Dongchuan Red Land

The Dongchuan Red Land is located in Hongtudi Town (红土地镇), Dongchuan District (东川区), Kunming City, Yunnan Province. It is situated in the northeastern direction of Kunming City, about 150 kilometers away from the main urban area of Kunming and 47 kilometers away from the urban area of Dongchuan. Here, the mountains rise and fall, and the ravines crisscross. The special geographical environment has created its world-famous magnificent red soil landscape.

Human and Historical Background

The Dongchuan area where the Red Land is located has a long history. It is a place where many ethnic groups, such as the Yi and Hui ethnic groups, live in compact communities. The Yi people have created a rich and colorful culture here. Their traditional costumes are brightly colored, which complements the strong tones of the red land. The Yi people’s folk activities such as the Torch Festival and wrestling are lively and extraordinary, showing their unique ethnic customs. The food culture and architectural style of the Hui people have also added a different charm to this land. Over the long years, the local residents have been farming here from generation to generation. They have adapted to the terrain and reclaimed terraced fields layer by layer. These terraced fields are not only the fruits of their labor but also an indispensable part of the Red Land landscape, carrying a profound memory of agricultural culture.

Climate and Best Tourist Season

Dongchuan belongs to the subtropical plateau monsoon climate. The average annual temperature is between 14℃ and 19℃. The temperature difference between the four seasons is relatively small, but the dry and wet seasons are clearly divided. The best time to visit the Red Land is from February to May and from September to December every year. From February to May, all things come back to life. Flowers such as potato flowers, buckwheat flowers, and rape flowers bloom successively. The white, purple, and yellow flowers are intertwined with the red land, just like a gorgeous brocade. From September to December, it is the harvest season. Crops such as golden rice, fiery red chili peppers, and green vegetables decorate the earth in colorful colors. At this time, the Red Land is filled with the joy of harvest, and the color saturation reaches its peak.

Recommended Scenic Spots

Splendid Garden (锦绣园)

This is one of the areas with the richest colors in the Red Land. Overlooking from the viewing platform, the continuous mountains and the vast wilderness have been carefully painted by nature into a giant painting. The red soils of different shades, such as dark red, purplish red, and brick red, are matched with color blocks of green, golden, and white presented due to different planted crops. They are intertwined with each other, just like splendid brocade spreading on the earth. Every collision of colors can be deeply shocking.

Millennium Dragon Tree (千年龙树)

A lacebark pine tree stands here, having gone through thousands of years of wind and rain. It is said that it once died for three years and then miraculously came back to life. Therefore, it is respectfully called the “Old Dragon Tree” by the local villagers and regarded as the sacred tree guarding this land. Its tall and straight figure stands out particularly in the open Red Land. The thick branches tell the vicissitudes of time. It is a landmark landscape of the Red Land. The movie Forever Young was also filmed here, adding a bit more mystery to it.

Music Score Depression (乐谱凹)

The red land here presents a patchwork pattern of terraced fields, which contrasts with the surrounding small villages, just like a movement composed by nature. At dusk, the afterglow of the setting sun shines on the red land, and the light and shadow change, outlining lines like a music score, which is full of artistic beauty. It is an excellent place for photographers to capture the soft side of the Red Land.

Snail Bay (螺蛳湾)

The unique shape of the terraced fields is like the spiral pattern on a snail shell, layer upon layer, spiraling down. The light at different times of the day will make Snail Bay present completely different colors and light and shadow effects. Especially when the sun is setting, the glow of the setting sun shines on it, and the red land, the surrounding green plants, and the ponds reflect each other, which is as beautiful as a dream.

Luoxia Gully (落霞沟)

Luoxia Gully can be regarded as one of the most spectacular scenic spots in the Red Land. A huge piece of red land collapses between two mountains, forming a natural huge “Bagua” (Eight Trigrams) shape. Whenever there is a layer of mist in the early morning or the sky is filled with the glow of the setting sun in the evening, the mist and the glow put on a dreamy coat for this magical land. The mountains, ravines, and red soil are faintly visible in the light and shadow, forming a peerless beautiful landscape painting that makes people linger.

Transportation

Self-driving

Starting from Kunming, there are two main routes. One is to take the Kunming-Qujing (昆曲) and Songming-Daiyun (嵩待) Expressways. The whole journey is about 150 kilometers. Although the route is relatively long, the road condition is good, which is suitable for long-distance driving. The other is to choose the Jiaozishan Snow Mountain Tourist Special Line. The journey is slightly shorter, and you can enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Maguo River Bridge and other places along the way. However, there are many curves on some sections of the road, so you need to drive carefully.

By Bus

Take a bus to Dongchuan at the Kunming North Bus Terminal. After arriving in Dongchuan, go to the Dongchuan Rural Bus Terminal and transfer to the bus heading for “Fazhe” (法者). The bus will pass through the main tourist residential areas of the Red Land. This way is economical, but it takes a long time, so you need to plan your itinerary reasonably.

Accommodation

Farmhouses

There are many farmhouses around the Red Land. Most of these farmhouses are operated by local residents, full of a strong rural atmosphere. The rooms are clean and tidy, and the prices are affordable, generally ranging from 100 to 300 yuan per night. Staying in a farmhouse, you can not only enjoy the peaceful rural atmosphere but also taste authentic rural dishes, communicate with the hospitable local people, and deeply experience the local life.

Characteristic Homestays

There are some carefully built characteristic homestays in some areas. On the basis of retaining the local architectural style, these homestays incorporate modern design elements, and the room facilities are more complete, which can provide a better accommodation experience. The prices are usually around 300 to 800 yuan. There may also be viewing platforms in the homestays, which are convenient for tourists to enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Red Land at any time.

Food and Shopping

Food

Dongchuan Noodles

They are among the best noodles in Yunnan. Made from high-quality wheat and the mountain spring water of Guniu Zhai Mountain (牯牛寨山), the noodles are smooth and chewy, and they won’t get mushy even after being cooked for a long time. Whether it is the clear soup, braised in soy sauce, or fried sauce flavor, they are all fragrant and memorable.

Dongchuan Mutton

The local sheep have been grazing on the mountains above 3,000 meters above sea level for a long time. The mutton is tender and has no smell of mutton at all. There are various cooking methods. The mutton soup pot is original and the soup is rich; the braised mutton is bright in color and mellow in taste; the braised mutton in yellow sauce is spicy and delicious, making people unable to stop eating.

Golden Potatoes (Jinyangyu, 金洋芋)

Because there are gold mines in Dongchuan, the potatoes produced here are called “Golden Potatoes”. The fried potatoes are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Sprinkled with special seasonings, they are spicy and appetizing. The fire-roasted potatoes retain the original flavor of the potatoes, with a simple aroma of the soil. They are common characteristic snacks in the streets and alleys.

Yak Hot Pot and Yak Dried Beef

The yaks in Dongchuan have been improved after being introduced from Tibet, and their quality is excellent. The yak dried beef is firm in texture and clear in texture. After being sliced and paired with seasonings such as chili powder, it is spicy and refreshing. The yak hot pot is made by boiling the soup with yak bones and adding fresh and tender yak meat. It is fragrant and nourishing, and it is an excellent food in winter.

Buckwheat Cake Dipped in Honey

The buckwheat cake made from tartary buckwheat is golden in color, and the taste is slightly bitter. Paired with sweet honey, the bitterness and sweetness blend with each other, with a unique flavor. It is not only a local characteristic food but also has health-care effects.

Shopping

Agricultural Products

The agricultural products of the Red Land are of excellent quality. Freshly picked vegetables and fruits, such as sweet plateau apples and plump chestnuts, are green and natural, with a pure taste, and can be purchased as gifts for relatives and friends. Local specialties such as buckwheat noodles and potato powder are convenient to carry, allowing tourists to bring the taste of the Red Land home.

Handicrafts

The handicrafts of ethnic minorities such as the Yi and Hui ethnic groups are very characteristic. The Yi embroidery is bright in color and delicate in stitching. The patterns of the embroidery works are mostly taken from nature and ethnic legends, such as exquisite handkerchiefs and backpacks. The metal handicrafts of the Hui people are exquisitely made and uniquely shaped, including exquisite silver ornaments and copperware. These handicrafts are not only artistic treasures but also precious souvenirs of the trip.

We hope this introduction helps you understand Dongchuan Red Land and plan your trip more effectively.