Hainan Guide: Transportation, Sightseeing
With the initiation of the closed-door operations of the Hainan Free Trade Port, Hainan is becoming a shopping paradise and a holiday destination. This comprehensive guide covers transportation, tourism, and shopping, helping you make the most of your trip to Hainan!
I. Transportation Guide: Easy Entry and Exit, Seamless Island Travel
1. Entering and Leaving the Island
Plane: Haikou Meilan International Airport (HAK) and Sanya Phoenix International Airport (SYX) are the main aviation hubs, covering major cities nationwide and some international routes. Qionghai Boao Airport (BAR) also has some routes.
Ferry: You can take a ferry from Xuwen, Guangdong to Haikou Xiuying Port or Xinhai Port; car ferries are supported (the top choice for self-driving tours).
Train: The cross-sea railway connects Guangdong. The Z-series trains, which depart at night and arrive in the morning, are convenient and comfortable.
2. Intra-Island Transportation
Round-the-Island High-Speed Rail: East Line (Haikou-Sanya, approx. 1.5-2 hours), West Line (Haikou-Sanya, approx. 3-4 hours), covering 12 cities and counties across the island with frequent schedules.
Car Rental/Self-Driving: Highways in Hainan are toll-free. Rental outlets are available at airports/stations; comparing prices on platforms is recommended (driver's license required).
Bus/Online Ride-hailing: Haikou and Sanya have well-developed public transportation systems. Pairing them with DiDi or Cao Cao Mobility makes for convenient and quick travel.
II. Hainan Travel Guide: The Best Method, Round-the-Island Self-Driving (East Line Recommended)
Travel around Hainan Island is mainly divided into the East Line, West Line, and Central Line. These three routes have very distinct styles, each with its own unique charm.
The best way to tour Hainan is recommended: Round-the-island self-driving. The best seaside route: Hainan Round-the-Island Tourist Highway East Line (praised by netizens as "China's Most Beautiful Coastal Highway", total length approx. 450 km): (Travel time suggested: 4–5 days)
Haikou → Wenchang (approx. 110 km) → Qionghai (approx. 70 km) → Wanning (approx. 90 km) → Lingshui (approx. 100 km) → Sanya (approx. 80 km). Starting from Haikou and heading south all the way, crossing Wenchang, Qionghai, Wanning, and Lingshui until Sanya, every kilometer holds a surprise.
The East Line is definitively a tropical style vacation. Traveling south along the coastline, the blue sea, blue sky, coconut groves, and tree shadows are almost uninterrupted.
Cities/Counties Passed
Core Highlights & Recommended Attractions
Unique Experiences & Food
Haikou
Qilou Old Street, Volcanic Crater Geological Park, Holiday Beach
Experience Nanyang architectural culture, explore volcanic geology, taste authentic Hainan Rice Noodles and Qingbuliang.
Wenchang
Dongjiao Coconut Grove, Tongguling, Stone Park, Qishui Bay, Wennan Old Street
Ride through coconut groves, climb high for a panoramic view of Moon Bay, visit the Space Launch Site (if open), watch a rocket launch. The top food choice is Wenchang Chicken.
Qionghai
Boao Forum for Asia Site, Yudai Beach, Tanmen Fishing Port, Paigang Village
Check in at the international conference landmark, experience the wonder where three rivers enter the sea, and buy the freshest seafood to be processed on the spot in Tanmen.
Wanning
Shimei Bay, Riyue Bay, Xinglong Tropical Botanical Garden, Shenzhou Peninsula
Experience water sports in the "Surfing Paradise", check in at the internet-famous lighthouse, and taste Xinglong coffee and Nanyang snacks.
Lingshui
Boundary Island (Fenjiezhou Island), Nanwan Monkey Island, Daidai Island, Clearwater Bay (Qingshui Bay)
Dive to feed stingrays, take a cross-sea cable car to watch monkeys, and enjoy quiet beaches with fewer people at Clearwater Bay. Food includes Lingshui Sour Noodles.
Sanya
Wuzhizhou Island, Yalong Bay, Coconut Dream Corridor, Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone
Participate in rich water projects, overlook Yalong Bay from the Tropical Paradise Forest Park, and worship the Guanyin of the South Sea.
1. Haikou: Capital of History, Culture, and Food
Must-Visit Attractions:
△Haikou Qilou Old Street
Qilou Old Street: A 700-year-old Nanyang-style architectural complex. Taste Dad Tea (Laobacha) and Coconut Chicken.
Volcanic Crater Geological Park: 10,000-year-old volcanic relics. Climb high for a panoramic view of Haikou.
Hainan Provincial Museum: Free entry. Learn about Li culture and the Maritime Silk Road.
Holiday Beach: The city's coastline, perfect for evening walks to watch the sunset.
Wenchang is truly a hardcore yet romantic small town, famous nationwide for its "chicken" and rockets. This is the only coastal city among China's 5 major space launch centers. You can chase rockets and enjoy a seaside vacation at the same time. Looking at the whole country, there is really no substitute.
Qionghai is by the sea, but the scenery is quite different from other cities; the style is rougher and more magnificent.
- Wanning's core activities are concentrated along the coast and around Xinglong Town. If you want to surf, go to Riyue Bay; the surf clubs here are truly dazzling in variety.
The highlights of Wanning are the three bays: Shenzhou Peninsula, Shimei Bay, and Riyue Bay. The quality of the sea and beaches is excellent, especially compared to Sanya's popular bays; Wanning has far fewer tourists.
Xinglong is not by the sea and is not on the Round-the-Island Tourist Highway, so most people skip it directly. However, Xinglong has many restaurants, and its attractions are suitable for family trips.
- The highlights of Lingshui are the Three Bays and Three Islands. The "Three Bays" are Tufu Bay, Clearwater Bay (Qingshui Bay), and Xiangshui Bay in order. The "Three Islands" are Boundary Island (Fenjiezhou Island), Coconut Island, and Monkey Island. Lingshui's attractions are very concentrated, all on the coastal side. Lingshui possesses bays and fine, soft sand comparable in beauty to Sanya, with lower prices for hotels of the same class. It is also very suitable for surfing.
6. Sanya: Paradise of Sunshine and Sandy Beaches
Here possesses China's highest quality coastline, with clear sea water and delicate sandy beaches.
Must-Visit Attractions:
△Sanya Yalong Bay
Yalong Bay: "The First Bay Under Heaven". White sand is fine and soft; suitable for diving and sea projects.
Tianya Haijiao: Iconic stone carvings and a sunset viewing platform, symbolizing romantic vows.
Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone: The 108-meter Guanyin of the South Sea; a Buddhist cultural site.
Wuzhizhou Island: Extremely high sea water visibility; the top choice for snorkeling and viewing coral reefs.
Atlantis Water Park: A must-play for parent-child trips, featuring thrilling water projects and an aquarium.
Sun Bay Road: Sanya's hidden "glass sea". The water is as clear as a gemstone. The coastal highway winds between mountains and the sea, looking like a silk ribbon from aerial shots.
Sanya Accommodation Suggestions:
Sanya's four bays each have their own characteristics. Ranked by budget from low to high, they are roughly: Sanya Bay - Dadonghai - Yalong Bay - Haitang Bay.
Sanya Bay: The best place to watch the sunset; highest cost-performance ratio; relatively close to the airport.
Dadonghai: Relatively close to the city center; convenient for finding food; convenient transportation.
Yalong Bay: High-end hotels but somewhat dated; the best beach, known as the First Bay Under Heaven.
Haitang Bay: A cluster of 5-star hotels; the newest and best hotels; not suitable for swimming, but very suitable for shopping.