A new colorimetric ditopic receptor (1) was synthesized and characterized. Upon investigation of a series of anions, the appearance of the solution of receptor 1 with F^– showed a colour change from light-yellowish to orange-red which can be detected by the naked eye. Upon subsequent addition of Na⁺ or Li⁺ to the solution, the orange-red colour was no longer observable. The remarkable colour switching (ON and OFF) is thus controlled by the anion and cation recognition.