Hainan

Haikou and Sanya are Hainan's two useful gateways. A first circuit can move south through Qionghai, Wanning and Lingshui without backtracking. A beach holiday should do the opposite: choose one Sanya bay or one east-coast base and unpack. Changing hotels every day defeats the reason to visit an island.

Choose your trip

• East-coast route: Haikou–Wanning–Lingshui–Sanya in 7–9 days.
• City and resort pairing: two nights in Haikou plus four or five in Sanya.
• Surf and cafe coast: Wanning, especially Riyue Bay or Shimei Bay, with a road plan.
• Single-base beach holiday: choose Sanya Bay, Dadonghai, Yalong Bay or Haitang Bay by transport, sand and resort style.

For a slower east-coast resort base, use the full Lingshui guide to compare Qingshui Bay, Xiangshui Bay, Boundary Island and Nanwan Monkey Island.

How many days

Four days suit one Sanya base. Seven days allow Haikou, Wanning and Sanya with at least two nights in each major base. A full island drive deserves 10–14 days; the western coast is slower and less convenient than the popular eastern rail corridor.

Cities and bases

Haikou offers arcades, local food, museums and the strongest northern transport. Wanning is a municipality with beaches spread along the coast; the railway station is not beside every bay. Lingshui works for selected islands and coves. Sanya's bays are distinct hotel zones, often separated by substantial road time.

Routes through the province

Seven-day east-coast route

1. Arrive in Haikou and walk the arcade district.
2. Add a museum, volcanic landscape or local food day.
3. Travel to Wanning; settle into one bay and stay for sunset.
4. Choose surfing, a coastal road or a quieter beach rather than covering every bay.
5. Continue through Lingshui or directly to Sanya.
6. Give one Sanya island, rainforest or cultural site a full day.
7. Keep the final day for your chosen beach and an unhurried airport transfer.

Island boats, snorkeling and “glass sea” conditions depend on wind, visibility and operation. Never build the entire trip around a guaranteed water color.

When to visit

Late autumn through spring is the most comfortable and expensive period. Summer is hot, humid and rainy, with better deals but tropical-storm risk. Typhoons can affect flights, trains, ferries and water activities. Public holidays and school breaks raise resort prices sharply.

Getting there and around

The east-coast high-speed railway connects Haikou, Qionghai, Wanning, Lingshui and Sanya. Taxis or drivers are still needed between stations, bays and scenic sites. Driving offers flexibility, but only travelers with a license accepted under current Chinese rules should rent; an international driving permit alone is not automatically sufficient.

Where to stay

In Haikou, choose the old center for food and arcades or a station area for a short transfer. In Wanning, book the bay itself. In Sanya, use Sanya Bay for city and airport access, Dadonghai for compact convenience, Yalong Bay for a resort beach, or Haitang Bay for large resorts and eastern attractions.

What to book first

Reserve winter and holiday hotels, intercity transport, island boats and any fixed water activity first. Use refundable rates during storm season and recheck marine conditions close to departure.

Compare Hainan hotels on Trip.com, check China train tickets, and keep water-day bookings flexible.