God's Palette ~ Dongchuan Red Land

The Dongchuan Red Land is located northeast of Kunming. Due to the high iron and aluminum content in the soil, it forms a dazzling crimson color. The land is divided into color blocks by fields and crops. From a distance, it is colorful, and against the backdrop of blue sky and white clouds, it is even more spectacular. The altitude of the Red Land is about 2,000 meters. For thousands of years, local farmers have worked hard on this barren land, but instead, they have decorated the Red Land into a beautiful place with brilliant colors. The Red Land is centered on Huashitou Village in Xintian Township, covering an area of tens of kilometers. Everywhere you look, there are large swaths of red land in various shapes and colors. In recent years, it has become a must-visit photography destination for photography enthusiasts visiting Yunnan! From May to December every year, some of the red land is plowed and waiting to be planted, while the other part is planted with highland barley, wheat, and other crops. From a distance, the colors are gorgeous, and against the backdrop of the blue sky and white clouds, they form the magnificent scenery of the Red Land, making it one of the favorite places for photographers. Every summer and autumn, it attracts a large number of photography enthusiasts. The most beautiful landscapes of Dongchuan Red Land mainly include Qicaipo, Jinxiuyuan, Luoxiagou, Luosiwan, Lepu'ao, and Guo Ditang. Damakan should be overlooked from the high slopes of the road before and after sunrise in the morning to see the red soil surrounding the cooking smoke and sea of clouds in the village. Qicaipo and Jinxiuyuan should be appreciated from different angles, preferably in the morning and evening. The Lepu'ao area is dotted with scattered small villages, making it a good place to enjoy the idyllic scenery of the red land at dusk. The most spectacular and mysterious piece of red land is Xiantang (Luoxiagou), a piece of red land that looks like a huge gossip collapsed between two mountains, presenting a dreamlike scene. This masterpiece of nature deeply shocks those who come to photograph it. Best Time to Visit The best seasons for photography in the Red Land are May-June and September-December. Different seasons offer different scenery. Summer is more suitable for travel, with potato flowers blooming and wheat ripening. You can pick wild mushrooms, eat game, and enjoy mountain fruits. However, it is difficult to predict the weather during the rainy season. Often, there are multiple climates in a day, and it is common to have sunshine while it is raining. In autumn, some of the red land is plowed and waiting to be planted, while the other part has been planted with green highland barley or wheat. Yunnan's unique white rapeseed flowers are also in full bloom, creating a rich tapestry of colors. The Red Land is very peculiar, and its colors vary with different times and climates. On sunny days, the soil tone is lighter, while on rainy days, it turns dark red. The ideal shooting time is within one or two days after the rain, when the Red Land is at its most beautiful. The rain-soaked soil is richer in color under the sunlight, and the air is fresh. The colors of the land are vibrant, and the pictures taken are also excellent. After a heavy rain, the clouds disperse, and the sun shines brightly. The sky becomes even more captivatingly blue, and the clouds change into different shapes, casting shadows on the fields that constantly shift. Every second is a brand new picture. If you're lucky, you can even see a rainbow integrated with the Red Land. Photography Time 1. May of each year: After the buckwheat ripens, the entire land turns golden. The harvested land is plowed by farmers, and the soil is particularly red. If it rains the day before and clears up the next day, the soil is exceptionally red under the sunlight, just like a palette. 2. From September to early October each year: Dongchuan's unique white rapeseed flowers bloom all over the land. During the blooming season of white rapeseed flowers, you can capture the spectacular scenery of white flowers combined with red soil. The combination of white and red colors is very beautiful and unique. 3. From October to November each year: The red soil is turned over again, and the colors are also very rich, overflowing with the scene of harvest.