4 Days Kunming Dongchuan Red Land Tour
Tour Overview
For tourists looking for excellent photography opportunities and experiencing rural life, there is nothing better than Dongchuan Red Land. On this 4-day Kunming tour, you will explore the world’s most imposing red earth known as “God’s Magic Palette”. The collage of multicolored crops is scattered into rolling mountain slopes stretching away to the horizon line under a blue sky with white clouds.
You’ll also get the best highlights of Kunming, sightseeing, and hiking at the picturesque Western Hills, being lured by weird karst limestone formations at Stone Forest.
Travel destination: Kunming
Suitable for: Photographers, Nature & Cultural Lovers
Tour type: Private
Highlights of this tour:
- Stroll through the grand karst formations at Stone Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Capture breathtaking views of Dongchuan Red Land and terraced landscapes at sunrise and sunset.
- Discover the beauty of Kunming Green Lake Park, buzzing with local life and daily activities.
- Marvel at panoramic view from Dragon Gate on Western Hills, overlooking Dianchi Lake and Kunmingskyline.
Day-by-day Itinerary
- Day 1: Kunming ArrivalEnjoy Breathtaking Mountain Views, Serene lakes, Winter Wildlife
Welcome to the capital of Yunnan province for our 4-day private tour! Please arrive at Kunming airport before 12 am. Upon arrival, your local driver and guide will welcome you at the exit gate and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.
After a short break, start your Kunming tour at the Western Hills 15km west of Kunming City, boasting the perfect blend of stunning natural beauty and profound cultural heritage. Don't miss the Dragon Gate, one of the most spectacular parts of the mountain park, with many precious Taoist stone carvings.
Dragon Gate on the West Hill Dianchi Lake, aka Kunming Lake is China's sixth-largest freshwater lake with open water and spectacular scenery. Each winter, flocks of black-headed gulls will migrate here from Siberia, making it a great place for bird watching and feeding. Hiking or riding around the lake, or taking a boat are all popular ways to admire the lake from different perspectives (at your own expense). After the tour, drive back to your hotel for a good rest.
Overnight in Kunming
Dianchi Lake in Summer - Day 2: Kunming to Dongchuan Red Land TourAdmire Vibrant Red Lands and Colorful Fields
After breakfast, your driver and guide will escort you to Dongchuan Red Land. It will take 3 hours to get to Dongchuan where the soil is in dazzling red color because rich in iron and aluminum. Being planted with different crops, the fields from afar are ultimately spectacular, just like a collage of various crop colors, red earth, blue sky, and white clouds.
The scenic spots you will cover today include Shuipingzi Rice Terrace, the thousand-year-old Ancient Tree, and Luoxiagou.
Shuipingzi Rice Terrace (aka Moon Field): The only rice terrace in this area, it is a bit like Yuanyang Rice Terraces, but on a small scale. The fields are filled with water, acting like giant mirrors in spring, and blanketed with golden crops in autumn.
Thousand-year-old Ancient Tree: The ancient fir tree has stood alone on the hill for over 1,000 years. It is green all year round and locals regard it as a sacred tree that blesses villagers in this area.
Luoxiagou (Sunset Valley): It boasts one of the most splendid scenery of Dongchuan Red Land, where a canvas of crops grows from vibrant red soil. The highlighted view in a riot of colors always changes by seasons, plants, weather, and sunshine. If the weather is good, the red fields in sunset light will be its most breathtaking moment, allowing you many great photo chances.
Overnight in Dongchuan
Dongchuan Red Land - Day 3: Dongchuan Tour, Back to KunmingCapture Stunning Sunrise and Rainbow-hued Landscapes
Continue your tour in Dongchuan today. You can get up early to shoot amazing sunrise views at Damakan Village, the best platform to admire the sunrise at Dongchuan Red Land. With kitchen smoke curling up from rural dwellings and poplar trees sparkling in the morning sunlight, it is the place where you will meet the idyllic delights of village life.
Move on to Qicai Slope and Jinxiu Garden for more photography opportunities. Jinxiu Garden is blessed with delicate scenery and the greatest concentration of red earth in this area. Qicai Slope means seven colors slope. As its name says, it will bring you scenery of rainbow-colored land.
Then, head to Yuepuao (Music Hollow) where layers of paralleled red fields look like a giant colorful musical notation.
After the sightseeing at Dongchuan Red Land, you will be escorted back to Kunming City.
Overnight in Kunming
Damakan Village - Day 4: Kunming Stone Forest Tour, DepartureDiscover Limestone Formations and Learn the Origins of Stone Forests
After breakfast, your tour in Kunming city takes you to visit the Stone Forest in Shilin Yi Autonomous County. Featuring the remarkable karst landforms, the Stone Forest will greet you with various limestone shapes including columns, cones, pagodas, mushrooms, etc. You will learn how stone forests are formed.
After the visit, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight. Your 4-day Yunnan trip of Kunming and Dongchuan Red Land ends here.
Good to know:
You are recommended to book a flight after 5 pm to avoid a rush during the tour.
Kunming Stone Forest
Tour Price Per Person
The price varies depending on the activity, number of people, travel date, and selected hotel. Please contact us for a specific price.
