Kunming
Dongchuan Red Land tickets: price, hours and how to get there
Iron-red hillsides in Kunming's far northeast, farmed in strips of wheat, potatoes, buckwheat and rapeseed, at about 1,800 to 2,800 m. It is working farmland, not a park. It suits photographers and anyone happy to spend a night in a village for the light.
- Entry
- US$6 ¥40
- Time needed
- 1–2 days (sunrise/sunset); most stay in Huashitou village
- How to book
- Pay on site
Luoxiagou ticket CNY 40 (district government notice, 31 Oct 2025). Most of the red land is open countryside; fees apply only at viewpoints such as Luoxiagou. Best colours Apr–May and Sep–Dec.
Prices checked October 2026. You pay in yuan at the gate.
How to get there
- By private car with a driver, about 3 to 4 hours for about 150 to 160 km. Foreign visitors need a Chinese license to drive themselves.
- Buses leave Kunming North Bus Station around 7:50 and 8:30 for Fazhe (法者) and can drop you near Huashitou. Two guides give 5 to 6 hours, and one calls the schedule unreliable. You would still need a car at the viewpoints.
Before you go
- Plan two days. See Damakan at sunrise and Luoxiagou at sunset, about 40 minutes apart, and sleep in Huashitou village. There is no shuttle between viewpoints.
- September to December is the most reliable season, with April to May second. July and August are rainy and overcast.
- Dawn at the viewpoints can be windy and cool, and Damakan is known for wind. Bring a warm layer even outside winter.
- Villagers may expect a small fee at staged photo setups or for parking. One 2026 guide says drones must be registered with China's civil aviation authority, even those under 250 g.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you only have a day trip, since you will miss both sunrise and sunset, the reason to come.
Going to several of these?
Tell us which sights and when. We’ll tell you what needs booking ahead and what’s worth skipping, and book the tickets that need a Chinese app.