Life advice: When traveling to Hainan, be sure to set aside 2 days for Qionghai!!!
Qionghai, a small city in Hainan often overlooked by many, hides countless surprises! It offers both the romance of blue seas and skies and the warmth of everyday life. With affordable prices and a relaxed pace, it is definitely an excellent choice for a vacation! This carefully compiled Qionghai travel guide is ready for you to save and set off with your friends!
1. Transportation Guide
- High-speed rail: Both Qionghai Station and Bo'ao Station are accessible, conveniently connecting various parts of the island.
- Airplane: Qionghai Bo'ao International Airport serves multiple cities, allowing you to start your Qionghai journey upon arrival.
- City transportation: Attractions are quite spread out, so renting a car for flexible and free travel is recommended; taxis or local buses are also convenient options.
2. Stunning Attractions Recommendations
(1) Natural Wonders
Shamei Inland Sea: Like a beautiful ink painting, with mangroves contrasting against clear seawater. Stroll along the viewing boardwalk, feel the sea breeze, watch egrets dance gracefully, and every photo you take looks like a masterpiece.
Duohe Cultural Valley: This place preserves the unique local culture of the Wanquan River, with ancient residential buildings and traditional farming tools that take you through time to appreciate Qionghai’s historical changes. The scenic area also features exciting folk performances for an immersive local experience.
Bo'ao Shankun Bay: Known for its fine, powdery beaches and spectacular reef formations. When the tide recedes, large reefs are exposed, and under the sunset’s glow, they display enchanting colors, making it a paradise for photography enthusiasts.
(2) Cultural Charm
Caijia Residence: A cluster of buildings with strong Nanyang style, built by the Indonesian businessman brothers Cai Jiasen upon returning home. The exterior is grand and imposing, with exquisite interior decorations, each brick and tile telling the story of overseas Chinese, worth savoring in detail.
General Zhou Shidi Memorial Hall: The hall displays numerous precious historical artifacts and photos, comprehensively showcasing the magnificent life of General Zhou Shidi. Here, you can pay tribute to revolutionary martyrs and receive a baptism of red culture.
(3) Unique Landmarks
Bo'ao Dongyu Island: As the permanent venue of the Boao Forum for Asia, this place is full of modern vibes. Climb Dongyu Island to visit the magnificent conference center and feel the solemn atmosphere of international meetings; you can also stroll on the island’s beaches and enjoy beautiful sea views.
Yudai Beach: A narrow sandy peninsula separating the Wanquan River from the South China Sea. Standing on Yudai Beach, one side is the turbulent South China Sea, the other the calm and gentle Wanquan River, creating a breathtaking unique landscape.
3. Food Map
(1) Must-Try Snacks
Chicken Shit Vine Kway Teow Soup: Don’t be scared by the name; this is a very distinctive dessert in Qionghai! Kway teow made from tender leaves of the chicken shit vine, cooked with brown sugar and coconut milk, has a soft and chewy texture, a fresh aroma, and also helps dispel dampness. You can find it in dessert shops all over the streets.
Qionghai Gongdao Meal: A dining style full of local flavor. The restaurant packages various dishes by portion, and everyone sits together, picking whatever they want to eat. It’s affordable and offers a taste of many authentic home-cooked dishes.
Coconut Rice: Glutinous rice steamed inside a coconut, absorbing the coconut’s sweet fragrance. It’s soft, chewy, and bursting with coconut aroma—a must-try delicacy.
(2) Specialty Restaurants
Zaliang Street: This street gathers various Qionghai specialty snacks and desserts, including colorful rolls, coconut cakes, and barley cakes. Walking into any small shop here will satisfy your appetite.
Tanmen Seafood Restaurant: Near Tanmen Port, there are many seafood restaurants. Freshly caught seafood is cooked on the spot using simple methods like steaming or boiling to preserve the original flavor of the seafood.
4. Travel Route Planning
(1) Three-Day Tour Route
- Day 1: Arrive in Qionghai in the morning, head to Shamei Inland Sea, stroll the viewing boardwalk, and enjoy natural scenery; have Qionghai Gongdao Meal nearby for lunch; in the afternoon, visit Duohe Cultural Valley to experience Wanquan River’s local culture; in the evening, explore Zaliang Street and taste various snacks.
- Day 2: Spend the whole day touring Bo'ao Dongyu Island, visit the Boao Forum for Asia International Conference Center, and explore Yudai Beach; have lunch at an island restaurant; in the afternoon, visit Bo'ao Zen Temple to feel the tranquility of Buddhist culture; return to the city in the evening and enjoy a seafood feast at Tanmen Seafood Restaurant.
- Day 3: Visit Caijia Residence in the morning to learn about overseas Chinese culture; have coconut rice, chicken shit vine kway teow soup, and other specialty snacks for lunch; in the afternoon, visit General Zhou Shidi Memorial Hall for red culture education; then head back, ending a pleasant Qionghai trip.
(2) Five-Day Tour Route
- Day 1: Arrive in Qionghai, rest briefly, then go to Bo'ao Shankun Bay to admire the unique beach and reef scenery and capture sunset views; dine at a nearby restaurant and stay at a seaside guesthouse.
- Day 2: In the morning, visit Tanmen Port to see the fishing harbor and buy fresh seafood; have seafood cooked at a port restaurant for lunch; in the afternoon, visit the China (Hainan) South China Sea Museum to learn about the South China Sea’s cultural history; return to the city for accommodation in the evening.
- Day 3: Spend the whole day in Bo'ao, touring Bo'ao Dongyu Island, Yudai Beach, and Bo'ao Zen Temple; watch Bo'ao’s night view in the evening and feel the town’s vibrancy.
- Day 4: Visit the Red Detachment of Women Memorial Park to learn about that magnificent revolutionary history; have Hainan specialties like Baiqie Jiaji Duck and Baiqie Hot Spring Goose for lunch; in the afternoon, visit General Zhou Shidi Memorial Hall; stroll the night market in the evening and buy local souvenirs.
- Day 5: In the morning, visit Duohe Cultural Valley to experience folk customs; have a delicious meal on Zaliang Street for lunch; pack up in the afternoon and prepare to leave, taking home full memories of Qionghai.
Come to Qionghai and start a leisurely and pleasant vacation, experiencing the unique charm of this small city!