Sanya
Nanshan Guanyin
A 108-metre statue of Guanyin standing in the sea, one of the tallest statues in the world, inside the Nanshan Buddhist cultural park.
18°–20°N · 108°–111°E
Hainan
China's tropical island: about 33,900 km² of beaches, rainforest and mountains, home to around 10 million people, on roughly the same latitude as Hawaii.
Photo: lienyuan lee, CC BY 3.0
History
From exile island to free trade port
For most of its history Hainan was the far edge of the empire, a place of exile. Today it's China's holiday island and its newest free trade port.
- Thousands of years ago
The Li (Hlai) people settle the island. They still live in the mountains around Wuzhi Mountain and keep their own language, weaving and festivals.
- 110 BC
The Western Han dynasty sets up a garrison, the first time Hainan appears in Chinese records.
- 1097
For centuries Hainan was where emperors exiled officials who fell out of favour. The poet Su Dongpo was sent here in 1097 and taught at what became the Dongpo Academy in Danzhou.
- 1514–1587
Hai Rui, born in Haikou, becomes one of China's most famous honest officials. His tomb is still in Haikou.
- 1939–1945
Japanese occupation. Local guerrillas and Li villagers resist in the island's interior.
- 1950
Hainan comes under the People's Republic on 1 May 1950 and becomes part of Guangdong province.
- 1988
Hainan becomes its own province and China's largest Special Economic Zone.
- 2001
The Boao Forum for Asia is founded in Bo'ao, our home town. Leaders from across Asia meet here every spring.
- 2016
The Wenchang Space Launch Site, an hour north of Bo'ao, sends up its first rocket. It later launched every module of China's Tiangong space station.
- 2025
On 18 December 2025 the whole island begins operating as the Hainan Free Trade Port, with its own special customs regime.
Off the water
14 things to do in Hainan
For no-wind days, rest days or bringing the family. Ask us and we'll help you plan trips from Bo'ao.
Sanya
Tianya Haijiao
"The edge of the sky and the corner of the sea": granite boulders on a palm-fringed beach, famous in Chinese poetry and a classic photo stop.
Haitang Bay, Sanya
Wuzhizhou Island
A small island with some of the clearest water in China. Go snorkelling, try a beginner dive, or just spend the day on the beach.
Sanya
Yalong Bay
A 7.5 km crescent of white sand lined with resorts. Calm water, perfect for swimming and a lazy day off the kite.
Baoting
Yanoda Rainforest
Walk boardwalks, rope bridges and waterfalls through tropical rainforest in the hills behind Sanya.
Baoting
Binglanggu Li & Miao Village
See the island's Li and Miao cultures: traditional boat-shaped houses, Li brocade weaving (on UNESCO's list) and dance.
Central Hainan
Wuzhi Mountain
Hike Hainan's highest peak, 1,840 m, through cloud forest. Its five summits look like the fingers of a hand.
Wenchang
Watch a rocket launch
Wenchang is China's seaside spaceport. On launch days crowds gather on the beaches to watch, an hour's drive from Bo'ao.
Haikou
Qilou Old Street
Haikou's old town of arcaded shophouses, built a century ago by merchants returning from Southeast Asia. Great for street food.
Haikou
Five Officials Temple
A temple honouring five famous officials exiled to Hainan during the Tang and Song dynasties, set in quiet tropical gardens.
Danzhou
Dongpo Academy
Where the poet Su Dongpo lived and taught in exile from 1097. Built in 1098 in his memory.
All over the island
Eat Wenchang chicken
Hainan's famous dish: poached chicken served with ginger, garlic and lime dips. Also try Hele crab, Dongshan mutton and fresh coconut.
Bo'ao
Bo'ao and the Jade Belt
In our home town three rivers meet the sea at the Jade Belt sandbar. Take a boat on the Wanquan River and visit the Boao Forum venue.
Wanning
Surf Riyue & Shimei Bay
Hainan's surf capital, 40 minutes south of Bo'ao. Rent a board for a no-wind day: great waves from October to March.