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!
Edward Tan said:
Stunningly beautiful!
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joliesattic said:
Gorgeous and what an adventure!
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Little Miss Traveller said:
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!
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JohnRH said:
Beautiful.
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wheatypetesworld said:
What an absolutely stunning set of photos to go with this great post. I’m envious! Really enjoyed reading and looking at this. Thanks.
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Gaz said:
Sue, the photographs of the terraced hills look amazing.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you very much Edward.
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frejatravels said:
It is very beautiful Sue
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vinneve said:
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!
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Emma Cownie said:
What beautiful fields, they are like songs, melodic and sweet.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you. I really loved it there.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
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.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you so much John.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
How lovely are you!! Thank you so much.
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Little Miss Traveller said:
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
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sileas said:
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 😉
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
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.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thanks Emma. They truly were stunning.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
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.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thanks J. Yep me too about the hotel. Was very worried!!! But worked out famously.
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Amy said:
The landscape of Yunnan is beautiful. Lovely captures of the cows. These are breathtaking photos, Sue.
Thank you so much for the fabulous tour.
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Little Miss Traveller said:
Happy Christmas Sue Marion x
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Marta said:
What a beautiful place! And I had never heard of it. I haven’t been much around west China, sadly!
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Rotwein Wanderer said:
Beautiful “patchworks”!
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
I love to hear this compliment from you Amy as you take such wonderful photos. All the very best to you for 2019 Amy.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you Marion. Sorry for delay was up at my brother’s and didn’t really log on.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
It def was beautiful Marta. Hope first Christmas with little one was lovely.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
I thought so too. Thank you.
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Flavia Vinci said:
You made wonderful shots there!
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you very much.
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Flavia Vinci said:
You’re very welcome, Sue😘
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sidran said:
Delightful terraced fields! I like the bridges as well. Lucky having the hotel all to yourself.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thanks as always Sidran.
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Lignum Draco said:
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.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Am sitting here laughing out loud. Sand!!!!
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Lignum Draco said:
🙂
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