3 Days Dongchuan Red Land Hiking Photography Tour

When it comes Yunnan(云南），several people dream of going to Lijiang（丽江）,Dali(大理），Shangri-La(香格里拉），XIshuangbanna(西双版纳）and so on.However,it is still unknown for lots of people that a place in kunming(昆明) is more and more popular with the travelers who like photography.It is located in the place called Huashitou(花石头），where is in the Southwest of Kunming(昆明），and 40 miles away from the city.There has Yunnan(云南）natural red soil which is used by the ordinary farmers to cultivate colorful crops,which are like kinds of beautiful ,energetic watercolor paintings with blazing color.
In fact,I planned to visit Dongchuan（东川) red soil land,Yuanyang(元阳）terrace and Luoping(罗平）rape flower in group at the beginning of next year.But I happened to arrive in Kunming(昆明），Yunnan(云南）Province.For the reason that it was early to leave Shangri-La(香格里拉）,it was possible to make an arrangement of Dongchuan（东川)photography for 2 days.
Arriving in Kunming(昆明）from Shangri-La(香格里拉）,in order to buy the tickets(Kunming(昆明）—Fazhe(法者）） that can be used to arrive at Dongchuan red soil land(东川红土地）directly.
At the 2pm, when I arrived at the Kunming Train Station.Lots of people introduced you some hotels and travelling transportation.Some people even introduced you some unhealthy services.Everything seemed to be in a mess. Why it always left some bad impressions on me when I came to Kunming every time?At the beginning ,I wanted to take the night bus 23,but lots of people did not know when I asked them.I had no choice but to stay at a Dicos next to the station to eat something ,then had a sleep there.
When day broke ,I planned to take the earliest bus to the North Passenger Station.The bus was crowded and it took me about half an hour to arrive at the station.As soon as I arrived at the station,I was lucky enough to buy the first ticket though online it is said that it is difficult to buy the tickets that are convenient for passengers.
Perhaps,it was not the golden time for people to take photos of the Dongchuan red soil land(东川红土地） in the last ten-day of June.Perhaps,it was rainy these days in Kunming.Perhaps,today was Thursday, there were not lots of people ,so I was the only traveller in the whole bus,others were the local people.when I got on the bus ,I met a warm-hearted steward,who helped me carry my luggage ,introduced me the red soil land and arranged a good seat for me..Although wherever I sit on bus,I always sleep,I thanked her very much.
It took about 4 hours to go to the Dongchuan red soil land(东川红土地）.Although the most roads alongside were village and mountain loads,but it made successful,everything was in order.The bus went though the Huashitou(花石头) and the inn that I ordered in advance.The boss and the landlady looked so close ,they were enthusiastic and always wore smiles. Lately,I was the only person who lived in the inn,so the fees was not high ,only 50 yuan for a day.The room was spacious,the window , the best place to see the sunrise ,was across from the Setting Sun Ravine(落霞沟 in the straight.

I had a rest for a short time,then went to the inn and ate a large bowl of noodles at the price of 10 yuan.Generally speaking,people who paid a visit to the Dongchuan red soil land （东川红土地)always took buses ordered by the boss.However,it was luxurious for only one person to travel in this way.What’s more,I preferred to travel on foot，which was able to take photos of the unexpected objectives.Therefore,I decided to spend two days visiting .the whole Dongchuan red soil land(东川红土地）

Due to the fierce sunshine in the afternoon,I had a sleep instead of visiting.Around 4 to 5 pm,I set off to Qicai Slope(七彩坡）and Jinxiu Garden(锦绣园），which were the closest places to the inn.What made me unexpected was that the weather was as cloudy as falling raindrops soon.There was no doubt that I would feel blue when I began to take photos.But since I had ordered well,no matter how the weather was,I needed to take some photos by angle and personal skills,tried to change the detrimental factors into good ones.

      Huashitou——Jinxiuyuan——Qicaipo（16:00-19:00）
  It was the fact that Hongshitou(红石头)was a central point of the whole Dongchuan red soil land（东川红土地),it was in the shape of T.Jinxiu Garden(锦绣园），Qicai Slope(七彩坡）and Damakeng(打马坑） lie on the left of it.On the right lied the thousand-year ancient Long tree(千年老龙树）， Setting Sun Valley(落霞沟），Moon Field(月亮田).Going to Yuepuao(乐谱凹）and going back to Kunming is downward.Taking the photographic bag,carrying the a pot of tea given by the car -rented landlady in Shangri-La(香格里拉）,I left for the destination and greatly enjoyed the photographic journey on foot,which gave  me much gain and reflection every time.

锦绣园/七彩坡

  Jinxiu Garden(锦绣园）was a large hillside which was in an unbroken line.Several farmers cultivated different crops.Although the sunshine was not bright,the colorful combinations of crops make the place unique and special from different directions.From time to time,the carriages came and went ,the carriage drivers looked very simple and honest.I went up along the mountainside ,I found that the higher I went up,the more beautiful the scene was.When I arrived at the top,I could had a good look of the whole Huashitou(花石头）area,embracing a harmonious scene of farmhouses and farm fields.

Going straightly from the Jinxiu Garden(锦绣园),you would arrived at Qicai Slope(七彩坡）quickly.it was 6pm when I got to the place .Although it was cloudy,it can not hide the beauty of there.I believed it would be more attractive when the sunshine is enough.

  When I finished ,I decided to go back along the road.At that time,I found a small road ,bravery pushed me to go along the road.Finding that I went into the thickly dotted forest,I felt extremely regretful.Seeing the two

Unfathomable sides of the roads seemed to be walked by people,suddenly I felt more and more stressful,being afraid of coming across something terrible.Finally,I got to the mountain foot .The farm field made me fell surprised and happy.However,the mood turned to be restless when I saw  the deep ravine that blocks the the broad road.What should I do?Could I go back along the original road?

At the time,there is no one in the neighborhood.I set myself down to think that since the road was walked by people,he must be able to step over the ravine and made it successful to go out of the place.Then,I went along the side of the deep ravine,trying to find the lower place and wooden bridge while asking others for help.Finally, in the place where is not 100 meters far ,I found that in the ravine there were two small slopes ,which is helpful for me to step over the ravine. I sigh deeply:Heaven always leaves a door open.But this encounter told me that the cut-way is full of adventure all the time.

When I went down the mountain ,it is overwhelmingly for me to find that the download location of the other side of the Hushitou T crossing (花石头T 字路口）is not far away from the opposite side of the inn.But as I recalled the experience just now,fear still left in my mind.Coming back to the inn,the landlady made delicious dishes for me,including 2 plates of dishes and a large bowl of soup.25yuan in total though,I was very full.

At night ,I stayed at the room for the first reason was that I needed to have a good rest for tomorrow’s journey of walking on the other side of the T road.For another reason was s that there was thundering storm tonight,which was the most powerful that I had not ever seen.The heavy wind and rain with the lightening scared me greatly.
  Huashitou—Qicai Jiayuan—Duoyishu—Dragon Tree—Luoxiagou（9:00-19:00）

The next morning,I got up at 9 am and had some golden cake (黄金饼）bought in Shangri-La(香格里拉）for breakfast.Tasty as it was not,I had no choice.After making a pot of ,I walked toward to the right from Huashitou(花石头)，and arrived at Setting Sun ravine(落霞沟）at 4 to 5pm,which is said to be the most beautiful.I walked about more than 10 miles so that I felt very exhausted.Luckily,I am accustomed to photographing on foot,I regard it as an enjoyment.
 

Today the weather is better,on the whole road,all the people traveled in groups by except me.I had ever thought that tried to find a motorbike,but there is no empty one for me.I just took photos in this way.Finally I managed to get to the Setting Sun ravine(落霞沟）after several hours.

What a beautiful place it was ,like the heaven in the man’s world,which was created by the God itself.Seeing this,I was totally amazed at the place.That brightly red land was surrounded by the mountains.When sun rises from the eastern mountains,the heaven was extremely attractive with a half of shade and a half of brightness. Luckily,I made acquaintances with a couple from Hong Kong（香港），their camera is the same as mine.Chatting and taking photos,we enjoyed ourselves very much.

落霞沟
At the Setting Sun ravine(落霞沟）, at least I took the magnificent photos at the shutter speed of 50 or 60
After finishing, along the original road,I went back to the Yuepuao(乐谱凹），where was the best place to enjoy the sunset said by the the inn lord.It was easy to get there,I arrived at more than 6pm when lots of photographic lovers were taking a good place.However,several people got disappointed with the dark clouds.As for me,I took some before the sunset and got quite satisfied when I began to return to the inn.

乐谱凹

As soon as I arrived,I told the landlady that I wanted to eat the dishes that I had eaten yesterday.This time,I got fuller with 3 large bowls of rice..

 I was so tired that fell into asleep soon at nigh while I was watching TV.
On the third day morning,I got up at more than 7am and checked out.The landlady helped me arrange for my returning bus to Kunming（昆明).I was waiting at the gate until 7:45am when I saw a cartoon-liked bus winding down from the top of the mountain.

I arrived at the North Passenger Station at 1pm after more than 4 hours.I came and walk around in the GuanDu Acient Town(官渡古镇）in my plan.It became a garden where some people were taking a walk,some people were dancing,some people were selling goods,which was totally lack of historic atmosphere.Seeing everything around there,I took some pictures of the memorial archway,and left the town disappointedly for the airport.

I would told you that you can take the subway from the East Passenger Station to the :airport.The latest is at 7:10pm,not 6:10pm written on the internet,which troubled me greatly. Feeling comfortable ,I took the empty subway while I was enjoying the beautiful scenery alongside.

I arrived at Changshui Airport（长水机场）at dusk.Under the azure sky,the airport was specially spectacular.I was totally trapped into taking photos regardless of the time.Due to the large scale of the airport,it took me 15 minutes to run from the checking station to the boarding gate.Trough the experience,it is recommended that we go the Kunming Changshui Airport(昆明长水机场）2 hours earlier at least.
I could not order the special ticket to Guangzhou(广州）,so I ordered the special ticket to Zhuhai(珠海）,then it was cheap for me to take the light rail to Foshan(佛山）。
I recalled the journey of Yunnan(云南）deeply on the returning road and thought a lot.I believed that every journey would make me more mature and informative.I believe that Yunnan(云南）is the second hometown for me,which is filled with geniality and harmony!!I held in trust that I would had the third chance of visiting Yunnan(云南）!!! I love Yunnan(云南)!!!! 
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