云南东川红土地云南东川红土地Red soil farm land, Dongchuan, YunNan provinceRed soil farm land, Dongchuan, YunNan province

Dongchuan DistrictDongchuan District 东川区 东川区 (Dōngchuān Qū) is a (Dōngchuān Qū) is a districtdistrict under under the jurisdiction of the jurisdiction of Kunming PrefectureKunming Prefecture, , Yunnan ProvinceYunnan Province, China. , China.

Dongchuan was upgraded to a city in 1958. In 1998 Dongchuan was upgraded to a city in 1958. In 1998 Dongchuan city was merged into Kunming city and became Dongchuan city was merged into Kunming city and became

one of its districts. Dongchuan borders with Sichuan one of its districts. Dongchuan borders with Sichuan province.province.

The area of Dongchuan is about 1858 km². The highest point The area of Dongchuan is about 1858 km². The highest point is 4344 meters high, and lowest is 695 meters. As of 2000 is 4344 meters high, and lowest is 695 meters. As of 2000 Dongchuan has a population of 275,564. As of 2006, the Dongchuan has a population of 275,564. As of 2006, the

population was 302,000.population was 302,000.The area around Huagou in the Wumeng mountains, has The area around Huagou in the Wumeng mountains, has

become famous through photographers who discovered the become famous through photographers who discovered the unique local landscape and its Red Earth scenery in the unique local landscape and its Red Earth scenery in the

1990s.1990s.The Dongchuan mineral resource is rich and it has one of six The Dongchuan mineral resource is rich and it has one of six biggest coppers bases in China. It is verified that there are biggest coppers bases in China. It is verified that there are

3.35 million tons of copper, accounting for a third of the 3.35 million tons of copper, accounting for a third of the copper reserves in the province. copper reserves in the province.

pps by: Oei Hui Kiat, Singapore, Monday, 31 May 2010. pps by: Oei Hui Kiat, Singapore, Monday, 31 May 2010.

Dongchuan

Yuanyang

Dongchuan 东川 , a rural place in the Wumeng Mountainous area, about 180km north of Kunming 昆明  (Yunnan Province),

is one of the most attractive destination for Chinese photographers for its red soil.

Although discovered in the mid 1990s, the exact location is kept secret among few Chinese photographers who scooped award-winning photos here. Beside, the place is to small to

named on the web, therefore it is not mentioned in even well known travel guides like LonelyPlanet and Rough Guides

until recently.The brilliant red soil, the yellow buckwheats and the dramatic skies make the region around Dongchuan a

paradise for photographers.

Because the soil contains such components as oxidized Iron, etc kind of metallic minerals. after a long period of oxidation, gradually

added and mixed in the soil that produced this extra-ordinary reddish brown soil.

The "red soil" found in Dongchuan, Yunnan Province is considered to have the world's most astonishing view for its perfect mixture of nature and cultivation made by the locals throughout the centuries.

Dongchuan Red Land represents Yunnan mountain valley most attractive colors.

Excursion is the soul's relaxation and banquet.

Multicolor Waves----five, six kinds of color mountains look like multicolor waves, so magnificent.

Crops on the Red Land such as potatoes, oats, corn, oil flower

vegetables. Different color crops so arranged, when looking from afar it seems like God painted them on a cloth so full of gorgeous

color.

Each family was distributed with different size and shape of land. Each has its own preference for different kinds of

crops. This caused and produced this beautiful pieces of colors. During harvest time, the soil is shoveled up and

makes this unusually red color.

In September , white-colored oil flowers are in bloom on the whole mountain. 

It is a pity they cover up the beautiful red color.   

The best time for sightseeing tour is middle of  November .

Early in the morning, donkey-ridden carts full of harvest transporting to the town,

while children are walking in the opposite direction to school.

Different seasons, different time, different sunlight, produce

different colors.

This extra-ordinary reddish brown soil is a result of oxidized iron (and various other oxidized metallic minerals)

In these mountains and hills every inch of land is cultivated to the maximum causing unwanted damage to the place through erosion that's why returning to forestry is being

advocated.

The most dazzling color is just before the sun sets.

Bad tempered donkey did not want to work with the bull ...

Different animals have different temperaments, they were used together to control each other.

If one of them refused to move, the other one would force it . 

Child helping to harvest vegetables.

Clear sky with a rainbow after the rain.

This hallowed place is the most distinct part of the land.  Later, in order to promote tourism it was named Lexiaguo, meaning--- the

place where beautiful colors set.

A town in Laxiaguo 落霞沟。

The wider known name of this place is called Dongchuan Red Land ( 东川红土地 ). Lexiaguo mentioned is a small village in the Red Land

and the correct spelling should be La Xia Gou ( 落霞沟 ), literally means a ditch of fallen red colours since it’s situated between two

mountains on both sides.

 Lexiaguo is full of crop fields whose curves and lines add beauty to the scenery.

The curve-like crops' lines are enhanced by the red soil.  

Terraced Fields In YuanyangTerraced Fields In Yuanyang

Yuanyang County Yuanyang County 元阳县 元阳县  (pinyin: Yuányáng Xiàn; (pinyin: Yuányáng Xiàn; Hani: Yeiqyaq) is located in Honghe Prefecture, Hani: Yeiqyaq) is located in Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan province, China. It is well known for its Yunnan province, China. It is well known for its spectacular rice-paddy terracing. spectacular rice-paddy terracing.

Located 326 kilometers south of Kunming, the Located 326 kilometers south of Kunming, the capital city of Yunnan Province, Yuanyang capital city of Yunnan Province, Yuanyang County is home to arguably biggest and most County is home to arguably biggest and most spectacular terraced rice fields in the world. spectacular terraced rice fields in the world. The fields have been cultivated by Hani The fields have been cultivated by Hani 哈尼族 哈尼族people for centuries and constitute a unique people for centuries and constitute a unique self-sustaining ecosystem. On top of that, the self-sustaining ecosystem. On top of that, the area is populated by a number of ethnic area is populated by a number of ethnic minorities (Hani, Yi, Zhuang, Miao, Dai and minorities (Hani, Yi, Zhuang, Miao, Dai and Yao). Yuanyang thus offers a great opportunity Yao). Yuanyang thus offers a great opportunity to simultaneously do unique landscape and to simultaneously do unique landscape and cultural photography.cultural photography.

The rice terrace in Yuanyang area, Yunnan has become one of the most attractive travel destination for photographers in China and the world to capture the remarkable combination of nature and

human beings.

Abstract pattern of terraced rice fields in Yuanyang County

Part of the town of old Yuanyang seen from the main square

Hani farmer on his way home

元阳的水稻梯田

Typical daily attire of ethnic Hani

An ethnic Hani girl with the typical headgear for children

Water buffalo dung drying on a wall in a Hani ethnic minority village in Yuanyang county

Rice terraces just outside Yuanyang

Hani girl in Yuanyang rice terrace