Fireflies, a summer attraction at Tiantai Mountain in Chengdu

Tiantai Mountain Scenic Area is located in Qionglai, an important stop on the ancient Southern Silk Road, about 65 kilometers from downtown Chengdu, Sichuan Province. 

According to legend, over 4,000 years ago, Da Yu, an ancient hero, controlled the floodwaters in Shu (an ancient kingdom located in present-day Sichuan) and held a ceremony to worship heaven on Tiantai Mountain. This event gave the mountain its name, which literally means “Heavenly Terrace Mountain” or “Heavenly Platform Mountain.” 

The mountain is a popular summer resort with high mountain waterfalls and nighttime firefly watching. Tiantai Mountain Scenic Area is the largest firefly viewing base in Asia.