A patch of red earth in Dongming Township in eastern China has gone viral, drawing crowds of visitors who come to play and take photos even on weekdays. The site covers roughly 0.5 acres, and its compact, undulating mounds make for dramatic images.

The soil’s vivid colour comes from its rich iron and aluminium content, which turns red under oxidizing conditions. Over long periods in a humid subtropical climate, the ground has weathered into small hills and gullies; in sunlight, the red layers show striking tonal depth.

The spot’s online popularity follows a rise in outdoor hiking and social media sharing, and local planners hope to turn this attention into a longer visitor route. The aim is to link nearby attractions into a chain of rural sights, making the red soil one highlight of a distinctive Dongming Township countryside trail.