Campsite in Shuide Village
→Areas around the Waterfront Suspension Bridge in Pinglin Village
→Yuguang Elementary School (Yuguang Campus of Pinglin Elementary School)
●Shuangxi
→Houfanzi Pit Creek Ecological Education Park
→Peony to Thirteen Levels (Diao Mountain Trail)
→Thirteen Levels Waterfront Park
→Ganlin Elementary School
→Shuangxi Pinglin Leisure Farm
→Shuangxi Camellia Garden
●Pingxi
→[Pingxi Old Street → via Pingxi Township Office → Chengshan Bridge → Pingxin Industrial Road]
→[Shifen Old Street → Pingxin Farm Road]
→[Jingtong Old Street → Taiyang Club (Crown Prince Guesthouse) → Minsheng Bridge → Riverside Trail under the Bridge]
→Taiwan Coal Mine Museum
→Pinghu Forest Recreation Area
●Ruifang
→Liulang Road Sightseeing Trail
→Rui Gan Elementary School
→San Diao Ling Pyramid Bridge
●Xizhi
→Xinshan Dream Lake Trail
→3 km Mark on Xiding Road
→Cuihu Lake
●Wanli
→Along Ruiquan Road in Xidi Li
→Along Daxingping Elementary School in Shuangxing Li
●Jinshan
→Along Chonghe Creek (beside the Huangxi Head Farm Road leading to Yangmingshan from Qifengshi Hot Spring Villa at the 4K turn on Yangjin Highway)
●Shimen
→Ali Bang Ecological Farm (No. 84, Ali Bang, Shimen District, Tel: 2638-2754)
●Sanzhi
→Xiban Li, Sanzhi District
→Qingshan Road, Yuanshan Li, Sanzhi District
→Sanzhi District Baxian Li Mind Therapy Corridor
》2016 Alishan Glowing with Fireflies – The Romantic Firefly Season Begins
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