Wuzhishan & Baoting

Deep in the tropical rainforest of central Hainan, with Yanoda, Qixianling hot springs and Wuzhi Mountain, rich Li and Miao culture, and a spot on Tongcheng Travel's top 10 county getaways for the 2025 National Day holiday.

Wuzhishan and Baoting lie in the mountains of south-central Hainan Island, at the core of Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, and are home to the island's largest concentrations of Li and Miao people. Baoting Li and Miao Autonomous County borders Sanya to the south (the county seat is about an hour's drive from downtown Sanya) and is home to Yanoda Rainforest, Binglanggu (Betel Nut Valley) and the Qixianling hot springs. To the north, Wuzhishan City takes its name from Wuzhi Mountain, Hainan's highest peak; its urban center, Tongshi, was once the capital of the Hainan Li and Miao Autonomous Prefecture.

Best time to visit: Nov–Apr is the dry season – cool and dry, ideal for rainforest hikes, mountain climbs and hot springs, and the peak time for northern Chinese escaping the winter cold. May–Oct is the rainy season with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, and scenic areas may close temporarily during typhoons, but the rainforest waterfalls are at their fullest.

Areas to explore: ① Southern Baoting (closest to Sanya) – Yanoda and Binglanggu, doable as a day trip from Sanya; ② Baoting county seat and Qixianling – hiking plus hot springs, best with an overnight stay; ③ Wuzhishan City and Shuiman Township – climb Wuzhi Mountain and explore tea gardens and Li villages, ideal for keen hikers.

Getting there: The nearest airport is Sanya Phoenix International Airport; the G9811 expressway links Sanya, Baoting and Wuzhishan, so hiring a car or self-driving is most convenient. You can also take a bus from Sanya Bus Station to Baoting or Wuzhishan, then a taxi to the sights. Suggested stay: 2–3 days.

Tips: The rainforest has lots of mosquitoes, so bring repellent and long sleeves; temperatures swing widely between day and night in the mountains; avoid climbing in thunderstorms. During the Li people's Sanyuesan Festival (the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month), bamboo pole dances, antiphonal singing and other festivities take place. Admission fees and national park access rules are subject to current official announcements.

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