Dongchuan Red Land (东川红土地), located in Dongchuan District, north of Kunming City in Yunnan Province, is renowned for its vibrant and picturesque red soil terrains. Situated between 1800 and 2600 meters above sea level, the area’s soil, rich in iron and aluminum with minimal organic matter, gives rise to its distinctive red hue. Often hailed as one of the most spectacular red earth landscapes in the world, the land is divided into patches by fields and crops, creating a mesmerizing mosaic of colors, particularly against the backdrop of the blue sky and white clouds. In recent years, Dongchuan Red Land has emerged as a haven for photography enthusiasts.
One notable feature within the scenic area is the presence of the Sand Pine tree, a member of the Pinaceae family. Legend has it that this ancient tree, known locally as the “Old Dragon Tree,” is over a thousand years old. Despite experiencing periods of apparent death, it has miraculously revived, earning reverence from the local villagers who believe it blesses the surrounding community.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Optimal Seasons for Photography
- Recommended Route
- Vlog about Dongchuan Red Land
- Other Attractions in Kunming Suburbs
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 day |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours a day throughout the year |
Location and Transportation
Dongchuan Red Land is located northeast of Kunming City in Dongchuan District. It is approximately 250 kilometers from Kunming to the central area of the scenic spot. To reach Dongchuan Red Land from Kunming:
- Take a bus from Kunming North Bus Station (昆明北部客运站) bound for Fazhe (法者), and alight at Huashitou Village (花石头村).
- Take a bus from Dongchuan District Bus Station (东川区客运站) bound for Majie (马街), and alight at Huashitou Village (花石头村).
Optimal Seasons for Photography
The optimal seasons for photography at Dongchuan Red Land are May to June and September to December. Each season offers a unique landscape; in summer, potato flowers blossom and wheat ripens, while autumn sees some fields freshly plowed alongside others adorned with lush green barley or wheat. The distinctive white rapeseed flowers indigenous to Yunnan also bloom, adding to the vibrant palette of colors. Local wisdom suggests that the land is at its most breathtaking three days after rainfall, as the saturated soil glistens under the sunlight, enhancing its vividness.
Recommended Route
The attractions of Dongchuan Red Land are spread out, with a prominent three-way intersection near Huashitou Village (花石头村) serving as a focal point. This intersection connects the village to Dongchuan Red Land Town, Dongchuan District, and Kunming via three main roads, facilitating access to the area’s key scenic spots. The recommended approach for exploring Dongchuan Red Land is to hire a car, with daily rates ranging from 250 to 300 yuan. This allows visitors to cover all three main routes in a day, with the flexibility to stop alongside the road to capture the beauty of the landscape at any moment.
Typical photography routes include catching the sunrise at Damakan (打马坎), followed by visits to Qicai Slope (七彩坡), Jinxiu Countryside (锦绣田园), Le Puao (乐谱凹), and the Old Dragon Tree (老龙树)during other times of the day. Finally, in the evening, head to Luoxia Gou (落霞沟 )to capture the sunset, completing a full day of exploration and photography amidst the stunning scenery of Dongchuan Red Land.
You definitely should stay within the scenic area; you can avoid the entrance fee and drive in, which is very convenient.
We joined a tour this time, and surprisingly, there were only four of us in the group. The driver, who also served as the guide, was from the village. The attractions were beautiful; the Luoxia Valley was exquisite, with layers of terraced fields displaying different colors: red soil, white rapeseed flowers, green barley, and the blue of everlasting lilies. From a distance, it looked like a toppled paint palette. According to the guide, the best times to visit are in… Read more »
Beneath the sky, the Dongchuan Red Land presents itself in the most beautiful manner, as if it were a dazzling gemstone of nature.
Unfortunately, I encountered a foggy day and couldn’t see much of the true beauty of the red land. Although I wasn’t overwhelmed by the stunning views of the red land, the surrounding sea of flowers was still refreshing and uplifting. The grandeur of the ancient trees is beyond what words can express.
The white rapeseed flowers are now in full bloom, and the marigolds are also at their peak. The cosmos flowers by the roadside have bloomed as well! They are especially beautiful.
The wind is really strong, especially strong! Remember to wear a jacket and be careful not to let your hat blow away.
Because of the strong wind, by the end of the day, I was covered in dust, and the dust here is red. It’s very difficult to clean white clothes. I strongly advise against wearing white shoes!
In July, the Red Land is mainly green and red in color. The colors in May and June will be even richer. Had a nice meal of farmhouse dishes at a local place for lunch, the taste was good.
We didn’t see the sunrise at the Red Soil Land, but the sunset wasn’t particularly impressive. The beauty of the sunset is mostly in the colorful clouds in the sky, not so much related to the Red Soil Land itself, so don’t be too fixated on the sunset. ⭐Duration of visit: If you want to visit all the attractions, you will need 1.5 days, including sunrise and sunset. If you only want to see the essential spots, one day is… Read more »
After dinner, I went up the mountain to the Jinxiu Garden (锦绣园) to capture the sunset. I waited for nearly an hour, but there were still quite a few dark clouds, and the sky only had a hint of red, which was a bit of a pity. It was still chilly on the mountain, and we needed blankets at night. To visitors coming in June, make sure to layer up more.
1. **Luoxiagou (落霞沟)** Luoxiagou is the most picturesque place with red soil. It is the best spot to watch the sunrise and sunset. Located in a deep mountain valley, Luoxiagou is a mountain ridge surrounded by towering mountains on both sides. The valley protrudes high lands, fields, villages, where human and natural landscapes complement each other, creating a beautiful mountain painting. 2. **Laolongshu (老龙树)** Also known as the Divine Tree or Solo Tree, Laolongshu is a huge ancient millennium-old fir… Read more »