China’s captivating landscape stuns all with its flowery Red Beach and portrait-like Red Land. These two locations are havens both for artists aching for inspiration and for travelers in search of a heavenly view.
RED BEACH
Panjin’s Red Beach. Ahbbwzf. CC BY-SA 3.0.
Located in the lush Liaohe River Delta of northeast China, the Panjin Red Beach does not look anything like what one would expect. Instead of being dusted in soft sand like a normal beach, the wetland derives its name from endless fields of crimson seepweed. This wetland contains a single wooden pathway for visitors to admire the bright hues of red, possibly catching a glimpse of the various native species that inhabit the area. Seepweed is common along China’s coasts, but this area is profoundly saturated with the radiating red species called suaeda. This species of seepweed blossoms in spring as an ashy green hue that turns into a light jade in the summer and finally an enchanting red in the fall.
Panjin Red Beach, under government protection, also serves as a wildlife reserve. Over 400 wildlife species can be found in the fields; half of them are birds of which many are protected. The birds find bountiful fish to feed on as well as stable nesting sites in the region.
However, the plentiful ecosystem supported in the wetland also draws humans to consume its goods; rice and crab species in the area are highly prized. Additionally, the nearby Liaohe Oil Field poses a massive threat to wildlife species roaming in the region.
Conservationists have taken action to preserve the balance of the area’s ecosystem, and many hope that this will be enough to protect the wetland’s precious biodiversity.
RED LAND
Dongchuan Red Land. Fotokon Kiki. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Situated in China’s southwestern province of Yunnan, Dongchuan Red Land is an idyllic sight with its hundreds of miles of crimson crops. Named for the iron oxide deposits responsible for its glorious red hues, the Red Land has drawn flocks of artists and photographers eager to capture its magnificence. The land also houses an array of golden and green crops that shine against clear skies.
Witnessing the extraordinary color palette of the area, one would surely doubt that this sight exists year-round. However, the various types of crops lining the hills peak at different times of the year, keeping the area glowing all the time. The random array of crops is due to the lack of regulation in the area; local farms lay their fields as they see fit.
The endless miles of fields are home to a variety of villages, each with unique characteristics. One notable stop is Qicaipo, or the “Seven-Color Slope,” which features purple potato flowers that stripe the hills. Another stop is Yuepuao, or the “Music Hollow,” named for the way farmers appear like musical notes while working the thinly lined fields.
Although one could easily get lost in the flourishing fields of the Red Land, it would surely be an artful adventure attempting to find a way out.
Ella Nguyen
is an undergraduate student at Vassar College pursuing a degree in Hispanic Studies. She wants to assist in the field of immigration law and hopes to utilize Spanish in her future projects. In her free time she enjoys cooking, writing poetry, and learning about cosmetics.