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Hainan, a renowned tourist destination, has long been a favorite for cycling. The entire province is a vast cycling paradise designed specifically for cyclists, boasting excellent roads, mostly asphalt, surrounded by beaches, coconut trees, and a gentle sea breeze. The terrain is minimal, making most sections accessible even for single-speed bikes. It's a great entry-level cycling route, perfect for beginners. Scenic spots like Lingshui, Boao, Xinglong, Sanya, and Wuzhishan each attract cyclists from across the country with their unique scenery and charm.
Hainan Island, located on the northern edge of the tropics, enjoys a tropical monsoon climate, earning it the nickname "Natural Greenhouse." With long summers and no winter, the average annual temperature ranges from 22°C to 27°C. Winter is therefore peak tourist season in Hainan. While in northern China, you'd need to wear a cotton-padded jacket and crank up the heater, in Hainan, you can simply wear short sleeves and enjoy the sun. November to April is the best time to cycle in Hainan.
Hainan offers a variety of travel options, including flight, train, and ferry. Those with more budget can fly directly to Haikou or Sanya, while the train to Haikou is a more economical option. The most fun option is to take a train to Xuwen and then a ferry to Haikou. Buses to Xuwen Port are readily available from the train or bus station, so you don't have to worry about getting there. Those with bicycles can also push them aboard, enjoying the stunning views of the Qiongzhou Strait. Hainan's logistics are well-developed, so we could easily rent a car in Hainan (student ID cards offer discounts).
Hainan cycling is divided into three routes: East Line, Central Line and West Line, which can be combined at will.
Common routes are:
East Central Line
The route runs from Haikou via Wenchang, Boao, and Shenzhou to Sanya, and then from Sanya via Wuzhishan, Qiongzhong, and Tunchang back to Haikou. The entire journey is approximately 700km. The scenery is beautiful, there are many places to visit, and the logistics are sufficient. However, the middle route has a steep climb and is a bit difficult.
East-West Line
The difference is that after arriving in Sanya, the route goes through Dongfang and Danzhou back to Haikou. The total distance is about 900 kilometers, which is a true circle of the island. However, the western route is less well-equipped and has fewer scenic spots than the eastern and central routes. I chose the eastern and central routes this time because I prefer to play and eat, which is a huge temptation!
There is also a section that goes counterclockwise around the island, entering from the west and exiting from the east. A cycling trip around the island takes about 8-10 days, and you can fine-tune it according to your itinerary.
Cycling Map of the Island (www.hn517.cn)
Cycling equipment
Cycling clothes, helmets, cycling gloves, flashlights, bicycles, spare tires, tire repair tools, air pumps, rear racks, pannier bags
Tips:
If you don’t like wearing cycling clothes, you can wear quick-drying clothes + cycling underwear + loose pants, which can protect your buttocks and you can also wear your favorite clothes.
If you are renting a bicycle, the equipment can be rented, so you don’t need to prepare in advance.
Clothes
Quick-drying clothes, swimsuits (pants), raincoats, sports shoes, and slippers.
Personal items
ID cards, bank cards, cash, mobile phones, chargers, power banks, medical supplies, and water cups.
other
If you are camping, you should also bring: tent, sleeping bag, moisture-proof mat, headlamp, and camp light.
As a tourist island, Hainan's accommodation capabilities are undeniable. There are star-rated hotels, resort hotels, family-run hotels, youth hostels, and other high-end options. There are also cycling inns dedicated to cyclists. For example, the Hainan 517 Cycling Inn, which I chose this time, is the largest and most professional cycling inn on Hainan Island, and also boasts the highest rating for cycling inn tours around the island. The price is also relatively affordable at 40 yuan per bed. Meeting like-minded cycling friends at the inn, cooking together, and chatting is a truly wonderful experience.
I brought my own bicycle for my trip around the island, taking a direct train from Guangzhou to Haikou. The bicycle was checked at Guangzhou Railway Station for a normal shipping fee of 50 yuan, with normal shipping time. If you want to check your baby in with your bike, you can skip the check-in process at the front desk and ask the check-in staff directly. They'll check it in for you, meaning it'll be included with your bike, but the price will be double the normal price. I paid 100 yuan because I wanted to travel with my bike for convenience. You can refer to this for reference. You can also pack your bike and have it delivered directly to a post station. Just contact the staff in advance. At the end of your trip, the post station will also pack it for your return trip.
Once you arrive at Haikou 517 Station, you can rent a car. You can return the car at any station along the way without having to return to Haikou. This is the advantage of the chain station.
Car rental price list (www.hn517.cn)
You'd be remiss not to try seafood on an island! It's best to purchase your own seafood at the market or harbor, then pay the restaurant for the processing fee, or cook it yourself at the hostel. Simply arrange with the hostel in advance, and they'll have access to the kitchen equipment. You'll only need to pay a fee back to the hostel, which is usually just a few yuan per person. Because the ingredients are so fresh, the simpler the cooking method, the better; you'll enjoy the fresh flavor. If you're new to cooking seafood, learn how to prepare it beforehand so you can show off your skills at the hostel. Here are a few photos of my hostel dinners. I bought all the seafood at the market and cooked it myself, costing 10-20 yuan per person!
Hainan's Wenchang chicken, Jiaji duck, Dongshan goat and Hele crab are known as Hainan's four famous dishes. Their places of origin, Wenchang, Qionghai and Wanning, will all be passed by during the island cycling trip.
(Wenchang Chicken) (Jiaji Duck) (Dongshan Mutton) (Hele Crab)
Also known as coconut boat, it's a traditional delicacy in Qionghai and Wenchang, Hainan. It's known to treat stomach ailments and other ailments. Because eight-treasure rice is sweet, eating more of it can be beneficial for those with hypoglycemia and children. Coconut boats are typically made from dried, old coconuts, as their flesh is high in oil and, after stewing, produces a rich, fragrant coconut milk. However, freshly fleshed, still-tender coconuts have tender, sweet, and distinct flavors, each with its own distinct characteristics.
Due to the diverse ingredients, most regions (and Hainan's regional flavors vary) have begun adding ingredients like coconut meat, red dates, watermelon and pineapple cubes, quail eggs, jelly, and winter melon and coix seed. To cater to a wider range of tastes, coconut milk, sugar syrup, and plain water have been added as options. Today, Hainan Qingbuliang is a relatively mature, refreshing, thirst-quenching drink.
Hainan rice noodles, also known as Haikou pickled rice noodles, are the granddaddy of Hainan rice noodles. They are richly flavored, smooth, and appetizing, stimulating enough to last a lifetime. For spicy food lovers, adding a little chili sauce will enhance the flavor. When the noodles are left at the end, adding a small bowl of hot clam soup to the mix will create a delicious and long-lasting aftertaste.
Baoluo noodles are a specialty rice noodle snack from Wenchang City, Hainan Province. Named after Baoluo Town, where it originated, it is said to have been a renowned delicacy throughout the surrounding area since the Ming Dynasty. Baoluo noodles are a type of soup noodle dish, renowned for their broth, which is clear, flavorful, and sweet. While the broth is sweet, it has a unique, fresh, and savory flavor, not greasy, and with a hint of sourness. The flavor is truly divine.
This is a specialty snack from Hainan Province. It's sour, spicy, sweet, and rich in seasoning, making it incredibly delicious and incredibly memorable. At a roadside stall in Lingshui, you can enjoy this delicacy for just five yuan.
The glutinous rice used in Hele Zongzi (Chinese Zongzi) grows at the junction of fresh and salt water, half fed by the Sun River and half by incoming seawater. This gives the rice a slightly salty flavor and rich nutrition. The black pork used in Hele's traditional Zongzi comes from the small fishing village of Hele. The fishermen feed the pigs with discarded small fish, shrimp, seaweed, and coconut meat. It's like the farm pigs, living on the beach and enjoying a seafood feast, resulting in a delicious and delicious taste.
This refers to popular tea. Because these popular tea shops used to cost only a few cents a pot, served with a small snack, they were economical and affordable, offering a welcome respite for the elderly, who enjoyed conversation and a relaxing pastime. Lao Ba Tea represents the unique tea culture of Haikou, Hainan, blending the tea-drinking and socializing habits of the elderly in mainland China with the Western lifestyle brought back by returned overseas Chinese. Lao Ba Tea shops offer a blend of Eastern and Western offerings, featuring Western-style tea and snacks, Chinese meals, and local snacks.
Line reference:
The East-in, Middle-out route takes you along the eastern coastal route from Haikou to Sanya, offering scenic views and numerous attractions. After arriving in Sanya, you'll cross Wuzhi Mountain and return to Haikou. Each day's itinerary begins and ends at the Hainan 517 Island Loop Station. Beds at each station can be reserved by contacting the operator. Those wishing to stay at other hostels or hotels can also plan their itinerary accordingly, simply checking into their hotel upon arrival.
Line 1
Depart from Haikou 517 - Lingshan Town (breakfast) - Tanniu Town (birthplace of Wenchang chicken) - Wenhang Road (turn left at the intersection and take Binwan Road to the Qinglan Bridge, avoiding Wenchang City) - Global Wharf (directly navigate to "Wenchang Global Wharf" for dinner, seafood feast, and duck rice) - Ferry (5 yuan per person, 2 yuan per car, 15 yuan for charter during the day; around 20 yuan for charter at night). After getting off the ferry, go straight 200 meters along the road, enter the residential area, and follow the signs to find the Wenchang 517 Station.
Line 2
Depart from Haikou 517 - Lingshan Town (breakfast) - Tanniu Town (birthplace of Wenchang Chicken) - Wenhang Road (turn left at the intersection and take Binwan Road to the Qinglan Bridge, bypassing Wenchang City) - Qinglan Bridge - Dongjiao Town - follow the signs to the Dongjiao Town Seaside Peninsula (you can navigate to "Wenchang 517 Station" and follow the navigation) - arrive at Wenchang 517 Station
(Photo from China Bridge Network www.cnbridge.cn)
Tips:
Arrive at the Qinglan Bridge before 5 PM. Either route, one or two, is fine. Route one offers a unique river crossing by boat. You can also buy food for dinner at the Global Pier, making it a great option. Route two, crossing the Qinglan Bridge through a coconut grove, is a more complex route but offers beautiful scenery.
If it's not 5pm yet, I recommend choosing route 1, which is shorter and less strenuous. Route 2 is more dangerous after dark.
East Suburb Coconut Grove
Located along the ten-mile-long Jianhua Mountain coastline, lush coconut groves, including the Dongjiao Coconut Grove, form an endless forest belt, a natural green barrier along the coastline. Deep within the Jianhua Mountain coconut groves, the Balema Resort, covering over 70 acres, offers a tranquil retreat, surrounded by coconut breezes and ocean charm.
Aerospace Fisherman's Wharf
Located at No. 1, Gaolongwan Binhai Street, Qinglan Development Zone, Wenchang City, it is not only a paradise for seafood lovers, but also a new photo base for literary and artistic youth, and a leisure paradise for coastal travelers.
Take Bus 517 from Wenchang - Huiwen Town - Changpo Town - Tanmen Town - Boao 517 Youth Hostel (From Tanmen, take Binhai Avenue until Boao Hospital, turn in at the intersection of Xiaoxiang Pavilion Hunan Restaurant, turn right at the end and walk 100 meters)
Tips:
1. In Changpo Town, you can taste authentic Indonesian food in the Indonesian Village. Inana Indonesian Restaurant and Bandung Indonesian Style Food Private Customized Dishes are both good choices.
2. You'd be remiss not to try seafood in Tanmen Town! The sheer variety of seafood in Tanmen will make your mouth water. According to information, Tanmen's main seafood options include Spanish mackerel, black pomfret, hairtail fish, grouper, trout, squid, conger eel, stonefish, humphead wrasse, lobster, giant tiger prawns, and slipper lobsters. There's also a variety of seafood specialties, including male conch, penholder snails, red-mouthed snails, white-faced snails, plum-flowered sea bream, white sea bream, black sea bream, red melon sea bream, black dog sea bream, square sea bream, jellyfish crabs, red flower crabs, and stone crabs. The quality is excellent and the prices are reasonable.
Boao Seaside Bar Park
The core area of Qionghai Tropical Coastal National Agricultural Park plans to build 16 bars themed around Boao, with nine already completed. These include Sea Story, Old House Coffee Village, Prajna Sea, Love Sea, Manban, and Boao Time, each with its own distinct architectural style. These bars and restaurants exhibit distinct architectural styles, including Love Sea and Prajna Sea, which are inspired by traditional Boao residences, and Manban and Boao Time, which offer a simple and lively Mediterranean aesthetic. These distinctive seaside buildings are a major highlight of the Boao Coastal Bar Park.
Boao Jade Belt Beach
Yudai Beach is a naturally formed, narrow, sandy peninsula located in Boao, Hainan. Outside, the vast expanse of the South China Sea stretches as far as the eye can see, while within, the Wanquan River and the surrounding Shamei Inland Sea offer breathtaking views of the lakes and mountains. The contrast between the two creates a unique landscape. Yudai Beach stretches 8.5 kilometers, and its other topography resembles Miami in the United States, Cancun in Mexico, and the Gold Coast in Australia, making it a truly unique location in Asia. In June 1999, the northern section of Yudai Beach was recognized by the Shanghai World Guinness Headquarters, the authoritative agency of Guinness World Records in China, as the "narrowest sandy peninsula separating sea and river."
Depart from Boao 517 - Hele - Gangbei (take the Xiaohai ferry, 2 yuan per person, no need to carry your bike on board, just push it) - Yandun - Dahuajiao (bow-shaped pebble beach) - Wuchang (starting point of the coastal highway) - Dong'ao - Shenzhou Peninsula (Hainan's cleanest beach, the bay most suitable for swimming, opposite Zhouzi Island).
Tips:
1. At the intersection of Hele Town, you must try the famous Hele Zongzi~
2. Friends, if you're heading from Boao to Shenzhou Peninsula via Route 517, remember: First, turn left at Hele Town and head toward Gangbei. Take the 2-yuan boat from Gangbei to Yandun! Second, continue 200 meters from Wuchang and turn left onto the tourist highway! Don't use the navigation system to go to Baoding Village!!!
3. The road to Dahuajiao ends at a military camp. Dahuajiao is actually part of the camp, but the military tacitly allows visitors to visit it. You have to walk around it from the mountain road behind. Dahuajiao is actually a restricted area behind the military camp, so you can imagine how hidden it is.
4. When you go to Dong'ao Town, you can go to Laoyehai for a visit and eat Dong'ao goose.
Just push the cart onto the simple boat and cross in two minutes.
Tips:
Wanning Coastal Tourism Highway is known as the "storytelling" tourism highway. It starts from the Shimei Bay exit of Hainan East Line Expressway in the south and ends at Dahuajiao in the north. The entire line connects many beautiful bays in Wanning, including Shimei Bay, Nanyan Bay, Shenzhou Peninsula, Laoyehai, Houtan, Baoding Bay, Chunyuan Bay, and Dahuajiao.
Surrounded by the sea on three sides and land on one side, the Shenzhou Peninsula covers an area of 24 square kilometers, is 8.7 kilometers long in the southeast and 2.7 kilometers wide in the northwest. It borders Niubiaoling Mountain in the east, Haochao Nanhai in the south, Laoyehai Port in the west, and Dong'ao Port in the north. You can enjoy the beach here.
1. Dashen Route (100km, 6km uphill): Shenzhou 517 - Coastal Highway (this section is particularly beautiful and comfortable) - Shimei Bay - Rural Road 187 - Riyue Bay - Rural Road 228 (3km uphill) - Nanqiao Town - National Highway 223 - Niuling (3km uphill)
2. Ordinary Route (105 km, 3 km uphill): Shenzhou 517 - Coastal Highway (this section of the road is particularly beautiful and comfortable) - Shimei Bay - National Highway 223 - Niuling (3 km uphill)
After arriving at Niuling, both routes enter Lingshui, take National Highway 223, turn left at Qugang Roundabout, take Greentown Blue Bay Town, take Qingshui Bay, take Coastal Highway, take Yingzhou, take National Highway 223, and take Haitang Bay 517. Haitang Bay 517 Station is located in a villa complex, which is comfortable and quiet.
Tips:
1. Wang Haifa Sour Noodles, located in Ruixiang Building on Lingshui Central Avenue, is a 30-year-old shop that was featured on "A Bite of China."
2. Riyue Bay is known for its excellent surfing resources in China and is a favorite among surfers both domestically and internationally. Wanning Riyue Bay also hosts various high-level domestic and international surfing competitions every year.
Haitang Bay Duty Free Shop - the world's largest single duty free shop
Tips:
The purchase of duty-free goods cannot exceed 30 days before leaving the island. If there are any changes in flight or train information, you need to call the Sanya Haitang Bay Duty Free Shop customer service number at least 24 hours in advance to explain.
!!Make sure to plan ahead!! !!We recommend buying now and picking it up!!
Wuzhizhou Island
This national AAAAA-level scenic spot, also known as "Lover's Island", has unique diving conditions and is known as a high-quality diving destination in China. It has more than 30 sea and land projects and a unique "undersea, water, air, and land" amphibious play experience.
(Photo from photography website http://699pic.com/)
(Photo from photography website http://699pic.com/)
Haitang Bay 517 - Haitang Square - Linwang Town - Yalong Bay (known as the "No. 1 Bay in the World") - G224 - Sanya 517 Cycling Station [From the intersection of Yuya Road and the Meteorological Bureau, go downhill and turn left in the alley near the small supermarket and barbecue stalls.]
Yalong Bay
Yalong Bay, a crescent-shaped bay, boasts a 7-kilometer-long, silvery-white beach with exceptionally fine sand. The South China Sea here is unpolluted, its waters crystal clear, appearing in several shades of blue. Under the surface, a rich variety of corals can be clearly seen, making it ideal for a variety of underwater activities, including diving.
(Photo from photography website http://699pic.com/)
(Photo from photography website http://699pic.com/)
Sanya Bay Coconut Dream Corridor
Known as "Asia's No. 1 Boulevard," this renowned coastal promenade, the "Coconut Dream Corridor," stretches 20 kilometers. On one side, facing the sea, a charming tropical botanical garden contrasts beautifully with the silvery sands and azure sea, creating a vibrant, long scroll painting. On the other side, a charming leisure resort boasts a diverse array of modern, garden-style buildings, including villas and hotels.
This is really the best place to watch the sunset. The more than 30-kilometer seaside scenic avenue is very pleasant, listening to the sound of waves hitting the shore and the coconut breeze and green shadows along the way.
Red sand fishing raft
Hongsha Bay has long been a prime fishing port, rich in seafood. The fishermen, living by the sea, are hospitable and often invite friends aboard their boats to sample fresh seafood. As the number of visitors to Hongsha Fishing Port grows, the fishermen have opened fishing rafts to cater to seafood enthusiasts. There are many Hongsha fish rafts, such as Lin Lao Da Fish Raft and Lin Lao Er Fish Raft. Lin's Fish Raft is one of the most renowned.
Dadonghai
Located between Yulin Port and Luhuitou in Sanya City, Dadonghai Scenic Area in Sanya was rated as a 4A-level scenic area, becoming Sanya's first free open-air scenic area. Dadonghai is a symbol of Sanya and was named one of the "Top 40 Scenic Spots in China" by the National Tourism Administration.
(Photo from photography website http://699pic.com/)
(Photo from photography website http://699pic.com/)
Sanya National Highway 517-224 (with stunning tropical rainforest scenery along the way) - Yanoda Tropical Rainforest - Binglang Valley - Wuzhishan 517 (Continue along National Highway 224 after seeing the first Wuzhishan City sign and drive 500 meters. You will see a row of six villas on the right side of Futian Hotel)
The small pineapples on Wuzhi Mountain are super sweet, you must try them! ! ! Highly recommended.
Yanoda Tropical Rainforest
China's only tropical monsoon forest located at 18 degrees north latitude, this scenic spot represents the epitome of Hainan Island's five major tropical monsoon forests. It is a tropical rainforest resource expo with the highest scenic value, and is considered a diamond-level rainforest scenic spot in China. Connected to Wuzhi Mountain and Qixianling in the north and the central green hinterland, the scenic area's observation deck offers panoramic views of the Haitang Bay coastline, Wuzhizhou Island, and Monkey Island, creating a unique location advantage.
Betel Nut Valley
It consists of three major sections: the intangible cultural heritage protection village, the former Ganshili Village and the rainforest Miao village, as well as a large-scale live ethnic song and dance drama "Betel Nut Ancient Rhyme". It is one of the top ten tourist satisfaction scenic spots in Hainan Province and one of the top ten most distinctive and charming tourist scenic spots. It is the richest, most authoritative, most flexible and most authentic "living" museum of ethnic culture in Hainan Province.
Wuzhishan National Highway 517-224 - Maoyang Town - Shiyun Township - Hongmao Town - Qiongzhong - Fengmu Town - Tunchang County
Tips:
Riders with average stamina can rest and stay in Qiongzhong, a distance of approximately 80 kilometers. This day's journey is quite tiring, and involves crossing the steepest and most treacherous mountain range on the Haiyu Middle Line, at an elevation of approximately 757 meters. Be prepared. Nearby attractions are not recommended; plan your trip along the way.
In Qiongzhong, you can taste the Miao three-color rice and the Li bamboo tube rice.
Tunchang County - Xinxing Town - Yongfa Town - Yongxing Town - Xiuying Avenue - Binhai Avenue - Changdi Road - Xinbu Island - Haikou 517 Station
Haikou Qilou Old Street
These buildings were built by returning overseas Chinese from Southeast Asia in the early 20th century, drawing inspiration from the architectural styles of the region. Most arcades are decorated with elegant and detailed sculptures and Western-style ornamentation, giving them a distinct Baroque feel. They are relatively low, often two or three stories high, and some retain the remains of former businesses, along with intricate carvings on railings, doors, and windows.
(Photo from Photo Network)
(Photo from Photo Network)
Holiday Beach
Haikou Holiday Beach Tourist Area, known as Hainan Island's largest tropical hot spring coastal area, is located in the northwest of Haikou City, bordering the Qiongzhou Strait to the north, Xixiu Beach to the east, the Noble Yacht Club to the west, and Binhai Avenue to the south. It stretches 7 kilometers and covers approximately 33 hectares (excluding beach and sea). It is 3 kilometers from Xiuying and 10 kilometers from Haikou's downtown area. It is a tropical coastal belt with a long coastline, fine sand and clear water, abundant attractions, and expansive views. It embodies the hallmarks of a tropical island landscape: sunshine, seawater, beaches, greenery, fresh air, and coconut groves.
(Photo from Photo Network)
(Photo from Photo Network)
(Photo from Photo Network)
Feng Xiaogang Film Commune
The world's first film-themed tourism project named after a director, "Feng Xiaogang Film Commune", was officially established on October 21, 2012. After its completion, visitors can experience the shocking scenes of "Aftershock" and savor the romantic atmosphere of "If You Are the One". Everything in Feng's films seems to be within reach.
(Photo from Photo Network)
(Photo from Photo Network)
Hainan's island-circling cycling route is a fantastic winter island cycling route, and I'm sure this trip will add a wonderful memory to your life. Let's go, young man!
It is recommended to try the 4+2 travel method to make the trip more exciting.
