Hainan

China's southernmost island province: tropical bays, rainforest and Li and Miao culture coexist, and Haikou's arcade old streets and Sanya's bay resorts make two faces of one island.

History: The Li and Miao peoples are long-settled ethnic groups in Hainan, with Li brocade, Li boat-shaped houses and the Li March 3rd festival as representative culture; Haikou's arcade old streets formed in the modern commercial period, blending Southeast Asian architectural styles; Wenchang chicken, Jiaji duck, Dongshan goat and Hele crab are together called Hainan's four famous dishes (versions vary slightly by place, subject to local consensus). Hainan became a province and special economic zone in 1988; the offshore duty-free policy is the current system, with specific quotas and rules subject to official announcement. Legend: The romantic meaning attached to the "Tianya" and "Haijiao" inscriptions at Tianya Haijiao is mostly a later Legend-type interpretation; the inscriptions themselves relate to Qing-dynasty officials' inscriptions and should not be described as an ancient shrine of love; Li myths such as the "mighty god" are Legend and must be written separately from the history of Li brocade and weaving techniques.

• Yalong Bay (Yàlóng Wān) and Haitang Bay: beaches, bathing areas and resort hotel clusters.
• Wuzhizhou Island (Wúzhīzhōu Dǎo): island-circuit electric carts, diving and jet skis (suspended in poor sea conditions, subject to that day's notice).
• Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone (Nánshān): the Guanyin statue on the sea and Nanshan Temple.
• Haikou Arcade Old Streets (Hǎikǒu Qílóu Lǎojiē): arcade buildings and time-honoured snacks around Zhongshan Road and Bo'ai Road.
• Yanoda Rainforest (Yǎnuòdá) and Wuzhishan Rainforest: tropical rainforest walkways and Li and Miao cultural displays.

Arriving on the island: Haikou Meilan Airport and Sanya Phoenix Airport are the main airports; Qiongzhou Strait ferries can carry vehicles across, with a car plus driver costing on the order of hundreds of yuan, about one sailing per hour, running 24 hours (subject to the ferry operator's announcement). Around the island: Hainan's island-circling high-speed rail has eastern and western lines — Sanya to Haikou is about 1.5 hours on the eastern line and about 2 hours on the western line, second class on the order of a hundred yuan, per 12306; the Sanya–Ledong tourist railway links Sanya, Phoenix Airport, Yazhou and Ledong. In town: Haikou and Sanya rely mainly on buses and taxis, with transfers between Sanya's bays by taxi or bus — allow on the order of 40 minutes for transfers in peak season. Offshore islands and villages: Wuzhizhou Island and West Island require a boat, with boat tickets and island-circuit vehicles charged separately; central rainforest and Li and Miao villages have few buses, so charter a car or join a tour. Tickets and payment: high-speed rail on 12306, buses accept transit codes, island expressways are free (subject to official announcement), and rental cars should be booked in advance with photos taken at inspection.

• Red Line: Do not step on or collect coral and shellfish in coral-reef protected areas — penalties for violators are subject to official announcement; do not use open flames in beach or rainforest protected areas.
• Taboo: ① When visiting Li and Miao villages, do not casually enter villagers' homes or touch looms and sacrificial items; ask permission before photographing. ② When buying seafood at a market for processing, first ask the processing fee and weighing method; do not argue face-to-face using the word "rip-off" — keep receipts first, then complain.
• Good Manners: Tropical ultraviolet light is strong — protect against sun and stay hydrated; in typhoon season follow warnings, and do not swim or go to sea in poor sea conditions; take beach litter away, and do not feed wild monkey groups (subject to scenic-area notices).

Hainan is warm all year; summers are rainy and autumn/winter may bring typhoons, so check warnings before travelling. Offshore duty-free shopping requires an outbound flight/ferry ticket and ID, with rules subject to official announcement. Ask prices before ordering seafood, coconut chicken and similar dishes; in peak season book hotels at least two weeks ahead.