Sand is probably the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about the beach. However, this is not the case with the Panjin Red Beach in China, which is, actually, red, and not covered in sand at all. Such a phenomenon is caused by a type of red plant called Sueda. It starts growing during April and May, then stays green during the summer, but starts turning vividly red in autumn.

The Red Beach is located in the biggest wetland and reed marsh in the world. Actually, hosts the most completed ecosystem that can be found: the nature reserve has become home to more than 260 kinds of birds and 399 kinds of wild animals. You can find the endangered Crown Cranes and Black Beaked Gulls there, which is why the famous beach is even called “home of the cranes.”

To keep the beautiful nature and its inhabitants safe, the area was granted state-level protection back in 1988. Even though most of the Red Beach is closed to the public, there still is a small section that works as a tourist attraction. We can assure you that the photos below are not an example of infrared photography, it’s just one of those places that are hard to believe really exist!

Photo: Jia Mi

Photo: 沉默

Photo: 刘红石 liuhs

Photo: Douglas Du

Photo: Douglas Du

Photo: Douglas Du

Photo: Kirsten Wong

Photo: Jia Mi

Photo: Qing

Photo: Tintori