Liushao Red Land in Xundian County, Kunming
Overview of Liushao Red Land
Liushao Red Land (六哨红土地) in Xundian County (寻甸县), Kunming, is often compared to Dongchuan Red Land (东川红土地). Both have their unique charm, but Liushao offers a larger area with more accessible landscapes and scenic roads cutting through the gentle mountains, making it easier for photography and sightseeing. As it is located in a high-altitude mountainous region, the harvest season in Liushao arrives earlier than in Dongchuan, with autumn arriving as early as July. Walking along the mountain paths, the air is filled with the scent of autumn, and various wildflowers bloom along the roadside. Farmers are busy harvesting, with plump potatoes scattered across the red soil. Many fields have already been plowed and sown, leaving the red earth exposed, creating a strikingly colorful and grandiose spectacle.
Liushao Township (六哨乡) is situated in the central and western part of Xundian County, about 120 kilometers from Kunming. This high-altitude and economically underdeveloped ethnic mountain region, at an elevation of over 2000 meters, is home to continuous terraces stretching across the hills, connecting the distant horizon. The scene is breathtaking. Like the neighboring Dongchuan area in the Wumeng Mountains (乌蒙山区), Liushao is still largely undeveloped for tourism, with almost no visitors, making it a hidden gem for photographers who want to capture the beauty of the red soil without the crowds.
The Spectacle of Liushao in Autumn
Autumn in Liushao is not only a season of abundant harvest but also a season of clear skies and stunning scenery. The red land, freshly plowed and ready for sowing, is adorned with patches of rapeseed flowers, barley, and radishes, forming vibrant, multicolored panels that resemble nature’s palette. The red earth burns like fire, the yellow gleams like gold, and every color is so pure that every glance offers a colorful picture.
It is said that autumn in Liushao presents a joyous scene of harvest, and that Liushao has embraced all the colors of the world. The ever-changing beams of light and massive clouds add a touch of magic to the red land, showcasing different mesmerizing views at every moment. As you wander through the red land, the cool autumn breeze, soft clouds, and gentle atmosphere bring a sense of happiness and peace.
The Black-necked Cranes: The Guardians of the Red Land
Beneath the beautiful scenery of Liushao Red Land hides a group of “little spirits”—the Black-necked Cranes (黑颈鹤). These are the only cranes in the world that live on plateaus, making them a rare species, with only around 16,000 individuals worldwide. Due to their endangered status, they are often referred to as “Panda of the Bird World” and “Spirits of the Plateau.” They attract many admirers and have garnered significant attention, as local communities and authorities work together to protect these birds.
To welcome the return of the Black-necked Cranes this year, the reserve has made thorough preparations. In early spring, 20 acres of buckwheat, 30 acres of potatoes, and 3 acres of radishes were planted as food for the cranes. Efforts were made to cultivate the crops the cranes prefer while minimizing the destruction of wild plants like goosegrass, which is highly nutritious for the cranes. In October, 110,000 local fish fry were released into the water bodies of Bai Long (大白龙) and Yang Tang (羊塘) within the reserve, providing ample food for the cranes. In addition, 3 tons of corn were stored to ensure the cranes had sufficient food during the winter.
The Return of the Cranes
“Amidst the mountains, the world awakens; beneath the stars, the cranes dream anew.”—《万籁生山，一星在水，鹤梦疑重续》
With the autumn harvest complete and winter crops sown, the arrival of the Black-necked Cranes marks the beginning of their winter migration. On November 7, 2023, at 1:10 PM, patrol officers in the Yunnan Xundian Black-necked Crane Provincial Nature Reserve (云南寻甸黑颈鹤省级自然保护区) spotted four cranes—two adults and two juveniles—peacefully foraging on the grasslands of Yang Tang (羊塘海子). With the arrival of this pioneering group, the Black-necked Crane family in Xundian has officially entered their winter migration, and local guardians have begun their protective measures to safeguard these majestic creatures throughout their stay.
The White Rapeseed Flowers: A Unique Scenic Line
Since September 2023, another stunning feature of Liushao has emerged—the pure white rapeseed flowers that have become a favorite spot for photography. This year, Liushao Township (六哨乡) has planted over 6,000 acres of white rapeseed flowers across every village, creating a sea of delicate white blossoms. Clusters of these flowers gather under the leaves, resembling countless bees with their wings slightly open, hovering in the air. The flowers look like small white trumpets, with some having five petals and others four, arranged in a cross shape. They resemble shy girls who stand out beautifully against the backdrop of green leaves.
The high-altitude, low-temperature environment of Liushao provides ideal conditions for the growth of white rapeseed flowers. These flowers, blooming in late autumn, contrast sharply with the more commonly seen golden yellow rapeseed flowers. The simple elegance and freshness of the white blossoms are striking, with the slender green stalks adorned with clusters of tiny white flowers, resembling snowflakes that have yet to melt or stars that have fallen to the earth, densely covering the entire hillside.
Address
Liushao Red Land encompasses much of the Liushao Township area (六哨乡大部分区域) in Xundian County, Kunming.
Key Attractions and Names:
- Liushao Red Land (六哨红土地)
- Dongchuan Red Land (东川红土地)
- Wumeng Mountains (乌蒙山区)
- Xundian Black-necked Crane Provincial Nature Reserve (云南寻甸黑颈鹤省级自然保护区)
- Bai Long (大白龙)
- Yang Tang (羊塘海子)
- Black-necked Cranes (黑颈鹤)
- White Rapeseed Flowers (白色油菜花)
