Hainan island tourism guide Continue Located off the coast of China, Hainan is a fascinating province to visit. It boasts mild weather, beautiful beaches and outstanding tropical scenery. This makes it a wonderful coastal holiday destination for those who want to escape China's major cities. Its main island, Hainan Island, is one of the largest in China, the second largest by Taiwan.Hainan is Haikou, which is located to the north and is the island's administrative headquarters, as well as an important economic and cultural center. Apart from the city of Haikou, another area of interest is Sanya, the top tourist destination that boasts many beautiful sandy beaches. By land span, Hainan is about 13,100 square miles (33,920 square kilometers). This is equivalent to the size of Belgium. At the time of the 2010 census, Hainan's population was 8,671,518, but since then the population is estimated to have grown to about 10 million. Hainan is the largest city, with a population of about 2,046,189.Hainan is known worldwide for several reasons. The most notable of these are:1. Hawaii ResemblanceIn 2009, the New York Times dubbed Hainan East Hawaii or Chinese Hawaii due to its resemblance to Hawaii. Imagine the bright sun and warm sandy coastline or the clean shores and pale sea that Hawaii is notable for. Hainan is blessed with the same fantastic natural features. Also, Hainan's beaches tend to be warm when the rest of China is cold. For many years Hainan is famous for its annual festivals. Sometimes referred to as Coconut Island because of its mass production of coconut, the province hosts the International Coconut Festival annually either in March or April. There are many interesting activities during this festival, ranging from coconut tasting to martial arts competitions. At the same time, the province celebrates the San Yue San Festival, which has traditionally been a time for locals to pray for a bountiful harvest. Recently, the festival has evolved and is now also known as a celebration of love, as young people seeking love often turn to pray for the cause of the heart. Other festivals include: Hainan International Surfing FestivalHot Balloon ChallengeTour Hainan Cycling CompetitionMis World Beauty Pageant3. The local Hainan cuisine is also famous for its food. Aside from the coconut, which is the highlight of the province, the beautiful island has many wonderful products that you might expect in a coastal setting. From tropical fruits such as papaya and bananas to seafood such as shrimp and crab, travelers have many options. In addition, the island offers local dishes and irresistible specialties such as Wenchang Chicken, Hele Hainanese Chicken Rice, and Jiaji Duck.Hainan has everything you expect to see and do on a tropical island. Here are the highlights: The options are incredible when it comes to the beaches in Hainan. Key considerations BayTianya HaijiaoShimei BaySanya BayWest IslandThese sandy beaches are clean, quiet and safe for all visitors. The surface of the sand is comfortable for walking, and the weather is usually favorable for those who want to scuba dive, swim or surf2. Heikow volcanic cluster GeoparkHaikou boasts at least 40 ancient volcanoes that are staggering here. For those who want to create a buzz on social media, a video session in the volcanic cluster Geopark is an option to consider. The Tropical Botanic Garden Xinllun This historic botanical garden is the perfect place for plant lovers. Stretching the distance of about 98.84 acres, the Xinglong Tropical Garden is not only an agricultural center, but also a tourist attraction. It is famous for its mysterious fruits that make everything you eat after a meal taste sweet. Yanoda RainforestHiking has never had more fun than an experience that you can enjoy in the Yanoda Rainforest. This rainforest is not your standard national reserve. It features stunning waterfalls and suspension bridges. There's also a zip line for those brave enough to try. The natural setting here is amazing to see. The Nanshan Nanshan Temple is one of the largest and most unique sacred sites in southern China. This giant temple is located between the sea and the hills and is known to be home to many Buddhists. It is famous for its statues of the Guanyin Buddha, especially the giant Guangy-ying Nanshan, which is located on a narrow strip of land serving in the middle of the sea. If you like to climb the hills, then you need to visit Luhuitu Park. It features 5 hills, of which the highest reaches a height of about 594 feet. Climbing this hill gives you a bird's-eye view of the sea and downtown Sanya. In the park, there is a massive rock that has the word LOVE engraved on it. Nearby is Luhuitou Bay, which is richly supplied with sea oysters, coral trees and jellyfish.7 Nanwan Monkey IslandNanwan is a protected island that is home to 2,000 species of monkeys. It's 95% green, which means it offers an excellent opportunity to reconnect with nature. If you want to see some of the rarest species of monkeys in the world, you will find them on The Island of Nanwan. Moreover, the island is bordered by the ocean and has many species of coconut and jackfruit trees8. Movie TownLastly, if you are tired of hiking and sea adventures, it may be a good idea to experience a set of movies. The place to visit, in this case, is a movie town in Haikou. This artificial city has amazing film studios and buildings, to shoot various films and movies. There are also amazing shops and theatres that you can visit. The best time to visit Hainan is between December and March. In Hainan, December is considered to be late spring, while March is considered to be Summer. The weather at this time is mild (about 23 degrees Celsius - 26 degrees Celsius or 73.4 degrees Fahrenheit - 78.8 degrees Fahrenheit), which is pleasant for most visitors. Much of the rest of China is cold and uncomfortable at this time, so you may be tempted to visit Hainan in January or February. However, it is worth noting that making a trip in late January or early February may not be a good idea as the Chinese Lunar New Year usually falls during this period, making it a hectic time for domestic travel. Mild weather from December to March allows you to wear a long-sleeved T-shirt during the day. At night, when the temperature drops a bit, you may find the need to wear a light jacket, sweater or hood. So it makes sense to pack some warm clothes to wear when the weather changes. If you are going to the beach, wear comfortable and breathable clothes. They should also dry quickly in case you decide to go for a swim at sea. For tourists, it's a good idea to pack a pair of light hiking boots. More importantly, you have to remember to wear a swimsuit. The sea is quite irresistible, and chances are that you may be tempted to swim. In 2018, the Chinese government introduced a policy that allows visitors coming to Hainan via Sanya or Haikou to enter without a visa if they plan to stay less than 30 days. This policy, however, applies only to 59 countries: Europe (40 countries) - They include Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, Great Britain, France, Italy and others. America (6 countries) - They include the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Chile, and Argentina.Asia (13 countries) - They include Thailand, Singapore, Japan, UAE, Korea, Indonesia, among others. Putonghua (standard Chinese) is the most common language in Hainan. So you may want to consider checking out this list of 10 useful Mandarin Chinese travel phrases before traveling. In addition to Mandarin, local minority groups speak Hainan and Cantonese, among other local dialects. Typically, Hainan is an exciting travel destination for those who want to experience Hawaiian adventures outside the US. From fun activities to local dishes, Hainan promises an amazing holiday experience. So, plans to visit this amazing Chinese province during your next vacation. A teeming pristine, lush nature, Hainan Island remains true to its natural and ethnic roots with unexpected charms. That's why you should visit Hainan, an idyllic but often overlooked holiday destination, for a short, quiet getaway. Think of tropical island resorts and the usual suspects to swim in your headspace - Bali, Philippines, Tioman Island, Langkawi, and more. However, along the same line, The vein lies hainan Island that would probably never miss through your mind, especially when the idea that this part of China alone may be not putting for some. Photo: En.sanyatour.comBut China many may perceive, Hainan is actually separate from the mainland, making it its own unique attraction, dotted with forests, beaches, sleepy cities and holiday resorts. It's not hard to see why people call this little Island China the answer to Hawaii! If your typical beach destinations are made and dusted (or you just want to avoid the pantries of Singaporeans), here are 11 reasons why it's time to give Hainan Island a chance to impress you. READ ALSO: 10 major apps for travelling around China1) White, sandy beaches galoreDadonghai Bay. Photo Credit: Sunnyhainan.comNaturally blessed with a coastline that stretches for days, Sanya, the southern tip of Hainan, is a buzzing beach resort center with its three most popular - Dadonghai, Sanya Bay and Yalong Bay - regularly making it to China's top beach listings. The authorities have made progress in ensuring the beaches remain free and open to the public, so even if you don't shell out for a stay in a 5-star hotel overlooking the beach, you can still enjoy the sun and get lit, beaches! For adventures, you can even dabble in water sports like snorkeling, snorkeling and paragliding.2) It has a volcanic park Photo credit: Sunnyhainan.comWhat was once a cluster of more than 40 volcanoes now converted into the Heikow Volcanic Cluster Global Geopark, with people still living in two lava villages where houses are made of volcanic rocks.