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[WEEKEND GETAWAY] Brighten up your summer night with fireflies

Published: 28 Jul. 2023, 19:58

The Midsummer Night's Firefly Experience Program at the training center of Lost Valley Safari of Everland in Yongin, Gyeonggi, includes storytelling sessions about a firefly's life cycle and entertaining activities. [EVERLAND]

Away from the intense summer heat of the day, the cooler nights are the favorite part of the day for many people. The breezy air and the scent of wet leaves make a night walk more special. If you stroll around wet, wooded areas at night, you may have a lucky encounter with fireflies, natural light producers.

This airborne bug is no longer easily spotted in Korea's metropolitan areas due to light pollution and climate change. However, no matter how hard it may be, there is always a way to spot a firefly or two — maybe even up to 10,000 of them at once.

If you are curious about how you can see this endangered species in such volume, here are four recommendations by the Korea JoongAng Daily. Be prepared to see the magical light performances of these soft-bodied beetles.

Everland, Midsummer Night's Firefly Experience Program
에버랜드 '한여름밤의 반딧불이 체험'

Everland in Yongin, Gyeonggi, runs a firefly experience program at the training center of its Lost Valley Safari. [EVERLAND]

Currently, the massive hype around Fu Bao, Everland's beloved giant panda, might be the biggest reason for visiting Korea's largest theme park, Everland, in Yongin, Gyeonggi. However, many are unaware that the park's Lost Valley Safari is running Midsummer Night's Firefly Experience Program at its training center. The program includes storytelling sessions about a firefly's life cycle and how it is reared, not to mention entertaining activities like reading books in the dark, relying on the light from fireflies, and walking through the park's Firefly Forest, where visitors can see 10,000 fireflies light up a pitch-dark room of 165 square meters (1,776 square feet).

The program requires a separate ticket, but visitors can get a package ticket that covers both the amusement park and the program. The event runs until Aug. 27. Make sure to take off all electronic gadgets that may ruin your experience before entering the Firefly Forest. The program lasts for around half an hour.

Everland Lost Valley
@witheverland
495-5 Jeondae-ri, Pogok-eup, Cheoin District, Yongin, Gyeonggi (경기 용인시 처인구 포곡읍 전대리 495-5)
Opening hours: 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (runs until Aug. 27)
Admission fee: 10,000 won ($7.8) to 15,000 won depending on the dates. Check the official website for pricing details.
Phone number: 031-320-5000
https://www.everland.com/web/everland/now/experience/1224778_12004.html

Muju Firefly Festival
무주 반딧불축제

Muju Firefly Festival in Muju County, North Jeolla. [MUJU COUNTY]

Muju County, North Jeolla, is the nation's only county where fireflies have been designated as a natural monument. Since being registered as the Natural Monument No. 322 in 1982, Muju's fireflies have been playing a large part in the region's cultural identity. This year, Muju hosts the 27th Muju Firefly Festival from Sept. 2 to Sept. 10. This nine-day festival consists of various attractions and events, including parades, performances, fireworks and many more.

Children hold and observe fireflies at Muju Firefly Festival. [MUJU COUNTY]

Since the festival highlights Muju's quality as a healing trip destination, it also holds events that cater to travelers, such as hot air balloon tours and picnic events. They are mostly nature-friendly activities accommodating people of all age groups and are family-oriented. However, the festival isn't only about tranquility and peace. This year, a water splash festival will take place where visitors can get outdoor fun and enjoy aquatic activities. Early bird tickets go on sale on Aug. 10.

@fireflymuju
15 Choebuk-ro Muju-eup, Muju County, North Jeolla (전북 무주군 무주읍 최북로 15, 지남공원 일대)
The 27th Muju Firefly Festival runs from Sept. 2 to Sept. 10.
Early reservation starts on Aug. 10, 10 a.m.
Phone number: 063-324-2440
Website: https://www.firefly.or.kr/

Yeongyang Firefly Eco Park
영양군 반딧불이생태공원

Yeongyang Firefly Eco Park, in Yeongyang County, North Gyeongsang, surprises visitors with the clear starry sky. [YEONGYANG COUNTY]

Yeongyang Firefly Eco Park shows why Yeongyang County, North Gyeongsang, is known for its fireflies, with the county's night sky also well-known to be exceptionally clear and dark. In fact, the International Dark-Sky Association designated an area of this park as the first International Dark Sky Park in Asia in October 2015. Visitors can observe the Milky Way and stars here thanks to the internationally recognized sky transparency.

The Firefly Observatory in the park allows visitors to gaze at the stars and fireflies in the dark. So even if you miss the chance to be surrounded by fireflies, you can still have fun looking at the starry night sky.

If you plan to visit Yeongyang for a starry night tour to see fireflies, consider stopping by the nearby Suha Valley to observe its well-preserved natural landscape during the day. It's only a six-minute walk from the Firefly Eco Park, and walking further will lead you to the Firefly Eco Forest, where clean air awaits you.

129 Banditburi-ro, Subi-myeon, Yeongyang County, North Gyeongsang (경북 영양군 수비면 반딧불이로 129 영양반딧불이생태학교)
Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Extended operation hours until Aug. 15), 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., 7:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. (General operation time) Tickets sold up to one hour before closing. Break from noon to 1 p.m.
Closed on Mondays
Admission fee: Firefly Astronomical Observatory, 4,000 won for adults (ages 19 and above), 3,000 won for adolescents (ages 5-18). Discounts are available for groups of 20 or more people.
For additional charges on respective programs, visit the official website.
Phone number: 054-680-5332
Website: https://www.yyg.go.kr/np, http://www.suhaecotour.com/

Gildong Ecological Park
길동생태공원

Gildong Ecological Park in Gangdong District, southern Seoul, is a habitat for around 2,800 species. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Gildong Ecological Park in Gangdong District, eastern Seoul, is the apt place to head to if you don't have enough time and energy to head far away from the metropolitan area. Sadly, real-life fireflies can no longer be seen this year at the park since its annual firefly program ended earlier in July, but the park's exhibition on fireflies stays open all year long at its experience center.

The more than 20-acre park offers many attractions, including the Firefly Experience Center, marsh zone, woodland zone and observatories. The park is also home to approximately 2,800 species, including birds commonly found in cities and animals that are spotted in natural surroundings.

Those who wish to visit have to make an online reservation through the park's official website. The park only allows up to 600 visitors per day to keep the park clean and minimize damage, with groups of thirty to sixty admitted per session. The online reservation opens every 25th of the month to book a slot for the following month. There is no admission fee. If you are keen on going to the park's annual firefly festival, keep updated with the park's website for next year's announcements. You may even get the chance to carry one with your during your visit.

1291 Cheonho-daero, Gangdong District, eastern Seoul (서울 강동구 천호대로 1291)
Opening hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Closed on Mondays
Phone number: 02-489-2770
Website: https://yeyak.seoul.go.kr/web/reservation/selectReservView.do?rsv_svc_id=S230103162143754016

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BY BAEK JONG-HYUN, KIM DONG-EUN [[email protected]]