Hainan - China

INTRODUCTION
Yalong Bay Located on the South China Sea and consisting of Hainan Island and the islands in the South China Sea, Hainan Island is the second largest island in China, only next to Taiwan. Hainan Province is one of the famous hometowns for overseas Chinese. Hainan is attractive with tropical virgin forests, rare species of plants, plenty of tropical fruits, abundant aquatic resources, a vast expanse of sea, fine sandy beaches and unique local customs. The capital of Hainan is Haikou city.

POPULATION
8.1 million people.

CLIMATE
Li Family Belonging to marine tropical monsoon, the annual mean temperature is 23.8oC, and the annual mean rainfall is 1,639 millimeters. Hainan is an ideal place to be away from the cold winter with an average temperature of 25oC to 29oC in July and August.

TRANSPORTATION
Getting around Hainan is both cheap and easy. Hainan Province has seen a rapid development in transportation with a complete network on land, air and sea. Highways offer convenience for transportation on Hainan Island, which lead to all directions across the province. Water transportation has played an important part in transportation on Hainan Island, which lead to all directions across the province. Water transportation has played an important part in transportation with Haikou, Sanya, Basuo and Yangpu among the largest harbours and wharves.

CUISINE
Vegetarian Banquet Hainan cuisine is said to be ‘lighter, with mild seasonings’. The unpolluted ecological environment of Hainan Island makes seafood the majority on most menus. Seafood restaurants in Haikou can be found on the south Longkun Road and Binhai Avenue. The most famous dishes are Chicken from Wenchang, Duck from Jiaji, Mutton from Dongshan and Crabs from Hele.

ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation in Hainan ranges from budget hotels to 5 star resorts.

SHOPPING
Some of the major shops in the Hainan Province include Bright Pearl Plaza, New World Shopping Center, Dongfang Plaza and Sanya Jingrun Pearl Culture Hall. Hainan is famous for coconut and shell sculptures, pearls and crystals as well as tropical-fruit drinks, coconut food and cashew. Hainan is also home to a variety of Chinese medicinal herbs.

FESTIVALS/CELEBRATIONS
Bananas Hainan International Coconut Festival takes place on the third day of the third month of the lunar calendar featuring Li and Miao martial contests, traditional weddings and sacrifices. There are many festivals and celebrations in Hainan including the Flower-Exchange Festival, Mt. Wuzhi Li and Miao Cultural Festival, Mt. Nanshan Temple Fair, Mid-Autumn Happy Festival and International Wedding Festival.

THINGS TO DO

HAIKOU
Haikou, the capital of Hainan Province is the centre for politics, economy and culture as well as a newly-rising international port city. It features a tropical landscape, hence its nickname, the ‘City of Coconuts’. The beaches of Hainan island are perfect for swimming and sunbathing. There are many places worth visiting including the Memorial Temple to Five Lords, the Cemetery of Hai Rui, the Holiday Beach and the Tropical Marine World.

Holiday Beach
Located to the northwest of Haikou City, Holiday Beach is the longest beach in the city and a large, natural bathing beach, well facilitated for casual activities and recreation.

Tropical Marine World
Golf China’s first large amusement park with the theme of tropical marine world, it covers land, sea and sandy beach. People can have fun on the 101-metre tall Pagoda of 1,000 years, enjoy the laser aquatic show and performances of sea lions, have exciting moments on the Pirate ship and look for treasures on the Treasure Island.

Memorial Temple to Five Lords
Also known as the No. One Tower in Hainan, the Memorial Temple to Five Lords was built to commemorate officials including Li Deyu, Li Gang, Zhao Ding, Hu Quan and Li Guang, of the Tang and Song Dynasties who were banished from the court to Hainan. It has pebble-laid paths, ancient trees and secluded environment.

Tomb of Hai Rui
The Tomb of Hai Rui, an upright official of the Ming Dynasty was established in 1589, the 17th year of the Emperor Wanli’s reign during the Ming Dynasty. There are stone carvings of men, lions, horses and turtles as well as an exhibition hall showcasing relics of Hai Rui.

SANYA Sanya city lies at the southernmost tip of Hainan Island and is surrounded by mountains on three sides and the sea on one side, with a coastline of 180kms. The fine, flat, sandy beach and the tranquil water make it an ideal place for swimming, aquaplaning and rowing. Sanya has abundant tourism resources such as bays, islands, coconut trees, sandy beaches, rocks and caves. Its geological location in the tropical zone and its sufficient sunlight more than 300 days a year make it a famous tourist city and winter resort in southern China.