Dongchuan Red Land: The Palette God Left on Earth

Dongchuan Red Land Scenic Area is located in Hongtudi Town, Dongchuan District, Kunming City. The red land here is the most concentrated and distinctive on the Yunnan Red Soil Plateau. As far as the eye can see, the rolling red land contrasts with the blue sky, white clouds, and ever-changing light, forming a series of colorful paintings.

Recommended Attractions

1. Jinxiu Garden: An excellent place to enjoy the beauty of the red land, with colors as rich as a brocade painting, layered and well-arranged, every shot looks like a masterpiece.

2. Millennium Old Dragon Tree: A thousand-year-old fir standing on the hill of Huagou Village, with a peculiar shape and lush branches and leaves. It has endured the vicissitudes of time, once withered for three years and then sprouted new branches. It is revered locally as a sacred tree and is a landmark of the red land.

3. Lepu Ao: Named because the terraced fields resemble a musical staff. The colors of the terraces change with the seasons—lush green in spring and fiery red in autumn. You can also take photos with the "star grandpa" of the red land here.

4. Luosi Bay: A unique U-shaped fissure landform where red soil and green plants intertwine. In the early morning, mist often lingers, resembling an elegant ink painting.

5. Luoxia Valley: At dusk, the afterglow of the sunset flows through the ravines, dreamy and magical. Known as the "palette of the red land," it is an AAA-level scenic spot in Hongtudi Town and a great place to watch the sunset.

6. Red Soil Grand View: From here, you can overlook the endless red land, perfect for aerial photography or telephoto shots, capturing the grandeur and delicacy of the red land perfectly.

7. Damakan: A prime spot to watch the sunrise. In the early morning, cooking smoke and morning mist intertwine with the red land, forming a peaceful pastoral painting.

8. Wafang Liangzi: Here, you can enjoy the colorful terraced landscapes and experience the rich Yi ethnic folk culture.

Food Experience

1. Rainbow Trout Feast: The trout meat is tender and can be made into sashimi, rainbow trout dumplings, fried trout skin, etc. Recommended is Fupai Rainbow Trout Restaurant, with an average cost of 50-80 RMB per person.

2. Firewood Chicken: Chicken slow-cooked over firewood, fragrant with firm and chewy meat, paired with various vegetables, rich in flavor. Available at local farmhouses, costing about 40-60 RMB per person.

3. Potato Delicacies: Potatoes are prepared in various ways, such as potato bread, with rich flavors. Available in restaurants within the scenic area, costing 10-20 RMB per person.

4. Mutton Soup Pot: The mutton is stewed until very tender, with fresh and delicious soup, especially warming in winter. Average cost is 50-70 RMB per person.

5. Tile-roasted Old Bacon: The bacon is salty and tasty, with a unique flavor after being roasted on tiles. Available in most restaurants, costing 30-40 RMB per person.

Accommodation Recommendations

1. Wangshan Courtyard: Located in Huashitou Group, Hongtudi Town, Dongchuan Red Land. It takes 15 minutes by car to reach the Old Dragon Tree viewing platform. The stone kiln in the courtyard offers freshly baked handmade pizza worth trying. Free parking is available. Prices range from 150-300 RMB per night.

2. "Ji Wangshan" Moyie Garden Homestay: Adjacent to Lepu Ao Scenic Area, the courtyard built with rammed earth and stone is nestled against the mountain. You can see vast terraced fields from the window. It has the "Roof Tile Removal" viewing platform and offers free parking. Prices range from 200-400 RMB per night.

3. Luoxia Resident Homestay: Located inside Luoxia Valley, you can see the morning mist covering the colorful terraced fields from the window in the morning. Prices range from 180-350 RMB per night.

4. Zhang Family Courtyard Homestay: Next to Luosi Bay Scenic Area, panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows frame the rolling red hills like a natural painting. Prices range from 150-300 RMB per night.

5. Jinhao Hotel: Located near the Old Dragon Tree scenic spot, it is close to Jinxiu Garden, Luoxia Valley, Lepu Ao, and other attractions. Prices range from 200-400 RMB per night.

Travel Tips

- Best travel time: April to May and September to December. During this time, besides the red of the land, you can also see the yellow of wheat, the green of rapeseed, and the white of lingering snow, creating rich colors.

- Transportation:

- Self-driving: Navigate to Dongchuan Red Land Scenic Area. It takes about 2.5 hours from Kunming, and there is parking available in the scenic area.

- Public transportation: At Kunming North Bus Station, take a direct bus to Dongchuan Red Land and get off at Huashitou Village. Buses depart daily at 8:00 and 8:30, costing 47 RMB per person. From Dongchuan to Red Land, there are two buses daily at 8:30 and 12:50, getting off at Huashitou Village, costing 28 RMB per person.

- Notes: The temperature difference between morning and evening is large, so bring warm clothes; UV rays are strong, so take sun protection measures; some roads are in poor condition, so comfortable shoes are recommended.

A journey to Dongchuan Red Land is like stepping into a colorful fairy tale world. Every inch of land and every ray of sunlight lets you feel the magic and charm of nature.