Set Out for Hainan! Encounter the Island’s Beauty in Autumn

Kathmandu, 22 August  2022 Monday/Hainan is ideally situated on the 18^th parallel north. It is China’s only tropical island province. Suitable in all seasons, Hainan is a tourism paradise located at a low latitude, with excellent sunlight, abundant rain, a pleasant atmosphere, cerulean waters, mysterious rainforests, and unique culture.

Autumn is a comfortable season for traveling in Hainan. It isn’t as hot as June or July in the summer, creating an enjoyable outdoor experience. When travelers visit Hainan during this season, they can taste fresh, authentic seafood, and they can also venture into a tropical rainforest to listen to nature’s songs and breathe in the clean air. Explore the rural countryside hidden among cities and counties in Hainan and enjoy slow-paced island life. Unexpected surprises await during autumn in Hainan.

 Visit Century-old Tanmen Port and Enjoy Beachcombing

When visiting Hainan in August, travelers can’t miss the chance to experience ganhai (which is similar to beachcombing). The Tanmen Beachcombing Festival is an iconic and prominent cultural tourism event, representing Qionghai and Hainan as a whole. The festival’s unique customs and enjoyable experience attract tourists from all over the world to participate annually. Since ancient times, Tanmen fishermen have maintained the tradition of catching and offering sacrifices to the sea. This custom, classified as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, is known as the jisi xiongdi gong chuhai yishi (lit. Xiongdigong worshiping ceremony). The ceremony’s purpose is to pray for the fishermen’s safety while they’re away at sea. According to reports, the ceremony has been performed for over 600 years at Tanmen. At century-old Tanmen Port, visitors can revel in the fishing port’s beauty as they experience fun activities, like treasure hunting and beach games.

An unforgettable trip should be accompanied by delicious food. Hainan’s seafood is famous in its own right, and with countless varieties, tourists visiting Hainan will never get tired of eating. August is Hainan’s fishing season, so it is a particularly cost-effective time for seafood. After the fishing moratorium is up, fishermen go out to sea, catching fish and all manner of live seafood, such as lobster, crab, abalone, razor clams, squid, and mackerel.

In Tanmen, travelers can buy all sorts of seafood from the seafoodrestaurant; they can also head to the port early in the morning to wait for returning fishermen and select their seafood right away. Visit any seafood market to get it prepped, and after a short wait, enjoy a table full of steaming food.

The cities and counties of Hainan are home to rich varieties of seafood and seafood delicacies. Visitors who want to sample authentic seafood can choose from several locations, such as Huochetou Million Seafood Square, Banqiao Seafood Square, Hongsha Pier in Sanya, Danjia Fishing Row in Lingshui, and more. Taste all sorts of fresh seafood inHainan’s cities and counties.

Hainanese prefers to preserve ingredients’ original flavor as they cook. As a result, the local standard is to directly boil seafood in water in a small “Canton hotpot,” then dip it into a special Hainan dipping sauce. This is Hainan’s authentic flavor. Visitors in search of other ways to enjoy Chinese seafood can try fried, shallow-fried, deep-fried, boiled, or roasted – the possibilities are endless! All of these cooking methods will produce delicious seafood dishes, and with so many to choose from, one is certain to satisfy your taste buds.

Return to the Countryside in Search of an Idyllic Life

As the country’s only tropical island province, Hainan boasts a coconut-scented breeze and ocean charm. But even its villages, hidden under coconut trees, are unbelievably beautiful. If visitors find popular attractions overcrowded, they can head to one of the breathtaking villages tucked away in Hainan’s various cities or counties for a relaxing trip!

Visit the Haikou Lianlizhi Homestay to experience beautiful countryside scenery, observe the marine culture and daily life of fishermen, and taste fresh-caught seafood and traditional rural dishes. One can also head to Dongzhai Port Nature Reserve, which features fresh air and a beautiful natural environment. The reserve possesses mangroves (also known as an “ocean forest”). The Underwater Village World Heritage Site, rare birds, and abundant seafood make it a great destination for leisure, entertainment, and scientific research.

Shihan, which is located in Qiongzhong, is an excellent choice for visitors who wish to explore the ancient Li and Miao villages. Shihan is situated on a mountain over 800 meters above sea level in Hongmao, a town in Qiongzhong Li and Miao Autonomous County. The village is hidden in an alpine basin between Limu Mountain and Yingge Ridge, earning it a reputation as a village in the clouds. The village exists in a rare natural oxygen bar with dense forests and winding streams, showcasing its natural advantages. Tourists in Shihan can choose to stay in a farmhouse inn or camp in a tent as they enjoy a quiet night in the countryside. This village will also satisfy visitors who want to experience traditional ethnic customs; travelers can weave Li Brocade, eat local delicacies, explore, hike, wade in streams, participate in Li songs and dances, and more. Step into paradise, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and experience true comfort.

Many yearn to gaze across the sea as spring flowers bloom in the background. One can realize this experience in West Island Fishing Village in Sanya. With its beautiful scenery and charming folk culture, the island is one of Sanya’s hidden gems. Since Hainan opened up to tourists, it has become a popular tourist destination for many global travelers. While visiting, the visitors can enjoy a homestay. This enables travelers to soak up their experience in West Island Fishing Village, which boasts over 500 years of history. Watch the sunrise from the coast at dawn. In the afternoon, head to the Ocean Library, a repurposed old fishing boat, to read a book. In the evening, listen to the sound of the waves and spend the night in a fishing village homestay.

Travelers visiting Hainan can’t miss the quaint and quiet village of Beireng in Qionghai. Beireng attracts tourists around the world with its ample history, culture, and abundant nature. After arriving in the village, rent a bicycle and ride past sliced betel nuts, coconut trees, and green swaths of farmland. Caoliao Coffee and Beireng Living Room are must-sees for tourists. When it’s time to rest, choose a farmhouse and enjoy the rural culinary specialties. Visitors won’t want to miss this chance to enjoy the simple life and relax, surrounded by nature!

 Study Hainan and Discover an Idyllic Life Outside of theClassroom

Traveling the world with family is imperative for childhood growth and development. Hainan isn’t overly hot in autumn, making it the perfect time to take children on a field trip outside of the classroom. Visit Hainan with your children to learn all you can and do all you can. Explore the natural beauty and customs of this tropical eastern island together and create unforgettable, life-long memories.

What field trip would be complete without the ocean? With a 1,944 km coastline and 68 gorgeous bays, Hainan is rich with marine resources. Each bay has its own unique characteristics and scenery. There are also several seaside hotels, each with their own special activities. Build a sandcastle with your child on the beach to satisfy their innocent imagination; learn to surf and dive with your youngster and enjoy the rush of marine sports. Visitors can also take part in a parent-child sailing class to embark on a unique adventure.

Choose from a variety of specialty theme parks for fun family activities. Travelers can forget their age and live in the moment as their family is surrounded by all sorts of fantastic scenery. On this fantastical island, take your children to interact with marine animals at Atlantis Lost Chambers Aquarium in Sanya. Step onto Haihua Island in Danzhou where you will find the ocean, beaches, castles, and theme parks. Fulfill every vacation fantasy and visit themed streets modeled after over ten countries and regions, which showcase global culture, art, and specialty products. Stop by Hainan R&F Ocean Paradise in Lingshui to get up close and personal with sea animals and discover the mysteries of marine life. Enjoy roller coasters, swing rides, and other activities. “Children” of all ages can experience the speed and excitement!

It is incredible to experience different cultures and discover other ways of life with your children while traveling. Hainan has a long history; it is both an ecological paradise, and an island with unique cultures. Visit Binglang Valley and learn how to weave Li Brocade from a Li woman in Baoting. Join in a joyful bamboo pole dance to experience other Li cultural customs. Head to the streets of Haikou and Wenchang to encounter Nanyang-style arcade buildings.

Meanwhile, you can bring your family to the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park to embrace nature’s bounty. Stroll between century-old trees, experience the primal laws of the rainforest, and enjoy a scientific field trip into nature. Visitors can also participate in various activities, such as rafting on Wuzhi Mountain, walking through Danjia Fishing Row in Lingshui, and exploring the wetland reserves.

 Meet at the 18th Parallel North and Experience Island Romance

Traveling with your partner is already romantic. But if you can find an island insulated from the everyday hustle and bustle, the experience will become even more perfect. Hainan is known as “Love Island” and “Honeymoon Island,” where romance is ever-present. In autumn, Hainan has a temperate climate, so it’s the perfect wedding venue. Allow the scenery to witness your love story. Join hands with your partner to write new chapters in your love life near a quiet bay, in a rainforest cabin, or in a coconut grove at sunset.

Newlyweds can choose to hold their wedding in Sanya’s coastal areas, such as Tianya Haijiao or Wuzhizhou Island, letting the vast ocean and sky immortalize their own sweet love. Hold a rainforest wedding in one of Hainan’s tropical rainforest scenic areas, like the Yanoda Rainforest Cultural Tourism Zone. Breathe in the pure air, gaze upon the expansive mountains and waters, or shout wa ai lu (lit. I love you) to confess your love from the sea viewing platform. One can also stay in a private hotel hidden deep in the rainforest, or ride the wind and waves on a yacht to showcase your everlasting love before the ocean.

There is an enormous variety of activities for couples on the romantic island of Hainan. Visit night markets, wander down streets and alleys to find something to eat, or walk hand in hand next to the ocean. You can wait for sunrise or sunset, head to a seaside bar to listen to music and stargaze, or trek past the duty-free shopsto shop until you drop. A vacation in Hainan is sure to leave a lasting romantic impression.

In autumn, Hainan still has a translucent blue sky and clear seas. Diverse cultures and unique natural resources are waiting for you to uncover their mysteries! With its unlimited, year-round sunshine, coconut-scented breeze and charming ocean, a trip to Hainan is certain to provide an unforgettable vacation. This is Hainan, China. Enjoy a trip to this eastern island!

Tips for Traveling in Hainan

• Before traveling, please book plane tickets and hotels in advance.
• The UV rays are strong in Hainan, so visitors should bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and parasols. They should also take precautions to prevent mosquito bites.
• Autumn is typhoon season, so travelers should pay close attention to potential typhoon activity. During a typhoon, avoid loitering on the beach and going outside.

                                                                            Source: China Cultural Center in Nepal