- Hainan is China's southernmost province, known for tropical beaches, warm weather, and coconut production.
- Haikou is the provincial capital, while Sanya is the island's top tourist destination.
- December through March is generally the best time to visit, though the period around Chinese New Year gets very busy.
- Citizens of 59 countries can enter Hainan visa-free for stays under 30 days.
- Mandarin is the most widely spoken language, though local dialects like Hainanese are also common.
Located off the coast of China, Hainan is a fascinating province to visit. It boasts balmy weather, beautiful beaches, and outstanding tropical scenery.
This makes it a fine coastal vacation destination for those looking to escape China's big cities. Its main island, Hainan Island, is one of China's largest, second only to Taiwan.
Hainan's capital city is Haikou, located towards the north, which serves as the island's administrative headquarters as well as an important economic and cultural hub. Besides Haikou, the other area of major interest is Sanya, a top tourist destination known for its array of beautiful sandy beaches.
If your travels through China spark an interest in the language itself, Hainan can also be a great starting point to Learn Chinese in China before or after your trip.
01 Geographical coverage and population size
By land coverage, Hainan is about 13,100 square miles (33,920 square kilometers). This is roughly equivalent to the size of Belgium.
At the time of the 2010 Census, Hainan's population was 8,671,518, though the population is estimated to have grown to about 10 million since then. Haikou is the largest city, with a population of about 2,046,189.
02 Things that make Hainan famous
Hainan is famous around the world for several reasons. Here are some of the most notable ones.
1. The Hawaii resemblance
In 2009, the New York Times dubbed Hainan the "Eastern Hawaii" or "Chinese Hawaii" thanks to its resemblance to Hawaii. Imagine the bright sun, warm sandy coast, and pale sea that Hawaii is known for.
Hainan is blessed with the same fantastic natural features. Its beaches are often warm even when the rest of China is cold.
2. Yearly festivals
For many years, Hainan has been known for its yearly festivals. Sometimes called the "Coconut Island" because of its massive coconut production, the province hosts an International Coconut Festival every year in March or April.
There are many fun activities during this festival, ranging from coconut tasting to martial arts contests. During the same period, the province also marks the San Yue San Festival, which was traditionally a time for locals to pray for a bountiful harvest.
Lately, the festival has evolved and is also known as a love festival, since young people seeking romance often turn up to pray for matters of the heart. Other notable festivals include the Hainan International Surfing Festival, the Hot Air Balloon Challenge, the Tour of Hainan biking contest, and the Miss World Beauty Pageant.
3. Local cuisine
Hainan is also famous for its food. Aside from coconut, which is the highlight of the province, the island offers many of the fine foods you might expect in a coastal setting, from tropical fruits like papayas and bananas to seafood like shrimp and crab.
The island is also known for local specialties and signature dishes such as Wenchang Chicken, Hele Crab, Hainanese Chicken Rice, and Jiaji Duck. If you enjoy learning about regional cuisine, it's also worth reading up on Chinese table manners before sitting down to a meal with locals.
03 Things you can do and see in Hainan
Hainan has everything you would expect to see and do on a tropical island. Here are some of the key highlights.
1. Sandy beaches
The options are incredible when it comes to beaches in Hainan. Top considerations include Yalong Bay, Tianya Haijiao, Shimei Bay, Sanya Bay, and West Island.
These sandy beaches are clean, quiet, and safe for all visitors. The sand is comfortable to walk on, and the weather is usually favorable for scuba diving, swimming, or surfing.
2. Haikou Volcanic Cluster Geopark
Haikou is home to at least 40 ancient volcanoes that are stunning to behold. For anyone wanting to create a buzz on social media, a video session at the Volcanic Cluster Geopark is well worth considering.
3. Xinglong Tropical Botanical Garden
This historic botanical garden is the perfect destination for plant lovers. Stretching about 98.84 acres, Xinglong Tropical Garden is not just an agricultural center but also a popular tourist attraction.
It is famous for the "mystery fruit," which makes everything you eat afterward taste sweet.
4. Yanoda Rainforest
Hiking has never been more fun than the experience you can have at Yanoda Rainforest. This tropical rainforest isn't your standard national reserve, featuring stunning waterfalls and suspension bridges.
There's also a zip line for those daring enough to try it. The natural surroundings here are amazing to see.
5. Nanshan Temple
Nanshan Temple is one of the biggest and most unique sacred places in South China. This gigantic temple sits between the sea and the hills and is home to many Buddhists.
It is especially famous for its Guanyin Buddha statues, including the gigantic Guanyin of Nanshan, which sits on a narrow strip of land jutting out into the sea.
6. Luhuitou Park
If you like climbing hills, Luhuitou Park is well worth a visit. It features five hills, the highest of which reaches an elevation of about 594 feet.
Climbing to the top gives you a bird's-eye view of the sea and downtown Sanya. In the park there is also a massive cliff engraved with the word LOVE, making it a popular spot for couples, especially those looking to propose.
Nearby is Luhuitou Bay, which is rich with sea oysters, coral trees, and jellyfish.
7. Nanwan Monkey Island
Nanwan is a protected island that is home to 2,000 monkeys. It is about 95% green, offering a great opportunity to reconnect with nature.
If you are hoping to see some of the world's rarer monkey species, you'll find them here. The island is also bordered by the ocean and features many coconut and jackfruit trees.
8. Movie Town
Lastly, if you're tired of hiking and sea adventures, it might be a good idea to experience a movie set. The place to visit is Movie Town in Haikou.
This artificial town has impressive movie studios and buildings designed for shooting films. There are also plenty of shops and theatres to explore.
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04 Best time to visit Hainan
The best time to visit Hainan is between December and March. On Hainan, December is considered late spring, while March is considered the beginning of summer.
The weather during these months is mild, generally around 23°C–26°C (73.4°F–78.8°F), which is agreeable to most visitors.
Most of the rest of China is cold and uncomfortable during winter, so you might be tempted to visit Hainan in January or February. However, making the trip in late January or early February may not be ideal, since Chinese New Year usually falls during this period, making it a hectic time for domestic travel.
What to wear
The mild December-to-March weather allows you to wear a long-sleeved t-shirt during the day. At night, when temperatures drop slightly, you may find it necessary to wear a light jacket or sweater.
It's wise to pack a few warm layers for when the weather changes. If you're heading to the beach, wear comfortable, breathable clothes that dry quickly in case you decide to take a swim.
For hikers, a pair of lightweight hiking boots is a good idea. More importantly, remember to pack a swimsuit, since the sea is often too inviting to resist.
05 Visa-free entry and languages spoken
In 2018, the Chinese government introduced a policy allowing visitors arriving in Hainan through Sanya or Haikou to enter without a visa, provided they plan to stay for less than 30 days. This policy currently applies to 59 nations.
- Europe (40 nations) — including Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy, among others.
- Americas (6 nations) — including the USA, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Chile, and Argentina.
- Asia (13 nations) — including Thailand, Singapore, Japan, the UAE, South Korea, and Indonesia, among others.
Putonghua (standard Mandarin Chinese) is the most spoken language in Hainan. It's worth checking out this list of 10 useful Mandarin Chinese travel phrases before your trip.
In addition to Mandarin, local minority groups speak Hainanese and Cantonese, among other local dialects.
06 Useful Hainan travel vocabulary
Here are a few Chinese words and phrases that will come in handy if you're planning a trip to Hainan. Learning them ahead of time can make getting around, ordering food, and chatting with locals much easier.
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 海南 | Hainan | Literally "south of the sea" | |
| 海滩 | Beach | Useful when asking for directions to the coast | |
| 海岛 | Island | Also used for smaller islets like West Island | |
| 椰子 | Coconut | Hainan is nicknamed the "Coconut Island" | |
| 热带 | Tropical | Commonly used to describe Hainan's climate and fruit | |
| 度假 | To vacation | Often paired with 村 (cūn) to mean "resort" | |
| 签证 | Visa | Useful at immigration counters and travel agencies | |
| 免签 | Visa-free | Refers to Hainan's 30-day visa-free entry policy | |
| 普通话 | Standard Mandarin Chinese | The most widely spoken language in Hainan | |
| 方言 | Dialect | Used to refer to local speech like Hainanese |
07 Your Chinese beach getaway
Hainan is an exciting travel destination for anyone who wants to experience a Hawaiian-style adventure without leaving China. From the fun activities to the local food, Hainan promises an amazing getaway.
China is a country of contrasts, and the difference between north and south is particularly striking. Visiting different regions is essential for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of Chinese culture, and browsing a broader guide to the best places to visit in China can help you plan a fuller itinerary.
Once you've visited China's southernmost province, why not head north to explore northern Chinese culture in chillier destinations like Harbin and Shenyang? And if your trip leaves you wanting to go deeper into the language, consider combining your travels with a study abroad program in China, such as CLI's language courses in Guilin.
Happy travels!