TAIPEI (Taiwan News) -- Warm weather in the early summer heralds the coming of the firefly breeding season as well as the season of firefly viewing.
Taipei’s Parks and Street Lights Office (PSLO) is inviting members of the public to view fireflies at Tsuei Lake (萃湖) located to the south of Muzha Park (木柵公園), Wenshan District, between 6:40 p.m. and 8 p.m. from April 15 to May 5. Advance registration is not necessary.
PSLO director Chen Rong-xing (陳榮興) attributed the success of firefly restoration at Tsuei Lake to the dedication of volunteers and Wenshan Community College to maintaining the lake, and the lake's rare natural environment and clean water. Chen praised the lake as a secret place and a rare gem of the city.
As Tsuei Lake is an ecological restoration area, measures have been put in place to reduce light in the area. The agency reminds the public to pause at the entrance to let their eyes adjust to the dark before entering. The agency also pleads with the public to follow "the four No's": Don’t catch, don’t interfere, don’t shine light, and don’t leave the boardwalk.
Taiwan's late-President Chiang Kai-shek built a villa near Tsuei Lake and used to take a walk around the lake with Madame Chiang. It was also said that Chiang used to row a boat on the lake.
The PLSO urged visitors to come by public transportation. They are recommended to take bus routes 237, 253, 611, or 671, get off at Muzha Park Stop, and walk two minutes to the park; or take routes 294, 647, 660, 666, 915, 933, or Brown 6, get off at Tsai Hsing School Stop (再興中學站), then walk six minutes to the park.
The address of the park is: No. 50, Section 4, Hsing Lung Road, Wenshan District, Taipei City (台北市文山區興隆路4段50號).
Tsuei Lake. (水水萃湖Facebook photo)
Fireflies at Tsuei Lake. (Taipei Public Works Department/CNA photo)