Capture "God's Palette of Colors"
Only the red land in Brazil can rival it. The rich iron deposits in the soil have been gloriously exposed for thousands of years as local people worked on this land generation after generation. This is Dongchuan Red Land — "the palette of colors placed on Earth by God".
On this 3-day Kunming and Dongchuan Red Land tour, you will visit the highlights of Kunming City and then head north for the unique landscape of colorful earth. Enjoy the most artistic sunrise and sunset shoots, and also encounter authentic rural life photo ops on China's greatest red land.
Tour 'Wow' Points
Maximize Your 2 Days to Photograph Dongchuan Red Land at 5+ Viewing Points
Your local guide will take you to the right places at the right times for the big scenic area's best shots.
Prepare your camera and take photos of beautiful views at sunrise and sunset.
Visit the Earliest Guanyin Temple with 1,200 Years of History
Discover the three main branches of Buddhism in one temple: Chinese, Tibetan, and Theravada Buddhism.
You can also burn incense and make a wish (prayer) there like a local.
Record Locals' Daily Life with Your Camera at Green Lake Park
Feel local people's happiness when they dance in traditional dress together.
China Highlights' Special Discovery Experiences
Take some photos of local life at beautiful Beihe Village, which is generally not visited by tourists.
Taste Dongchuan-grown baked potatoes with their 18 home-made sauces and pickles.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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Beautiful Kunming
Lulu, our tour guide in Kunming is a very gentle & friendly person. She took such a great care of us during the whole journey. more
Mar 2025, ANNA G
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Best guide ever
I could not have wished for a better guide than Luna. She was interesting, funny, amicable, knowledgeable, patient, inventive and the most wonderful person I could have spent the day with. The program was very interesting, and I have thoroughly enjoyed myself today. At the end of hour trip we discussed my train trip to Laos and she reminded me to get a paper ticket and went out of her way to help me find instructions how to go about that. Luna is a total treasure, and she set a very high bar for other future guides to measure up to. more
Mar 2025, b john
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Enjoyable trip to Yunnan (Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-la)
Our tour guides and drivers were very knowledgeable, helpful and accommodating. The guides and drivers shared interesting insights and anecdotes which helped us better understand the culture and history of Yunnan. The itinerary was well planned and the pace was comfortable for us. We were impressed by the guides who went the extra mile to help us get through the packed train stations and tourist attractions. While some roads in Yunnan were not easy to navigate, the drivers were highly professional and we felt safe during the entire ride. We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the team: Guides: Rosemary (Kunming), Sally (Dali), Andy (Lijiang), Peter (Shangri-La), Luna (Kunming) Drivers: Mr Zhou (Kunming), Mr Zhou (Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La), Jack Li (Kunming) more
Jan 2025, Clarice A
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Itinerary Quick Look
Here is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize a tour according to your interests.
Meet your private guide at the airport. Visit Yuantong Temple, and see the three main branches of Buddhism — Chinese Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, and Theravada Buddhism — meet together there. Walk around Green Lake Park, where you are likely to find local people in traditional dress dancing together. You are welcome to join them.
Drive from Kunming to Dongchuan. Have a lunch in a local restaurant and try the famous snacks of Dongchuan.
The key to touring Dongchuan Red Land (photography-wise) is visiting the right place at the right time. Enjoy the views and take pictures at Luoxiagou and Luosiwan in the late afternoon. Capture the sunset at Wafang Liangzi and catch the sunset glow at Yuepuao after sunset.
See a sunrise at Damakan and then take pictures at Jinxiuyuan and Qichapo. Take the chance to photograph local life in a photogenic and peaceful traditional village — Beihe Village, a place generally not visited by travelers, on the way back to Kunming. Not listed as a Dongchuan attraction, Beihe is an untouched village set against the background of a red-field hill.
We'll get you back to Kunming airport for your departure.
Hotel Selection
—the Icing on the Cake
Boutique hotels are recommended to enrich your travel experience.
Price includes:
- Private air-conditioned business car with big windows and ample space
- English speaking local guide
- Activities, hotels, and meals listed in the itinerary
- 24/7 helpline for while you are traveling
Tour code: km-5