By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Network Editorial Team
Renowned for its beautiful mountains and clear waters, Miaoli boasts not only rich and stunning landscapes but also many unpolluted environments that nurture precious ecological resources, making it perfect for families to explore deeply together. During the transition from spring to summer, a firefly eco-tour is an absolute must-do.
● Dawo Mountain
Located in the mountainous area of Dawo in Dahu Township, Miaoli, the main residential villages are situated in a mountainous region that still retains a fairly pristine appearance. When the firefly viewing season arrives, the Dawo area often gathers around 100,000 fireflies at once, creating a spectacular scene that can truly be described as “filling every nook and cranny”!
During the firefly season, Dawo area is filled with an astonishing number of fireflies (Image source / hcomt)
The firefly viewing areas on Dawo Mountain are mainly concentrated near Wangzhongye Temple. The firefly season roughly coincides with the blooming period of tung blossoms. Here you can enjoy the flowers during the day and watch the glowing fireflies at night. Nearby, there are also distinctive attractions such as streams, cliffs, ancient irrigation channels, and old vines, making it worth a visit to experience the unspoiled natural beauty.
● Nanzhuang
Nanzhuang is one of the favorite tourist spots for many people. Its old street, refined dining and homestays, and pristine mountain scenery all leave a deep impression. One of Nanzhuang’s features is its well-preserved natural environment. Coupled with fish conservation efforts in the Penglai Creek, it provides an ideal habitat for fireflies, making it a quite famous spot for firefly watching.
Miaoli Penglai Creek, with its clean and clear water, is very suitable for firefly habitation (Image provided / Ink Publishing)
Around April and May, in the higher-altitude mountainous areas of Nanzhuang—where it's more humid and overgrown with grass—fireflies tend to gather in larger numbers. You might consider contacting nearby homestays or farms, as operators usually offer themed package tours during the firefly season. These packages cover meals, accommodation, and guided tours, ensuring a safe and ideal location for firefly viewing.
● Sanyi
The Sanyi area in Miaoli is a quite well-known tourist destination. With its woodcarving crafts, Shengxing Railway Station, Longteng Broken Bridge, April Snow Trail, Charcoal Carrying Ancient Path, and Firewood Carrying Ancient Path, along with the vibrantly expressed Hakka culture, it attracts large numbers of visitors every holiday. This season, you can also enjoy the firefly ecology here!
Longteng Broken Bridge (Image provided / Ink Publishing)
During the peak season of firefly activity in the Sanyi mountainous area, you can spot fireflies along the roadside on the way from Shengxing Railway Station to Shengheng Temple at night, where there is no light pollution. Remember to turn off your headlights when stopping to view them. At night, immerse yourself in this Hakka village of Sanyi, dancing with fireflies, and enjoy a feast of culture and ecology.
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