Hainan Island China Travel Guide, Travel Tips on China’s Tropical Island Hainan

Hainan Travel Location Guide Where is Hainan Island in China?

Hainan Island, separated by Qiongzhou Strait from Leizhou Peninsula of Guangdong Mainland China, is a tropical island of China with a land area of 33,900 km2, and it is the smallest province in China (land area), The Island measures 240 km long and 210 km wide. The tropical Hainan Island is also called Oriental Hawaii as it is located at the same latitude as Hawaii of the US.

Wuzhishan Mountain or the Five-Finger Mountain in the middle of the Island with a latitude of 1,840 meters is the highest mountain on Hainan Island.

Hainan Province is the smallest and southernmost province of China since 1988, consisting of various islands in the South China Sea. When we talk about Hainan, we mean the major Island Hainan land area.

The provincial name derives from the major island, Hainan, which is named for the location south of the Qiongzhou Strait. (To the north of the strait, the Leizhou Peninsula in Guangdong is also known as Haibei or “North of the Sea”.)

Hainan Island is about 4 hours flight from Beijing, 3 hours from Shanghai, 1 hour from Guangzhou, 2 hours from Taiwan and 1.5 hours from Hong Kong. From overseas, it takes 3 hours from Singapore, 2 hours from Bangkok, and a 1-hour flight from Vietnam.

Haikou, the capital city of Hainan Island is about 18 nautical miles, which means tourists can reach Hainan Island from Mailand China in 1-hour by boat.

Hainan Island is connected to Mainland China by ferries and trains from Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.

The Climate of Hainan and the best time to visit Hainan Island China:

The climate of Hainan Island varies from subtropical to fully tropical. Northern Hainan, including the island’s capital city Haikou, Wenchang, Qionghai, Dingan, Chengmai, Linggao has a humid subtropical climate, while southern Hainan Island, including Sanya, Lingshui, Ledong has a tropical monsoon climate with warmer annual temperatures. The middle part of Hainan Island is also subtropical including Wuzhizhan, Baoting, Qiongzhong.

The coldest months on Hainan Island are January and February when temperatures drop down to 16 to 21 °C (61 to 70 °F); the hottest months are July and August, and the temperatures are 25 to 29 °C (77 to 84 °F).

The summer in the north is hot, and it rains almost every day in the afternoon. For more than 20 days in a year, the temperature could be higher than 35 °C (95 °F). The average annual precipitation is about 1,500 to 2,000 millimeters (59 to 79 in) and as high as 2,400 millimeters (94 in) in central and eastern areas, and as low as 900 millimeters (35 in) in the coastal areas of the southwest. Eastern Part of Hainan lies in the path of typhoons, and 70% of the annual precipitation is derived from typhoons and the summer rainy season.

So, Hainan Island is a nice place to visit all year round for great sunbathing. It is also a great choice for tropical beaches, rainforest, hot spring, and local minority cultures. The best time for sure is the dry season from October till March for great sunshine and to get rid of the coldness on mainland China.

How to reach Hainan Island from Mainland China and overseas:

For sure, taking an airplane is a fast way to reach Hainan Island from major cities on Mainland China. There are 2 airports: Haikou Meilan Airport in the north and Sanya Phoenix Airport in the south.

Taking a train to Hainan Island is a very special experience to enjoy the landscape along the way, and to experience how a train comes across a strait. There are trains connecting Hainan Island with Mainland China from Haikou to Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.

Drive travel to Hainan Island from Mainland China is quite an experience. Of coursce, drivers must take ferries to Haikou with their cars in the same ones. All drivers are recommended to book their boat tickets in advance online.

Hainan Island China Best Beaches, The best beaches in Hainan China:

Sunbath on a tropical beach is everyone’s dreamed holiday. There are over 20 famous beaches on Hainan Island with the most popular ones in Sanya in the south of Hainan including Yalong Bay, Haitang Bay, Dadonghai Beach, and Sanya Bay.

For some unspoiled beaches on Hainan Island, tourists should avoid Sanya, but travel to the east & east coasts of Hainan Island including Riyuebay & Shimei Bay in Wanning, Hainan Island, Clear Water Bay in Lingshui, Moonbay in Wenchang, and Qizibay in Changjiang

Things to do on Hainan Island, Hainan Island Land Tours & Day Excursions?

As a tropical island, Hainan Island has a lot to offer: Tropical beaches, national rainforest, beachfront golfing clubs, world-class beach international resorts, local minority cultures, riding paths, hiking tours, best local cuisines, and nightlife. You will never be bored staying on Hainan Island.

Major Cities on Hainan Island:

Hainan Island is a small province with a land area of 33,900 km2. There are 4 prefecture-level cities: Haikou, the capital city of northern Hainan Island, Sanya, the tropical beach destination of China, Sansha in the South China Sea and Danzhou in the west of Hainan Island,  5 county-level cities: Wuzhishan, Wenchang, Qionghai, Wanning, and Dongfang, and 10 counties including 6 autonomous minority counties.

More tips on Hainan Island China

Hainan Island China Travel Guide, Travel Tips on China’s Tropical Island Hainan