Dongchuan, a rural area in the northeast of Kunming, capital of Yunnan Province, is the world's most imposing red earth alongside that of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Because of the warm and humid climate in Yunnan, the Iron oxide in the soil deposited slowly through the years and gradually developed an extraodinary reddish brown soil. Infrequently visited due to its remoteness and rather inadequete lodging facilities, the picturesque scenery is paradise for photograghy fans.

Dongchuan Red Land represents Yunnan mountain valley's most attractive colors. It is decorated with multi-color crops. Fiery red soil, emerald green barly, golden yellow buckwheat and snow white canola flowers against the floating coulds, ever-changing light and the dramatically blue sky makes for nature's marvelous painting.

Covering an area of over 200,000 square kilometres, the Red Land scenery is centralized around Huashitou of Xintian Township. The highlights include Huishitou Coloue Stone, Jinxiu Garden, Qicai Seven Clour Slope, Yuepu Hollow, Yueliang Field, Damakan, Luoxiagou Gorge, Guoditang Pond and Huagou Flower Valley. Luoxiagou is probably the most magnificent of them all. Luoxiagou in Chinese, means a gully of fallen rosy clouds and it's situated between two mountains.

These pictures were taken in May 2012 with the land having suffered a 3-year draught. As a result only wheat and potato were planted/harvested. Much of the soil were visible which is not a bad thing, but no flower blomming scene to be had which can be spectacular in the month of September with rainfall before that more than helpful.

I am told the soil is at its most vibrant three days after a rainfall. We had a little downpour on the day of arrival and the rainbow came out to the delight of many, but it was all too faint and brief.

As to best time to go there, accommodation and transport etc, pls visit http://www.chinaodysseytours.com/yunnan/dongchuan-red-land-lexiagua.html for more details. This is the deep country side, so facilities are at best modest. If you have the time, then spend half a day at each spot and wait for the light to be right.

If you can read Chinese, this photo site has some great pictures of Dongchuan Red Earth. Don't be deterred if you can't read Chinese, just click on the photos. http://www.ynhtd.com/photo.html

My co-traveller's gallery is found at https://pbase.com/virtualink/to_dongchuan_with_omd_em5