New Ways to Explore Hainan Island！A Fresh Experience on the West Line High-Speed Rail – A Complete Island Tour

By Qi Dou Travel Network | Photos by Shutterstock.com & Xi Hong Holidays

A Taiwan island loop may be common, but a Hainan island loop? Now that’s something special！Hainan Island has recently become a popular travel destination. The classic movie “If You Are the One 2” was filmed here, and many celebrities have even chosen this place to get engaged. Travel around the entire island to experience Hainan’s romantic charm, local culture, and high-tech transportation. Set off now！

Haikou, the capital of Hainan Province, is located in the northeast of the province. It earned its name as it sits at the mouth of the Nandu River, the largest river on Hainan Island. Embraced by the Qiongzhou Strait to the north, Haikou boasts a beautiful environment, with vibrant neon lights and rows of coconut trees creating a picturesque southern scene. Known as the "City of Coconuts," it's the perfect starting point for visiting the vibrant Hainan Island.

One of the best new spots to admire Haikou’s coconut trees is “Wanlv Park,” which is home to nearly 10,000 coconut trees. The park features hundreds of species of tropical and subtropical ornamental plants, presenting a true tropical garden landscape. Stroll through it to enjoy the blue sky, white clouds, lush green grass, and sparkling water, effortlessly immersing yourself in the harmony between humans and nature.

Starting from Haikou and traveling clockwise around the island, you can first head to the famous Boao Water City and Yudai Beach. This area was specially designed and built for the Boao Forum for Asia, equipped with abundant and well-developed facilities. Take a boat ride along the mother river of Hainan Island—the Wanquan River, often referred to as China’s Amazon—and get up close to it. Then, step onto the world’s narrowest beach—Yudai Beach—and be captivated by the scenic beauty of the Shimei Inner Sea.

▲ Photo by Shutterstock.com

Next on the itinerary is Sanya, located at the southernmost tip of Hainan Island. Loved by travelers from mainland China and all over the world, Sanya is the only place in the world to have hosted the Miss World competition for three consecutive years. Along its beaches, there are countless luxury five-star hotels. The super artificial island—Phoenix Island—cost billions of RMB to build. In addition, there are natural islands and bays everywhere, offering breathtaking scenery at every turn.

The Deer Turning Head Summit Park in Sanya is situated on a small hill surrounded by sea on three sides. Based on a beautiful legend, a 12-meter-tall stone statue was erected on the hill, telling a romantic love story. Gaze out at the sea cliffs reflecting the waves, and from the top, you can overlook the vast ocean, distant rolling mountains, and enjoy a panoramic view of Sanya City.

After the official opening of the Hainan West Line Railway at the end of last year, taking a high-speed train to admire the beauty of Hainan Island’s west coast is no longer a dream！Board the high-speed rail from Sanya to Danzhou, where you can enjoy the simple and natural scenery along the way and enter the western part of Hainan Island.

Danzhou’s Dongpo Academy is located where the ancient Danzhou government was once situated. The winding village streets are all paved with bluestone slabs, and ancient temples, shrines, and stone tablets can be seen everywhere, exuding a strong traditional Chinese vibe. A must-visit spot is the Yangpu Millennium Salt Fields, which date back over 1,200 years. They still preserve the primitive method of sun-drying salt—when the tide rises, seawater naturally flows into the salt pans, then is dried by the sun to produce high-quality edible salt. Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty once bestowed the title “Zhengde” upon it, making its inclusion in the national intangible cultural heritage list truly well-deserved.

Hainan, rich in history, nature, and technology, also boasts trendy film culture. When your journey brings you back to Haikou to complete your epic island tour, don’t forget to take some time to visit the “Feng Xiaogang Movie World.”

The Feng Xiaogang Movie World is located in Mission Hills Haikou International Golf Resort. It is the world’s first movie-themed tourist area named after a director. Designed with scenes from Feng Xiaogang’s movies such as “Aftershock,” “Aftershock,” “If You Are the One,” and various New Year films as architectural elements, stepping into it feels like entering a movie set. Every corner has its own unique storyline, evoking endless nostalgia.

More Related Information
Recommended Itinerary:
Hainan New Way to Play 'Island Fun ~ Deer Turning Head Summit Park, Ride the West Line High-Speed Rail, Yangpu Millennium Salt Fields, Mangrove Wetland Park, Yongqing Temple, Five-Star Hotels All-Inclusive Six-Day Tour [No Shopping]'
Xi Hong Holidays 412-8618 (Add 02 for mobile)
Website:http://www.besttour.com.tw/web/detail_page.asp?travel_No=HAK06CI161209A