In the evening, Sanya Bay.
The sunset dyes the sky orange-red, coconut groves rustling in the evening breeze. Some walk by the seaside, some play ball on the beach, some sit in lounge chairs watching the sunset. In the distance, several fishing boats slowly return to port, lights beginning to flicker.
This is Hainan’s most common dusk.
Hainan is a place that makes you forget time.
Province Profile#
- Location: China’s southernmost tip, tropical island
- Best Travel Season: November to following April (avoid typhoon season)
- Highlights: Tropical scenery, vacation paradise, duty-free shopping, coconut breeze and sea rhythm
Must-Visit Attractions#
Sanya: Oriental Hawaii#
Sanya is China’s most popular tropical vacation destination.
Yalong Bay is called “The First Bay Under Heaven,” a 7-kilometer crescent-shaped beach with white sand and clear water—Sanya’s most beautiful bay. Luxury resort hotels line the coast; staying here, you open the door to the sea.
Tianya Haijiao (Ends of the Earth) is Sanya’s most romantic spot, with two giant rocks carved with “Tianya” and “Haijiao.” Many couples come here to make vows and witness their love.
Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone has a 108-meter-tall Guanyin statue on the sea—the world’s tallest Guanyin statue. Standing by the sea, watching the Guanyin statue towering on the water surface, solemn and sacred.
Best Experience: Stay one night at a resort hotel in Yalong Bay, and watch the sunset on a private beach.
Wuzhizhou Island: China’s Maldives#
Wuzhizhou Island is Sanya’s most beautiful island, with crystal clear water, visibility up to 27 meters at its deepest.
The island is fully developed with various water activities—diving, jet skiing, parasailing, underwater walking… Diving into the seabed to see colorful coral and tropical fish is an unforgettable experience.
Best Experience: Take the first boat to the island in the morning to avoid crowds. Take photos on Lover’s Bridge, watch sunset from Sunrise Rock.
Haikou: The Slow Life of Coconut City#
Haikou is Hainan’s provincial capital, more down-to-earth than Sanya.
Arcade Old Street is Haikou’s historical memory, with Nanyang-style arcade buildings, weathered walls telling century-old stories. Walking on the old street, seeing old teahouses, time-honored shops, old barbershops, feel this city’s earthly vitality.
Holiday Beach is Haikou’s most popular seaside bathing spot, with white sand and clear water, complete facilities. In the evening, locals like to come here to walk, barbecue, and watch the sunset.
Volcano Park is the remains of a volcano from thousands of years ago, where you can explore volcanic caves and learn about geology.
Best Experience: Eat a bowl of Hainan noodles on Arcade Old Street in the morning, watch the sunset at Holiday Beach in the evening.
Special Experiences#
Boundary Island#
Boundary Island is the dividing line between northern and southern climates of Hainan Island, also a beautiful island.
The water here is clearer than in Sanya, with fewer tourists. You can feed manta rays, watch dolphin performances, and go diving to explore.
Yanoda Rain Forest#
Yanoda is China’s only tropical rainforest at 18 degrees north latitude.
Walking into the rainforest, towering trees block the sky, vines winding, streams babbling. Take a deep breath—the air is full of negative oxygen ions, a natural oxygen bar.
Duty-Free Shopping#
Hainan is the world’s fourth offshore duty-free shopping zone.
Sanya International Duty-Free City and Haikou Duty-Free Shop gather world’s major brands. Cosmetics, watches, bags are much cheaper than on the mainland—a paradise for shopping lovers.
Special Cuisine#
Hainan cuisine is light and fresh. Wenchang Chicken is first among Hainan’s four famous dishes, with crispy skin and tender meat, dipped in ginger-scallion-garlic oil—fresh and fragrant. Qingbu Liang is a Hainan dessert, with coconut milk, mung beans, red beans, job’s tears, and macaroni—cooling and refreshing. Coconut Chicken is a Sanya specialty, chicken boiled in coconut water—sweet and fresh.
Travel Tips#
- Transportation: Haikou and Sanya both have airports with numerous flights. The island has a round-island high-speed rail, making transportation convenient.
- Accommodation: In Sanya, stay at resort hotels in Yalong Bay or Haitang Bay; in Haikou, stay near Arcade Old Street.
- Note: Summer is hot and rainy—recommend visiting in autumn or winter. Choose legitimate operators for diving—watch for safety.
Hainan’s beauty lies in its simplicity.
Sunshine, beach, coconut groves, ocean waves—without much embellishment, already moving enough.
Lying on a beach chair, drinking coconut water, watching clouds roll by, listening to waves hit the shore… time here seems to lose its meaning.
Come to Hainan and throw your worries into the sea.
Tomorrow, we begin our Central China journey, starting with Hubei to see the eternal romance of Yellow Crane Tower and the magnificence of the Three Gorges.