Live Your Best Lives
Facing the sea, with spring flowers blooming, I decided to embark on a trip around the island for my last trip of 2020. This warm and welcoming island has fascinated me countless times, but this is the first time I have truly traveled around the island.
Enjoy the sun and surf at Holiday Beach, discover the Baroque flavors at Qilou Old Street, savor the delicious Qionghai at Hainan Homestay, capture the sharpness of light and shadow at Swallow Cave, experience the tranquility at Peninsula Lighthouse, and anticipate spring at Forest Park. Let's set out together, toward travel and beauty!
D1: Haikou Holiday Beach Tourist Area, Haikou Qilou Old Street, Hainan Haikou Lanting Flower Sea B&B
D2: Qionghai Hainan Seafood Restaurant (Tanmen Store), Wanning Swallow Cave
D3: Shenzhou Peninsula Lighthouse, Lingshui Qingshui Bay Freedom Lighthouse
D4: Sanya Linchunling Forest Park
Haikoucheck the details
Haikou, nicknamed the "Coconut City," is the capital of Hainan Province. Located in the tropics, Haikou boasts diverse tropical resources and is a southern coastal city rich in stunning natural scenery. Haikou boasts a pleasant climate and a first-class ecological environment, consistently ranking first in air quality among key regions (Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, Yangtze River Delta, and Pearl River Delta) and 74 cities (municipalities, provincial capitals, and independently planned cities) nationwide. With a green coverage rate of 43.5%, Haikou has been designated by the World Health Organization as China's first "World Health City" pilot site. Haikou has been awarded titles such as "China's Charming City," "China's Most Happy City," "China's Excellent Tourist City," "China's Famous Leisure and Cuisine City," "National Model City for Environmental Protection," "National Sanitary City," "National Garden City," "National Historic and Cultural City," "National Civilized City," "National Model City for the Support of the People and the People," and "Most Innovative International Convention and Exhibition City." Haikou has received the annual "China Habitat Environment Award" from the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and was selected as one of the "Top 50 Cities with the Most Investment Potential in China" in 2017.
5771 recommendations, 5508 visits
The first stop of the island tour is the Haikou Holiday Beach Tourist Area. The sunshine, sand, coconut trees, and sea water, accompanied by Jay Chou's songs coming from the headphones, make people feel relaxed and energetic at the same time, and a strong desire to surf comes to mind.
As the most representative seaside tourist and leisure resort in Haikou City, Holiday Beach has both a lush coastal avenue and the vast blue waves of the Qiongzhou Strait. Along the way, you can see resorts, hotels, and amusement parks scattered around. It is quiet and interesting, making it the best choice for leisure and entertainment.
At the entrance of the scenic area, the four words "Holiday Beach" come into view, hidden among lush green plants, with the sparkling sea behind and swaying coconut trees around, creating a unique charm.
Sunbathing is a must at the beach. The sandy sunbathing area here is tranquil and warm, with a lazy atmosphere that makes you want to stay still. The lush branches and leaves of the large, antique banyan trees, nestled together, form a beautiful landscape that makes you feel the spring.
The east side of the beach features a water performance hall, a water park, and a sea club, perfect for parent-child interaction. The leisure resort boasts charming villas, adding a touch of modern style to the area. For those visiting with friends, a barbecue is a must-do on any beach holiday, perfect for enjoying the sea breeze and a delicious meal.
Architecture is a testament to history, a mark of time. As time flies, cities undergo constant transformation and upheaval. Yet, many old streets, despite weathering these vicissitudes, remain timeless, recording a city's rise and fall.
When you come to Haikou, in addition to experiencing the romantic island style, there is another place worth visiting, that is Haikou Qilou Old Street. As one of the top ten historical and cultural streets in China, Qilou Old Street stands out with its unique charm and has become a compulsory course for understanding Haikou's history and culture.
As we all know, Haikou is an important window for Hainan Island to open up to the outside world. This building complex, built in the early 20th century, is closely related to Haikou's early opening up to the outside world.
When you come here, you can see the strong Chinese architectural features and enjoy the Nanyang architectural style. The exquisite carvings, retro railings, and a touch of Baroque style form the unique characteristics of the Old Street of Arcades.
Strolling through the streets, you will see shops lining both sides and historical and cultural relics everywhere. The white walls are mottled by the baptism of history, but they are even more charming.
The oldest building standing in the old street is the Sibei Building, which has a history of more than 700 years. It has become the highlight of the old street and attracted countless tourists to check in.
Besides experiencing Haikou's unique lifestyle and historical charm, this spot is also highly recommended for photography. The ancient arcades, arranged in a staggered pattern, exude an elegant and refined Western style. Wearing a retro cheongsam and posing effortlessly are highly photogenic. Overlooking the old street, the colorful arcades line the streets, and the vehicles circulate freely, creating a cinematic experience.
Accommodation is a major travel challenge, but it can also be the highlight of any trip. For our trip to Haikou, we chose a highly rated B&B nearby—Haikou Lanting Flower Sea B&B. It boasts a prime location, close to the International Convention and Exhibition Center and the Yuanda Shopping Center. It's right outside the door, offering unobstructed views of the private beach. Most importantly, it offers excellent value for money.
The decoration of the B&B is warm and homely, full of life. The details of the display reveal the mood of life. It is an ideal cozy nest, and you will feel at home as soon as you see it.
The living room is designed in a fresh and simple style, with soft sofas in Morandi colors, a French retro dining table, an exquisite and elegant ceiling fan, and a large projector, creating a comfortable and cozy private space.
The room also has a kitchen with a refrigerator, gas stove, rice cooker, etc., which can meet basic cooking needs. Of course, if you are too lazy to cook like me, you can walk to the commercial street in 2 minutes and find all kinds of restaurants.
It is worth mentioning that the balcony is equipped with a popular leisure hanging chair. The comfortable color combination adds a touch of softness. It is also an excellent viewing platform. When you open the curtains, you can see the blue sea and blue sky. It is very suitable for taking a nap and chatting.
What was surprising was that the landlord also thoughtfully prepared disinfectant and disposable masks for us, which touched me deeply.
When you come to Sanya, you must eat seafood, and Hainan people are the first choice for seafood.
This 20-year-old Hainan brand has occupied the taste buds of a generation of Hainanese people, and now it can be seen in every street and alley.
We chose the Tanmen store. As the saying goes, good wine needs no bush. This seafood restaurant hidden in Tanmen Town is still crowded with people. When we arrived, there was already a long queue.
The clean white door, the warm brown signboard, the four words "Hainan Family" clearly indicate the restaurant's origin, and the slogan on one side is impossible to ignore. As a must-eat restaurant on a certain review board, it is well-deserved.
The restaurant's decor is simple, without too many fancy decorations, focusing on the ingredients and taste, making it a perfect place for a small gathering with friends. Like most seafood restaurants, the seafood here is caught and cooked fresh, and the real ingredients are visible, and the freshness is unquestionable.
I highly recommend the milky flower rolls, which are surprisingly delicious and truly worthy of their number one spot. They're soft and fluffy, with a rich, milky flavor and just the right amount of fluffy texture. They're not greasy at all, making them irresistible. I can't help but praise this truly treasured dessert shop, awash in seafood.
The signature spicy crab is spicy and satisfying, which suits my Sichuan stomach very well. The crab is cooked just right, crispy when eaten, and the crab meat is tender, white and sweet. Dipped in the rich sauce, the taste is even better. It is effortless to eat and so delicious that it makes you lick your fingers. Your appetite increases instantly.
The salt and pepper mantis shrimp is a must-order. The mantis shrimp is very big and is decorated with chopped green onions and minced garlic, which makes the aroma fragrant. The shrimp meat is very fresh and easy to detach from the shell. The tender and plump shrimp meat is so satisfying that you can eat it in one bite.
Wenchang Chicken, as one of Hainan's four famous dishes, is also on the must-eat list. The Wenchang Chicken here has an attractive golden appearance, the chicken is tender and juicy, with the right amount of fat and lean meat, and it is full of color, aroma and taste, making people feast on it.
Dongfang lamb chops refreshed my understanding of lamb. I used to resist the mutton smell, but this experience was really unexpected. The mutton smell was removed without reservation, the fat and lean parts were just right, and it was chewy in the mouth, not dry at all, which was really eye-opening.
Coconut rice is a specialty dish of Hainan. Compared with the coconut rice I have eaten before, the coconut flavor here is stronger, the rice grains are plump and soft, and you will never get tired of eating it.
Steamed grouper may not look very attractive, but it is actually very tender and melts in your mouth. The steaming method perfectly retains the nutrition of the grouper, and the fish meat is white and delicate, leaving you with an endless aftertaste.
Fried squid rings are children’s favorite. They have a crispy texture, golden color, and are full of freshness and fragrance that you can’t stop eating.
Health enthusiasts must try the taro pumpkin here, which is paired with fragrant coconut milk. It tastes sweet but not greasy, has a soft and glutinous texture, and is suitable for all ages.
The restaurant is very close to the port, which greatly guarantees the freshness of the ingredients. Friends who come to Sanya should not miss it.
Compared to the monotonous seascape, the mysterious reefs are more fascinating.
In Wanning Mountain, Hainan, there is a unique "Jiujing Stone". The main body is submerged in the sea, and the limbs extend to the reefs on the shore. When the sea is shallow, it can form a cave that can accommodate more than a dozen people. It is called "Swallow Cave" by the outside world, forming a unique sea view of Zhengmenhai. Now it has become a popular check-in and photo-taking spot for internet celebrities, with a very high rate of photo production.
Different from common beaches, the beaches here are natural and wild, retaining the original wild beach style and having an unruly temperament.
Upon first sighting Swallow Cave, I was captivated by its lush greenery, where a variety of plants flourished freely, showcasing the power of life. The waters here are exceptionally blue, a beauty that strikes the heart. Compared to artificial beaches, they have a more untouched and rugged quality.
In addition to the unique Swallow Cave, the reefs, waves, etc. here are also very distinctive. The beach is rocky and covered with black reefs, which have an indescribable depth, just like black agate inlaid on the beach, showing its sharpness.
There is a new scene at every step. The reefs, the coastline and the caves are all great places for taking photos. The moment the shutter flashes, the quiet scenes are frozen, and the Japanese style is ready to emerge on the whole screen.
It is worth noting that the waves here are quite large, so everyone must pay attention to safety when taking photos. However, for photography enthusiasts, this is definitely a paradise on the sea that will make you linger.
The sea's ultimate companion is undoubtedly a lighthouse. Our fifth stop on our island tour was the Shenzhou Peninsula Lighthouse in Wanning. This isolated, isolated lighthouse imbued the otherwise ferocious and surging seascape with a tranquil beauty, instantly adding a cinematic feel. It felt like stepping into a Hayao Miyazaki anime, a refreshing sensation.
Like Swallow Cave, this spot's most notable attraction is its excellent photo opportunities. Drivers can navigate to Shenzhou Peninsula Taiyueju and cycle there. The scenic scenery, birdsong, and fragrant flowers along the way are truly refreshing.
Looking out at the sea from afar, a neon sunset hangs above the sea. The sky is filled with red clouds, and pink, orange and light purple blend into each other. There is a kind of beauty that makes people want to speak but stop, and romance comes uninvited.
There are many great spots for taking photos here. You can stand quietly under the lighthouse, lean against the lighthouse, or sit on the surrounding gravel with the lighthouse as the background, and you can get exquisite photos for your circle of friends.
Compared with the natural and fresh lighthouse of the Shenzhou Peninsula, the Lingshui Qingshui Freedom Lighthouse is more modern and beautiful. It is surrounded by high-rise buildings, ships are moored, and transportation is more convenient.
The 18° north latitude is a place kissed by God and is an excellent tourist destination. The Qingshui Freedom Lighthouse is like the finishing touch on this beautiful jade belt, attracting countless tourists.
There are endless summers here, and even in the coldest months of winter, it's still warm as summer. The Free Coast is perfectly laid out, and the azure waters are spotless, seemingly trying to compete with the blue sky.
Slowly moving along the Free Coast, the waves constantly hit the rocks, rolling up layers of white waves. The sea water transitions from shallow to deep in the distance. Sometimes it is as quiet as a mirror, and sometimes it is as turbulent as a wild horse that has broken free from its reins, which is daunting.
At the end of the seawall, a lighthouse stands quietly. The tower body has faded slightly due to the baptism of wind and rain. The lighthouse has an observation deck. Looking out from the railing, you can see the blue sea and blue sky, which is very beautiful.
This place is very suitable for daydreaming. There are small lighthouses on the sea, forming a beautiful landscape, which complements the buildings in the distance and perfectly interprets modern beauty.
Our final stop on our island tour was Linchunling Forest Park. Nestled against the mountainside, the park offers breathtaking views of the Zhulu Terrace, the Observation Tower, and the Tea Pavilion. Linchunling Forest Park is the perfect place for a relaxing stroll and is Sanya's only public forest park.
Walking into the park is like walking into a natural oxygen bar. The air is fresh and lush green plants can be seen everywhere, making people want to breathe deeply.
The entrance gate is uniquely designed. The words "Linchunling Forest Park" are clearly visible on the stone wall, with gold characters on a black background, showcasing the park's rich cultural heritage. The wooden sculpture on one side is also eye-catching, complementing the surrounding trees, creating a fresh and rustic atmosphere.
Going forward, the "Watchtower" comes into view. It is a four-story observation tower that stands alone in the world, with red and white colors, and green plants on both sides complementing each other, full of poetic and picturesque beauty.
This is a unique viewing platform with a broad view, from which you can take in the beautiful scenery of Sanya. The red paint on the railings has peeled off and is slightly mottled. The breeze blows against your face, and you feel infinite emotion.
If you are a mountaineering enthusiast, you must not miss this free niche park. The scenery along the way is picturesque, and there are rest pavilions and small stone tables. You can listen to the wonderful words of the mountains and forests without the noise of stringed instruments or the work of paperwork.
