Tags
Dongchuan Redland, Falling Clouds Ditch, Luoxiagou, prc, travelling with friends, Yunnan Province
The colourful terraces of China
In September this year my friend Jon and I travelled from Sichuan Province to Yunnan Province by bullet train and intended traveling around the province for about seven days. Jon had never been to Yunnan so I wanted to show him around but decided not to re-visit places I had been to. We didn’t want to stay very long in the capital so I arranged a tour guide and driver to take us to Dongchuan Redland which is about a four hour drive northeast of Kunming and has an altitude of around 1800 – 2600 metres.
When we reached Dongchuan we stopped many times at Luoxiagou [Falling Cloud Ditch] to take photos of the beautiful landscape. Luoxiagou is surrounded by mountains and is adorned with traditional local villages and colourful fields – absolutely stunning!
We arrived later in the afternoon which is said to be the best time for photography.
It was then time to drive to our hotel which was chosen by our tour guide. This meant I had no idea what was in store apart from our guide was told we wanted four or five star! But in China this could mean ‘China 4 star hard bed’ and not ‘Western 4 star comfy bed’…
We travelled down a very steep mountain which only allowed one car on the road at one time. Lucky for us no other vehicles were on the road. We then arrived at the most beautiful grounds surrounding a gorgeous hotel. The first thing we did after we were shown our rooms was to take a walk around the gardens. Lovely little bridges over small running streams, beautiful shrubs and trees, paved pathways and lush green grass.We were the only guests at the hotel along with our driver and guide and the staff asked us to select our fresh vegetables and meat [for Jon] from a large selection in the kitchen. Of course eggplant was selected for me and a local meat and vegetable dish for Jon. I enjoyed a lovely pot of Chinese tea whilst Jon tasted the local beer. Then it was time for bed. My room was lovely with a nice ensuite…bed pretty comfy…yay!!
The next morning, we enjoyed a pot of tea in the dining room after which we departed for Dongchuan Redland. The Redland has high temperatures and abundant rainfall which makes the iron in the earth oxidised and together with different crops and unpredictable light it brings about fabulous coloured [and spectacular] scenery.
Autumn in China (September to November) is a great time to visit and photograph the red fields or red earth. Whilst I could see the red earth, our guide told us that it was a little late in the season to see the bright red colour. He did say that the farmers turn over the fields for new crops including highland barley and wheat which add more colour to the landscape.
We also saw a few healthy cows on the hillside with a spectacular backdrop of coloured terraces.We stopped off at a lovely local restaurant for lunch. Great views from here also and there was a walkway really high up across part of the river; there was no way [ever] I was walking on it…Jon did!
Then it was time to drive four hours back to Kunming for an overnight stay before we departed for another road trip to see the Yuanyang Terraces but more on that later!
Stunningly beautiful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous and what an adventure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Stunning scenery Sue, those fields look like paintings and the hotel very smart and cosy too. Are you at home for Christmas? We have bought our tree and decorated it but still some presents to buy, no idea what though and lots of food shopping to do, but it’s all good fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful.
LikeLike
What an absolutely stunning set of photos to go with this great post. I’m envious! Really enjoyed reading and looking at this. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sue, the photographs of the terraced hills look amazing.
LikeLike
Thank you very much Edward.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is very beautiful Sue
LikeLike
It seems China loves bridges on top of high places! Beautiful hills and nice to see there’s a cow too! I just don’t imagine China with cows haha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What beautiful fields, they are like songs, melodic and sweet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I really loved it there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi M. Thank you. I am going to Sydney to spend time with my brother, nephew and father which will be lovely. What are your plans? I finished my Xmas shopping early Nov. very organised this year. You will have a hot lunch on Xmas day I imagine. I will be making lots of lovely abs different salads.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How lovely are you!! Thank you so much.
LikeLike
Hi Sue, we will spend Christmas at home, just the four of us, husband and two sons and will enjoy a traditional roast turkey dinner with all the trimmings. My cousin will join us on Boxing Day, sadly no parents around any more, my mum–in-law passed away in October.
It was awful about the drone at Gatwick wasn’t it? All those passengers flights disrupted, let’s hope it doesn’t happen again. Marion
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, absolutely gorgeous scenery! And the hotel looks nice too, I was a little sceptical when I read about the guide picking the hotel first 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes I definitely agree China loves bridges in top of high places. Must admit hadn’t seen many cows in China at all now that you mention it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Emma. They truly were stunning.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi M. Sounds lovely. Sad your MiL passed. My condolences- its always sad isn’t it. Yes bad about the drone. I feel for people who get disrupted. Poor things.
LikeLike
Thanks J. Yep me too about the hotel. Was very worried!!! But worked out famously.
LikeLike
The landscape of Yunnan is beautiful. Lovely captures of the cows. These are breathtaking photos, Sue.
Thank you so much for the fabulous tour.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Christmas Sue Marion x
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful place! And I had never heard of it. I haven’t been much around west China, sadly!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful “patchworks”!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love to hear this compliment from you Amy as you take such wonderful photos. All the very best to you for 2019 Amy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Marion. Sorry for delay was up at my brother’s and didn’t really log on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It def was beautiful Marta. Hope first Christmas with little one was lovely.
LikeLike
I thought so too. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You made wonderful shots there!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much.
LikeLike
You’re very welcome, Sue😘
LikeLiked by 1 person
Delightful terraced fields! I like the bridges as well. Lucky having the hotel all to yourself.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks as always Sidran.
LikeLike
Wow, magnificent looking landscapes. This looks so beautiful, and you had the hotel to yourselves. I remember having pillows filled with sand at one hotel I stayed at in China.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Am sitting here laughing out loud. Sand!!!!
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person