See Red At Red Beach Panjin China

Yes, you will indeed “see red” at Red Beach in Panjin, China.  Not to be confused with the Red Beach in Akrotiri, Greece, this Red Beach can be found in Dawa County, southwest of Panjin in the province of Liaoning, China.  Ah, but don’t misunderstand, you will not run across any hot Chinese guys and gals sunbathing in skimpy swimsuits or countless kids frolicking and making sand castles.  The Red Beach in China is not red because of red sand.  No, it’s a bit more interesting than that.

Landscape

The Red Beach’s landscape is scarlet because it is covered with a seaweed (or seepweed) known as seablite, Suaeda salsa or Suede.  It is part of the Chenopodiaceae family.  Its growth cycle starts in the month of April. In the summer the plant is a lush albeit typical green.  It turns bright red as it matures in the fall.  The leaves of the plant eventually go from red to purple as times passes. The plant dies in winter in preparation for its expectant regrowth in the spring.  Its coastal location indicates that the soil in which it grows is significantly saline.  Most plants do not thrive or even survive with such such salty soil.  Seepweed, however, is one of a very small number of species of grass that can live in salt-filled soil.  It actually requires these saline conditions in order to grow and flourish. The overall landscape of the surrounding area is made up of shallow seas and tidelands.  In fact, the Red Beach is actually located in the largest tidal wetland anywhere in the world.  The area is also important as a nature reserve for migrating birds.

Best Preserved Wetland in the World!

Just off an estuary, the Red Beach is the largest and best-preserved wetland in the world.  Indeed, the Red Beach actually plays host to what some sources claim is one of the “most complete” ecosystems anywhere.  At last report, it served as the home for nearly 400 kinds of wild animals and over 260 types of birds. It is known as the “home of the cranes” by local bird lovers because the endangered black beaked gulls and the red-crowned cranes both meet, breed and reproduce here.  Finally, Asia’s largest reed marsh is also located here.  Said reeds are used in the manufacturing of paper. The distinct seasonality of the Red Beach and immediate surroundings are known to draw numerous tourists to the location every year.  Arrive at the right time and you too will witness over 51 square miles of the area turning crimson.  In 1988 the site was declared “a state-level” protected area in order to ensure the safety of the entire ecosystem.

Once used to create a giant flag as well in some unnamed music video, the Red Beach has also been submitted for inclusion into the International Person and Biosphere Protectorate.  Nevertheless, a small, specific area remains open to tourists to this day.  Visitors simply follow a special wooden walkway that runs out to the sea.  Those who have been to the Red Beach all agree it is definitely worth seeing when in China.  (Plus, this is one of the only “beaches” in the world where tourists won’t go home sunburnt or with sand in any uncomfortable places.)    

(All images are courtesy of the original owners unless otherwise indicated.)