Where is the best place to see fire flies in Taiwan and when can you see them?

Question

I'm planning a trip around asia pasific

If any1 can tell me a place closer to Taipei to see the fire-flies in a beautiful place it would be really a big help!

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

I thought they only lived near clean water. Its early June here in Japan.

Answer 2

If you're going to be in and around Taipei then perhaps Yi-Lan might be better. I've heard that you can see fire flies there but I don't know the specifics - perhaps someonr will be kind and fill you in on the details?

Answer 3

DongShr Ling Tsan (Dong Shr Forest Park) near Taichung is fairly famous for its clouds of fireflies at night when the season hits. And it does have alot- thats where it gets its cash from. Of course, it being Taiwan- famous means clouds of people coming with their crying kids and their BS 'ghost' theories with you, while an annoyed looking guide tries to shut all the morons up. (This unfortunately is a side effect of crowding- it leads to collective intelligence loss) That being said, if you wander a bit away from the tour groups there is an amazing amount of beautiful fireflies to be seen there. Dong Shr is one of the older facilities in Taiwan and is actually better seen at night. (i say 3 out 5 experientially- a safe bet but not exactly romantic. Almost like watching it on TV or on your computer.)

A good idea to see them (in a more romantic setting) is to go up to any quiet mountain road near a stream and sit tight for a bit, during late April to early May. This is assuming you have someone with you. You are very likely to see some around. It is very beautiful and nice in the darkness of the mountains in Taiwan, if you can escape the areas with heavy light pollution. The best method is to just drive on your scooter, (stay on one road so you can find your way back) up into the mountains.

Eventually the road will pass a brook, (every mountain road passes countless brooks) and you can get off and wander by the brook. Of course you may end up seeing nothing at all but hungry mosquitos if you do it this way, but having a good night hike and looking at stars is part of the magic. Hunting is part of what makes actually seeing fireflies magical. (the pleasure varies based on your experience- 2 to 5 out of 5 experientially.) This puts the onus of the experience on you and your travel partner.

---Edit 2 days later:
If you want to see fireflies near Taipei, check out the North East Scenic Route at night- take the hiway towards KeeLung and watch for the sign North East Coastal Scenic Route before you drive into KeeLung (it is a traffic nightmare inside Keelung so try VERY hard to see the sign and get the exit if you are driving.) There are a few streams along this road. maybe some fireflies hang out there at night. If nothing else it is still a pretty drive.

Here is a chinese site for DongShr I missed last time:
http://www.tsfa.com.tw/index2.htm

HA! Dug up an english site -thanks to my wife ;)-
http://dongshih.forest.gov.tw/ehtml/page001.asp

-dunno if the above site has anything related to fireflies but its pretty cool.

Answer 4

June or July. You can see them in the mountains. My wife's family and I have gone up into the mountains many times during those months and seen fireflies. It really doesn't matter where, but I hear that the northeast is best, but it was only told to me so I'm not certain.