Hainan (literal meaning: “South of the Sea”) is the smallest province and the largest Special Economic Zone of the People’s Republic of China, located off the southern coast of the country with a coastline of 1584.8 kilometers. It consists of several islands, including the largest and eponymous Hainan Island (Hainan Dao), Xisha, Nansha, Zhongsha islands. Hainan has a tropical moist monsoonal climate. The basic characteristics of the four seasons are not clear. The dry and rainy season are obvious: so arid in spring and winter; full of rains and tropical cyclones in summer and autumn. This island is rich in light, heat and water resources. Due to the mild climate and favorable environment, Hainan is regarded as a long life island. The beautiful Water Park and Summer Resort are attributed to the comfortable weather and excellent beaches.

Tourism
As Hainan Island is not heavily industrialised, its greenery, together with its beautiful beaches and clean air, make it a popular tourist attraction. The island is accessible through ferry links with Guangdong province, as well as air links. There are two airports, Meilan Airport in Haikou, and Phoenix Airport in Sanya
     Haikou and Sanya are the two major destinations when people goes to Hainan.
     Since Haikou is the capital city of Hainan, historical events happened here. Apart from the beautiful tropical scenery, you could have a historical experience here. Some top scenic sites are:
     - Five Official's Temple consists of five traditional temples and halls that were built in honour of five officials of the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties. These officials were banished to Hainan for periods ranging from 11 days to 11 years for speaking out against what they felt were wrong practices by the Emperors.
     - Hai Rui Tomb is a key national cultural protection site. Hai Rui was a compassionate and popular official of Hainanese origins who lived during the Ming Dynasty. He was famous for his lifelong honesty and his willingness to speak out on behalf of local people. In later life, Hai Rui was persecuted and fell out of favour with the emperor. His admirers built the Hai Rui Tomb after his death to commemorate his great works. Construction of the tomb began in 1589

 

     Sanya is the second largest city in Hainan province.It is often considered China's "southern gate". Backed by its famous mountains and facing the sea, Sanya is a garden city full of coconut palms and other verdant splendors. Within the city is the Nanshan Buddhism Cultural Tourism Zone, with its wonderful sculptures of zoological and Buddhist themes, and the Tianyahaijiao Tourism Zone featuring a sculpture cluster of historical figures.
     - Luhuitou Park is a peninsula with water at three sides in the Sanya Bay which is 5 kilometers away from the urban city. Luohuitou Park has a romantic love story legend, there is a huge statue standing on top of the mountain. Here the mountain and the sea sets off each other, you can have a bird's view of the sea and the whole Sanya city, which is magnificent.
     - Yalong Bay Tourism Zone is 25 kilometers away from Sanya city in the southeast, the tropical beachscape tourism city in the extreme south of China.As a National AAAA Class Scenery Park, it is one of the Ten Top Tourist Zones in Hainan and the Five Top Tourist Zones in Sanya. Yalong Bay is so beautiful that those who had visited there made commends like"I don't want to visit seas else after visiting Sanya".

     In addition:
     - Boao Forum Site: Boao is located in the eastern coast of Hainan Island. Bounded by sea and surrounded with mountains, it boasts various landforms with rivers and dunes. With verdant coconut trees and green distant mountains, which are just like paradise.Boao Water City is the permanent conference place for Boao Forum for Asia, the only international conference organization who permanently settles in China.It will be developed into an international conference center with intelligence and ecologic environment that is top in the world, and a center for vacation and recreation with distinctive character.

     - Dongshanling Range: For its exotic-looking rocks and peculiar natural beauty, the 184-metre-high Dongshanling Range composed of 3 peaks, is listed as "No. One Mountain of Hainan". An impressive number of monasteries are found there.

Hainan is home to quite a number of nationalities, there are over 20 nationalities living in compact communities. Li and Miao are the two largest ethnic groups. Li is regarded as the aborigines of Hainan Island, majority of which live in compact community in mountainous area with their own language. Li is a vigorous minority boasting brilliant arts, dance and music, unparalleled dyeing and weaving talent. With the development of Hainan tourist industry, their ancient culture is opened to the outside world.

     The long history and the multiple inhabitations have cultivated a colorful folk culture and art, while they have also developed rich local handicrafts and religious culture. Sanya’s local culture and art consist of fairy tales, legends, folk dances, folk music, sculpture, gardening, religion and handicrafts. Every piece of the local folk culture and art can be a wonder and a surprise.

 

Food
Hainan cuisine is said to be "lighter, with mild seasonings." A lot of local taste is mixed with the Han Chinese taste, which consists of the following three parts: 1. Banquet dishes, which are prepared with complicated cooking techniques, and a wide variety of materials. 2. Local snacks, which are mainly served by small restaurants and food stands, featuring convenient and quick service and cheap prices. 3. Home-style dishes, which are cooked with local seasonal vegetables, such as Fried Dried Bean Curd, Fried Sliced Meat and Bean Curd, Steamed Fish with Shredded Ginger, Sweet and Sour Fish, and Soy Sauce Pork. Seafood dominates the menu, as shrimp, crab, fish and other sealife are widely available.
     Hainan chicken rice, a famous dish in Southeast Asia bearing the region's name, can be found on the island though it is not as popular there as its name would suggest.

 

Shopping
If you are looking for products that are unique to Hainan, you don't need to look any further than street vendors or local shops.  Hainan is a major producer and exporter of cultured pearls and the ideal place to purchase jewellery and other pearl products.
     Hainan is also known for locally designed clothing and goods.  Local Li, Miao and Hui artists create amazing crafts, and would make an ideal gift. Keep an eye out for other local products including coconut juice and coconut products, fresh and dried fruits, coffee, pepper and assortment spices.
     The key to shopping in Hainan is being prepared to barter or bargain. If you are the kind of traveler who enjoys the thrill of the bargain hunt, the Hainan markets and street shops are the places to go. When ready to barter, ask the price, and then act disappointed and begin to walk away. If the vendor wants to lower the price of the item, you will find that he or she will suddenly give a special, lowered price. At this time, determine how much you would like to pay for the item and suggest a price lower than that. Eventually, you and the vendor will compromise somewhere in the middle. Just remember: Don't give up as you are participating in a time-honoured tradition

 

- Taxi Taking a taxi is the most convenient way to reach the various beaches and sights. The taxi meter start with RMB5 and 2km included, then adding RMB2 per kilometer. In the national holidays including first week of Jan., May, Oct and Chinese Spring Festival, it will be an extra fee of RMB5 for first 2km, which means the basal price will be RMB10, not RMB5 as usual.
- Bus The buses will lead you to every county and region as well as every scenic spot and area. In fact, apart from certain more remote destinations, the convenient city shuttle bus is the first choice for traveling. 
- Tour microbus For a long distance or multi-spots in one day, beside taxi, tour microbus is a good choice. This is kind of private car with a personal diver especially for touring. Usually the drivers are expert in tourism as well and for about the same cost of taxi, sometimes even less. It has a regular daily rental according to the distance of the spots you plan to go. No matter how many spots you’ll go and how long you’ll take within daytime, they will be the same place where you are and keep waiting. It is the most convenient way to reach the destination.
- Bicycle A suntan is earned. For a coast road tour or short stretches of countryside, if you want more activity, get you a bicycle. All beachfront hotels offer bicycle renting service, choose one you like and get on your way with a map.