Live Your Best Lives
Enjoy a boat tour of the emerald lake; paddleboard or ride crystal boats; hike around rainforest trails and valleys; explore the tropical forest (with high forest coverage and fresh air); visit the Shenyu Academy or cultural art and tea ceremony venues; stay in the scenic resort and relax in nature; photograph sunrise, mist, and forest-lake reflections.
Shenyu Island, located in Baoting Li Autonomous County, northeast of Sanya City, near the Mao'anzhen Reservoir, boasts a variety of natural wonders, including mountain lakes, pristine tropical rainforests, millennia-old lychee trees, forest valleys, and also groves of Alsophila spinulosa (a living fossil of the order of 100 million years old) and the peach blossom jellyfish. Built around Jasper Lake and the surrounding tropical mountain rainforest, it is a reservoir-type water conservancy scenic area.
The first phase of the Shenyu Island project has begun to take shape, encompassing over 6,800 mu (approximately 1,000 acres). The project will feature a world-first Chinese Jade Art Museum featuring a rainforest-themed exhibition hall, a tropical rainforest natural ecological museum, a Miao cultural town, and a Shenyu Children's Playground. The stunning scenery and fresh air of the lake and mountains combine to create a breathtaking wonderland. Crucially, the island is sparsely populated, offering a rare tranquil retreat.
Subtropical monsoon climate;
Suitable for all seasons
It is recommended to spend half a day
Reference price: starting from 68 yuan
8:30-17:30
Shenyu Island is a cultural tourism area located in Baoting Li & Miao Autonomous County, built around the Maozhen Reservoir (Xiangshui Town). It is rated AAAA scenic, combining rainforest, ethnic culture, and resort tourism. The site promotes Li/Miao cultural arts (tea, calligraphy, Hanfu), forest wellness, and ecological escape.
It is in Maozhen Reservoir area, Xiangshui Town, Baoting County, Hainan. You can reach it by taxi or private car from Baoting (or from Sanya, Haikou via road). There is no metro. Some local buses or shuttles may connect to the scenic area.
Currently, the status is “Temporarily Closed” as listed on Trip.com. When open, the best times would be in the dry season (November to April), mornings or late afternoons to enjoy cooler air and fewer crowds.
The ticket price is not clearly published in current sources. When active, tickets would likely be purchased at the scenic area entrance, possibly online through travel platforms.
Given the “temporarily closed” status, advance booking may be needed when it reopens, particularly in holiday seasons. But I found no authoritative source stating how far ahead.
Visitors typically spend ½ to 1 full day here to cover lake tours, forest walks, cultural venues, and relaxation.
Highlights include:
I found no confirmed sources that guided tours or audio guides are routinely available, especially in English. The experience appears more self-guided or with local guides.
Good photo spots include: lake surface reflections, forest-lake edges, mist over the water at dawn, resort architecture framed by forest, tea terraces mid-slope, and cultural spaces (Shenyu Academy with atmosphere).
A suggested route: arrive → begin with a boat tour on the lake → disembark and walk forest trails → visit Academy / cultural tea house area → explore lodging grounds and view platforms → return via another path or stop for photography → relaxation time at resort or café.
No dependable information indicates night visits or light shows are currently offered. The scenic area’s focus is daytime nature and cultural ambiance.
Compared to busier rainforest or commercial attractions like Yánōda or Binlang Valley, Shenyu Island is described as relatively tranquil and less crowded. Weekdays and off-peak seasons are suggested to be the least crowded.
The resort includes lodging facilities, cafés or restaurants within or adjacent to the scenic area, rest areas, and likely basic restrooms. Also, since the hotel is part of the resort, their amenities (dining, services) serve visitors.
Children and reasonably fit visitors can enjoy the boat tours and gentle trails. Elderly may be limited if steep or rugged trails exist, and full accessibility (wheelchair) is not documented.
While not explicitly stated, as a modern resort / scenic area in China it is likely that mobile payments (WeChat Pay, Alipay) and card payments will be accepted for services. Having some cash is still prudent.
Within the resort area, there are restaurants tied to the hotel(s). Nearby village eateries in Mao’an Village or in Baoting County will provide local cuisine. One source names “Shenyu Hotel Restaurant / Shenyu Hall Restaurant” as an on-site dining option.
Not clearly documented. Some resort restaurants may offer vegetarian dishes; halal is not prominently mentioned, so inquire locally.
Yes: Shenyu Island Hotel & Resort is located on the island itself (Mao’an Village). The resort offers themed lodging (lake view, island residences) within the scenic zone.
Nearby you might visit:
Yes, the resort / scenic area will have gift shops selling local handicrafts, tea from local gardens, cultural crafts (calligraphy, art), and resort branded items.
After visiting, return by taxi or private car to Baoting or onward to Sanya or Haikou. Or use local buses linking to nearby scenic spots. If staying at the resort, they may offer shuttle services.
