Though China is vast and home to countless scenic wonders, finding an untouched paradise amidst the current domestic tourism boom is no easy feat. Overcrowded sites, shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, and homogenized landscapes have become the “pain points” of travel in China. Hainan’s Baoting, however, has long maintained a low profile, avoiding the pervasive commercial redevelopment that plagues other areas. Its natural ecology and folk culture have survived intact, making it a “darling” for travelers seeking an “authentic” experience.
As the “back garden” of Sanya, Baoting hides countless scenic gems. Located at 18°N, it boasts a rare and pristine tropical climate along with virgin rainforests and hot springs, such as the Qixianling Hot Spring National Forest Park. The Yanoda Rainforest remains lush year-round, constantly showcasing the mystery and vibrancy of primal life. The Binglang Valley preserves the indigenous Li and Miao cultures, carrying forward a civilization dating back four millennia—layered through generations, it grows ever richer and more dynamic. The region’s natural ingredients and traditional Li and Miao cuisine also offer a rare culinary delight. This unique “authenticity” has naturally become Baoting’s straightforward temptation.
The Qixianling National Hot Spring Forest Park is located 9 kilometers northeast of Baoting Li and Miao Autonomous County and is one of the few well-preserved tropical rainforests on Hainan Island. The forest park features towering ancient trees and intertwining vines, with crystal-clear mountain springs flowing gracefully over bluestone and tree roots, enhancing the dramatic beauty of the landscape. Walking in such an environment feels like stumbling into the dwelling of an ancient hermit, as nature paints a vivid tapestry of time and space. Qixianling not only offers rainforests but also rugged peaks—seven steep summits with sheer cliffs make it a great spot for rock climbing, while the tranquil rainforest adds joy to many outdoor enthusiasts.
The Yanoda Rainforest Cultural Tourism Zone borders the Wuzhishan and Qixianling mountains to the north, overlooks the vast South China Sea to the east, and is just a stone’s throw from Haitang Bay. From the scenic viewpoint, you can take in the panoramic views of Haitang Bay, Wuzhizhou Island, and Nanwan Monkey Island. Combining tropical rainforests, canyon wonders, cascading waterfalls, Li and Miao culture, tropical fruits, southern medicinal herbs, and hot springs, Yanoda focuses on showcasing the rainforest landscape while integrating elements like zodiac culture, rainforest totems, and folk traditions in corresponding zones. It also offers various rainforest adventure activities, allowing visitors not only to experience the tranquility and magic of the deep rainforest but also to enjoy its thrill and excitement.
The Ganshilin Binglang Valley Eco-Cultural Tourism Zone for the Li and Miao Peoples is situated within the Ganshilin Nature Reserve, at the border of Sanya City and Baoting County. The Li and Miao communities residing here have, over millennia of interaction and integration, formed the unique Li and Miao culture seen today—a great choice for visitors eager to truly understand Baoting’s original ethnic heritage. The architecture here is highly distinctive, with many structures adorned with totem carvings that seem to narrate the rise and fall of ethnic groups over centuries. Most unique is the traditional Li stilted house—known as the boat-shaped house—a structure that blends mountain and coastal influences and stands as a living fossil, a testament to the Li people’s seafaring origins, often likened to “Dunhuang murals of human body art.”
A local saying goes, “When one family’s rice is cooked, a hundred homes catch the aroma,” referring to the Li-style bamboo tube rice. There are many varieties, such as salt-flavored rice and black bean rice, but the most delicious is the wild game-flavored rice. Sweet rice paired with various meats—deer, chicken, snake, boar, and wild boar—is fragrant, tender, and mouthwatering. The Li people also offer a rich array of snacks, such as mountain glutinous rice coconut leaf zongzi, cassava cakes, thunder bamboo shoots, and sticky rice cakes. Enjoying these refreshing Li snacks with a sip of aromatic sweet potato wine, immersing yourself in the vibrant Li ethnic culture, and experiencing the unspoiled simplicity and natural charm helps you rediscover that pure, serene, and untainted state of mind. Keep uncovering the “authentic” surprises this nature’s “darling,” Baoting, has in store for you.