Earth pillars
In many colours.
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A valley crowded with pillars and towers of compacted earth and sand in yellow, red, grey and white, like carved castles and curtains, formed over some one and a half million years in the hot, dry valley of the Jinsha River; Yuanmou's earth forests cover about 43 square kilometres, the best known at Wumao. Visitors follow a main trail of about two kilometres through the valley between the towering pillars and climb to viewing platforms, a walk of about two hours, and the colours glow strongest at sunrise and sunset. The traveller Xu Xiake described it in 1638, writing that its rocks shone gold as if he walked among golden clouds, and many Chinese films have been shot here. The Wumao ticket costs about CNY 70, half price for students and seniors, and it is open from 8 am to 6 pm; the fast train from Kunming reaches Yuanmou West in about an hour and a half, then a taxi or bus to the forest, per visitor guides.
In many colours.
Between the towers.
Colouring the earth.
Wumao, Yuanmou County, Chuxiong, about 180 km by road north-west of Kunming, Yunnan
Choices are few in Yuanmou, so bring food; Kunming has many restaurants run by Hui Muslims under the halal sign.