See you at the west bank of Bitan Bridgehead on April 21 and 22 for a guided firefly-watching tour!

By Wei Ruyu, compiled and reported

It's prime time to admire fireflies again this year. The New Taipei City Tourism Bureau recommends spring hiking and firefly-watching trails. On the evening of April 21 and 22 at 6 p.m. at the west bank of Bitan Suspension Bridge in Xindian, the Taiwan Society of Natural Technology will provide professional guides for firefly observation. Additionally, local native nectar plants and live community butterflies will be on display. Zhang Shengxian, chairman of the Taiwan Society of Natural Technology, said: "Heimei Mountain is designed with principles of natural aesthetics and ecological engineering. Ecological stone paths have been laid to separate people from insects and ensure protective weeding, achieving outstanding ecological conservation effects. The area is teeming with fireflies—an exceptionally rare urban natural ecosystem. Everyone is welcome to come and admire the fireflies and butterflies, and experience the beauty of nature!"

The “Heimei Mountain Firefly Trail” begins with a meetup at the west bank of Bitan Suspension Bridge, then proceeds to Bitan Grand Buddha Temple and Meizhi Cheng Community. The round trip is about 2 kilometers and takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours. If visitors wish to go firefly watching on other dates, they can take the Xindian Line of the MRT to “Xindian Station,” transfer to Green 6 Bus and get off at “Meizhi Cheng Station,” then walk up Yongye Road Lane 81 for five minutes to reach the site. Firefly watchers are advised to wear long sleeves and pants to avoid mosquito bites, and not wear sandals or flip-flops. While bringing a flashlight for night walking is recommended, lights must be turned off during firefly viewing to avoid disturbing their habitat.

Additionally, a series of firefly-watching events are being held in Shuangxi District, New Taipei City, including at Pinglin Farm, Camellia Villa, Shanglin Elementary School, Mudan Elementary School, and the Shuangxi Eco-Tourism Association. For event details, visit the Shuangxi District Office website (www.shuangxi.ntpc.gov.tw) and check the “Welcome to the Firefly Light” special section. New Taipei Travel’s FACEBOOK page is also coordinating a second “Fan Meetup” on the evening of April 26 at 6 p.m. at Heimei Mountain in Xindian, as part of its firefly night tour program. Twenty groups (with one guest each) are expected to be selected, targeting photography enthusiasts who want to capture the beautiful springtime “firefly rivers” under the night sky.

This year’s firefly season will peak from now until mid-May. Those interested in learning more about hiking and firefly-watching tours can visit the New Taipei City Tourism Website (tour.ntpc.gov.tw) and the New Taipei Travel Facebook fan page.

●  Read more: A Photographic Journey Through New Taipei City’s Light and Shadow

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