Dongchuan Red Land

Dongchuan Red Land, centered on Huashitou Village in Dongchuan District, about 250 kilometers (155 miles) northeast of Kunming, has the most typical and special red soil on the Yunnan highlands. At an altitude of 1,800-2,000 meters (5,900-6,500 feet), the red soil is rich in iron and aluminum, giving it an amazing crimson color. The soils are interspersed with colored fields and crops, forming all kinds of patterns. Viewed from afar, the beautiful layered patterns, framed by blue sky and white clouds, look like a watercolor. Many photographers are strongly attracted by Dongchuan Red Land and come here to capture the beautiful scenery on film.
 The best sightseeing sites of the Dongchuan Red Land are scattered, and far away from each other. Centering on Huashitou Village, they are mainly distributed around three highway lines.
 

Map of Dongchuan Red Land

Langdadi is famous for the layers of terraced fields resembling rolling waves. Jinxiuyuan and Qicaipo provide different views of the one sightseeing site. Damakan is the best place for photographers to take pictures of a wonderful sunrise. Standing on the top of the slope, you can see the red land shrouded in floating fog and a sea of clouds.
 Laolongshu is a fir tree with an age of over 1,000 years. It withered for three years, but then sprouted again with strong vitality. Because of this, it is regarded as a patron saint of the red land by local people. Luoxiagou means Sunset Valley and is one of the best places to appreciate sunset in Dongchuan Red Land. The scenery of Luoxiagou changes from time to time according to winds, clouds, sunshine and plants. No matter where you stand, you can always view the valley from a new perspective. However, the wonderful beauty of the valley is difficult to capture by camera. Yueliangtian, 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Huashitou Village, combines layers of terraced fields and valleys. Yueliangtian, literally Moon Fields, has fields irrigated in April and May. When the sun is setting, you can view Yueliangtian from afar and find it is like the shining moon, with light reflecting from the water.

Laolongshu

Luoxiagou

Yuepu’ao, one km (0.6 mile) from Huashitou Village, has layers of almost vertical terrace fields like colorful musical scores. The notes are the famers working hard in the fields. Close to Yuepu’ao, Dayakou experiences beautiful sunsets with clouds bathed in red, purple and orange. Here, you can also appreciate the nearby Yuepu’ao from a different angle.
 Late April to early May: During this period, potato flowers blossom and wheat is ripe. The red fields are blended with green and golden yellow, like a wonderful painting.

Late August to early September: You can see rape flowers in Dongchuan blossoming everywhere. The white flowers interweave with the red soil; the mixing of colors provides a special beauty.

Dongchuan Red Land

Dongchuan Red Land

Middle November to December: The land is ploughed and the newly exposed soil is redder. Parts of the red land are planted with green highland barleys and wheat. When you view the lands from afar, the combination of colors is very impressive and attractive.

It is said that Dongchuan Red Land becomes most beautiful the third day after rain. The land, nourished by rain, presents the brightest colors. There is sunshine, blue sky and different-shaped clouds. The light and shade on the red land change from time to time, forming different images.

The best time to visit Luoxiagou is around 17:30. You can go to Jinxiuyuan around 18:20. Yuepu’ao faces west which makes it suitable to take pictures with front lighting around 8:00 am; the sunset here is also attractive.
 If you need accommodation, it is convenient to choose hotels near Huashitou Village. There are many rural inns around the village, having favorable prices of around CNY 60 - 80. Alternatively, there is the 4-star Hongtu Yingxiang Hotel which is the best one in the village. The price of one standard room is about CNY 200 - 300. The photographic studios in Huashitou Village also offer accommodation for visitors.

Note: There are a lot of tourists during Golden Week, from 1st to 7th of October, and other Chinese holidays. Please book a hotel in advance.
 1. If you want to capture more wonderful pictures, it is suggested you stay here for two days; the landscape varies with weather.
2. The temperature of Dongchuan Red Land is lower than surrounding areas and sometimes there may be winds blowing. Please bring a long sleeve coat between July and October, and some thicker clothes in other months.
3. The red land is in the highlands and experiences strong ultraviolet light. You should apply sunscreen to prevent skin damage.

From Kunming Railway Station, take metro line 1 to South Ring Road, transfer to metro line 2 to North Bus Station, take a coach there to Fazhe Village which departs at  8:30 and tell the driver to drop you off at Red Land, and the journey may take 3 hours. 

Considering the long distances between the spots inside, it is advised to charter a car in Kunming to the land. It may take CNY 200 - 500 per day depending on the vehicle types.

Further Reading: Top 10 Things to Do in Kunming