Taipei Travel

TAIPEI #43 (2026 Spring)

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Where to See Fireflies
Best Places in Taipei to Spot Light-Emitting Bugs

TEXT & PHOTOS　VISION

When thinking of Taipei's "nightlife," visiting a dark park to watch insects might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But if you're a nature lover, you'll be delighted to find that viewing fireflies is remarkably easy to do in this fascinating, big and busy, city.



In Taipei City there are about a dozen locations where you can spot firef lies (best time: April and May). Among these, Daan Park and Rongxing Garden Park, both located in central Taipei, are great examples of successful firefly reintroductions into the urban environment. A bit outside the center, Muzha Park is a natural oasis close to residential areas, while other locations such as the Hushan Creek Trail and Yangmingshan National Park's Yangming Creek are on the edge of, or further away, from the urban sprawl.

What Are Fireflies?

Fireflies, also known as lightning bugs or glowworms, are soft-bodied beetles in the Lampyridae family. There are 2,400 described species, many of which are light-emitting as adults (all firefly larvae glow), mainly during twilight hours. In Taiwan, around 65 firefly species can be found, from the coastal plains to the high mountains, throughout the year. In Taipei City, you have the chance to spot five different species, the most common of which is Aquatica ficta. For the casual entomophile, these species might be somewhat difficult to distinguish, but if you see an elongated bug with an orange pronotum ("head shield") and black wings during the daytime, chances are you're looking at a firefly.


Aquatica ficta

How Come There Are Fireflies in Taipei's Parks?

Taipei is a densely populated metropolis with abundant artificial light at night and various other factors that should scare away creatures like firef lies, which are highly sensitive to light pollution. It is therefore remarkable (some say miraculous) that they were successfully introduced through conservation efforts to Daan Park and Rongxing Garden Park. Both of these parks feature small ecological sanctuaries with native wild plants and eco-ponds.

The initiative was undertaken in Daan Park in 2014 with the creation of an environment suitable for these bugs, including the installation of special LED streetlights invisible to them. In 2016, fireflies were spotted in the park for the first time in 24 years.

At Rongxing Garden Park, a tiny firefly population had managed to survive over the years, but it was the building of an eco-pond in 2015 and continued protection efforts by residents and volunteers that allowed the glowworms to thrive. During the peak season for firefly watching in April and May, there are free guided tours in both parks.



Firefly Watching Do's and Don'ts

Since fireflies are such precious, vulnerable insects, the priority on any firefly-watching outing is not to harm or negatively impact them in any way. In particular, the use of lights, including any light-emitting items such as kids' shoes with LED lights, should be avoided as much as possible. If a flashlight is needed to see the way, a less harmful red LED is recommended. Stay on paths, don't try to catch the bugs, don't use insect repellent, and don't smoke. Also, move slowly and keep quiet to minimize vibrations.



Tips for photographers: arrive before it gets dark to set up your camera, and use a tripod with a long exposure.

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Daan Park | 大安森林公園
Hushan Creek Trail | 虎山溪步道
Muzha Park | 木柵公園
Rongxing Garden Park | 榮星花園公園
Yangming Creek | 陽明溪