Where can you see fireflies in Nanjing? Don't miss these 6 great spots for a romantic summer night.

Preface

As a child, I fanned myself with a palm-leaf fan and nibbled on watermelon, a small courtyard filled with summer. Looking up, I could see a starry sky; looking down, I could see the flickering fireflies, quietly awakening the night and preserving my childhood.

Let us recreate the little beauties in our memories, become light chasers together, and start the midsummer firefly night. Save these great places to watch fireflies in Nanjing and check them out!

A little knowledge about fireflies

Another name for firefly

Fireflies, also known as night-light, night-shining fireflies, night candles, and night lights (each one is beautiful), are small beetles belonging to the family Lampyridae in the order Coleoptera. They are named fireflies because their tails emit fluorescence. There are nearly 2,000 species of these insects, with the most common in my country including the black firefly, the red firefly, and the window-breasted firefly.

Living habits

(1) Habitat

It is divided into two major categories: terrestrial and aquatic, with the former accounting for the majority.

Terrestrial firefly larvae tend to inhabit areas with high shade, lush vegetation, and high relative humidity. Aquatic fireflies, however, each stage has a distinct ecological niche; the pupal stage is spent near water. Adults, divided into male and female, are found in open water above water and on waterside vegetation. Eggs are laid on the shore.

(2) Activity time

The activity times of adult fireflies vary depending on the species. Some species are diurnal, while others are nocturnal. Generally speaking, most species begin their activity after sunset and cease activity around 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM. However, firefly larvae can remain active throughout the night.

Cause of luminescence

Adult fireflies use species-specific flash signals to locate and attract the opposite sex, thereby completing the mission of courtship, mating and reproduction. A few adult fireflies use flash signals to hunt, and another function is as a warning signal, that is, when fireflies are stimulated, they will emit bright light.

Recommended Firefly Viewing Spots

Linggu Temple

Recommendation index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Internet celebrity check-in)

Firefly viewing locations: Zhigong Temple, in front of Wuliang Temple, and along forest paths

Fireflies flit freely along paths and fences, and in the past two years, visiting Linggu Temple to see them has become a summer ritual. Every year at the end of June, when firefly breeding season arrives, we welcome the annual firefly festival at Linggu Temple.

Tips:

The entire Purple Mountain is a great place to watch fireflies. There are several places where you can see fireflies (Xiamafang, Liuhuixie, etc.). There are fewer people and more fireflies. Especially in recent years, more and more people have gone to Linggu Temple. These places have become private spots for watching fireflies!

Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum

Recommendation index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Firefly viewing locations: in front of Wenwufang Gate, Xiandian Hall, beside Shixiang Road, among the mountains and forests

Accompanied by the chirping of insects, angels of the night quietly appear, dancing through the forest. From afar, twinkling fireflies resemble a constellation of stars, or a Milky Way fallen to earth. The Hall of Worship and the Hall of Steles at the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum are surrounded by fireflies in 360 degrees. Amidst the twinkling lights, it feels like entering a secret, uncharted realm. Follow us to welcome this limited-edition summer experience.

Tushita Temple

Recommendation index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (just a little far)

Firefly viewing location: Doushuai Temple Stone Elephant

Located deep in the Laoshan National Forest, the temple is paved entirely with black glazed tiles, and even in the summer, fireflies are abundant. Along the paths and beside the stone statues, these adorable little elves flit around. On a dark night, a swarm of these tiny fireflies, dotting the forest floor, seems to be playing hide-and-seek.

Xuanwu Lake

Recommendation index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (convenient transportation)

Where to watch fireflies: Fireflies can be found wherever there are trees and water!

In the grove beside Xuanwu Lake, you can still see some faint fireflies. Although there are not as many as in Linggu Temple, it has convenient transportation and is close to the river, which is suitable for walks in the summer evening. You can inadvertently discover their presence in the dark grass.

Mufu Mountain

Recommendation index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Firefly viewing location: in the mountains and forests

Most of the fireflies in Nanjing are distributed at the foot of Purple Mountain. Fireflies can also be seen in Laoshan, Qixiashan, Fangshan and Mufushan. People take pictures here, hoping to record a moment in the short life of the fireflies, and also quietly keep this beauty of the midsummer night limited to July.

The Su Family

Recommendation index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Firefly viewing location: Bailu Lake, around the B&B

As night falls, Xiangban Sujia is illuminated by flocks of shimmering fireflies, creating a unique atmosphere of a rural midsummer night. To preserve this gift of nature, Xiangban Sujia has built a firefly conservation center to protect these precious "summer elves." Strolling through Xiangban Sujia at night, the trees on both sides of the road create a sense of depth and tranquility.

Nanjing Firefly Map

Nanjing is a rare city in the country that is suitable for the survival of fireflies. There are many places where you can see fireflies, such as in the bushes in residential areas, university campuses, and parks. At night, you can basically see fireflies flying everywhere.

Modern Express and the scientific expedition team conducted a detailed investigation of firefly species in Nanjing and created the first "firefly map," which is divided into the following categories:

Purple Mountain - Black Firefly, Yellow-veined Firefly, and Window Firefly

Xuanwu Lake - Striped Firefly

Ninghai Road - Yellow-veined Firefly

Maigao Bridge - Yellow-veined Firefly

Mufu Mountain - Yellow-winged Firefly

Laoshan - Firefly in the Chest Window

Longtan - Yellow-veined Firefly, Black Firefly

Lishui District - Lei's Firefly, Yellow-veined Firefly, Tianmu Mountain Female Firefly

Chest Window Firefly

Striped Firefly

Yellow-veined Firefly

Things to note when viewing fireflies

1. It is best to wear long sleeves and long pants to prevent mosquito bites;

2. Please turn off any light sources during viewing, including mobile phones, flashlights, camera flashes, lighters, etc. The light emitted by them will disrupt the light signals of adult fireflies' courtship and will also scare the fireflies.

3. The flashlight used for lighting should be covered with red cellophane, as red light has little effect on fireflies;

4. The life of an elf is very short. Please do not make noise or try to catch it when watching.