New Taipei’s Firefly Feast: A Romantic Journey Through Yushan and Jingting’s Glowing Secret Realm

By MOOK Travel & Living Chen Guanxin | Compiled & Reported

 

The 2014 New Taipei City Firefly Feast event launched its first ecological guided tour on the evening of the 26th at the Yushan Ecological Trail in Sanxia District and the Jingting area in Pingxi District. Liao Jung-ching, Director of the New Taipei City Agriculture Bureau, said that April to May is the perfect season when fireflies dance romantically, embellishing the mountains and forests. In areas with well-preserved environments and minimal light pollution, fireflies can easily be spotted. Therefore, the Agriculture Bureau’s “2014 New Taipei City Firefly Feast” also recommends 42 firefly-watching secret spots across Sanxia, Tucheng, Xindian, Wulai, Shiding, Pinglin, Shuangxi, Ruifang, Xizhi, Pingxi, Shimen, and Wanli. Firefly enthusiasts can plan a visit during these months to track down these glowing creatures.

To prepare for the midsummer night’s firefly-watching journey, many visitors head to the nearby Sanxia Sanchongyong Old Street during the day. The Changfu Bridge leading to the Kuan-yin Temple of Clear Water is also a cultural heritage site. Meanwhile, the Jingting Coal Mine Park in Pingxi is covered with lush greenery, where intertwined tree roots form unique natural paintings—scenes visitors can’t help but capture. Strolling through the coal mine park feels like stepping back a hundred years to old Jingting, attracting both adults and children to stop and take photos. Following the guidance of agriculture bureau rangers to seek out the shimmering firefly lights, the fresh air after rain makes the firefly activity even more vibrant.

 

The Agriculture Bureau also reminds firefly watchers to avoid using flashlights or other lighting devices as much as possible. If necessary to illuminate the path with a flashlight, please cover the light source with dark-colored cellophane in advance to reduce light pollution and avoid disturbing the fireflies. For clothing, it is recommended to wear lightweight, comfortable, and natural-colored long-sleeved shirts and pants to prevent mosquito bites. Photography enthusiasts should never use flash when taking pictures of fireflies, and camera tripods or other equipment must be carefully placed. Whether taking photos or watching fireflies, do not get close to their habitats, avoid trampling on grass and damaging vegetation, and never attempt to capture or harm fireflies for the sake of the perfect shot. Let us all work together to preserve the natural ecology of fireflies. Detailed information on recommended firefly-watching locations for the “2014 New Taipei City Firefly Feast” can be found on the official website of the New Taipei City Agriculture Bureau.

 

 

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