In Hainan, there is a city with a long history, one of the three ancient towns in Hainan.
It is the birthplace of Hainan’s Min’nan culture and has the reputation of “three scholars in one li.”
It is also the hometown of the most illustrious sister group of the 20th century – the Soong sisters.
Half of Hainan’s coconut trees and coconut production come from here…
This city, which combines historical charm and modern atmosphere, is Wenchang.
Wenchang boasts sea views that rival those of Sanya, with Mulan Bay, Baohu Cape, Moon Bay, Qishui Bay, and Gaolong Bay, each stunning on its own.
At the same time, it also has cuisine that rivals that of Haikou, with the most famous being Wenchang chicken, Pucheng zaoba vinegar, Baoluo noodles, Jinshan beef jerky, qingbuliang (a refreshing dessert), and the ubiquitous lao ba cha (old father tea).
If you find Sanya too crowded and Haikou’s sea views not impressive enough, then choosing Wenchang is the right decision.
If it’s your first time in Wenchang and you have a penchant for sea views, it is recommended to self-drive along the island ring road. This way, perhaps you will also be able to say that you don’t need to see the sea after returning from Wenchang.
First Stop: Pucheng Town (Free)
From Haikou, after crossing the Haiwen Bridge, you’ll reach Pucheng Town.
Pucheng is a historical and cultural town in China. It is said that most of the residents in Pucheng migrated from Putian, Fujian, and to commemorate their homeland, it was initially named “Putian,” which later evolved into “Pucheng.”
Pucheng Town has a historical old street with a Southeast Asian flair, and the centuries-old arcade buildings make time seem to have stopped in that distant era.
In Pucheng, you can try the local specialty zaoba vinegar or zaoba vinegar hotpot.
Second Stop: Mulan Bay (Free)
It’s no exaggeration to say that more than half of the photos of Wenchang’s sea views in the past two years come from Mulan Bay.
Mulan Bay mainly has three small scenic spots: Huwei Ridge, Mulan Lighthouse, and Windmill Beach. These attractions are not far apart, and if you’re self-driving, you can visit them all along the way.
When the weather is good, there are many people camping in Mulan Bay. The Milky Way is clearly visible in the middle of the night, and you can also watch the sunrise over the sea in the morning. The sense of solid happiness is overflowing.
Third Stop: Baohu Cape (Free)
Baohu Cape, also known as Jingxin Cape, is located in Wengtian Town. Because it is relatively far from both Haikou city center and Wenchang city center, it is relatively primitive and less crowded.
On the beach of Baohu Cape, there is a jellyfish-shaped observation deck with a unique shape that makes for great photos. Standing on the observation deck and overlooking the clear blue sea is also a great experience.
Fourth Stop: Longlou Town
Tonggu Ridge and Launch Site are charged, others are free
Longlou Town is a stunning coastal town with many attractions, including Tonggu Ridge, Moon Bay, Foguang Temple, Stone Park, Qishui Bay, and Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site.
The launch site is open to the public. Here, you can observe the launch tower, launch pad, and spacecraft assembly up close. You can also learn about aerospace knowledge through aerospace models and explanations from the reception staff.
Fifth Stop: Dongjiao Coconut Grove (Free)
Dongjiao Coconut Grove, located in Dongjiao Town, is one of the most representative attractions of Hainan’s characteristics.
The lush coconut grove composed of more than 500,000 coconut trees, combined with the ten-mile coastline, allows you to truly feel what “coconut wind and sea charm” means.
Additionally, the coconuts here are very cheap, generally costing ten yuan for three.
Sixth Stop: Gaolong Bay (Free)
Gaolong Bay, located in Qinglan Town, is one of the three major urban bay areas in Hainan.
The water here is clear, and the sand is white and soft, making it very suitable for playing. Next to Gaolong Bay, there is a small road called “Poetry and Far Away.” After dusk, various foods and snacks gather here, full of the atmosphere of human life.
Gaolong Bay also has a pier extending into the sea, which looks like a giant dragon lying on the sea from afar. At the end of the pier is a library surrounded by the sea, where you can drink coffee and read books (this place is sometimes closed for maintenance and upgrades).
Travel tips:
- When self-driving around the sea, the weather is very important. Please try to choose a sunny day to travel, otherwise the experience will be much worse.
- There are many good lao ba cha restaurants in Pucheng, Longlou, and Qinglan. Wherever there is a long queue, follow the crowd and you won’t go wrong.
- For this route, it is recommended to arrange 2-3 days, as it cannot be completed in one day.
- If time permits, you can also go to Wencheng Town to see Wennan Old Street and the Confucius Temple.
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