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Hainan Island: The Pearl Cliffs

Also known as the Fine Jade Cliffs and the Fine Jade Land, Hainan Island is a tropical paradise renown for its pristine waters and unspoiled beaches. You can visit at any time of the year, but the best time may be in the winter when the warm temperatures of the island will quickly erase the memories of winter back home. You'll soon know why people call Hainan Island "the Oriental Hawaii."

Hainan Island is China's second largest island (after Taiwan). Located in the South China Sea, the island is an intriguing mix of jagged mountains, lush forests, and smooth beaches, but you'll notice the forests more than anything else. Over half the island is covered with forests—five of them in fact—filled with rare flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world.

A Brief History of Hainan Island

Humans have inhabited the island for nearly 6,000 years, but Hainan first enters recorded history in 110 BC when the Han Dynasty established a garrison there. Few people settled on the island, though, because it was seen as fit only for exiles. It was during this time that the Li Chinese (one of 56 ethnic Chinese groups) moved onto the island, displacing many of the island's original inhabitants.

For the next few centuries, Han Chinese, the majority ethnic group in China, migrated and settled in the northern part of the island, pushing the Li into the highlands in the southern half. In the 18th century, tired of the continued migration of other ethnic groups onto the island, the Li rebelled against the government when Miao mercenaries were brought to the island.

The island itself became a hotbed for communist activity when many communists were driven into exile after a crackdown in Shanghai in 1927. The island was ravaged during World War II as the Communist and Li natives fought a brutal guerilla war against the Japanese, but fell under Nationalist rule after the war. The island became a Nationalist stronghold during the Chinese Civil War but, eventually, the Communists regained control.

Tourism on Hainan Island

The sun is almost always out, the water is always warm and calm, and the beaches are majestic. You'll love the long stretches of wide, gently sloping beaches. Vacationing in Hainan Island is perfect for those looking for a tropical getaway without all the crowds.

The Eastern Coast

The east coast of Hainan Island is nature-lover's paradise. You'll see mangroves, coral reefs and coconuts—lots and lots of coconuts. You can visit Coconut Island to get a panoramic view of the sea, or take the family to meet the monkeys at Nanwan Monkey Island (which isn't really an island).

For a more serene setting, visit Diaoluoshan Forest Park, filled with natural waterfalls, ambling creeks, ancient trees, unique rock formations and unusual flowers unique to the island.

The Western Coast

The west coast of Hainan Island has long remained an inaccessible secret, but due to recent construction, travelers are flocking to the home of the Li. You'll find a region rich in culture and history and untouched by modern society.

The mountains are covered with primeval forests, natural hot springs and Eld's deer, an endangered species under the protection of the government. You'll also find one of the largest salt fields in the province (Yinggehai Salt Field), where fish are taken to be dried and salted.

The Central Area

The central part of the island has also remained relatively untouched. The region contains jagged mountains, clear rivers, beautiful waterfalls, numerous caves and amazing rock formations. The area is also rich in history, with ancient temples and pagodas dotting the landscape.

Haikou: The Capital City of Hainan

On an island mainly left to the care of nature, Haikou stands as a tall, concrete anomaly amid a sea of green and blue. The city is the political, financial, and business center of the island with all the latest in modern technology. Haikou, which means "mouth of the sea," is an inviting tourist port, with numerous world-class hotels and fine restaurants offering an endless variety of local, regional, and international cuisine.

For the shopaholic, Haikou boasts boutiques, department stores, and numerous outdoor markets for the chic, trendy and traditional. You'll find a wide selection of anything and everything you can think of, from apparel and electronics to local specialties such as coconuts and dried tropical fruit. Haikou is also renowned for its pearls and crystal jewelry.

Sanya: The End of the Earth

Located on the southernmost tip of Hainan Island, Sanya was once the destination of China's most despised exiles. Designated as the "end of the world," no one wanted to go to Sanya, but now it has become one of the most popular and most beautiful regions in Asia.

The city itself is a noisy conglomeration of fishermen, men in uniform, and "ladies of the night." The atmosphere is terrific, and the night market is definitely a sight to see, with vendors selling a wide assortment of wares, both legal and illegal. The city is chaotic, but you'll be lulled by its tropical charm.

The beaches are what makes Sanya famous. The water is warm, the sand is white, the palm trees are plentiful and the whole atmosphere is just perfect for a relaxing vacation. Sanya's beaches easily rival those of Hawaii and the Mediterranean.

About twenty miles outside of Sanya lies Yalong Bay. The crescent-shaped beach is Sanya's premier destination for fun, sun and sand. Swimming, diving, golfing, hiking—the possibilities are endless.

Beautiful Hainan

Hainan Island is a beautiful vacation destination. You'll fall in love with the place and you'll never want to leave, but that's expected. Hainan Island is a paradise in the most exact sense of the word.

For those of you concerned about the tigers that live in the Hainan Island rainforests, don't worry. Most of the tigers are in the zoos. Only the leopards roam free.

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