Embrace Hainan Island – Even Doing Nothing Feels Worth It

The waters around Hainan Island. (Photo/Provided by Shutterstock)

Before you lies an endless expanse where sky and sea merge into one, as if the horizon never ends. To the great literary master Su Shi of those times, such a sight evoked deep melancholy. Today, Hainan Island is described as the “Oriental Hawaii” or a “lung-cleansing destination.” One can only wonder what Su Dongpo would think if he knew. Recently, the Hainan Provincial Tourism Development Commission released a list of 10 spots on the island that are perfect for doing nothing. Not only are they great for capturing romantic photos, but they also offer serene corners in natural landscapes—making even idleness feel worthwhile.

Surrounded by the sea on all sides, Hainan Island is best known as a “natural oxygen bar,” with a climate that remains spring-like almost year-round and a warm island vibe. This environment nurtures pristine forests and rich mountainous landscapes. Among them, Haikou, Danzhou, and Sanya are the most well-known and bustling areas. The night scene in Haikou is lively, with streets bustling with people and cars, and dazzling lights that make pedestrian overpasses look like giant dragons—one of the unique charms of this tropical city and often the first sight greeting tour groups.

As autumn winds begin to blow, if you’re not quite ready to say goodbye to the blue skies and seas of summer, the Hainan Provincial Tourism Development Commission has recently unveiled 10 of the island’s best spots for relaxation. These include Haikou Dongzhai Port Mangrove Forest, Sanya Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park, Qionghai Zhongyuan Nanyang-style Town, Baoting Qixian Ridge Hot Spring National Forest Park, Qiongzhong Shihan Village, Wanning Xinglong Tropical Park, Wenchang Moon Bay, Ledong Jianfeng Ridge Tianchi, Danzhou Hainan University, and Baisha Laosanzhou Village.

The Dongzhai Port Mangrove Forest in Haikou covers nearly 30,000 acres, making it the largest mangrove nature reserve on the Chinese mainland. Its vast scenery has been dubbed the “Forest on the Sea” and the “Kidney of Haikou.” Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park, the filming location of the movie “If You Are the One 2,” is also known as the “Finest Bay Under Heaven” and boasts the southernmost, largest, and most intact tropical rainforest ecosystem on the Chinese mainland. Additionally, to take in the azure seas and lush green mountains across Hainan Island, Qionghai City’s Zhongyuan Nanyang-style Town not only features distinctive architecture but also uniquely styled street trees. Straight roads lined with trumpet trees form a natural green canopy, complementing the colorful small houses to create the town’s most beautiful scenic view.