What waters washes Hainan Island? Hainan Island: when to go and what to see. Dadonghai Bay is considered the most picturesque on the island. Local residents often prefer to relax on the local beaches. The main disadvantage of the beaches of this bay is that they are

Hainan Island (海南, Hǎinán) is one of the best holiday destinations not only in China, but also in the world.

This tropical island, washed by the waters of the South China Sea, is the second largest among Chinese island territories after Taiwan. It is “another China”, unlike the mainland. Its name translates as “sea south”. Hainan is also called the "Chinese Hawaii" due to the fact that it is at the same latitude as the Hawaiian Islands.

Hainan differs from other popular destinations in Southeast Asia by its unique tropical climate, which allows you to relax here all year round - there are 300 sunny days a year. The island adheres to strict environmental standards and has a well-developed and dynamically developing infrastructure for international tourism, recreation and recreation.

Industrial zones are located in the northern part of the island, in the vicinity of the capital, Haikou. A spaceport was built near the city of Wenchang in northeastern Hainan in 2014.

In the central part of the island there are dense forests in which unique plant species grow, mostly endemics included in the Red Book of China and the whole world. The island's fauna is the richest in the country: over 85 species of mammals and more than 456 species of birds live here.

The island is also famous for its plantations - coffee, tea, fruits, mangoes, bananas, pineapples, coconuts are grown here.

Current time in Haikou:
(UTC +8)

Tourists are attracted here by ample opportunities for a beach holiday: the coastline of Hainan stretches for 1,500 kilometers. There are beautiful sandy beaches, thermal complexes with radon and mineral springs.

Fans of active recreation will also have plenty to do: a network of tourist routes has been laid out in the mountains and along the coast, and there are excellent highways. And connoisseurs of cultural and educational recreation will enjoy local attractions - Buddhist temples, natural sites, ethnographic villages of the indigenous Li and Miao tribes.

Find out what to see, where to go and what to do on the island in our guide to Hainan.

How to get there

There are several ways to get to Hainan, such as by plane, train, bus or ferry.

Airplane

Most often, Russians get to Hainan by air. So, a direct flight from Moscow to the island takes about ten hours.

Regular and charter flights from Russian cities (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Ufa, Novosibirsk, Tyumen, Rostov-on-Don, Perm, Nizhny Novgorod, Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, Blagoveshchensk) are operated by Yakutia, Azur Air, "Nordstar", "IFly", "Alrosa", "S7 Airlines", "Ural Airlines". In addition, at the end of 2019, the Chinese airline Hainan Airlines opened a flight from Moscow to Hainan.

Tourists can also take advantage of flights of foreign airlines with connections in Chinese cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, etc.) or in other cities in Asia and the Middle East (Dubai, Doha, Seoul, etc.).

Local carriers operate domestic flights from Chinese cities to Hainan, including Southern Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Deer Airlines, etc.

There are two major airports on the island - in the cities of Haikou and Sanya.

Transport

Despite the fact that the cities of Hainan are small (compared to other Chinese metropolises), they have well-developed public transport - both urban and intercity. There are buses, trains, bicycle and auto rickshaws, and taxis.

Bus

The most popular public transport in Hainan is buses. There are bus stations or small bus stations in almost all localities, and in large cities there are usually several of them. Both city and intercity buses run around the island.

The most popular bus route among tourists runs between the cities of Haikou and Sanya. Buses run daily from 7:00 to 18:00 once every 20 minutes. A distance of 250 km is covered in 4-5 hours. Ticket prices start from $12. Bus schedules are available on the Chinabusguide website.

Cycle and auto rickshaws

For small tourist trips over short distances, you can use local exotic transport - bicycles and auto rickshaws. Since this type of transport is designed only for foreigners, the fare is higher than in a taxi. But you can bargain with the rickshaw driver, and then the trip will be cheaper and add variety to your vacation program.

Train

There is a ring road along the entire island. Hainan High Speed ​​Railway, it consists of two branches: eastern (海南东环高速铁路) and new western (海南东西环高速铁路). A round trip around the island takes five hours, the carriages are comfortable with soft armchairs and folding tables. Speed ​​200 km/h. The train has a dining car, and conductors also serve hot food, snacks, drinks and ice cream.

There are two main railway stations on the island - in Sanya ( Sanya Railway Station, 三亚火车站, address: Lin Zhi Gou, Sanya, Hainan, 育秀路10号) and in Haikou ( Haikou Railway Station, 海口火车站, address: Yuehai Dadao, Haikou, Hainan, 海口市秀英区粤海大道). There is also a railway connection between them. Travel time with stops is only two hours; an express train covers this route in an hour and a half.

Train tickets are sold at station ticket offices, where you must present an ID, a photocopy of it or a photo on your phone, but when boarding the train you will be asked for your original passport.

Remember that when purchasing tickets online, you need to arrive at the station in advance and pick up your ticket at the general ticket office if it was purchased for a regular train and not for a high-speed train. When traveling on high-speed trains, an electronic ticket is sufficient. You must keep your boarding pass during your trip; you will need it to exit the station.

You can check the schedule and buy train tickets in Hainan online on the websites Travelchinaguide and Сhinatrainguide, in the WeChat applications, qunar.com, ctrip.com, etc.

Taxi

Taxi in Hainan is the most convenient, easiest and most popular way of transportation among tourists. Taxis can be found near hotels, attractions, shopping centers and restaurants, stopped on the street or called by phone from the hotel. Taxi drivers can take tourists anywhere on the island.

The cost of the trip depends on the company and the car; rates are usually indicated on a sign attached to the windshield.

The cost of a taxi trip in Hainan is calculated as follows: the first 4 km from 2 dollars (10-12 yuan), then about 0.30 dollars (1.5-2 yuan) for each kilometer (when traveling outside populated areas - 0.50 dollars (2.5-3 yuan) per kilometer. At night, rates are higher, you should check with the driver before boarding.

As a rule, taxi cars on the island are equipped with meters and cash registers. At the tourist's request, the driver must issue a receipt. Many travelers negotiate a fixed price when traveling long distances; for example, a trip from Sanya to Haikou will cost around $100.

It is worth remembering that local taxi drivers rarely speak English, so it is better to have with you the exact name of the desired place in Chinese, a business card of the hotel or establishment, or a photograph of its sign.

Cable car

There is also a cable car on the island - the longest in China, located over the water. Its length is 2,138 meters, it connects the village of Xincun in Lingshui Bay with Monkey Island (the so-called Nanwan Monkey Island Nature Reserve on a small peninsula inhabited by monkeys).

Open cabins with passengers spend 15-20 minutes on the way. To get to the cable car, you first need to get from Sanya to Lingshui Bay (60 km) by public transport.

Automobile

A car is not the most popular means of transportation for tourists in China in general and Hainan in particular, since driving in this country is only possible for holders of licenses issued in the PRC.

International driving licenses are not recognized in China; the fine for violating this requirement is 1,500 yuan, and in some cases foreigners face imprisonment.

Experts say that those who want to rent a car in Hainan can still get a Chinese driver's license. It is issued to tourists for up to one month. The minimum processing time is one week. You can order such a document in advance by contacting one of the local car rental offices online.

An alternative way to move autonomously over short distances is to rent a bicycle or electric moped (due to strict environmental requirements, ordinary motorcycles and mopeds are prohibited from entering large cities, in particular, Haikou). There are municipal rental services on the island for such vehicles, and an extensive network of bike paths has been created for cyclists.

Districts

Hainan Island is administratively a province of the same name in China, which in addition to it includes several smaller islands: Nansha, Zhongsha, Xisha, etc.

Hainan Island has four urban districts, the capitals of which are Haikou, Sanya, Sansha and Danzhou. The largest cities are Haikou and Sanya. Other relatively large cities on the island are Lingshui, Dongfang, and Wenchang.

The administrative center and largest city of the island is Haikou(海口), which over the past twenty years has transformed from a provincial town into a modern metropolis with a population of one and a half million people, it has become a major economic center. Haikou is located in the north of the island.

The city, whose name translates as “Sea Gate,” was founded during the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907). There are a number of historical monuments here, the most famous of which is the so-called “Idol of the Five Noble Men,” which reminds us that in imperial China the island served as a place of exile for disobedient officials who were disliked by the emperor. Other interesting places in Haikou include the Historical Museum, Safari Zoo, and Hai Rui Mu Tomb.

Not far from the capital is the extinct Ma An volcano, the main attraction of the Shishan National Crater Geological Park, which tourists love to visit. The famous thermal springs of Hainan can also be found there.

Today, Haikou boasts a developed recreation and entertainment sector, as well as a large network of hotels of various levels. The capital of the island is the most environmentally friendly metropolis not only in China, but probably in the whole world, so holidays in Haikou attract foreigners from different countries. On local beaches you can engage in active water sports, go fishing, and have a picnic in a specially designated area. It is also important that the city is a major transport hub, from where it is easy to travel to any other point on the island.

Attractions

Museums and galleries

Where to eat and drink

Entertainment

Parks and Recreation

Leisure

Transport

Shops and markets

Wellness holiday

Private guides in Hainan

Russian private guides will help you get acquainted with Hainan in more detail.
Registered on the Experts.Tourister.Ru project.

Things to do

In Hainan, any tourist will find something to their liking. Here you can see unique local temples and modern skyscrapers, visit unusual museums, make successful purchases in shopping centers, and get acquainted with tropical flora and fauna.

Here are 10 things we suggest travelers do in Hainan:

Beach holiday

Most often, tourists come to Hainan to relax on its famous beaches.

Most of the famous beach resorts are located in the southern part of the island. Here are the bays of Yalongwan, Dadonghai and Sanyawan. Every year, thanks to its developed infrastructure, the island's beaches attract hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world.

All beaches in Hainan resorts are municipal, equipped with everything necessary for relaxation: sun loungers, umbrellas and showers. The beaches are sandy and gently sloping everywhere, the water is warm and clear.

Yalong Bay(Yalong Bay) is considered the most respectable holiday destination in Hainan; it is located next to the city of Sanya. The water here is the cleanest, the sea is especially calm and a little cooler than on other parts of the island’s coast. The length of the beach line is 7.5 km, it is covered with light beige sand. Large diving centers are located here. Most tourists prefer to relax on the beaches of Yalong Bay. The name of the bay translates as “Dragon of Asia”.

Dadonghai Bay(Dadonghai), whose name translates as “Great East Sea”, is located near the city of Sanya and is considered the most beautiful beach in China. The local beaches are about 3 km long and feature snow-white sand. Here the sky is azure, the sea water is clear, and in the sea you can see the sails of fishing junks and sampans glowing in the dark. This bay is the busiest - there are a large number of restaurants, cafes and shops. In addition, the beaches of Dadonghai Bay are preferred by surfers.

Sanyawan Bay(Sanya bay) is the closest to Sanya, and the local beach is the longest in the entire resort, it is 17 km long and 20-30 m wide. The shore is dotted with soft beige sand, the entrance to the water is gentle, without holes or stones. A holiday in this place is ideal for families with children. The Sanyawan Bay beach is not as popular among foreign tourists as Yalongwan and Dadonghai; mainly locals relax here. At the same time, the bay, surrounded by tropical vegetation, is very picturesque and worth a visit.

In the area of ​​the capital Haikou there is a popular Holiday Beach, which stretches in its western suburbs along the Binhai Road. Entrance to the beach is free for everyone; fees are charged only for additional services, such as renting sun loungers and umbrellas. This wide sandy beach, fringed by rows of coconut palms, is a favorite beach destination for Haikou residents. Foreigners are not too fond of Holiday, since the water here is noticeably cooler than in the resort south.

The second city beach of Haikou is called Xixu, in comparison with Holiday Beach it has a very modest size, is located closer to the city center, also along the Binhai road, but in a westerly direction.
In addition to the well-known large beaches, the island also has small beaches in villages, as well as wild beach areas that do not have recreational infrastructure.

Leisure

The most popular active excursion on the island among tourists remains a hike to the crater of the Ma An volcano. The ancient volcano is located 27 km from the capital of the island, the city of Haikou, in the territory of a special park. The last time this volcano erupted was about 50,000 years ago. You can climb to the crater via steps made of volcanic magma.

Near the volcano there is a restaurant and a platform where folklore performances by the local Li and Miao peoples are held in the evenings. In the vicinity of Ma An there are craters of active volcanoes Leihuling and Lojingpan, caves and grottoes in igneous rocks.

Hainan has ample opportunities for fishing. Thus, in the vicinity of the city of Sanya, tourists are offered fishing on Lake Spokoinoye. At resorts on the coast you can go sea fishing from a boat or spearfishing. In all cases, the caught fish will be cooked for tourists in a nearby restaurant.

The island has excellent diving conditions. The history of the development of this active recreation in China begins in Hainan - the country’s first dive club was once opened here. In addition, the only coral reserve in China is located here; it is located in the waters of Sanya and protects more than 600 species of underwater inhabitants. In the waters of the island there are many underwater caves, grottoes, and wrecks. For tourists without a certificate, it is possible to dive with two accompanying PADI instructors.

Festivals and shows

Tourists who like to combine relaxation with visiting cultural events, as well as those who are interested in the history and cultural of the island, can attend numerous performances. For example, the island has a show called “Romance of the Millennium” (千古情 or Romance Sho), for which a unique theater was built in Sanya.

Folklore lovers should definitely visit the national village of Binglangu (槟榔谷), and if time permits, then see the bright national holidays from the traditional Chinese calendar:

• “yuan xiao jie” (云霄节, Lantern Festival - 15th of the first month);
• "long tai tou" (龙抬头, Spring Dragon Festival - the second day of the second month);
• "San Yue San" (三月三, New Year's Day of the Li people - the third day of the third month);
• "duan wu jie" (端午节, Dragon Boat Festival - the fifth day of the fifth month);
• "Qi Xi Jie" (七夕节, Chinese Valentine's Day - the seventh day of the seventh month).

In addition, various holidays, carnivals, shows, concerts, and exhibitions are also held in different areas of the island throughout the year.

You can check what events are taking place on the island during your visit on the official Hainan tourism information portal.

Theater

The island has a long theatrical tradition. Thus, Qiong Opera (or Hainan Opera) has a history of more than three hundred years. You can see performances at the Qiongshan Gongzi Theater, a puppet theater operating in the tradition of Qiong Opera.

Another puppet theater, Linggao, offers performances in which humans and puppets are involved simultaneously. Artists usually go on stage in makeup; they control puppets, with which they usually play the same role, pronouncing lines in turn. The performances are accompanied by traditional music performed on two sons.

Vacation with children

Those who come to Hainan with children will certainly have something to do. Thus, in Sanya there are the most popular water parks on the island - “Amazon” and “Sanya Dream”, they are open all year round. During a trip to Sanya Dream, in addition to the water slides, it is worth visiting the Ice and Snow World entertainment center with ethno shows, especially since all of the listed sites are located on the same territory - in the Sanya Songcheng Resort complex.

Another famous water park is located at the Atlantis Resort Sanya hotel and covers an area of ​​200,000 sq.m. It features unique water attractions, the likes of which are found only in other hotels of the Atlantis chain - in Dubai and the Bahamas. At the same hotel, the largest aquarium on the island is open - in a huge two-story aquarium there live more than 280 species of marine life, which you can even feed.

Children will certainly enjoy the island's many zoos. For example, you can get acquainted with the fauna and flora of Hainan in the Dongshan Nature Park, the largest safari zoo in Asia. It spreads over an area of ​​130 hectares and has 1,200 animals of more than 100 species that live in nature. You can move around the park by jeep or on foot. Nearby there is another attraction - Mount Dongshan with huge boulders.

You can also take children to the Crocodile and Tiger Zoo. There are more than 20,000 crocodiles and more than 200 tigers brought from Thailand. There is a tiger circus. Another attraction for children is the colorful Bird Park, as well as an entertaining Bayshemen Park, which will not let little tourists get bored.

Tea ceremony

In Hainan, as in other regions of China, you can become more familiar with tea traditions.

However, due to its climatic conditions, the island is a favorable place for growing rare elite varieties of tea - “Kudin”, “Snow tea”, “Favorite tea of ​​the imperial concubine” and the like.

Tourists can watch a tea ceremony, where they will be introduced to the art of brewing tea, told about the beneficial properties of each variety and how to brew it, after which they will be offered to taste and purchase the tea they like.

Treatment and recovery

Tourists come to the island not only for a beach holiday, but also to undergo treatment at one of the local clinics or to improve their health at mineral or radon springs.

Thus, there are dozens of branches of famous medical centers in Beijing and Dalian on the island, offering various traditional Chinese methods of rejuvenation and healing.

Among the procedures offered here are also acupuncture, qigong (therapeutic gymnastics), acupressure, herbal medicine (herbal treatment), ear massage (auriculotherapy), aromatherapy, sand treatment. It is believed that all these procedures can help those suffering from diseases of the musculoskeletal system, nervous, reproductive systems, gastrointestinal tract, skin, breathing, as well as those who have problems with addictions.

Hainan, among other things, is famous for its hot springs. The island has many thermal springs, the water temperature and chemical composition of which are different. There are springs on the coast, in the tropical forest, in the mountains, and near cities. Hot thermal water with a temperature of +40° C...+78° C in combination with traditional Chinese medicine gives amazing results. The main methods of treatment are Chinese massage, foot massage, acupuncture, bamboo cupping. Radon sources are suitable for the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, gynecological diseases, and potassium-sodium sources treat the nervous system, skin, and respiratory organs.

The hottest spring is Guantan (the temperature of the thermal waters is up to +90°C at the source) near the city of Qionghai. The Starfish and Heavenly Dragon resorts are located there.

Xinglong Hot Spring Valley is located 120 km from Sanya. It is suitable for tourists who want to take various baths: from radon to potassium-sodium. There are more than a dozen hotels here, almost each of which has its own spring with a swimming pool.

Another resort is Nantian. In 2005, it was included in the list of the best Chinese thermal sources. Located 30 km from Sanya and consists of 36 pools of different temperatures and compositions, surrounded by tropical gardens.

Fish therapy springs are located in the Phoenix Island area, a 15-minute drive from the center of Sanya. Here they treat skin diseases, relieve stress, and recover from rheumatoid arthritis and colds.

Purchases

Tourists often combine holidays in Hainan with successful shopping. Shopping lovers will be able to purchase authentic goods here, the range of which is determined by the local climate.

As a rule, items made from silk, pearls, crystal, porcelain, corals, Chinese fans and umbrellas, crafts made from coconut shells and sea shells (including tridacna), various types of tea, coffee, pepper and shark oil are brought from the island.

Edible souvenirs are also popular, for example, local exotic fruits - mango, coconut, pitahaya, mangosteen, lychee, longan, etc.

As for clothing, it is unlikely that you will be able to buy clothes or shoes for the winter season in Hainan stores, as well as large-sized clothing - most often the size range is limited to sizes 48 - 50.

Retail outlets on the island are represented by shopping centers, department stores, supermarkets, shops, private shops and markets, both large and very small. The opening hours of stores depend on whether they are private or public. State stores are open from 9:00 to 19:00 (large shopping centers - until 22:00), and private retail outlets operate on an individual schedule. It is better to go to food markets early in the morning.

Tourists can exchange foreign currency for yuan at Bank of China branches, hotels, exchange offices at train stations, airports and large shopping centers. Cards of all major international payment systems are also accepted for payment.

Haixudonglu Street in Haikou is where high-end shopping is concentrated; in Sanya, the main department stores are located on Liberation Street in the city center.

Tax Free system

Foreigners in Hainan can take advantage of the Tax Free system.

When purchasing goods worth from 800 to 30,000 yuan when leaving the island through the airports of Haikou and Sanya, foreign tourists are refunded 11% of the amount spent. The Tax Free system is valid for 21 categories of goods, including clothing, shoes, cosmetics, accessories, haberdashery, jewelry, arts and crafts, watches, household appliances, electronics, etc.

Only special Duty Free stores participate in the Tax Free program, of which there are now only a few on the island - two in Sanya, one each in Haikou and Qionghai. They, contrary to expectations, are located not at airports, but within the city. In the future, the authorities plan to open similar stores in other cities of the island, as well as allow some large department stores to operate under the Tax Free system.

You can use the VAT refund service by presenting your passport and air ticket. Payment for the goods is collected in the store, after which the purchases are sent to the airport, where they can be collected upon departure in the international flights area with an identification document or check. The tax refund area is marked with signs in English and Chinese.

Food and drink

The formation of Hainanese cuisine was greatly influenced by the location of the island and its location in a tropical climate. Local dishes are light; the cuisine is dominated by seafood, of which huge quantities are caught here. At the same time, meat dishes are also found.
The most authentic dishes on the island are:

In addition, in Hainan, as throughout China, noodles are respected: here you can try Baolofen noodles(文昌抱罗粉) with beef, broth, peanuts and fresh onions, or local rice noodles(海南粉) with beef and sesame jerky, served with shell broth.

Among the local desserts stand out mango rolls(芒果肠粉) - rice pancakes with mango pieces, as well as fruit fried ice cream(水果炒冰), which is prepared on the streets from any fruit: they are crushed, water, condensed milk and sugar are added, after which the mixture is fried using a special device until a solid mass is formed - the exotic dessert is ready!

When it comes to drinks, the locals love to drink tea, they often treat their guests to it, and tea stalls can be found everywhere on the streets. They also have their own coffee - Xinglong coffee(兴隆咖啡), which grows on local plantations in environmentally friendly conditions and has a wonderful aroma.

In addition, you can finish your meal with the freshest fruits. The most popular and delicious fruits on the island are lychee, mango, star fruit, passion fruit, papaya, mangosteen, pitahaya, rambutan, durian, guava, etc.

Remember that when eating you should use chopsticks carefully, do not knock them on the plates or talk while waving them. Also, you should not stick chopsticks vertically into a bowl of rice.

Connection

To stay connected while vacationing on Hainan Island, tourists have two ways - using WI-FI and buying local SIM cards.

The main Chinese mobile operators remain China Unicom and China Mobile. There is a difference in their services, but it is not significant for tourists who do not plan to make calls, since they only need the Internet.

Tariffs vary depending on the set of services in the package, but tourists will be satisfied with the simplest and most inexpensive tariff. The balance is replenished with cards of various denominations - from 20 to 100 yuan. To top up, you need to call the number indicated on the back of the card and follow the instructions (the service is also available in English).

SIM cards in China are sold upon presentation of a passport. They can be bought in specialized stores of operators, in shops selling newspapers and magazines. At the same time, you can also purchase it without a passport from merchants, but the price will be much higher.

Internet

Free Wi-Fi in Hainan is available in most hotels, cafes, restaurants, airports and shopping centers.

Sanya even has its own wireless network (i-Sanya), organized with the support of the local administration. To connect to it (and to some other points), tourists will need a Chinese number; they will receive a confirmation code for subsequent registration.

In addition, in China, many social networks and instant messengers that are familiar to us are blocked, for example Google, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Whats’up, Telegram, Viber. However, you can use the services of Yandex, Vkontakte, Odnoklassniki, Mail.ru, Skype, iMessage, Facetime.

To stay in touch, you can use the Chinese messenger WeChat, with which you can not only communicate, but also pay bills. And instead of Google maps, you need to download the Baidu maps application.

If for some reason tourists on vacation need blocked sites and services, you can use a VPN. Among these types of programs there are paid and free ones, they will help you open any website in China. However, it is worth remembering that in China there are penalties for using a VPN. In January 2019, a precedent occurred: a Chinese citizen was fined one thousand yuan (10,000 rubles) for installing a VPN. It is unlikely that the authorities will be able to detect violating tourists in a week or two of rest, but it is still worth taking this information into account when going to Hainan.

Safety

As in any other resort, while vacationing in Hainan, tourists are advised to follow personal safety rules: carefully monitor their belongings in crowded places, and keep documents and large sums of cash in the hotel safe.

Where to call in case of emergency (phone numbers for Sanya city)

As for crime, it is zero on the island, not counting pickpocketing and cases of petty fraud. Therefore, you should carefully check your change when making purchases: counterfeit 10 and 50 yuan bills can be found here.

The sun in tropical latitudes is dangerous - you can burn in 15-20 minutes. The best time to sunbathe is from 8:00 to 11:00 and from 16:00 to 19:00. It is better to bring sunscreen with you, and it should have a protection factor of at least 20-30 units, since only Chinese brands of sunscreen are sold in Hainan, and almost all of them have a whitening effect.

Photography is prohibited in churches, government buildings, near military and strategically important sites (which even include bridges and dams).

You should be careful when eating in street stalls and tents, as well as in other places outside the hotel that are questionable from a hygiene point of view. You should wash your hands more often, drink only bottled water, and wash local fruits with it.

Where to stay in Hainan

The largest number of hotels in Hainan are located on the shores of the three bays of Sanya.

Thus, Dadonghai Bay offers the most diverse accommodation in a wide price range: from hotels of famous international brands to inexpensive hotels, hostels and apartments. The local beach area has a developed infrastructure; in recent years, many cafes, restaurants, and nightclubs have appeared along the beaches. This area is most popular among Russian tourists, while local establishments are focused on our compatriots - there are signs and menus in Russian, Russian-speaking staff, an appropriate range of goods, etc.

Yalong Bay is considered the most prestigious; there are luxury hotels of international chains with their own beaches, but there are also hotels offering more economical holidays. Local beaches are distinguished by fine white sand. The first dive club in China was created here, and the country's first casino also opened on one of the nearby islands. The recreation infrastructure is located on the territory of the hotels themselves or in special tourist areas.

Sanyavan Bay is the least known among Russian holidaymakers; there are 4-5* hotels there, most of which are located across the road from the beach. Sanyavan is a dynamically developing bay, in which several new hotels have opened in recent years.

In addition to the traditional hotels presented above, you can rent apartments in Hainan. This type of accommodation will be appreciated by some categories of tourists, in particular families with children.

Booking.com offers more than 1,700 hotels in Hainan for booking. You can select a hotel using a variety of filters: hotel star rating, hotel type (hotel, apartment, villa, hostel, etc.), cost, hotel location, ratings of people who visited the hotel, Wi-Fi availability and much more. .

The island's indigenous population is now the Li and Miao national minorities, living in the dense tropical forests of the Limulingshan Mountains in the center of the island. The coastal areas of the island are inhabited by Han - ethnic Chinese.
Today the population of Hainan is more than five million people, of which 700 thousand are Li, 40 thousand are Miao. They live quite compactly, and therefore the island seems deserted, especially when you arrive on it from mainland China or from neighboring Hong Kong
For comparison: the island of Taiwan, which has a similar sized territory, is home to more than 20 million people.
LI
The indigenous population of Hainan - the Li people - lived here even before the first attempts to conquer the island made by the famous Khan Emperor Wu Di (140-87 BC). In the 6th-10th centuries, when the island was intensively settled by the Chinese, the aborigines were pushed south, into inaccessible mountainous areas.
The appearance of Li's ancestors is shrouded in many legends. One of the legends says that a young man who swam across the South Sea found an egg in the mountains of Hainan. The egg hatched into a girl who became his wife. From this couple descended the Li people. Since then, the main ridge of the island has been called Lishanmu, that is, “mountain mother Li.”
According to another legend, the ancestor Li arrived on the island by sea on a boat and copulated with a dog in the mountains. By the way, a similar legend exists among the aborigines of Japan - the Ainu.
The Li speak the language of the Thai group and are culturally similar to these peoples. This confirms the hypothesis that in ancient times they actually moved to Hainan not from the mainland, but from the islands of Southeast Asia.
Their housing, food, clothing, wedding ceremonies and holidays reflect their unique culture. In ancient times, the Li built houses from grass, mud and bamboo. Traditionally, rice is eaten by cooking it in bamboo. Vodka is made from glutinous rice. Clothes are made from homespun fabric. During the traditional "Third of March" holiday, Li performs folk dances.
Li women wear clothes made of black homespun fabric and cover their heads with embroidered scarves. Some representatives of the fair sex have tattoos on their faces and bodies. There is a legend that once a tribe leader violated a beautiful girl, covering her family with shame. Since then, all Lee girls began to disfigure their bodies with tattoos in order to avoid a similar fate.
Now the custom of tattooing is gradually becoming a thing of the past.
MNA
The Miao are the descendants of the Miao from Guangxi Province, they began to migrate during the Ming Dynasty (14th-17th centuries). The Miao tribes settled in mountainous, inaccessible areas; they led a nomadic lifestyle, engaged in hunting, fishing, and were famous for their witchcraft. They were feared and called "mountain dragons." The Miao still maintain the old traditions; the village is headed by an elder called "Shan Jia". The Miao wear traditional clothes, they have their own dances, songs, and wedding ceremonies. During the Third March Festival, the Miao perform folk dances, the Sisters' Festival, etc.
Language
The official language is Chinese. The dialects spoken by the locals are also common.
Religion
The most common religions on the island are Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity.

is the largest island in the southern Chinese province of the same name. There are several other small islands around it. Translated from Chinese, “Hainan” means “South of the Sea”.

Most of the income here comes from the resort and tourism business. The island has a wonderful climate, there are sights and monuments of history and culture, a developed tourist infrastructure, many excellent beaches, entertainment and hotels.

The largest city on Hainan Island is called Haikou. There are more than 8.5 million local residents throughout the province. During the year, no less tourists from all over the world come here to relax.

Geography

It is a small tropical island located in the South China Sea off the southern coast of China. Hawaii is located at the same latitude, which is why Hainan is often called “East Hawaii”. It is slightly larger in size than Crimea - 33 square meters. km.

In the center there are dense tropical forests, in which unique species of flora grow and endemic species of fauna live, listed in the Red Book of China and the whole world.

Climate

The average annual temperature in Hainan is +24C, the average water temperature is +26C. Three hundred days a year there is magnificent sunny weather. This is truly a heavenly place, both for a beach and excursion holiday.

There is eternal summer here and there is no division into High and Low seasons. The weather is favorable for holidays at any time of the year. However, winter is still considered the velvet season, and in summer prices for hotels and air tickets drop slightly due to precipitation.

Throughout December, January and February, during the dry season, the air temperature during the day is about +22C, and the sea water temperature is about +25C. In summer, during the rainy season, the air warms up to +25C, and the water in the sea – up to +28C.

Story

Hainan got its name during the Mongol Yuan Dynasty in the 13th century. After its fall during the Ming Empire in the 14th-17th centuries, this province strengthened significantly and was populated by the Chinese population.

Since the beginning of the 20th century, the island acquired independent administrative status. Deng Xiaoping created China's largest free economic zone (FEZ) here, after which Hainan began to develop by leaps and bounds.

Beaches

The island is known for its magnificent beaches and beautiful coral reefs. The beaches have beautiful views, are clean and well-groomed, and are equipped with all the necessary infrastructure.

Almost all of them are covered with shiny fine white sand, on which relaxation is a pleasure. Resort staff carefully monitor the cleanliness of the beaches near hotels of any class and star rating.

The most famous local beach is called the Jade Belt. It is a thin strip of white sand that separates the fresh river waters from the salty sea waters. The beach is located near the Boao resort.

Attractions

The largest Buddhist center of Nanshan is located 40 km from the resort of Sanya. There you can see a huge temple, a statue of the Goddess of Mercy more than 100 m high and a beautiful Chinese-style park.

This is an artificial island located near Sanya. Several skyscrapers have been erected on it, which house hotels for vacationers; there are also luxury villas, a yacht club, a beach, etc.

The Li and Miao are ethnic groups that have lived on the island for centuries. In these villages, the ancient way of life has been recreated. In a large park, traditional houses of these peoples are built, and the role of residents is played by local actors.

All historical and cultural artifacts related to Hainan are collected here. Tourists are presented with an extensive exhibition, incl. antique local porcelain, edged weapons, silk, national clothing, medieval jewelry, etc.

On the shore of this bay, which in Chinese is called the Dragon Coast, are the most expensive and luxurious hotels in Hainan. Around them are tropical forests, mountains, pristine white beaches. This is a real Garden of Eden on earth.

Dongshan Safari Park

A wonderful natural park where tourists, without exposing themselves to danger, can see how animals live in natural conditions. Ostriches and parrots, monkeys and crocodiles, lions and tigers live here.

This reserve was created specifically to study the local subspecies of macaques. Today, more than 2,000 of these little monkeys live there. Tourists love to communicate with them and feed them. But be careful, macaques will go through your pockets looking for shiny things.

Butterfly Park

This nature reserve, located next to Yalong Bay, houses a unique collection of butterflies from all over the world. You can also see unique insects here.

Pirate Island

This is a tiny island near Hainan, where you can enjoy almost untouched local flora and fauna, pristine tropical forest. Along the coast there are white beaches and coral reefs.

Park "Heavenly Grottoes"

A wonderful natural park where you can walk through caves and grottoes, touch sacred trees, and visit the famous Dragon Temple. This park is sacred to all who practice Taoism.

Entertainment

The center of tourism on the island is the resort of Sanya, where the famous Bar Street is located. The most popular bars among vacationers are:

• —SOLO,
• - SOHO
• - M2.

You can also find good nightclubs, discos and karaoke bars here. Nightlife continues until the morning. In karaoke bars, like ours, there is no dance floor and DJ; they just gather in groups and sing.

The nightclubs are very beautifully decorated in Chinese style, and guest artists and dancers often perform here. In the clubs you can always have a good time and have a good time; the prices for drinks are quite reasonable.

Not far from Sanya is Dadonghai Bay, near which there is the largest number of boutiques, shops, restaurants, bars, etc. There is everything for lovers of noisy entertainment and shopping.

Transport

Your first acquaintance with the island begins at Phoenix International Airport. This is where tourists from Russia and other countries fly. There is also Meilan Airport, but it is located far from the resort area and is therefore less popular.

The main type of public transport is buses. The price of bus tickets is low. Tourists also often use taxis or simply rent a car. Private traders on motorcycles are bombing. There is a high-speed train from Sanya to Haikou.

Pros and cons of Hainan

The resorts of Hainan are truly heaven on earth. But it’s more the wealthy Chinese who vacation here, as well as the European middle class and above. The prices are quite high, although it is easy to find a quite decent three-star hotel.

This is one of the best resorts, which combines not only a beach holiday, but also a unique Chinese culture with many attractions, and a good medical base. For those who want not only to relax and get a lot of impressions, but also to maximize their health, the resort on Hainan Island is an excellent choice. It is so beautiful that it was given the name "East Hawaii". In China, it is the only island with a tropical climate, where the sun shines more than 300 days a year. The best time for relaxation is considered to be the period from March to October.

What can be treated

Here they provide comprehensive treatment of the gastrointestinal tract, pulmonary system, skin problems, genitourinary system, bone, and cardiovascular problems. The island uses many traditional Chinese techniques, all without the intervention of surgery. Various natural medicines are also used. Several treatment centers are concentrated here, such as “Garden of Longevity”, “Sanyutang”, “Yu-Kang”, “Tai Chi”.

On the territory of Nantian there are over 30 pools, with different chemical properties and temperatures, which allow the thermal spring to significantly improve your health.

This resort has the hottest spring of Qionghai, the water temperature reaches 70 - 90 °C. The valley of Xinglong springs is also popular; here the water temperature reaches 45°C - 65°C. The sources contain various elements, some of them may be radon and potassium-sodium. Each source is suitable for a specific health problem.

Recreation areas

As for the beaches, they are all in a modern style, equipped with umbrellas, showers and sun loungers. There are 4 bays that are located in the South.
Yalongwan is considered the most elite and cleanest recreation area. Prestigious hotels and large diving centers are located here.

Dadonghai will be a popular place for surfers, as the wind is right for this activity.

Sanyawan and Sanya have beautiful landscapes, although all the hotels are located across the road.

Must-sees

The most popular places are:

• The Edge of the World is an amazing park, the length of which is 23 km; on its territory there are blocks of stones of unusual shapes, for example, a stone in the shape of a broken heart, a stone symbolizing wealth, supporting the sky and the labyrinth of lovers;
• Ma Al Volcano is an inactive volcano, the road to which is paved with magma, and an observation deck is equipped along the perimeter of the crater;
• Butterfly Gorge is a protected park where a huge variety of butterflies from different countries live, an amazing sight;
• Monkey Island is a reserve where only monkeys live, there are about 3000 of them, an entire island is allocated for them, covered with rocks and forest with many fruit trees;
• Nanshan is a Buddhist center with several temples and a gold statue of Guanyin Buddha, which is decorated with expensive stones, and is considered the largest Buddha statue made of gold according to the Guinness Book of Records.

This is not the entire list of attractions; there are many more. Also at the resort you can go scuba diving, since the marine world is diverse and full of colors, or any other sport, there are plenty of them. Unusual Chinese cuisine will surprise you with its variety and taste.

The availability of last minute tours will be more useful than ever. Visiting such a resort is everyone's dream. Unforgettable and vivid impressions are guaranteed.

Precautionary measures

In Hainan, tourists can relax calmly and not fear for their lives - serious crimes against tourists happen here extremely rarely. But deception, body kit, and money scams, unfortunately, happen all the time. In addition, there are many different types of pesters and beggars on the streets and beaches.

You should carefully monitor your personal belongings and do not carry too much cash with you. It is best to store valuables, including passports and tickets, in a hotel safe. In Sanya, there are cases of theft of handbags and equipment from a motorcycle or moped passing at high speed.

On the beaches, do not give in to persuasion to pay for a sunbed or umbrella. They are free, with the exception of sunbeds directly next to the cafe.

Check your change carefully. Ask your guide about the peculiarities of local counterfeit banknotes (the most common ones are counterfeit 10 and 50 yuan).

Most often, tourists are cheated in restaurants and markets. In restaurants and cafes, carefully study the bill. Be sure to bargain in the markets. You can always reduce the price by at least 2 times, and sometimes you can reduce it to 70-80%. Fruits are cheapest to buy from peddlers in the evening.

Before traveling to Hainan Island, no special vaccinations are required, but it is recommended to take out medical insurance. Also, do not forget to take medicine for indigestion with you; local food may be unusual for the body. It is not recommended to drink raw tap water or wash fruits with it. Drink either boiled or bottled mineral water. The room usually has an electric kettle or thermos.

Be sure to use sunscreen (you need to bring it with you, since only Chinese brands with a whitening effect are sold in Hainan). The sun is very active, and you can get burned in 15-20 minutes.

The sea off the coast of the island is considered quite safe; no cases of attacks by sea predators on swimmers or divers have been recorded.

It is important to know

Choosing a time to travel. The best time to visit Hainan is considered to be from late September to early May. In March-April it is quite hot on the island, the air and water temperatures average about 30°. The weather is similar in October-November. If you can't stand the heat, it's best to visit the island from December to February. The coldest month is January: as a rule, it stays at 18-20° for one week, and 21-25° the rest of the time. The water in January is cool: 20-22°. Therefore, it is impossible to consider Hainan as a place where you can sunbathe and swim to your heart's content during the New Year holidays.

Chinese. Hainan is a favorite holiday destination not only for foreigners, but also for the Chinese themselves. (Hainan for China is like Crimea for residents of the USSR in Soviet times; almost everyone strives to go there at least once, and many families save for this trip for years.) Some foreign tourists are calm about this neighborhood, while others are irritated by it. Those who are especially intolerant should go to Yalongwan, where mostly foreigners vacation.

Currency exchange. You can import US dollars or euros to exchange for Chinese yuan. Currency exchange is carried out at Chinese bank branches, which are available at all airports, hotels and large stores. The rate is set by the state. It is not recommended to change currency in markets and streets. Within the PRC, circulation and settlement in foreign currency is prohibited.

Taxi and transport. Since international driving licenses are not valid in China, car rental is only possible with a driver. Traffic on the island's roads is very chaotic, with drivers constantly honking their horns. The easiest and cheapest way to get around Hainan is by taxi, and the most reliable is the “official” blue taxi. Ask the driver to turn on the meter. Generally, the cost of a 10-minute ride is about 10 yuan.

Bank cards. Hotels and large stores usually have ATMs where you can withdraw cash from Visa, American Express, Mastercard, Diner's Club, etc. In large cities, cards are accepted for payment in large stores, but in small stores and restaurants most often You can only pay in cash.

Tips. Officially, it is prohibited to take tips for service personnel, but most often a maid or porter at a hotel will not refuse 1-2 yuan. You should not leave a tip in restaurants.

Circuit. The network voltage on the island is 220 V, all hotel rooms are equipped with universal sockets and adapters.

Photography. Almost everything can be photographed, with the exception of naval facilities, which, as a rule, are guarded by sentries. When photographing representatives of national minorities, it is recommended to be tactful and ask permission to photograph. It is prohibited to photograph monks and some Buddhist shrines. Also, as a rule, photography and video shooting inside temples and museums is prohibited (sometimes you can obtain permission for an additional fee).

Connection. As a rule, on the way from the airport, guides offer tourists to purchase a local SIM card and IP card. Both are 100 yuan (you can negotiate cheaper). The SIM card is a tourist one, and is only useful for local calls (to get a regular SIM card and be able to call abroad, you need to come to the telecom operator’s office with your passport). For calls to Russia it is better to use an IP card. You can call it from any landline phone (if you have problems dialing the number, you can ask a guide for help). Of course, you can use international roaming or make an international call from a hotel, but these services are very expensive.

Internet available in almost every hotel. Many hotels have wi-fi, and in some places there are computers with Internet connections in the rooms. There are still few Internet cafes on the island.

Traditions. Money and business cards can be given with both hands (this is a sign of deep respect) or with the right hand. While eating, do not insert chopsticks into the dish and do not point the spout of the kettle at your neighbor. You should not smoke in Chinese temples. Also, step over the threshold before entering the temple - it is forbidden to step on it. When shopping at markets and street vendors, be sure to bargain.