Hainan Island
Synopsis
Hainan Island is the second largest island in China, located on the coast of the South China Sea, and is the country's only tropical island province. Sanya's Yalong Bay, Tianya Haijiao, and Nanshan Temple are famous tourist destinations. The construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port has brought new development opportunities to this tropical paradise, which is often referred to as the Hawaii of China.
Overview
Hainan Island is located at the southernmost tip of China and is the country's second largest island, after Taiwan Island. The entire island covers an area of approximately 35,400 square kilometers with a coastline stretching 1,823 kilometers. Hainan is China's only tropical island province, boasting a unique tropical maritime climate with an average annual temperature of 22 to 27 degrees Celsius. It enjoys a summer-like climate all year round, making it China's most popular tropical holiday destination. In 2020, the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port was officially launched, ushering in unprecedented development opportunities for this tropical island.
The beauty of Hainan Island is diverse—the azure seas and silver sands of Sanya, the tropical rainforests of Wuzhishan, the international flair of Boao, and the arcade-lined old streets of Haikou constitute rich and varied tourism resources. Hainan is also known as the "Hawaii of China" and is the preferred winter getaway for Chinese seeking to escape the cold.
Major Attractions
| Attraction | Location | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Yalong Bay | Sanya | "The First Bay under Heaven," 7 km of silvery-white beach, crystal-clear water |
| Tianya Haijiao (The Ends of the Earth) | Sanya | Romantic landmark, giant rocks inscribed with "Tianya" and "Haijiao" |
| Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone | Sanya | 108-meter-tall Guanyin statue over the sea, Buddhist sacred site |
| Wuzhizhou Island | Sanya | Tropical island, paradise for water sports |
| Yanoda Rainforest | Baoting | Tropical rainforest ecological scenic area |
| Wuzhishan (Five Finger Mountain) | Wuzhishan City | Hainan's highest peak, pristine tropical forest |
| Boao Forum for Asia | Qionghai | International conference center, at the estuary of the Wanquan River |
| Arcade Old Street | Haikou | Nanyang (Southeast Asian) style architectural complex, over a century old |
| Tongguling | Wenchang | Primitive coastal landforms |
Specialty Cuisine
Hainan's cuisine primarily features seafood and tropical fruits. Hainanese Chicken Rice is the island's most famous dish, made with Wenchang chicken served with chicken oil rice and a special sauce—tender and delicious. Wenchang chicken is the foremost of Hainan's "Four Famous Dishes," known for its thin skin, tender meat, crispy bones, and savory flavor. Jiaji duck, Dongshan goat, and Hele crab together with Wenchang chicken constitute Hainan's Four Famous Dishes. Qingbuliang is Hainan's most popular summer dessert, made with coconut milk and various ingredients like red beans, mung beans, and barley.
Tropical fruits are another major highlight of Hainan. Coconuts, mangoes, jackfruit, lychees, longans, dragon fruit, passion fruit, and more are all abundant. Dishes using coconut as a base, such as coconut rice and coconut chicken, are also must-try delicacies when visiting Hainan.
Free Trade Port
In June 2020, the "Overall Plan for the Construction of Hainan Free Trade Port" was released, positioning Hainan as a forefront of China's opening-up. The Free Trade Port policies include multiple preferential measures such as zero tariffs, low tax rates, and a simplified tax system, attracting a large influx of businesses and talent. The offshore duty-free policy has further made Hainan a shopping paradise, with a significant number of tourists visiting annually specifically to purchase duty-free goods.
Travel Tips
The peak tourist season in Hainan Island is from October to March of the following year. During this time, northern China is in the depths of winter, while Hainan remains warm and spring-like, making it the best choice for a winter escape. Sanya is the preferred destination for most tourists, but Haikou's Arcade Old Street, the surfing at Riyue Bay in Wanning, and Fenjiezhou Island in Lingshui are also worth exploring. A stay of 5-7 days is recommended: 3-4 days in Sanya, and 1-2 days each in Haikou and other areas.
References
- Baidu Baike: https://baike.baidu.com/item/海南岛
- Hainan Provincial Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports: https://tourism.hainan.gov.cn
- Wikipedia: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/海南岛
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