Enchanting expanse of crimson beach lures tourists to China’s Panjin

All around the world, there are beaches covered with white sand, creating the illusion of being layered with sugar granules. In stark contrast to these, Panjin's Red Beach, situated in China's Liaoning Province, is a stunning beach draped in blood-red growth. As autumn unfolds, the colour spreads like a sea of red across the area, attracting tourists from every corner of the globe to see this enchanting sight. The distinctive red hue is attributed to seepweed called Suaeda salsa, a plant with a unique red colour which can absorb high levels of salinity. This plant thrives in highly alkaline soils, and from September to early October, its colour undergoes a transformation from green to red.

Panjin is approximately a six-hour journey away from Beijing and can be reached by bus or train. This region stands as one of the largest wetlands globally, featuring designated footpaths for tourists to explore the area. Over two million people visit this location annually, making it one of the most photographed places in China. Red Beach is a protected nature reserve. Although it has a beach in its name, it is a swamp. It is, in fact, one of the largest swamps in Asia. Notably, there is no visible sand on this swampy terrain.

The coastline is home to more than 260 bird species and 399 wildlife species. Endangered species such as the black-mouthed gull and red-crowned crane inhabit the area. Additionally, the marshy region is rich in reeds used for paper production. In addition to Red Beach, Panjin boasts other natural wonders, including the Shaungtaizihekou National Natural Reserve which is a habitat for 321 animal species; the Golden Beach on the Bohai Sea; and Hubin Park in Panshan, which has several stone tablets carved with Chinese calligraphy inscriptions.