10 Songhua Dam Reservoir, Yunnan province

Best viewing period: Early winter

General admission: Free

Location: Panlong district, Kunming city, Yunnan province

The early winter is the best season to view the dawn redwood forests in the upstream of the Songhua Dam Reservoir in Dianwei village, Panlong district, Kunming city. On sunny days, the colorful dawn redwoods in the water resemble an oil painting, very refreshing to the mind and spirit.

The Songhua Dam Water Protection Zone is an important source of drinking water. A decade ago, the district, wanting to improve its ecological environment, began building forest buffer zones and purifying the water. Nowadays, the protection zone is a habitat of migratory birds, with beautiful villages, clear water, and a good ecology. The dawn redwood forest has become a special calling card for local tourism.