Dongchuan Red Soil


Dongchuan Red Soil, is centered on Huashitou Village in Dongchuan District, about 250 kilometers northeast of Kunming. And it has the most typical and special red soil on the Yunnan highlands.

At an altitude of 1,800-2,000 meters,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.


Best time to visit
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.
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.

Best Sightseeing sites
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.

Laolongshu - Luoxiagou - Yueliangtian
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.

Langdadi - Jinxiuyuan - Qicaipo - Damakan
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.

Yuepu'ao - Dayakou
Yuepu’ao, one km 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.


Travel Tips
Add: 250 north away from Kunming City,Yunnan Province
Entrance fee: CNY FREE
Opening Hours: all day
Time for a visit: 0ne -three days
Transport: Take bus no.23 in Kunming Railway Station and get off at the terminal station, North Bus Station. Take a bus to Fazhe Village which departs at 7:50 and 8:30. Get off at Huashitou Village.
After arriving at Huashitou Village, you need charter a car to those attractions. It costs CNY 150 – 200 one day.
Notice: 
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.


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