Travel to Hainan Island: warning on accommodation

Hainan Island has officially declared itself an international tourist destination.

Being the only Chinese tropical island, Hainan is very popular with domestic tourists and Russian tourists, particularly during winter months.

When I was in Hainan in January, I was really surprised to see hordes of Russians in Sanya. Everything was geared towards the Russians, For the first time, I saw signboards written in Russian.

That's why accommodation in Hainan is becoming increasingly hard to find.

My advice is to book your accommodation or you might be forced to stay in tents (not free) during peak periods!

Cheers!

Hainan Island: mountain towns

In Hainan I told myself I shouldn't just stick to the touristy cities of Haikou and Sanya but should at least venture up into the interior to visit a mountain town or two.

To find the villages, I had to trek some distance outside the town but the effort was worth it. I got to meet some farmers, and talked to them.

A farming couple outside the home up in the hill. Their pet dog provides company in this isolated place.

The house they built with their own hands.

Haikou Park: Hainan Island, China

Travel guide, Lonely Planet, is enthusiastic about Haikou Park in Haikou, the capital, so I decided I had to see things for myself.

Haikou Park is a huge leafy and well-maintained park in the town centre. I was surprised to see all sorts of activities going on in the park: table tennis, jogging, singing, ball games, taiji etc.

Dance group: Many dance groups like this one practise in the  park to blaring music. They attract a lot of attention from visitors. You're welcomed to join them.

Calligraphy: Using just water, this gentleman uses a huge brush to show off his calligraphy skills. If you think you're equally skillful, he'll gladly lend you the brush.

Hainan Island, China: Wugong Temple in Haikou

Wugong Temple (Five Officials Temple): This temple ranks with Hairui Tomb as a must-see in Haikou, capital of Hainan. During the Tang Dynasty these five officials were banished to Hainan for criticising the emperor.

Typical Chinese architectural styles in the two pictures above.

A unique Chinese bridge over a pond.

A pond filled with lilies is part of the landscaping.

A pavillion: rest your aching legs here, and perhaps compose a poem in the tranquil setting.

Wugong Temple consists of several buildings which can easily take up to an hour to explore. After exploring every nook and corner of the temple, I rewarded myself with a well-deserved lunch at the cosy restaurant near the temple's entrance.

One of the springs attributed to the miraculous intervention of one of the five officials.

Wugong Temple is easily reached by a 15-minute bus ride from central Haikou.

Hainan Holiday: Tomb of Hairui and Wugong Temple in Haikou

I've always wondered why my parents gave me the Chinese name "Rui", which is a rare name for Chinese, until I went to Hainan, then I understood.

Apparently I was named after Hairui who was a high-ranking official during the Ming Dynasty. For his outspokenness he was banished to Hainan. Today, The Tomb of Hairui, is a must-see for most tourists.

                              Hairui

                              Hairui, famous for his incorruptibility.

Aside from Hairui Tomb, the other well-known historical site is Wugong Temple (5 Officials Temple).

Both are in Haikou, the capital of Hainan, and easy for a DIY trip. I took a 1 yuan bus to these two places. Hairu Tomb is bit further away on the outskirts (about 30 mins bus ride) but Wugong is a mere 15 minutes away from central Haikou.

Hainan: Do they spit anymore?

Betel nuts stalls: Hainan has the culture of chewing betel nuts.

Apart from the search for the elusive Hainan version of chicken rice, I was also curious to know if spitting in public is still the habit among the Chinese. I haven't been back to China for at least ten years so  I was naturally curious to find out.

It didn't take me long.

They spit everywhere: in shopping malls (into litter bins), pavements, gardens, parks, from buses and so on.

Maybe the youths should know better than their elders. I was wrong.

Travelling in an inter-city bus, the young man in front of me kept spitting out of the window at least a dozen times.

Aside from this spitting culture, there's also the culture of chewing betel nuts in Hainan Island. The pavements everywhere are splattered with red spittle as a result. Disgusting.

Never knew they chew betel nuts in Hainan. It came as a total surprise to me frankly.

Hainan Villages Part 2

If you're a teacher you might be interested in this post. Exploring a village, I was delighted to come across this school and its students.

Entrance to this farming village framed by the traditional Chinese arch.

Most of the villagers here are farmers.

A village school. Most of the rural schools I've seen in SE Asia are small and modest but this one in Hainan is big and impressive.

Like kids elsewhere, these kids were playful, cheerful and  chatty.

Did you realise they don't wear uniform?

Friendly kids.

Walking across the farmland  to their homes.

Most of their parents are farmers. This farmer is ploughing the padi field.

Rural folks are still superstitious. The decorated doorway here is to ward off evil spirits and to seek blessings for prosperity for instance.

A modest farmer's home.

Hainan Villages Part 1

Big cities are all about the same, and Hainan island is no exception. I was more interested in its villages. With property development in a frenzy, will Hainan villages be razed? 

A small shop making Chinese buns.

In the backlanes of villages, this is allowed.

And so is this.

A village provisions store.

A typical Chinese arch found in most villages.

Party time in Sanya, Hainan Island, China

Hey, no photo OK?: Russian getting scorched by the sun

One of the pleasures of Sanya beach is people-watching. It was the first time I saw the Chinese having a good time at the beach but not as brave as this Russian lass.

Kite-flying

A 3-wheeler cab found throughout Hainan Island.

I was surprised to see this Chinese Muslim lady who was hawking trinkets.

Apart from coconuts, sugar cane is also popular.

Restaurants sit right on the beach, catering mostly to Russian tourists.

The hordes of Russians are well fed and entertained every night. It's party time every night, culminating in a shower of fireworks.

Shenzhen to Hainan Island

Sanya beach: four World Beauty Pageants were held here

From Shenzhen I decided to travel to Hainan Island but was undecided whether to fly or to take the train and bus.

By train I'd have to go to Guangzhou and from there continue by bus or train. In the end I decided that the hassles were not worth it so I decided to fly.

After all flying was cheap (about SGD $80) and it took only an hour compared to the whole day by train or bus.

Thirty years ago I took my first domestic flight in China, and it was an experience filled with anxiety because in those days China's aircraft were mostly Russian with a poor safety record. But now they use modern jets like the A320.

The funny thing I noticed were the seats.  They were so thin unlike the luxurious ones I've been used to. Inflight refreshements were a small packet of dried fruit and a small bottle of drinking water. As far as the refreshments were concerned, clearly not much has changed in 30 years.

As for inflight entertainment, I noticed some of the Chinese amusing themselves with movies and games on their notebooks.

Me? Well, I amused myself playing hockey, bowling and flying a warplane.

On my iPhone.

In an hour, Shenzhen Airways landed in Haikou, the capital of Hainan.

I had finally arrived in the land of my ancestors, and the favourite spot for banishing officials who fell into disfavour with the Emperor.

Xiao Long Nu in China

As requested, I'm bringing you some pictures on Xiao Long Nu (Little Dragon Girls).

Xiao Long Nu quenching her thirst with coconut juice on  Hainan Island.

Xiao Long Nu having fun at Sanya beach, Hainan Island.

Older Xiao Long Nu dancing in Haikou Park in Hainan.

Russian "Xiao Long Nu" at Sanya beach, Hainan.