The Dongchuan Red Lands (Dōngchuān Hóngtǔdì, 东川红土地), some 250 km (155 mi) to the northeast of Kunming, have become increasingly popular in recent years among photographers and backpackers for its mix of striking landscapes and laid-back villages. Far enough from Kunming to escape the crowds, it's a fine spot to spend a few days in a local hostel, dining in small country-style restaurants and hiking the stunning red-earth landscape.

At between 1,800 and 2,600 m (5,900-8,500 ft) above sea level, the area's altitude and relative isolation make for dramatically clear skies that tend to be especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset, when the slant of light catches the red clay, yellow and green fields of grain, and striated hillsides just right. Despite the altitude, Dongchuan remains quite warm from spring through autumn, and the humidity and iron-rich soil sustain a thriving network of small agricultural communities.

The best times to visit are between May and June, and again between September and December, when tilling turns up large swathes of red earth which contrast beautifully with the greens and yellows of the wheat and barley favored by local farmers. 

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