Hainan Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
province of China
About Hainan
Hainan is China's southernmost province, south ofGuangdongprovince and across the Gulf of Tonkin fromVietnam. "Hainan" literally means "South of the Ocean". The first known inhabitants of Hainan were a Tai–Kadai ethnic group known as the Hlai or Li (黎族). Large scale Han Chinese settlement of Hainan did not occur until the Song Dynasty (960−1279), and continued up until the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). The Li people were eventually pushed into the highlands by Han settlers and today, the island has a Han majority, mostly concentrated in the coastal plains, while the Li people remain the largest non-Han ethnic group, mostly concentrated in the southern highlands. For much of its history, Hainan was considered a backwater and used as a place of exile for failed officials. It was administered by
Top Attractions in Hainan
Explore the best things to see and do in Hainan:
- ★Bin Lang Gu
- ★Sea Turtles 911
- ★South Bay Monkey Island (also known as Nanwan Monkey Islet)
- ★Volcano Park and lava rock villages
Hainan Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 13 sections including: