Hainan

Hainan, China’s southernmost island province, sits in the South China Sea with more than 930 miles of coastline. The island’s tropical climate allows travel any time of year. Swim in the clear waters near Sanya’s coral reefs, walk through the stone formations at Shishan Volcanic Garden, or see traditional wooden houses in Li minority villages. Construction cranes dot Haikou’s skyline as the free trade port expands, but you’ll still find rainforests with wild monkeys and natural hot springs. Explore Haikou Movie Town’s recreated Parisian boulevards, climb the steep paths of Five Finger Mountain, or try sliced Wenchang chicken served with coconut rice. Fishing boats unload squid and crabs at dawn in Sanya’s harbors, while new marinas prepare for international yacht races.

Transportation Options

Fly directly to Haikou Meilan or Sanya Phoenix airports from cities like Beijing, Shanghai, or Singapore. Ferries run daily between Haikou and mainland ports including Beihai, with overnight cabins available. Three highways cross the island from north to south, passing through coconut plantations and small towns. Since 2018, travelers from 59 countries including Germany and Brazil can stay visa-free for up to 30 days. Cruise ships from Hong Kong dock at Sanya’s port every Thursday during peak season.

Areas Worth Visiting

Sanya’s southern coast has luxury hotels along Yalong Bay and public swimming areas at Dadonghai Beach. The island’s center contains Wuzhishan, where hiking paths cut through forests filled with ferns and orchids. Wenchang in the northeast attracts visitors to its rocket launch viewing sites. Dongfang on the west coast has fewer tourists, with quiet bays where fishermen repair nets. Haikou has a busy city atmosphere. Qionghai, to the east, has natural hot springs surrounded by palm trees.

Top Sights

Yalong Bay National Resort has white-sand beaches. Golf courses and water sports facilities are available here. Shishan Volcanic Garden displays jagged rock formations and deep craters filled with rainwater. Paddle a kayak down the Wanquan River, which starts at Five Finger Mountain and flows past banana groves. Haikou’s Holiday Beach fills with families grilling squid on portable stoves after sunset. Artifacts from the Han dynasty’s 110 BCE conquest of Hainan appear in museums near Baoting, alongside Li minority textiles and pottery.

Eating and Shopping

Order Wenchang chicken chopped into bite-sized pieces with a ginger-scallion dipping sauce. At Sanya’s open-air markets, vendors steam fish in banana leaves or fry clams with chili. Look for stalls selling sticky rice cooked inside bamboo tubes. Russian-speaking staff in some Sanya restaurants serve beet soup and rye crackers, a legacy of winter tourism. Buy mangoes and pineapples from roadside stands, but check for bruises. Haikou’s night markets stay open until 2 AM, with plastic chairs set up around woks sizzling with garlic prawns.

Things to Do

Rent snorkeling gear at Wuzhizhou Island to see angelfish and brain coral. Parasailing operators work from Dadonghai Beach, though safety checks can be inconsistent. Join a guided hike through Bawangling National Forest to spot Hainan gibbons swinging through trees. Sailors can charter yachts from Sanya’s marinas to explore nearby islands, with permits allowing 30-day stays. Between May and August, avoid swimming after heavy rains due to jellyfish blooms.

History Overview

Chinese armies first reached Hainan in the 2nd century BCE, but the Li people resisted control for centuries. During World War II, Japanese forces built mines and roads now overgrown by jungle. In 1988, Hainan became China’s smallest province and gained special economic status. Reminders of the past include abandoned rubber plantations near Danzhou and Li villages near Wuzhishan where elders still weave colorful fabrics.

Practical Advice

Plan trips between November and March for cooler temperatures and less rain. Use ride-hailing apps to get around cities, or rent a car to reach rural areas like Baisha’s tea fields. Learn phrases like “duōshǎo qián?” (how much?) for market bargaining. Typhoons from July to October sometimes close beaches and cancel ferries. During Chinese New Year (January/February), hotel prices triple and beaches get crowded.

Development Updates

New duty-free malls in Haikou and Sanya sell imported cosmetics and electronics tax-free to Chinese citizens. Construction crews work on a high-speed rail line connecting all major coastal cities by 2025. Environmental groups monitor protected zones like Jianfengling rainforest, where logging is banned. Each December, Haikou hosts film premieres and director panels during its international festival, with screenings held in repurposed colonial buildings.