Hainan

Hainan is an island province and the southernmost province of China. It consists of the eponymous Hainan Island and various smaller islands in the South China Sea under the province's administration. The name literally means "South of the Sea". The province has a land area of 33,920 square kilometers (13,100 sq mi), of which Hainan Island is 32,900 square kilometers (12,700 sq mi) and the rest is over 200 islands scattered across three archipelagos: Zhongsha, Xisha and Nansha. It was part of Guangdong from 1950 to 1988, after which it was made a province of its own and was designated as a special economic zone by Deng Xiaoping, as part of the Chinese economic reform program. The Han Chinese population, who compose a majority of the population at 82%, speak a wide variety of languages including Standard Chinese, Hainam Min, Yue Chinese, Cantonese, Hakka Chinese, etc. Indigenous peoples such as the Hlai, a Kra–Dai-speaking ethnic group, are native to the island and compose 15% of the population. Their native languages include the Hlai languages. The Hlai are recognized by the Chinese government as one of the country's 56 ethnic groups. Speakers of Be, despite speaking a Kra-Dai language, are reckoned officially as ethnically Han Chinese. Hainan is also home to the Jiamao language, of disputed provenance. There are ten major cities and ten counties in Hainan Province. The capital of the province is Haikou, on the northern coast of Hainan Island, while Sanya is a well-known tourist destination on the southern coast. The other major cities are Wenchang, Sansha, Qionghai, Wanning, Wuzhishan, Dongfang and Danzhou. According to China's territorial claims, several disputed territories in the South China Sea, including the Spratly Islands (Nansha) and Paracel Islands (Xisha), are administered under Sansha city of the province. While the Paracels are fully under China's control, many of the Spratly Islands are controlled by other countries, such as Vietnam and the Philippines. In 2020, a large-scale plan was announced by the Chinese government to transform the entire island province into a free trade port, with the aim of turning it into the largest free-trade port in the world by 2035. The plan involves building a hub for offshore financing and duty-free shopping, as well as using lower taxes and reduced visa requirements to help draw in foreign businesses and tourists. Moreover, all goods sold from Hainan to other parts of China would be treated as imports from 2025 onward.

One-Day Hainan Tour Itinerary Recommendations

Theme:

Coconut Breezes + Li & Miao Culture + Tropical Flavors

Suitable for:

Short trips to Sanya/Haikou/Wanning, flexible with self-driving/high-speed rail + taxi

Practical Tips

Seasonal Highlights:

Sanya best Nov-Mar | Wanning waves peak summer | Haikou year-round

Ticket Prices:

Wuzhizhou Island ¥140 | Volcanic Park ¥54 | Jiajing Island tours ~¥400

Must-Try Flavors:

Sanya: Luosifen noodles, Hele crab

Haikou: Zuozaocu vinegar hotpot, Dongshan lamb

Wanning: Hou'an noodles, sour rice noodles

Optimization Tips:

Sanya alternative: Xidao fishing village experience (better with overnight)

Short Haikou trip? Skip volcano for Qilou + Century Bridge night views

Wanning combo suggestion: Xinglong Tropical Garden (coffee/chocolate DIY)

(Note: Sanya-Haikou高铁1.5hrs | All coastal routes best with sunscreen!)

Option 1:

Sanya Coastal Escape

Best for:

Couples, families

Transport:

Taxi/rental car in Sanya

07:30-09:30 Sunrise at Yalong Bay

Pristine "Oriental Hawaii" beaches | Red Tree Forest section recommended

10:00-12:00 Wuzhizhou Island Water Sports

Parasailing/sea walking (best before 11am for clearest water)

12:30-14:00 Seafood Feast

Recommended: Sister Lin Seafood (pepper mantis shrimp + steamed grouper)

14:30-17:00 Atlantis Aquarium

Lost Chambers manta ray viewing | Optional waterpark adventure river

18:00 Sunset at Coconut Dream Corridor

20km coastal walkway | Phoenix Island light show drone shots

Option 2:

Haikou Heritage & Food Trail

Best for:

History buffs, food lovers

Transport:

Walk + e-bike in Qilou Old Street

08:00-10:00 Dim Sum in Qilou Quarter

Hengxingfa Teahouse (signature buns + "Old Dad Tea") | Nanyang-style arcades

10:30-12:30 Five Officials' Temple + Hainan Museum

Exiled scholars' history | Li brocade Intangible Cultural Heritage exhibition

12:30-14:00 Wenchang Chicken Banquet

Qiong Cuisine King (coconut chicken hotpot + chicken oil rice)

14:30-17:00 Volcanic Geopark

Explore ancient crater | Tropical garden Instagram spots

18:00 Hainan University Night Market

Qingbuliang dessert + Hainan noodles + chili-salt fruits

Option 3:

Wanning Surf Adventure

Best for:

Sports enthusiasts, youth

Transport:

Rental car from Wanning Station

07:30-10:00 Surfing at Riyue Bay

Beginner-friendly back beach | 2-hour lesson with photos (book ahead)

10:30-12:30 Shimei Bay Coastal Drive

Most scenic highway | Oceanview Pavilion Xinglong coffee

12:30-14:00 Nanyang Cuisine Lunch

Recommended: Nanyang Flavor (beef curry + seven-layer cake)

14:30-17:00 Jiajing Island Snorkeling/Shenzhou Cape Lighthouse

Coral reefs in glassy waters | "Lost in the Stars" filming location

18:00 Riyue Bay Bar Street

Surfer hangout | Evening beach parties