Head to Hainan in Spring to Experience Limitless Beauty!

Kathmandu, 16 August  2022 Tuesday/Opening remarks: Surrounded by a vast blue ocean, this lush island is Hainan, China’s southernmost tropical province. Here, the scenery shifts alongside the seasons; it is accompanied by a fruity aroma, vibrant monthly festivals, and exhibitions. Let’s follow Hainan throughout the year, traversing the island in search of the most vivid scenery and delicious food of each season.

Spring is the season when grass grows and birds flutter. Monsoon winds from the Pacific Ocean carry spring’s warmth, while new seedlings burst from the ground. Flowers bloom after rainfall, recoloring and reviving Hainan as the best time of the year begins!

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With spring’s comfortable temperatures and flourishing abundance, it’s time to prepare your travel itinerary! Step into a gorgeous sea of flowers, experience contentment as you gaze upon the ocean and springtime blossoms, or visit a Li village featuring untouched nature to discover the grand Double Third Dayfestival.

Spring Travel in the Name of Flowers

Hidden within Changjiang Li Autonomous County in western Hainan is an exquisite world of kapok flowers. Locals view Changjiang’s kapoks as gentle and graceful mountain fairies. Every year from February to March, fiery red kapoks blanket the mountains. Their leaves are concealed as the flowers bloom, but appear when the flowers wither. These blossoms attract many photographers every year.

Here, travelers can enjoy the kapoks among different landscapes, including along the Changhua River, on terraced fields, and beside the train tracks.

The Changhua River Kapok Observation Deck is one such spot. Visitors who arrive in the early morning can experience Changjiang’s magnificent kapoks. Meanwhile, they can indulge in an intoxicating scene of boats sailing on the water, paired with the landscape’s artistic and awe-inspiring beauty. Enjoy green hills and beautiful blossoms along the riverbanks from a small boat.

At the Baoshan Kapok Observation Deck, visitors can enjoy a rich, rural landscape. In early spring, each layer of the terraced fields is cloaked in vibrant green, contrasting with the scarlet kapoks, making each moment a masterpiece.

Railway enthusiasts can’t miss the kapoks along the train tracks in Pai’an Village. Kapok trees magnificently tower over each side of the winding railroad tracks. Visitors will find the adjacent clusters of kapok trees to be particularly eye-catching. Occasionally, retro green trains will pass by, releasing a long whistle, and offering a scene reminiscent of the early 20th century.

In addition to Changjiang’s kapoks, visitors can also head to Longshouyang in Qionghai to experience springtime on the railroad! Visit a vast, romantic sea of flowers where gesang, zinnia, pink queen flowers, and countless others bloom. Watch vibrant waves of color as the flowers sway in the wind. Additionally, a local greenhouse is filled with many varieties of orchids, each with their own unique beauty.

Who can resist the allure of a blooming rose? Yalong Bay International Rose Valley is located in the Yalong Bay National Tourism Holiday Resort in Sanya; it encompasses nearly 454 acres. Taking the farmland’s untouched nature, reservoir and mountain forest as the main body, beauty, romance, and love are at the forefront of this scenic area, and manifest in its gorgeous roses. The valley showcases rose gardening and rose culture, integrating leisure and tourism. It is also an excellent wedding photoshoot destination.

Travelers can also accompany their children through the Jidu Plant Maze in Haikou, where large sunflowers and colorful hydrangeas make for the perfect photo from any angle. There are also several interactive activities throughout the park, allowing visitors to discover spring’s hidden secrets.

Cycling Around the Island

Hainan is considered a classic Chinese cycling destination due to its temperate climate, breathtaking scenery, great road conditions, and moderate cycling difficulty. Many cycling enthusiasts travel from far-off places for a heart-racing ride around the island. Spring is an especially wonderful time for such a trip, with singing birds and fragrant flowers. One can cycle between the mountains and along coastlines, trek deep into the countryside, and sample fresh seasonal fruits.

There are numerous superb cycling options in Hainan:

Walking along Hainan’s eastern coast, travelers can observe the sunrise, enjoy the lovely and romantic shoreline, and gaze upon the translucent blue sea. Pass through idyllic villages and encounter Nanyang-style Qilou Old Streets or the Cai’s Residence as you enjoy the spring greenery and ocean.

Central Hainan is a cycling paradise. There is a 360˚ bend in the road in Atuoling in Wuzhishan City; it’s known as “the Devil.” This is a favorite for travelers who want to experience the thrill of numerous bends on one road! Along the way, cyclists will be dazzled by the sight of mountains, canyons, forests, rivers, waterfalls, rice fields, and more. Visitors can also appreciate the local Li and Miao customs.

On Hainan’s west coast, travelers can view the same sea from a different vantage point. Not only is it less crowded and just as beautiful, it also has a wild and distinctive quality. Qizi Bay, located in Changjiang Li Autonomous County, boasts blue skies, cerulean seas, sparkling sands, and unique stones, retaining its original natural scenery. In the evening, cycle to Qizi Bay Kaiyuan Holiday Resort to bask in the beautiful island sunset. Sit back and enjoy the breath-taking scene of the sea embracing the sun, while the sky and water reflect a quiet, crimson warmth.

 Explore a Tropical Rainforest Under a Dreamy Sea of Clouds

Hainan hosts an abundance of ecosystems with various species. The island has an Ecological Environment Index of 92.66, ranking first in China. With 62% forest coverage, it also ranks among the top provinces. Presently, Hainan is home to 10 national reserves and nine national parks. Popular forest tourist areas contain negative ion concentrations in the air between 5,890 and 9,430 per cubic centimeter. As a result, the air offers significant health benefits.

On October 12, 2021, Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, located in southern central Hainan, was among the first batch of five Chinese national parks. It encompasses nine cities and counties, with a total area of 4,269 km² (about one-seventh of Hainan’s total area). The park contains China’s densest, best-preserved, and largest contiguous tropical rainforest. It holds an important position among rainforests worldwide. Home to the world’s sole surviving 36 Hainan gibbons, Hainan boasts particularly rich biodiversity. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the gibbons are considered critically endangered (two levels higher than giant pandas).

Spring’s comfortable temperatures and warm sunshine are perfect for outdoor activities like mountain climbing, camping, birdwatching, and health and wellness activities. Tropical scenic areas worth exploring include the Wuzhishan Tropical Rainforest Scenic Area (Wuzhishan), Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park (Sanya), Exian Mountain (Dongfang), Bawangling National Nature Reserve (Changjiang), Mount Qixian Hot Spring National Forest Park (Baoting), and the Hainan Baihualing Tropical Rainforest Cultural Tourism Zone (Qiongzhong). Furthermore, springtime travelers often encounter the magnificent “sea of clouds,” especially in mornings after rainfall. Sometimes, the misty clouds are peaceful. Other times, the clouds are turbulent. Distant mountains and villages emerge from the sea of clouds, like an immersive, earthly paradise; every moment is a work of art. Jianfeng Ridge Scenic Area in Ledong and Jiujia Ridge in Baisha are excellent viewing spots for the sea of clouds.

Experience Ethnic Culture at the Double Third Day Festival

In Hainan, many locals’ ancestors migrated to the island from Fujian and other provinces, leading numerous people to claim Fujian as their ancestral home. However, there are ethnic minority groups native to Hainan whose ancestors have lived here for generations. These people are known as the Li and Miao ethnic minorities. Travelers looking for an in-depth understanding of these ancient and incredible ethnic groups can find it at the Double Third Dayfestival!

The Double Third Dayfestival has been traditionally celebrated by the Li and Miao since ancient times. Celebrants mourn their ancestors, celebrate new beginnings, honor life, and praise heroes. It is held every year on the third day of the third month in the Chinese lunar calendar. Hence, the festival is called the Double Third Day festival.As the mountain flowers and kapoks bloom, and the scent of betel nuts fills the air, the Li and Miao people don traditional clothing. Carrying rice wine, bamboo stuffed rice, and rice dumplings from around the island, they meet to worship and thank their ancestors, express gratitude for nature’s gifts, and wish for a good harvest in the coming year.

After years of celebrations and innovation, the Double Third Day festival has inherited historic traditions, like folk songs, archery, wrestling, swinging, bamboo pole dancing, shooting, etc. Song and dance performances, literature and sports competitions, cultural tourism exhibitions, promotional events, and other activities have also been added. The festival innovates ways to highlight the ethnic minority regions’ great economic, athletic, cultural, and artistic achievements, while publicizing and promoting Hainan’s investment, policy, culture, and geographic advantages.

The Paolongkou Ceremony is the grandest event of the Double Third Day festival in Wuzhishan. It is held in Lidong Cultural Park every year. The ceremony is an emotional gathering of over one million Li. The PaolongkouCeremony is an important vessel for visitors to understand Hainan’s ethnic minority culture. Its name derives from the Li’s mightiest god, a spiritual beacon for their people. At the ceremony, representatives from five branches within the Li ethnic group sport festive garments, showcasing their ancient ancestral worship practices and praising the unity between humanity and nature.

The Double Third Day festival has evolved from a traditional Li and Miao custom of ancestral worship and harvest celebration, into an important platform for promoting Hainan’s culture abroad. The festival improves cooperation and understanding, showcasing each ethnic group in Hainan. It is a vital channel for promoting unity and progress.

 Enter the World of Bo’ao and Listen to Asia’s Stories

The Bo’ao Forum for Asia is a non-governmental and non-profit international organization. It is an essential platform for government leaders, business people, and academic communities from Asian countries and other continents to discuss important issues facing Asia and the world. Each spring, guests from dozens of countries and regions worldwide gather in Bo’ao, Qionghai for the Bo’ao Forum for Asia Annual Conference. At the conference, participants provide solutions and contribute unique wisdom to improve Asia and the world.

This year marked Bo’ao Forum’s 21st anniversary. The theme of this year’s meeting was The World in COVID-19 and Beyond: Working Together for Global Development and a Shared Future. The forum was held online and offline, with numerous sub-forums and roundtable discussions. In-depth discussions were held on four main topics: green development, innovative development, inclusive development, and cooperative development.

Since the Bo’ao Forum for Asia was permanently established on the Wanquan River in Hainan, China, the town of Bo’ao has grown from an obscure fishing village into an internationally-recognized rural town. It is also an unforgettable travel destination.

The Permanent Venue of the Bo’ao Forum for Asia Scenic Area is a national 4A-level tourist attraction. It is located on the mouth of the Wanquan River on the beautiful Dongyu Island. The total area of the island is over 428 acres, and resembles a giant ao (lit. mythological turtle) swimming in the South China Sea. With its lush vegetation, gorgeous landscape, and comprehensive facilities, UNESCO has called this scenic area one of the world’s most perfectly-preserved virgin estuary landscapes.

The Bo’ao Forum for Asia International Convention Center has a total area of 37,000 m², with a total of three floors. The main floor is located on the second floor of the convention center. It has a total area of 2,592 m² and can accommodate 2,000 guests at a time. It is one of China’s best convention centers. The Wanquan River flows around the building, while the mouth of the Sanjiang River and Jade Belt Beach are located nearby, offering a breathtaking view.

Guests in Bo’ao can visit the Sea Story, a sea-themed bar! Although small, it has become a local cultural attraction. The building’s architecture, furniture, and decorations were fashioned from shipwrecked wood and maritime antiques. During the day, visitors can take pictures of the ocean and enjoy the gentle sea breeze. At nightfall, light a vintage lantern and sit beside the ocean; enjoy a drink and experience ultimate satisfaction as you listen to the story of the sea!

As Hainan welcomes spring, and island flowers bloom in the gentle breeze, let the good times roll in!

Tips for Spring Travel in Hainan

 In spring, Hainan experiences hot and cold weather. Temperatures vary between day and night, so travelers should bring short and long-sleeved shirts, trousers, and a jacket.

• At midday, temperatures are high and the UV rays are strong, so visitors should bring parasols or sunglasses.
• When strolling through fields of flowers, please take precautions to prevent mosquito bites and pollen allergies.
• Mountain climates can change on a dime, remember to bring rain-proof gear, add or remove layers of clothing, and keep warm or avoid the heat accordingly.
• In scenic forest areas, please stay on the designated paths and do not enter closed-off areas.

                                                       Source: China Cultural Center in Nepal