Dongfang

Hainan's west-coast sunset shore, with the romantic Yulinzhou Lighthouse and Jinyue Bay, the karst of Exian Ridge, and Baicha, an old Li village of boat-shaped houses showcasing Li traditions.

Dongfang lies in southwestern Hainan Island, with Changjiang to the north and Ledong to the south. Its urban center, Basuo Town, faces the Beibu Gulf on Hainan's western sunset coast. The climate is tropical monsoon; lying in a rain shadow, the west gets less rain and plenty of sunshine. November to April is dry and pleasant, while summer and autumn bring the rainy and typhoon seasons. The area divides into three parts: first, Basuo town and its coast, where Yulinzhou Lighthouse, the Hainan Railway Museum, the Basuo memorial to laborers who died here, Beili Old Street and Duntou fishing port can be covered in half a day to a day; second, the Banqiao–Gancheng area to the south, where Jinyue Bay, the Gan'en River estuary and Huali Valley make for sunset drives; third, the eastern hills, with Daguangba Reservoir, the Exian Ridge karst and Baicha Village's Li boat-shaped houses, a chance to experience Li traditions. The Datian Eld's Deer Reserve is about 20 km east of town. The round-island high-speed railway stops at Dongfang and Jinyuewan stations, about 2 hours from Haikou and 1.5 hours from Sanya. Sights are scattered and buses are few, so self-drive or hire a car with driver, and allow 2–3 days. Bring sun protection; currents off the west coast are strong, so don't swim just anywhere. In winter, black-faced spoonbills can be seen at Sibi Bay.

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