At around March every year, a large number of tourists flock to Hualien to follow the enchanting glow of fireflies. This year, in addition to visiting the traces of these delicate visitors, you can also participate in the “Star Sea Hualien” series of activities promoted by the Hualien County Government, and take part in astronomy-related sustainable and low-carbon tourism that links the starry sky across the four seasons. Now collect the most breathtaking starry skies into your most unforgettable travel memories.
Text/ Liu, Chun-Hui
Image/ Editorial Office and Chen, Tzu-Yao
The Largest and Earliest Spot to Appreciate Fireflies|Danongdafu Forest Park
The Danongdafu Forest Park, located in Guangfu Township, was formerly a sugar cane plantation that spanned an area of 1,250 hectares, which is equivalent to the area of 48 Da'an Forest Parks in Taipei. Nowadays, the plantation has been transformed into a park featuring well-planned bikeways. With two wheels, one can spend a whole day nestled amongst the forest, installation art and lush greenery. After the firefly viewing season begins, visitors can take a special firefly viewing bus to the area while supporting sustainable tourism. Here, one can listen to the interpretation of professional guides, and purchase local specialty souvenirs. Even better, be spellbound by the starry night sky and the glow of fireflies accompanied by the chirping of birds and insects.
Not far from Danongdafu Forest Park lies the Matai’an Leisure Agricultural Park, which is also a popular spot for firefly viewing. With the romantic and leisurely immersive firefly viewing services provided by local restaurants, you can enjoy tasty delights amidst nature. As the sky gets darker, glows of light seem to float in the air all around you, as if you are in a river of flowing fireflies.
INFO|Danongdafu Forest Park Visitor Center
Address: No. 31, Nongchang Road, Guangfu Township, Hualien County
Telephone:03-8700870#9
Business hours:08:00-17:00(Closed on Mondays)
Activity time: 2023 Danongdafu Forest Park Firefly Viewing Event Time 03/11-04/09, please contact 03-8325141#262 for more information.
Lavatory:Yes
INFO|Matai’an Leisure Agricultural Park
Address: No. 60, Daquan Street, Guangfu Township, Hualien County
Telephone:03-8701861
Business hours:10:00-17:00
Activity time: Fireflies Seasons Feast Time 03/17-05/07, please contact 0975-350520 for more information.
Lavatory:Yes
Beauty Beyond Words|Fuyuan National Forest Recreation Area
The Fuyuan National Forest Recreation Area, known as the largest camphor forest recreation area in Taiwan, boasts 70 hectares of planted camphor trees in the park. Because of the excellent water quality and unpolluted natural environment, there are more than 30 species of butterflies to be found in the recreation area, earning it the moniker “Butterfly Valley.”
In addition to viewing butterflies, fireflies, which also need a clean environment, can also be found breeding in the park. There are nearly 20 species of fireflies here, and at night, one can marvel at the beauty of fireflies along the trails, suspension bridges, forests, and valleys. The glowing light stretching from near to far offers an enchanting moment of respite from the worries of life. When you come to Fuyuan, besides appreciating fireflies at night, you can also explore the many loop trails around the mountain and the Fuyuan River that runs through the whole recreation area. There are also many interesting rock formations between the stream beds and intermittent hot spring waterfalls and other natural attractions. The Longyin Suspension Bridge and the Fuyuan Suspension Bridge, which were renovated and opened last year, are definitely worth visiting and keeps drawing visitors back for more!
INFO|Fuyuan National Forest Recreation Area
Address: No. 161, Guangdong Road, Fuyuan Village, Ruisui Township, Hualien County
Telephone:03-8812377
Business hours:08:00-17:00
※Full price ticket NT$150, concession ticket NT$75
Activity time: 2023 Springtime Firefly Viewing Feast Event Period: 04/01–05/01, please contact 03-8812377 for more information.
Lavatory:Yes
Encounter Fireflies in Quiet Whispers and Serenity|Liyu Lake
Liyu Lake is one of the closest and most accessible scenic spots from Hualien city. The lake is named after its location at the foot of Liyu Mountain in Shoufeng Township. Over the years, thanks to the concerted efforts of the county government, the abundant tourism facilities around the lake include cycling trails, forest trails, and camping areas, which not only attract tourists from all over Taiwan, but also serve as a popular picnic spot for local Hualieners.
The pure and pollution-free environment makes it possible to spot fireflies around Liyu Lake from March to November, but April to May is when the fireflies are in abundance. Every year, the East Rift Valley National Scenic Area Administration organizes the “Liyu Lake Firefly Viewing Season,” arranging professional volunteers to guide and explain the firefly ecology, and providing shuttle buses for firefly viewing. This is not only in line with the core concept of low-carbon tourism, but also offers visitors an easy way to encounter the fireflies flying around in the quiet whispers of the mountains and forests.
INFO|Liyu Lake Visitor Center
Address: No.100, Huantan North Road, Chihnan Village, Shoufeng Township, Hualien County
Telephone:03-8641691
Business hours:08:30-17:30
Activity time: 2023 Liyu Lake Firefly Viewing Season is held every Friday and Saturday from 04/07–05/06, please contact 03-8875306#668 for more information.
Lavatory:Yes
Nostalgia While Viewing Fireflies|Chihnan National Forest Recreation Area
Chihnan National Forest Recreation Area, not far from Liyu Lake, used to be a logging site for the Mugua Mountain Logging Site managed by the Forestry Bureau, but now the forest is being conserved and logging is no longer done. However, there are still rich forestry cultural assets in the recreation area, such as a steam locomotive train or the diesel-powered skidders with chains. With historical relics that have survived for a century, when exploring the forest trails, one can’t help but imagine the scene of “logging” back then.
The rich natural environment surrounded by mountains and forests creates a prime natural habitat for fireflies. At night, amidst the faint sound of the gurgling stream, one can tread along a trail to explore the wonders of nature and feel the romantic atmosphere surrounded by glittering river streams. During the seasonal firefly viewing activities, the Chihnan National Forest Recreation Area offers admissions for parents and children, friends, and couples in batches, so that visitors of all ages can have an unforgettable experience.
INFO|Chihnan National Forest Recreation Area
Address: No. 65, Linyuan Road, Shoufeng Township, Hualien County
Telephone:03-8641594
Business hours:08:00-17:00
※Full price NT$40 (weekdays)/NT$50 (weekends)
Activity time: 2023 Dazzling Firefly Viewing Event Period: 03/31–05/06, please contact 03-8641594#13 for more information.
Lavatory:Yes