Hainan Province, also known as Qiong, is made of up several islands off the southern coast of the People’s Republic of China. The largest of these is Hainan Island. These South China Sea Islands of the People’s Republic of China, two hundred in number, includes the Spratly Islands, Paracel Islands, and the Macclesfield Bank as part of Hainan Province, but this is disputed by neighboring countries. The famous Gulf of Tonkin lies to the west of Hainan Island. The Philippines are east, Malaysia and Brunei are south and Vietnam is west of Hainan Province. For many years it was classified as part of the Guangdong Province, but it became its own province in 1988, with its capital located in Haikou City.
The weather is warm and mild for much of the year. The east coast and central areas of Hainan are wet, contrasting with the drier southwest coast. Although it can be quite rainy during the summer and fall, the weather is especially pleasant from November through March, making for a wonderful winter getaway on its tropical beaches.
Because of the warm and frost-free climate, many plants grow here. Sugar cane, coffee, pineapple, coco, peanuts, and sisal are found in Hainan province. 2,500 medicinal herbs grow very well here. Many tropical crops thrive in Hainan, including rubber plant, coconut palm, lemon grass and cashews. Precious timber is also harvested here as well. In addition, the rare Hainan Black-Crested Gibbon, an endangered primate, as well as the endangered Slope Deer, both live in the Hainan Province. Work has been done to protect these creatures, including the establishment of the Bawangling Black-Crested Gibbon Reserve in Changjiang County and the Datian Slope Deer Reserve, which is located in Dongfang County. The area’s climate also fosters a long fishing season. Eight hundred different kinds of aquatic products originate from Hainan, including six hundred types of fish.
Hainan Island is popular with tourists not only for its warm weather and lovely beaches with coral reefs, but also for its hot springs and lush greenery. Hainan Province is one of the least industrialized areas in China, so it still retains much of its natural scenic beauty. Some areas that showcase the natural vegetation include Yalong Bay National Resort, considered one of the finest beaches on the island, along with Tianya Haijiao and Dadonghai; Seven Finger Mountain; Guantang Hot Spring Resort; and Shishan Volcanic Garden. Beautiful waterfalls in the mountains are not to be missed.
A couple of historical sites you will also want to visit include Hairui Tomb and the Wugong Temple, or the Five Officials Memorial Temple. Dating back to the Ming Dynasty, Hairui was a popular officer known for his compassion, and this special tomb was built in his honor. The Five Official’s Temple are five traditional temples built in honor of five officials from the Tang and Song dynasties.
Elegant hotels are to be found along the Hainan provincial waterfront, and provide a stunning location for a long vacation in the sun.
