Northeast Yunnan: Dongchuan Red Land & Black-Necked Cranes
A winter journey from Dongchuan Red Land to Huize Old Town, then to Nianhu Lake and Dashanbao to watch wintering black-necked cranes.
This is a winter photography route. Start by capturing the vibrant colors of Dongchuan Red Land, continue to the historic copper-trading town of Huize, and then head up to Nianhu Lake and Dashanbao to see wintering black-necked cranes. Dashanbao sits at an altitude of over 3,000 meters with basic accommodation. A telephoto lens is recommended for Nianhu as the crane flocks stay at a distance. The drive back to Kunming on the final day is long. Ideal for birdwatchers and photographers; general travelers may choose to visit only Dongchuan and Huize.
Black-necked cranes winter here from late November to early March. Roads may be icy.
Day by day
Day 1 · Kunming to Red Land Sunset
Dongchuan Red Land（Huashitou Village、Luoxia Valley）
Drive about 150 km from Kunming via the Jiaozi Snow Mountain Highway, taking around 3 hours to reach Huashitou.
Stay: Huashitou Village
Day 2 · Lepu'ao to Huize
Dongchuan Red Land（Jinxiu Garden、Yuepu'ao） → Huize（Huize Old Town）
Photograph the Red Land in the morning, then drive about 150 km (approx. 3 hours) to Huize in the afternoon.
Stay: Huize Old Town
Day 3 · Guild Halls, Baimu Village & Nianhu Lake
Huize（Jiangxi Guild Hall (Wanshou Palace)、Baiwu Village, Nagu、Nianhu Lake）
Drive 1 hour from the county seat to Baimu Village, then 1.5 hours to Nianhu Lake.
Set your navigation to Yangmeishan; searching for "Nianhu Reservoir" may lead you away from the best photography spots.
Stay: Nianhu Surroundings
Day 4 · Nianhu Lake to Dashanbao
Zhaotong（Jigongshan Canyon、Tiaodunhe Wetland）
Photograph the cranes at dawn, then drive about 240 km (5 to 6 hours) to Dashanbao Township.
To get from Nianhu to Zhaotong, take the expressway instead of backtracking to Huize for a faster route.
Stay: Dashanbao Township
Day 5 · Dahaizi Crane Watching to Zhaotong
Zhaotong（Dahaizi Lake、Zhaotong Old Town (Doujie & Wenyuan Street)）
Drive 30 minutes to Dahaizi at dawn, then drive 1.5 hours to Zhaotong city center in the afternoon.
Scenic area opening hours and shuttle bus regulations vary; call ahead to confirm before visiting.
Stay: Zhaotong Urban Area
Day 6 · Zhaotong to Kunming
Kunming City（Dianchi Lake / Haigeng Dam）
Drive about 350 km back to Kunming via the expressway, taking 5 to 6 hours.
Black-headed gulls can be seen at Haigeng Dam after November; visit if you have enough time on the day.