Wailuo Port

　　The port borders Wailuo Gate to the east, is flanked by Jinhe Weir and Jinguang Village to the west, lies adjacent to Wailuo Town to the south, and faces Xinliao Island to the north. Stretching 4,500 meters in length, it reaches a maximum width of 1,000 meters and a minimum of 250 meters, resembling lake branches and winding waterways. Inside the port, there are three sandy islets known as “Changpo,” covered with lush mangroves. Thanks to the dense tree cover on both banks, the waters inside are remarkably calm.

　　From a distance, the harbor looks like a tranquil lake, reflecting shimmering waves that sparkle like broken silver. Up close, the sea glows with a bluish tint, and the water surface resembles a trembling piece of green silk, presenting an entirely different scene. Boating within the harbor and looking south, you’ll see Wailuo Town’s white walls and red-tiled roofs, with a mix of old houses and new buildings neatly lined up. The prominent Lion Ridge lies dormant to the west of the town, guarding the harbor and adding a sense of antiquity and legend. The breakwater coils around the harbor like a dragon; the docks bustle with the coming and going of vehicles and people. Looking north to Xinliao Island, you’ll find competing shades of greenery and silvery white sands, with seabirds soaring and calling.

　　Turning westward, rolling hills spread out like a carpet, dotted with white houses nestled among green trees. Looking upward to the east, the harbor swallows and spits out the vast blue waves of the South China Sea, with various vessels shuttling back and forth. During fishing seasons, the harbor is crowded with fishing boats, and fish trading is especially brisk.

　　Qu Dajun, a renowned Lingnan poet from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, once traveled through Jinhe and Wailuo and left behind these verses: “The edge of the sky blushes faintly red afar, / The roar of tides suddenly erupts east of Jin’nang; / Heaven bids the iron typhoon turn your boat around, / I only wish to see the torn sail each dawn.”

　　In 1950, during the liberation of Hainan Island, this area served as one of the training and departure sites for the People’s Liberation Army troops.