[2025 Wenchang ] Travel Guide for Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site (Updated May)

Did you know? At the southernmost tip of China lies a "breathing" small city—Wenchang. Here, rockets soar into the clouds alongside coconut groves that have swayed for thousands of years; an ancient Confucian temple steeped in imperial examination culture stands near passionate beaches where volleyballs kick up sparks in the sand. Like a pearl kissed by the South Pacific, it combines cutting-edge technology with the warmth of everyday life. --- Geographic Background: A Symphony of Coconut Trees and Starry Seas Located on the northeastern corner of Hainan Island, Wenchang is surrounded by sea on three sides, with the 19°N tropical monsoon bringing a sweet, salty humidity year-round. It's China's only coastal space city, with the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center built on the open plains at the foot of Tonggu Ridge. When rockets streak toward space trailing flames, the coconut groves rustle as if applauding humanity's ambition to explore the universe. Driving along the island's coastal highway reveals dramatically different landscapes: the Mulantou Lighthouse on the west coast watches over returning fishing boats, the East Coconut Grove's 400,000 coconut trees form a sea of green, wildflowers bloom on Tonggu Ridge's volcanic rocks, and Moon Bay's sand is fine enough to slip between your toes. Time moves slowly here—coconuts take 12 months from flower to fruit, and even the sea breeze carries patience. --- Travel Highlights: Plucking Stars from Coconut Trees 1. When Rockets Meet Coconut Groves Getting up at 5 AM to watch a rocket launch is absolutely worth it! There's a viewing platform near the launch tower, and when flames tear through the morning mist, the deafening roar makes even coconut leaves tremble. Bring binoculars to see the second-stage rocket trace a silver arc over the horizon, like writing a love letter to the sky. 2. Wild Fun in the East Coconut Grove Rent an old bicycle and ride deep into the coconut grove, where your bell startles white egrets and gnarled roots form natural swings. For coconuts, look for grandmothers wearing conical hats who can split open a green coconut with three swift cuts—more skillful than any magic trick. Coconut meat scooped into balls and tossed in sugar water is a sweet treat encoded in Hainan DNA. 3. Thousand-Year Scholarly Atmosphere in the Confucian Temple Wenchang Confucian Temple has a unique agarwood scent, and the dragon-carved stone pillars in the Hall of Great Accomplishment still bear prayer engravings from Ming Dynasty scholars. Every year on the ninth day of the second lunar month, a "First Writing Ceremony" is held, where children in traditional Han clothing write the character for "person" with brushes dipped in cinnabar—the imperial examination culture lives on like a fossil brought to life. 4. Cliff Romance at Tonggu Ridge Drive to the peak of Tonggu Ridge, where volcanic rock formations resemble an alien landscape. From the Moon Bay observation deck, look down to see emerald bays cut into crescent shapes by a 13-kilometer silver beach. At dusk, the sunset gilds fishing boats golden, and the sound of waves washing ashore washes away all worries. --- Local Culture: Everyday Life Brewed in Coconut Shells Coconut Philosophy Wenchang people have endless uses for coconuts: rice cooked in coconut juice is called "coconut boat," coconut meat steamed with sticky rice becomes "qingbuliang" dessert, and even coconut shells are burned into charcoal for grilling squid. In old teahouses, elderly men use coconut shells as teacups while discussing news of fishing boats returning during typhoon season. Volleyball Rhapsody This is the "Hometown of Volleyball," where three-person beach volleyball games can be found in fields and open spaces everywhere. Volleyball courts in Longlou Town always have coconut water nearby, and the sand particles kicked up by players still contain grains of salt. If you're enthusiastically invited to join a game, don't be shy—even if you lose, you'll be rewarded with friendly voices asking, "Sister, want some coconut?" Old Times in the Arcade Streets The column bases of Wennan Old Street's arcades are carved with stories of "going south to Southeast Asia," and around the corner, you might meet a grandmother selling fermented rice vinegar soup with seaweed and squid—eaten with fried dough sticks, it reveals the tenacity of immigrant descendants. Upstairs is a century-old coffee shop where hand-brewed coffee arrives with half a century-old coffee bean settled at the bottom of the cup. --- Travel Tips: Don't Fall Into These Coconut Traps! ✔️ Transportation: From Wenchang Station on the island's high-speed rail, all attractions are within a 30-minute drive. Renting a car offers more freedom (but watch out for coconut trees blocking your view!) ✔️ Food: Wenchang chicken should be dipped in duck mother sauce for authenticity, and don't miss Jinshan beef jerky (the kind that gets more flavorful as you chew) ✔️ Accommodation: Stone Park guesthouses near Tonggu Ridge let you hear the ocean waves, but book three months ahead during peak season ✔️ Avoiding Pitfalls: "Traditional coconut carvings" sold roadside might be from Yiwu wholesale markets—look for authentic craftsmen's stalls in Wennan Old Street --- Afterword: In Wenchang, time takes on the texture of coconut jelly—soft and tender, yet resilient. After counting 99 stars on Tonggu Ridge, you'll suddenly understand why locals say: "Rockets may reach the sky, but the hearts of Wenchang people will always remain under the coconut trees." Next time you eat coconut rice, remember it's cooked with gentle ambition fermented by a thousand years of sea breeze.

Here's the ultimate travel guide to Wenchang, Hainan: Transportation • External Transportation: You can first arrive at Haikou Meilan International Airport, then take the high-speed train to Wenchang, which takes about 40 minutes. You can also choose to fly directly to Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site, but there are relatively fewer flights. • Internal Transportation: There are buses in the city, but they may not be frequent. You can download the "Wenchang Bus" app to check routes. Taking a taxi is more convenient. You can also rent electric scooters or bicycles, which are suitable for traveling short distances in and around the city. Attractions • Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site: China's first open launch base. You can visit the launch tower, rocket assembly workshop, learn about space knowledge, and watch rocket launches (you need to check the launch schedule in advance and book tickets). • Qishui Bay Beach: Adjacent to the launch site, with fine sand and clear water. You can see the launch tower from afar, making it an excellent place to watch rocket launches. You can also stroll along the beach and play in the waves. • Dongjiao Coconut Grove: A forest of coconut trees, including red coconuts and green coconuts. You can stroll along the coconut grove paths, taste fresh coconut juice, experience the fun of picking coconuts, and enjoy the beautiful sea view. • Wenchang Confucius Temple: The best-preserved ancient architectural complex in Hainan, with statues of Confucius, Lingxing Gate, and Panchi Pond. You can experience the traditional cultural atmosphere and learn about Wenchang's history and culture. • Puqian Old Street: With a Southeast Asian style, the street is lined with arcade buildings. You can admire the exquisite wood and stone carvings, taste local snacks like Zaopo Vinegar, and feel the historical charm. Food Recommendations • Wenchang Chicken: One of Hainan's "four famous dishes." White-cut Wenchang chicken has yellow skin and white meat, and is rich but not greasy. It is delicious when paired with a special dipping sauce. • Baoluo Noodles: Rice noodles served with dried beef, peanuts, sesame seeds, and other ingredients in a delicious broth. The noodles are smooth and refreshing. • Coconut Chicken: Wenchang chicken stewed in fresh coconut juice. The chicken is tender, and the soup is sweet and clear. It can also be served with various side dishes. • Zaopo Vinegar: A sour and spicy appetizer made with fermented rice wine vinegar as the soup base, along with vegetables, animal offal, and crispy bones. • Coconut Cake: Made with fresh coconut meat and glutinous rice flour. It is sweet and delicious, with a rich coconut aroma. Accommodation Options • Near Gaolong Bay: There are many seaside hotels and resorts, such as the Hilton Wenchang, where you can enjoy beautiful sea views, convenient transportation, and a variety of dining options nearby. • In the city center: Cost-effective accommodation close to attractions such as Wenchang Confucius Temple and pedestrian streets, with convenient transportation, such as the Wenchang Weijia International Hotel. Itinerary • Day 1: Arrive in Wenchang in the morning and visit the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site. In the afternoon, go to Qishui Bay Beach, and enjoy seafood nearby in the evening. • Day 2: Visit Dongjiao Coconut Grove in the morning, Wenchang Confucius Temple in the afternoon, and enjoy Wenchang Chicken and other delicacies in the city center in the evening. • Day 3: Visit Puqian Old Street in the morning to experience the Southeast Asian style and taste local snacks. Return to the city center in the afternoon and prepare for your departure.

It’s time to take the kids to witness the rocket launch in person❗️This time, Tianzhou 8 will carry lunar soil bricks to the Chinese space station for exposure experiments! After the success, building a house on the moon 🌑 will no longer be out of reach in the future 😍 When the rocket breaks through the sky, we and our children will witness a new chapter in human exploration of the universe with our own eyes. The shock and excitement are absolutely incomparable to books and screens. This time, the launch ceremony is on the weekend, so you only need to take a day off on Friday to give your children the most shining memories of their childhood. - ⭕️Rocket model: Long March 7 Yao 9 rocket (CZ-7 Y9) ⭕️Mission payload: Tianzhou-8 cargo spacecraft (TZ-8) Launch site: Wenchang Space Launch Center, Hainan 🗓Viewing time: November 15th - November 17th ✅Viewing location: →Infield: Officially designated spot, only 50 seats, equipped with special VIP viewing pass + exclusive access privileges, about 2.8-3 km away from the rocket launch site →Outdoor: VIP reserved C-seat viewing, only 60 seats, same experience as stars + CCTV camera position, about 3KM away from the launch point —— 🚀Wenchang Rocket · 3 days and 2 nights D1: Departure point - Haikou - Pick up by a designated person - Hotel check-in - Get souvenirs - Lecture by aerospace experts D2: Aerospace Science Center - Rocket Ceremony - Rocket Engineer Parent-Child Competition D3: Aerospace Breeding Center - Aerospace AR Technology Simulation Hall - Airport Send-off / Haikou Qilou Old Street Disband 🔺2 nights stay at Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale Wenchang —— 🎯Parent-child in-depth space experience 1⃣Specially invite aerospace experts to conduct popular science lectures Popularize hard-core scientific knowledge, share your own scientific research experience to answer questions, and take photos at close range to empower your space dream 2⃣Watch the rocket model up close and get an intuitive understanding of the history of aerospace development 3⃣Walk into the launch site and take a close look at the details of the tower weighing over 2,000 tons 4⃣Visit the space station in the space age🛰Experience the mysteries of space 5⃣Visit the Aerospace AR Exhibition Hall Intuitively feel the dedication of astronauts and the country's development achievements over the past 60 years 6⃣0 Touch the rocket debris 7⃣ Take a ride on a simulated space capsule and experience the joy of being an astronaut 8⃣ Spacesuit Family Trip Moments 9⃣Family Rocket Engineer Competition Under the guidance of the teacher, we made rockets with our children on site 🚀 to stimulate children's curiosity and hands-on ability in practice 🔟Popular Science of Space Breeding Center Learn about and touch plants grown from seeds that have been in space —— 🈶VIP souvenirs ✓Limited edition rocket first day cover💌Space Post Office stamp has unique collection value~ ✓Customized aerospace logo T-shirt + aerospace cap, perfect for parents and children ✓Hard-core aerospace research certificate, more valuable ✓Rocket model exclusive engraving welcome coconut ✓1 pack of mysterious space seeds, take it home and grow it ✓Space rocket 🚀model ✓Special telescope for children, see more clearly

Attraction address: China Wenchang Space Launch Center is located in Longlou Town, Wenchang City, Hainan Province, China. It is affiliated to the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. It is China’s first open coastal space launch base and one of the few low-latitude launch sites in the world. The most recent launch was at 17:27 on May 3, 2024, when the Chang'e-6 probe was successfully launched by the Long March 5 Yao-8 carrier rocket at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in China, accurately entering the Earth-Moon transfer orbit, and the launch mission was a complete success. - 🏝️Reservation guide: The nearest launch ceremony is expected to be on June 29. The rocket launched is the Long March 8 carrier rocket, which will be launched from the 201 position of the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center in Hainan. Hainan entered the typhoon season at the end of June, and the rocket launch time will be adjusted according to the real-time situation. Spectators who plan to watch the launch must prepare a week in advance and make corresponding strategies and itineraries. At present, Xiao Jiang has a spot in the Wenchang viewing seat, which includes various angles and positions. If you need any, you can leave a message in the comment section. - 🚗Transportation strategy: Every time the launch day comes, the area around Wenchang Space Launch Base is jam-packed with traffic. It is recommended to book a bus in advance. It is recommended to arrive six hours in advance if you drive. Three hours before the Wenchang rocket launch mission, vehicles without passes are prohibited from entering Wenchang City’s Donglong Line, Longchang Line, Wentong Line, etc. One hour before the mission, all vehicles are prohibited from entering the Donglong Line, Longchang Line, Wentong Line and some roads in Longlou area. - 💗Warm reminder: This launch will most likely be at night. Hainan is hot in June and there are more mosquitoes at night. Friends who plan to go and watch it should remember to prepare a small fan/anti-heatstroke items + medicine to prevent/relieve mosquito bites. Pay attention to the arrangements and have a happy trip

Wenchang Space Launch Site in China Recommended viewing locations: Longlou Town Rooftop - The rooftop offers a high vantage point, allowing you to see the entire process from ignition to lift-off, Commercial Launch Site - Features a panoramic viewing platform that overlooks the entire launch site. It is about 3 kilometers away from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center, offering a visitor center where you can visit Launch Tower No.1 and the 'Nine Heavens' exhibition hall, Special Invitation Viewing Area - Currently the closest viewing location to Wenchang, approximately 2.5 kilometers away There is also the opportunity to carry space seeds, adding a touch of brilliance to the children's space dreams. In addition, we have carefully arranged a journey of space science knowledge, providing children with a comprehensive space science education. Wenchang Space Launch Site

The Hainan small island tour for five people officially begins😎 Route: Haikou—Wenchang—Qionghai—Wanning—Danzhou—Lingao—Haikou Transportation: Drive by yourself Time: 6 days Wenchang not only has Wenchang chicken and sour vinegar, but also five A-level scenic spots, a rocket launch base, and the arcade buildings old street in use, and it is the birthplace of Hainan Minnan culture. Wenchang is a city that combines culture, history, food, technology, and tourism~ There is a small port on the street in front of Wenchang, where many fishing boats dock every day, and you will see many weird fish Here retains the architectural style of the arcade, with a strong old street charm~ Have a bowl of seafood sour vinegar noodles on the street in front of the shop, sour and spicy is very appetizing, then you will find, where is the noodle? A full bowl of ingredients, let us who want to eat noodles are puzzled, where is the noodle?😂 Have you ever drunk 'wind shovel (pao) water'? Wind shovel water is actually bael water, bael fruit is a kind of fig-like fruit, which can relieve heat~ Add some sugar water, take a sip under the sun, and it's instantly refreshing~ Leaving the street in front of the shop, Mulanhuan has the first lighthouse in Asia, sheltering the passing ships~ Under the tower on the west side is a huge stone beach, with various strange-shaped reefs lying on the beach~ You can climb high and look into the distance, with waves crashing~ You can find small crabs hidden here in the cracks of the stones~ You can also see various beautiful small fish in the puddles between the stones Continue east from Mulanhuan, and you will reach the windmill coast, where more than 30 giant white windmills line up along the coastline, towering windmills, soft coastline, silver beach, blue sky, white clouds and windmills~ This beautiful beach scenery is worth your visit for a photo🙂~ After feeding your eyes, it's time to feed your stomach~ Coconut milk chicken, here I come Have you ever wandered through the coconut grove? When the golden sunlight shines through the large coconut leaves, someone is lying in a hammock in the coconut grove, so comfortable☺️~ You must have eaten coconut chicken when you came to Hainan, but have you ever eaten coconut milk chicken made from coconut pulp? The last blanched vegetables are all filled with the taste of coconut milk😍~ Coconut treasure is the first time I eat, the taste is like cotton candy, soft, with a milky flavor, there is a slight sour taste when eating~ The boss lady said she likes to eat it very much~ But I can't accept this soft feeling🤔 Next stop, we are going to the millennium fishing port to eat seafood, remember to follow me, take you to the 'secret base' under the cliff to take a look