Secret Outdoor Blockbuster Filming Location
by MATTHEW BLAKE
Oct 20, 2025
As a unique wetland wonder in northern China, the Red Beach in Panjin, Liaoning is famous for its over 20-kilometer stretch of red Suaeda salsa marsh. The best viewing period is from September to October. Here is a carefully curated guide for photography enthusiasts to help you capture the stunning beauty of this "Earth's Red Ribbon":
📅 Best Shooting Time
Season Selection:
Mid-September to mid-October is when the Suaeda salsa is at its reddest, resembling a red ocean.
If you want to avoid crowds, early September or late October is also possible, but the red will gradually fade to dark red.
Daily Time Slots:
Around sunrise (5:00-6:30): Morning mist lingers, Suaeda salsa is covered with dew, and the light is soft.
Sunset (16:30-18:00): The setting sun dyes the red beach golden red, creating a warm-cool contrast between the mudflats and the sky.
Cloudy days offer low-saturation, melancholic shots, while sunny days bring out more vivid colors.
📍 Classic Shooting Spots Recommendation
Red Beach National Scenic Corridor (Core Scenic Area):
Bridge Viewing Platform: Overhead shots of the S-shaped wooden boardwalk and the lines of the red beach.
Rice Dream Space: In autumn, the golden rice fields adjacent to the red beach, use telephoto lenses to compress layers (drone shots are even better).
Treading the Glow Walk: At dusk during low tide, the mudflats reflect the sunset glow, perfect for symmetrical compositions.
Erjie Gou Fishing Port (Less Known Spot):
Fishing boats, seagulls, and the red beach in one frame add dynamic elements (requires telephoto 70-200mm lens).
Yuanyang Gou Wetland:
Wetland waterways divide the red beach, aerial shots can capture abstract textures.
📸 Photography Equipment Suggestions
Lenses:
Wide-angle (16-35mm): Capture the vast scenes of the red beach and sky.
Medium to telephoto (70-200mm): Compress space, highlight local colors and details.
Drone (e.g., DJI Mavic 3): God’s-eye view shots of the red beach and tidal channels.
Filters:
Graduated neutral density filters balance sky and ground exposure, CPL removes water surface reflections.
Others: Tripod (for long exposure water flow shots), spare batteries (cold weather drains power quickly).
🎨 Composition and Techniques
Color Contrast:
Red beach + blue sky/green reeds/golden rice, use complementary colors to enhance visual impact.
Leading Lines:
Use wooden boardwalks and tidal channel curves to guide the viewer’s eye into the distance.
Add Life:
Photograph red-crowned cranes (migrating in October), seagulls, and other birds to embellish the scene.
Slow Shutter Creativity:
When the tide recedes, use a 1/10s shutter speed to capture silky water flow.
🚗 Practical Tips
Transportation:
Drive and navigate to "Red Beach National Scenic Corridor," about 3 hours from Shenyang; bicycles can be rented inside the park.
Tickets: 120 RMB in peak season (includes sightseeing bus), discounts available for advance online purchase.
Clothing: Large temperature difference between morning and evening in October, wear windproof jackets and waterproof shoes (mudflats are wet).
Taboos: Do not step on the Suaeda salsa to protect the fragile ecosystem.
🌟 Hidden Experiences
Night Sky Photography: If staying at nearby guesthouses, shoot the Milky Way and red beach silhouettes under no light pollution.
Cultural Elements: In September, the "Red Beach International Marathon" takes place, great for capturing runners and the dynamic red beach scenes.
Seize the brief autumn window, bring this guide, and use your lens to freeze this red miracle crafted by nature and time.
Post by MATTHEW BLAKE | Oct 20, 2025























