Romance in the rainforest depths of Bawangling, a hidden gem in Changjiang

Bawangling National Forest Park ⛰️ is a newly opened tourist attraction in Hainan. As a nature reserve, it's free of the commercialization found in other rainforest scenic areas. It retains the original appearance of the primeval forest in central Hainan Island and is considered the essence of Hainan's tropical rainforest. The rare and endangered Hainan gibbon 🐒 inhabits this area.

I arrived in the morning, just as the park opened. The sun hadn't yet penetrated the dense primeval forest, which was shrouded in mist and looked like a fairyland. The air, filled with the fragrance of earth and vegetation, was refreshing!

⛳Bawangling National Forest Park
(Currently open areas include 🌱Baishi Lake and Yajia📍, 8 km apart)
ps:
☑️Baishi Lake is less developed, with only a boardwalk running through the forest. You can see unique ecological landscapes such as "air gardens," "aerial roots," and "plant strangulation." It's a great place for rainforest exploration and oxygen intake. The fog was thick when I visited, and a forest ranger kindly guided me.
☑️Yajia is more developed and focuses on waterfalls. It features three trails—the Love Trail, the Health Trail, and the Joy Trail—as well as attractions like Lovers' Valley.
⏱️Both scenic areas take about 40 minutes to tour.

🏕️Location: Qicha Town, Changjiang Li Autonomous County, Hainan Province

✨Opening hours: 8 am–5 pm
(It's recommended to enter before 3 pm. For a misty rainforest experience, visit before 9 am, especially during cooler winter and spring days or on cloudy days.)

📍Tickets
Adult: CNY 48, Concession (child/senior/student): CNY 20, Free for seniors over 70 with ID

🚙Getting there
1. Self-drive or taxi: After exiting the highway, drive about 45 km along Provincial Road 311.
2. Bus: Take the rural bus from Changjiang County to Qicha Town.
3. Shuttle bus: During peak season (holidays), there's a direct bus from Changjiang County to the park.

🥘Local cuisine
1. Bamboo rice: Glutinous rice and meat are cooked in bamboo tubes over a fire, resulting in a fragrant and oily dish.
2. Five-legged pig: This pig gets its name from its short legs and long tail, which make it look like it has five legs.
3. Fried eggs with Lao Ye: A Li family dish, Lao Ye is a wild vegetable from the mountains with a tree leaf shape and a soft, smooth texture.
4. Mango: Changjiang is also known as the "Mango Hometown" of Hainan.
5. Shanlan wine: Made from Shanlan rice, this wine is slightly red, low in alcohol content (around 35%), fragrant, and sweet. A small bucket costs about CNY 60.