Follow the Fireflies’ Trail: A Complete Guide to Firefly-Watching Spots Across Taiwan

FunTime Editorial Team

Every year between April and May, fireflies emerge in great numbers. When night falls, they light up the surroundings like tiny glowing lamps as they flit through the grass—not only for mating but also to warn off predators. In recent years, “firefly-watching” has become a popular nighttime eco-tourism activity. We’ve specially compiled a list of the best firefly-watching spots and tips across Taiwan. Come with us to admire the adorable “fire gold aunties” (as they’re affectionately called) as they emit their loving glow.

If you want to enjoy a romantic firefly experience in Taipei, Yangmingshan’s Tianxi Garden is the place to go. Located on the southeastern edge of Yangmingshan National Park, the garden features numerous streams converging, with small and large waterfalls cascading down. The area is covered in dense forests and boasts a rich variety of plant species, making it an incredibly abundant ecosystem. There are even over 10 different species of fireflies in the entire park.

The Yangmingshan National Park Headquarters especially organizes three firefly-watching sessions in May, where guides will lead you into the mysterious world of glowing lights. Additionally, the end of April coincides with the Yangmingshan Calla Lily Season. We recommend planning a day trip to pick calla lilies during the day, then admiring fireflies at night, and staying overnight at a hot spring hotel. It’s truly a super fulfilling day.

■ Firefly-Watching Season: April to June
■ Recommended Events: 2018 Yangmingshan National Park Tianxi Garden Firefly-Watching Event / 2018 Campfire, Butterflies & Fireflies Festival
■ Event Dates: 2018.04.10 to 2018.05.31 / 2018.04.21 to 2018.05.27
■ Event Locations: Yangmingshan National Park / Qian Die Valley Eco-Farm
■ Transportation: Take the Tamsui Line of the MRT to Jiantan or Shilin Station, then transfer to Red 5 or Bus 260 to head up the mountain.

Surrounded by mountains, Wulai is rich in vegetation and unpolluted, with a wide variety of firefly species. From the end of April to early June each year, you can see sparkling streams of light flowing through the valleys, a breathtaking sight.

From 4/30 to 6/12, Wulai’s “Yunxian Amusement Park” will also hold the “2018 Yunxian Cue Summer Firefly Fun.” The park has a dedicated firefly-watching trail where you can observe the firefly ecology up close. It’s perfect for family-friendly two-day trips. While visiting Wulai to see fireflies, you can also enjoy a soak in the hot springs—super relaxing.

■ Firefly-Watching Season: April to June
■ Recommended Event: 2018 Yunxian Cue Summer Firefly Fun
■ Event Dates: 2017.04.28 to 2018.06.30
■ Transportation:

1. Taipei Railway Station → Xin Dian Bus (Wulai Line) → Wulai (transfer to the forest railway) → Yunxian Amusement Park

2. Take Xin Dian Bus (Taipei–Wulai Line, Bus 849)

3. Xin Dian MRT Station → Transfer to Xin Dian Bus to Wulai → Wulai Station (transfer to the forest railway or walk) → Yunxian Amusement Park

Tucheng has recently achieved fruitful results in firefly conservation, leading to a significant increase in their population. “Chengtian Temple” is a famous spot for firefly-watching. From there, you can gaze at the Tamsui River in the distance and view Guanyin Mountain up close, making it a great place for a nature outing.

Even better, the firefly season coincides with the blooming of tung flowers. You can first visit “Chengtian Temple” to enjoy the mountain and river scenery, then follow the trail to “Tucheng Tung Blossom Park.” The park features safe and accessible firefly-watching paths, making it worry-free even when bringing children or elderly companions.

■ Firefly-Watching Season: April to May
■ Transportation: Take the Brown Line (Ban-Nan Line) of the MRT to Yongning Station, and walk out via the Chengtian Road exit to reach the site.

Kenting’s She Ding Tribal Area is flanked by Kenting National Forest Recreation Area on one side and She Ding Nature Park on the other, boasting extremely rich ecology. From April to August each year, it’s the peak season for fireflies. She Ding Nature Park mainly features coral reef forest terrain, dotted with grasslands and diverse flora and fauna, along with attractions like Wanghai Pavilion and One-Line Sky. Its unique geographical location makes it a great spot for viewing fireflies. Now, the She Ding Tribe has planned a series of eco-tours, where tribal guides will lead you into the vibrant nocturnal world of She Ding.

■ Firefly-Watching Season: April to August
■ Recommended Activity: She Ding Tribal Eco-Tourism
■ Transportation: Take National Freeway No. 3, exit at Nan Zhou Interchange, enter Provincial Highway No. 1 via the connector road, pass through Fangliao and Fangshan, turn onto Provincial Highway No. 26 at Fenggang, continue through Checheng and Hengchun, and enter through the main gate of Kenting Forest Recreation Area. Follow the signs to reach She Ding Park.

The Dongwo Creek in Hsinchu’s Neiwan Valley is a great spot for firefly watching, featuring a specially designed firefly ecological area with well-maintained and safe walking trails. On clear nights, the sheer number of fireflies can be truly breathtaking. During weekends, free guided tours are available in the afternoon at the Neiwan Railway Station and in the evening at the entrance to the firefly-watching trail.

During the day in Neiwan, you can also stroll through the old street to experience Hakka culture. Walking along the Nanping Ancient Trail, which connects two suspension bridges, not only lets you admire the tung blossom but also offers different views of Neiwan—perfect for a family weekend outing.

■ Firefly Season: April–May
■ Recommended Event: 2018 Hsinchu County Neiwan Firefly Festival, which also features local wild ginger flower zongzi and Hakka vegetable buns.

■ Transportation:

1. National Freeway No. 1 > Exit at Zhudong-Qionglin Interchange, head toward Zhudong or Hengshan, and follow the signs to Neiwan.

2. National Freeway No. 3 > Exit at Zhulin Interchange, then follow County Highway 120 south and connect to Provincial Highway 3 to reach Neiwan.

Dongshih Forest Farm is considered one of the most beautiful forest gardens in central Taiwan, covering an expansive 225 hectares. From March to May each year is the firefly-watching season, and the firefly activity here is especially vibrant. During the peak period (mid-April to end of April), you can see hundreds of thousands of fireflies dancing in swarms—it's spectacular. At the same time, the blooming tung flowers attract many visitors.

■ Firefly Season: Mid-March to Mid-May
■ Recommended Activity: 2018 Firefly Season Nighttime Events
■ Event Period: April 1 – May 1, 2018
■ Transportation: After exiting at Fengyuan Interchange on National Freeway No. 4, turn left, then go via Fengshi Road and cross Dongshi Bridge into Dongshi Town. Follow Shilin Street to enter Dongshih Forest Farm.

Nantou’s Aowanda Forest Recreation Area boasts rich and diverse ecological resources, complete vegetation, and a cool, humid climate—making it a natural habitat for fireflies. Thirteen species of fireflies have been found living and breeding here.

Every year from April to May, large numbers of black-winged fireflies can be seen twinkling through the forest, illuminating the nights of Aowanda. This romantic scene draws many visitors up the mountain each year. The two-day, one-night firefly-watching event even includes a shuttle service from Taichung High-Speed Rail Station—friends in central Taiwan shouldn’t miss this chance.

■ Firefly Season: April–May
■ Recommended Event: 2018 Nantou Aowanda Firefly Festival
■ Event Dates: April 1, 2018 – June 30, 2018
■ Transportation: Exit at Wufeng System Interchange on National Freeway No. 3 (214K) → Take National Freeway No. 6 to Puli → Turn left onto Provincial Highway 14 → Wushe → Turn right onto County Road 83 → Aowanda.

When people think of Lugu, they often picture the fairy-tale-like Wangyou Forest, but every spring, Lugu Township is filled with countless stars waiting to be admired.

■ Firefly Season: April–May
■ Recommended Event: 2018 Lugu Township Firefly Festival
■ Event Dates: Saturdays and evenings during April 10–30, 2017

In Yunlin’s Gukeng Dahua Mountain area, there are over 20 firefly habitats, with numbers increasing year by year. Aside from spots like Shanzhu Lake, Guilin, and the landslide education area, you can spot fireflies almost anywhere along the mountain roads. This attracts large crowds, and enjoying local specialty coffee while admiring the beautiful fireflies in Yunlin’s Gukeng is a real treat.

■ Firefly Season: March 17 – April 15
■ Recommended Event: 2018 Yunlin Gukeng Township Firefly Festival
■ Transportation: Exit at Douliu Interchange on National Freeway No. 1, then turn onto Provincial Highway 1 toward Douliu’s Pingcheng Road. Connect to Routes 158A and 158B to arrive.

Meiling is a major firefly habitat in Tainan, home to a wide variety of species. During the transition from spring to summer, you can see beautiful firefly lights flickering and dancing in the mountains. The firefly-watching season will kick off at Wulong Trail on April 23, along with more themed activities. Since it coincides with the plum season, couples or families visiting Meiling can enjoy both plums and fireflies.

■ Firefly Season: April to May
■ Recommended Activity: 2018 Tainan Nansi Meiling Firefly Festival
■ Best Firefly Spot: Wulong Trail at Chushui Pit
■ Transportation: Exit at Xinhua Interchange, follow Provincial Highway 20 toward Yujing and Nansi, then turn right onto Township Road South 188 to reach Meiling Scenic Area.

Alishan boasts rich natural ecology and is one of the best firefly-viewing spots, where tens of thousands of fireflies can be seen gathering and flying through the forests from April to June. Starting this April, four batches of the “Spring–Summer Firefly Viewing” and four batches of “Trail Exploration” events will be held to allow everyone to enjoy the beauty of fireflies.

Additionally, the Renshou Community Development Association, the Dingbenzi Recreation Area in Guanguang Village, Zhushan Township, and the “Blue Tribe” Liujia Community Development Association also organize related guided tours, offering visitors a variety of options to choose from.

■ Firefly Season: April to June
■ Transportation: Exit at Chiayi Interchange, follow County Highway 159 to Chiayi City, then take Wufeng South (or North) Road or Mituo Road to connect to Provincial Highway 18. Follow signs through Chukou, Latou, and Shizhuo to reach Alishan.

Sun Moon Lake’s mountain-surrounded and water-rich natural environment is highly suitable for firefly reproduction. Fireflies can be spotted in many areas within the Sun Moon Lake region, such as Puli Taomi Community, Yuchi Lotus Pond Forest, Toucheng, and Xinyi Township’s Tanan Village. Many local hotels and homestays also offer firefly-viewing tours.

The Sun Moon Lake firefly-viewing event kicked off on April 9th—those looking to enjoy both the lake and the fireflies should hurry up and plan their trip soon.

■ Firefly Season: April to May
■ Recommended Activity: 2018 Sun Moon Lake Firefly Festival
■ Transportation: Exit at Caotun Interchange, take Provincial Highway 14 to Caotun, then via Puli and Provincial Highway 21 to Yuchi to reach Sun Moon Lake.

1. When using a flashlight at night, attach red cellophane to avoid light pollution that could harm fireflies.

2. Never try to catch fireflies by hand—they may die from being startled or touched.

3. The best time for firefly viewing is between 6:00 PM and 8:30 PM.

4. Firefly viewing is not ideal during rainy weather or when the moon is full at night.

5. Wear rain boots or cloth shoes to prevent snake bites, and avoid entering grassy areas carelessly.

6. Wear long pants and long sleeves, and apply mosquito repellent to avoid insect bites.

Recommended Reading:

1. Set up your tripod first.

2. Use manual focus mode.

3. Open the aperture to its maximum.

4. Adjust the ISO value appropriately.

5. Adjust the exposure time appropriately.

6. Always turn off the flash. (Fireflies are sensitive to light—protect them well!)

Recommended Reading:

After checking out these 12 great firefly-watching spots for 2018, I wonder if everyone’s luggage is packed yet? 0The glowing fireflies are indeed beautiful, but we’d like to remind you not to catch them—please take good care of these lovely creatures so we can continue to enjoy their magical glow year after year!

[FunTime Travel Recommendation] Authorized Repost | Original Source: [2018 Taiwan Firefly-Watching Spots Guide]