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All China Panjin Shi Red Beach

Red Beach

A part of the world's largest marsh seems to be growing bright red Martian grass.

Panjin Shi, China

Added By
Eric Grundhauser
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Red Seabeach   Jia Mi on Flickr
Red Seabeach   Jia Mi on Flickr
Red Seabeach   Jia Mi on Flickr
The red crowned crane, among the rarest cranes in the world   Kirsten Wong
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About

As we look out across the world's largest wetland area, the swath of marshy flora growing in the shallow waters of Dawa County, China is an eye-popping crimson. A vast luscious landscape surrounded by an astronomical beauty of "red weed", as if found on Mars. French astronomer and author Camille Flammarion claimed the reason Mars is red is the red vegetation growing on it.

Despite its otherworldly appearance, the lush red grasses of this Chinese marsh have all too Earthly, if still rare, origin. The plant is actually a form of Chenopodium (a member of the Amaranthaceae). This specific species is unique in that it can thrive in alkaline soil, or sweet soil. This other worldly landscape is also known as 'home of the cranes', , namely the red crowned crane, among the rarest cranes in the world. This graceful animal is also known as a symbol of luck, longevity and fidelity.

Governmentally protected, tourists can walk among the rare reeds via specially installed wooden walkways that extend out over the delicate ecosystem. It is unlikely that this location was an inspiration for H.G. Wells' War of the World's weeds, but it makes the site no less unearthly. The area thrives within the world's largest reed marsh which is made into to papyrus-like paper, perfect for writing science fiction stories on.

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Added By

EricGrundhauser

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naturedude, Blindcolour, dustxdust, MagnumPI...

  • naturedude
  • Blindcolour
  • dustxdust
  • MagnumPI
  • ljbrown

Published

December 31, 2014

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Sources
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Seabeach
  • http://www.placestoseeinyourlifetime.com/incredible-red-seabeach-in-china-1968/
Red Beach
Unnamed Road
Panjin Shi
China
40.970622, 121.822995
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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of China

China

Asia

Places 218
Stories 77

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of China

China

Asia

Places 218
Stories 77

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