Kunming, nestled at the heart of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, stands as the vibrant capital of Yunnan Province, renowned as the “Spring City” for its perpetual warmth that mimics the embrace of spring throughout the year. This charm attracts flocks of black-necked gulls annually, who flock to the city for their winter sojourn. Surrounded by breathtaking mountain vistas, Kunming invites travelers to indulge in its radiant spring ambiance, with its gentle sunshine, cerulean skies, and a profusion of fresh flowers that perfume the air.
Beyond its floral embrace and balmy climate, Kunming boasts a rich tapestry of ethnic diversity and natural wonders, such as the awe-inspiring UNESCO World Heritage Stone Forest, the ethereal Dongchuan Red Land, and the enchanting Jiuxiang Karst caves, all testament to nature’s boundless creativity. As a seasoned metropolis steeped in history, Kunming showcases its harmonious blend of ancient charm and modernity, enriching cultural experiences during ethnic festivals and international gatherings alike. Moreover, its well-developed transportation network serves as a gateway to exploring the wonders of Yunnan, making Kunming an indispensable starting point for any journey within the province.
Nestled over 200 kilometers northeast of Kunming’s heart, Dongchuan Red Land captivates with its epithets as “God’s Magic Palette,” “Wonderful Vistas of Color,” and “Color Kingdom.” This expanse of red soil, stretching for hundreds of miles and unparalleled even to Rio de Janeiro’s famous terrain, represents the epitome of Yunnan’s natural beauty. Its vibrant hues, crafted by centuries of iron oxidation, intermingle with diverse crops, a vast azure sky, fleeting clouds, and unpredictable light, creating a breathtaking spectacle atop its terraced fields perched between 1800m and 2600m above sea level. Thus, Dongchuan Red Land has emerged as a paradise for photographers and nature enthusiasts alike, a destination not to be overlooked by any lover of the great outdoors.
Highlights of this landscape
Be amazed by the breathtaking sceneries of layers of bright red fields at Dongchuan Red Land, involve in the local simple life and slow your pace here;
Catch the rare time to watch the awesome sunrise and sunset of Dongchuan Red Land at the best location of Damakan and Luoxiagou and indulge in the idyllic rural countryside scenery;
Explore the must-see Stone Forest aboveground to marvel at the amazing Karst world of countless diverse shaped erecting pinnacles.
Best Time to Visit Dongchuan Red Land:
April to June and September to December is the best time to visit Dongchuan Red Land;
April – May: red land, golden wheat, buckwheat, green potato seedlings;
September: red land, golden wheat, white winter rape flowers, green potato seedlings, better for sunset glow;
November: red land, golden rape flower stalks, green turnip seedlings;
January – March: red land covered by white snow.
Damakan Village(打马坎): Best Sunrise
Damakan Village is located in the northwest part of the whole scenic area, and it’s the best place to shoot sunrise scene. It’s about 10km from Huashitou Village. Standing on the highway and you can overlook the red land with beautiful sunrise and curing smoke from the villagers’ kitchen. The scenery in Damakan is very magnificent, and with luck, it’s possible to see the cloud sea here.
Qicaipo (七彩坡, Seven-Color Slope)
Qicaipo is close to Damakan and is located in the way from Damakan to Huashitou Village, and it means seven colors slope in Chinese, which perfectly explain the scenery here. The colors here are very beautiful. It’s also located in a high point, and from different angles and in different seasons, the slope will show different patches of colors and bring you different visual impact. The best shooting time is in the afternoon. Purple potato flowers and buckwheat flowers in spring and early summer make this spot a romantic place for your shooting.
Jinxiu Yuan (锦绣园, Embroidery Garden)
Jinxiu Yuan is located on the way from Qicaipo to Huashitou Village and it’s only 1km from Qicaipo. Jinxiu Yuan is actually a large concave ground and there is a sightseeing road built along its mountainside. Jinxiu Yuan has the greatest concentration of red earth in the whole scenic area, and comparing with the scenery of Damakan, it’s less grandeur, but more delicate. Best time for shooting is in the afternoon.
Luoxiagou (落霞沟, Sunset Valley): Best Sunset
Luoxiagou, means sunset valley in Chinese, has the most beautiful sunset scenery. Located at the northeast to Huashitou Village, the scenery here is often changed with the wind, cloud, sunshine and the plants in the fields. People say there are no repeated sceneries in Luoxiagou in the 365 days. When you arrive at Luoxiagou and look down from there, wisps of smoke rise continuously from the village chimneys; fields and village have formed a perfect picture.
Best time for shooting is from 16:30 to 17:30. During this time, sun will rise from the east mountain of Luoxiagou, and it’s most possible to appear torchlight like sunlight. Besides, after its irrigation in May, the terrace fields are more excellent for take great photos of the more beautiful lines.
Yuepuao (乐谱凹, Music Hollow)
Yuepuao is a village located in the south of Huashitou Village, very close to it. The scenery in Yuepuao is mainly made of colored fields, village and small forests. Villagers working in the lines of the fields look just like the flexible notes on the musical notation. The sunlight is good in before dusk, and with luck, you can shoot the great sunset glow here.
Ancient Tree
The Ancient Tree is actually a thousand-year-old fir which is rooted in hill alone in the east of Huashitou Village. The hill is covered with cobblestones and it’s actually not a “tree-friendly” place. However, the Ancient Tree has lived several thousands of years, and it’s kind of a magic. The local people think the tree is a sacred tree and they will worship the tree every year.
Shuipingzi
Shuipingzi is also called Moon Field, and it’s located in the northeast of Huashitou Village. If you drive from the Dongchuan township, then Shuipingzi is the first attraction you will encounter. The red earth here stretches itself to the horizon. In spring, you can shoot the irrigation scenery of the paddy fields, while autumn is great time to shoot the golden paddy fields.
If you are nature lovers, you should not miss the spectacular scenery of Dongchuan Red Land with amazing and layer color of red, green, white, yellow, purple with mountainous backdrop. If you are photography enthusiasts, you are truly recommended to shoot many magnificent pictures at special locations and also you won’t miss the fantastic sunrise and sunset view on such gorgeous place.