Introduction of Hainan

Hainan is the sole tropical island in China, which is world- renowned as "the world's most beautiful island". It has other names, such as Coconut Island, Sunshine Island, Longevity Island and Health Island, etc. It is a rare resort for summer holiday, winter swimming and vacationing as well. Now Hainan is striding forward the grand goal of building an international tourist island at majesty paces. As Savignac, former Secretary General of world tourism organization once praised: "Hainan is a masterpiece of Creator, a brilliant pearl for all mankind".

Hainan Island lies at the southern tip of China. It is located far from the inland, so it was called "the Edge of the Earth" in ancient times. But in fact, the island has an advantageous geographical location. It is situated right at the center of the Asia-Pacific Economic Ring, connected by the Qingzhou Straits with Guangdong Province in the north and it connects by North Bay with Vietnam in the west. The island is adjacent to Hong Kong SAR in the east and Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines in the south. All the above countries and territories are within one to four hours’ flight distance from Hainan.

Hainan Island is the second largest island in China, covering a land of 35,100 square kilometers and governing an ocean territory of over 2.1 million square kilometers. Under the jurisdiction of Hainan Province are eight cities: Haikou, Sanya, Wenchang, Qionghai, Wanning, Wuzhishan, Danzhou and Dongfang with four counties: Anding, Tunchang, Chengmai and Linggao and six autonomous counties: Lingshui, Qiongzhong, Baoting, Ledong, Baisha and Changjiang along with three county-level representative offices in Xisha Islands, Nansha Islands and Zhongsha Islands. The province has a population of 8.5 million, including 1.3 million people of ethnic minorities, such as Li people, Miao people and Hui Muslims. Haikou is the capital city of Hainan Province.
 

The island lies in a region at 18°9'-20°11' northern latitude and 108°36'-111°03' eastern longitude, between the tropical and sub-tropical areas. The island has a pleasant climate, bright sunshine, fresh air, green coconut groves, beautiful bays, natural sea-bath sites, fine beaches, soft breeze and tasty seafood. In addition, on the island there are pure and clean hot springs, golf courses opened all year around, varieties of tropical plants and animals, quality fruits in four seasons, delicate local food, and special festivals of minority people, bamboo rice, rice liquor and legendary folklores. The whole land is, so as to speak, covered with poems, lyrics and above all beautiful sceneries.

In 1988, Hainan Province was established as a Special Economic Zone. After the policy execution of opening The Third, Fourth, Fifth Traffic Right and "Half-way Split Range Right", Hainan has become China's most liberal special aerial zone. Under free skies, the aviation industry in Hainan has seen an even faster growth-international airlines  and has developed from 5 to 61 and the number of airline companies has increased from 5 to 38. Driven by aviation industry, the Hainan tourism has experienced development, basic infrastructure and reception facilities have been greatly improved on the island. The whole province houses more than 380 hotels, guest houses and resort villages with more than 30 thousand rooms and 60 thousand beds. Among them are 288 star-rated hotels, including 20 five-star hotels, 53 four-star hotels and 109 three- star hotels. There are more than 140 travel agencies, including 40 international travel service providers. In total there are 80-plus tourist sites, among which 22 are stated as Excellent Sites of Interest. More tan 60 beach sites are suitable for vacationing. In addition, scuba diving can be done along the coast. A total of 30 golf courses and clubs have been built. Modern transportation and communication facilities are available, including Haikou Meilan International Airport and Sanya Phoenix International Airport, the Expressway around the Island and Guangdong-Haikou Railway. First-class facilities of lodging and accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, shopping and entertainment are also available. On December 31, 2009, the file "Suggestions concerning the promotion of construction and development of international tourism island, Hainan by State Council" was formally released, symbolizing that the construction of Hainan has rose to national strategies and a second important historical opportunity for development has arrived since the province founding and SEZ establishment in 1988. It will be constructed into an island with graceful ecological environment, unique culture fascination and social civilization harmony, an island which is opening, environmental friendly, civilized and harmonious. At present, the focus of loyal tourism is being transferred to a leisurely vacationing tour with the target of building the island into a tropical beach holiday resort in an eco-friendly environment and densely planted with coconut trees and fresh flowers. This target will soon be realized, thus bringing a new, healthier look to the island.

Hainan Island is the right place for realizing the dream of "returning to nature". In recent years, the island has provided varieties of tourist products, all of which aim to offer people an opportunity of "returning to nature". Through an integration of tourist resources across the province, the following eight major tourist products have been provided: Tropical Beach Vacationing, Folk Customs of Li and Miao People, Hot Spring and Health Tour, Tropical Plants and Animals Observation Tour, Scuba Diving& Sightseeing Tour, Geological Tour, Sport and Fitness Tour and Tropical River Drifting Tour, all of which will take tourists back into the Nature. The Ecological Country Tour has become an important tourist product, thanks to its unique charm.

Dear friends, come to Hainan in order to return to nature. You may go to the beach or mountains, or visit ancient relics or simply make a business trip to seek an opportunity for your enterprise. We are sure that your tour will remain memorable for all your life!

 

City Information

Best Travel Season: All year round

Destination Climate: Hainan has a tropical monsoon climate. Its average annual temperature is 22~26℃ and the temperature is coldest in January and February when it still remains at around 16℃-21℃. Because of the 1750-2650 hours of sunshine it receives every year, Hainan can reap three harvests of rice and is an ideal place for growing out-of-season vegetables and breeding fine-strain seeds.
The annual precipitation in Hainan is 1,639 mm on average and the rainy season runs from May to October, contributing to 70-90% of the total rainfall. The three largest rivers, namely, the Nandu, Changhua and Wanquan Rivers, have a total water surface over 3,000 square kilometers and their valleys cover more than 10,000 square kilometers. The water surface of reservoirs covers an area of 56,000 hectares. Reservoirs such as Songtao, Daguangba, Niululing, Wanning, Changmao and Shilu are among the largest.

 

Traffic Information

Airline: Haikou Meilan International Airport and Sanya Phoenix International Airport have flights to and from 39 cities from home and abroad. These include Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Guangzhou, Shenyang, Taiyuan, Xi'an, Changchun, Harbin, Dalian, Jinan, Qingdao, Yantai, Nanjing, Hefei, Ningbo, Fuzhou, Xiamen, Wenzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Kunming, Guiyang, Guilin, Zhengzhou, Wuhan, Changsha, Shenzhen, Shantou, Zhanjiang, Beihai, Changzhou, Lanzhou, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. In addition, there are special mini-airliners that carry passengers to and from different places throughout the island.

Train: The Guangdong-Hainan railway, which opened to traffic on July 1st, 2003, ends the history of Hainan being unconnected with the outside world by trains, thus making it more open to the outside world. Trains from Beijing to Hainan are also available.
Everyday, there are regular departures from Beijing (T201/204, departure time 18:10, travel hours: 35 hours), Shanghai (K511，departure time 09:50, travel hours: 36.5 hours), and Guangzhou (K407, departure time 21：25, travel hours: 15 hours and a quarter) to Sanya. Although this isn't the fastest way to travel, it's a greener mode of transport than driving or flying. Furthermore, you will get the opportunity to enjoy the amazing views en route or relish the extra time it takes, for travelers with ample time and who want to see more scenery on the way, the train is a good choice. The bonus is experiencing the cross-strait train ferry from Xuwei, Guangxi Province to Haikou, Hainan Island.

Shipping: Marine Transportation, it plays an important role in the transport of Hainan because of its highly developed sea route system. The whole province boasts 68 natural bays, among which 24 are used as harbors. Haikou and Sanya are connected to 24 countries and regions in the world by sea routes, so it is convenient for tourists to travel to Hainan from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and abroad.

Road: Expressways are the main means of transportation within Hainan, and at present the total length of expressways in Hainan is over 17000 kilometers. Trunk lines link ports, cities and counties through the island whilst branch lines reach 318 villages and towns and all major tourist sites. Thanks to the round-island expressways, Haikou is just a three-hour drive from Sanya on the Hainan Eastern Expressway.