Hainan Grand Island Loop In-Depth Road Trip

Connect the East Coast, Central Rainforest, and West Coast to explore all major regions of Hainan over two weeks.

A complete loop starting and ending in Haikou, linking the East Coast, Sanya, the Central Rainforest, and the West Coast. Daily driving times are kept to 2–3 hours, leaving ample time to fully experience the islands and rainforests. Given the long duration and frequent hotel changes, a steady driving stamina is required. Ideal for self-drive travelers with plenty of time who want to see everything Hainan has to offer. For a more relaxed pace, add an extra night in Sanya or Qizi Bay.

Hotels are extremely busy around the Chinese New Year period; book your rooms at least one month in advance.

Day by day

Day 1 · Half Day in Haikou Old Town

Haikou（Five Officials Temple、Haikou Qilou Old Street）

Drive from Meilan Airport to the Old Town (about 40 minutes). Explore the Old Town on foot, and visit the Temple of Five Lords and the Qilou Old Street in the afternoon.

Stay: Qilou Old Street

Day 2 · Dongzhaigang to Mulantou

Haikou（Dongzhaigang Mangrove Reserve） → Wenchang（Puqian Arcade Street、Mulantou Lighthouse）

Drive from Haikou to Dongzhaigang (about 1 hour), continue through Puqian to Mulantou (about 1 hour), and then head to Longlou (about 1.5 hours).

Stay: Longlou Qishui Bay

Day 3 · Tongguling Space Launch & Coconut Grove

Wenchang（Tonggu Ridge、Wenchang Launch Viewing Area & Spaceflight Science Center、Dongjiao Coconut Grove）

Attractions around Longlou are within a 10-minute drive. In the afternoon, drive to Dongjiao Coconut Grove (about 40 minutes) and stay at Gaolong Bay.

Stay: Gaolong Bay

Day 4 · South China Sea Museum & Yudai Beach

Qionghai（China (Hainan) Museum of the South China Sea、Tanmen Fishing Port、Yudai Beach (Jade Belt Beach)）

Drive from Gaolong Bay to Tanmen (about 1 hour), then to Bo'ao (about 30 minutes). Take a ferry to Yudai (Jade Belt) Beach in the afternoon.

The China National Museum of the South China Sea is closed on Mondays and requires advance reservation.

Stay: Boao Yudai Sandbar

Day 5 · Xinglong Coffee to Shimei Bay

Wanning & Lingshui（Xinglong Tropical Botanical Garden、Xinglong Coffee Valley、Shenzhou Peninsula、Shimei Bay）

Drive from Bo'ao to Xinglong (about 1 hour), then to Shenzhou Peninsula (about 40 minutes), and on to Shimei Bay (about 30 minutes).

Stay: Shimei Bay

Day 6 · Riyue Bay & Boundary Island

Wanning & Lingshui（Riyue Bay、Fenjiezhou Island）

Drive from Shimei Bay to Riyue Bay (about 20 minutes), then to Boundary Island Pier (about 15 minutes) for a round-trip ferry ride.

It is recommended to take an early ferry to Boundary Island. Surfing can be rescheduled to the following morning.

Stay: Riyue Bay

Day 7 · Dan Fish Rafts to Haitang Bay

Wanning & Lingshui（Xincun Harbour Tanka Fishing Rafts、Nanwan Monkey Island）

Drive from Riyue Bay to Xincun (about 1 hour), take a boat or cable car to visit Monkey Island, and then drive to Haitang Bay (about 1 hour).

Do not hold food in your hands on Monkey Island, and keep your personal belongings secure.

Stay: Haitang Bay

Day 8 · Wuzhizhou Island Day Trip

Sanya（Wuzhizhou Island、Haitang Bay & CDF Sanya International Duty Free Mall）

Drive from Haitang Bay to Wuzhizhou Pier (about 20 minutes), followed by a 15-minute ferry ride. Visit the Duty-Free Shopping Complex in the afternoon.

The early ferry is less crowded. Book your island entry in advance during peak seasons.

Stay: Haitang Bay

Day 9 · Yalong Bay to Dadonghai

Sanya（Yalong Bay、Luhuitou Park、Sanya First Market）

Drive from Haitang Bay to Yalong Bay (about 40 minutes), then to Luhuitou (about 40 minutes), and stay in Dadonghai for the night.

Stay: Dadonghai

Day 10 · Yanoda Rainforest & Hot Springs

Wuzhishan & Baoting（Yanoda Rainforest Cultural Tourism Zone、Qixianling Hot Spring National Forest Park）

Drive from Dadonghai to Yanoda (about 1 hour), then to Qixianling (about 40 minutes) to enjoy the hot springs in the evening.

Stay: Qixian Ridge Hot Spring Area

Day 11 · Shuiman Township to Wuzhishan City

Wuzhishan & Baoting（Shuiman Township & Wuzhishan Rainforest Scenic Area、Maona Village、Hainan Provincial Museum of Ethnology）

Drive from Qixianling to Shuiman Township (about 1.5 hours), then to downtown Wuzhishan (about 1 hour) in the afternoon. Drive slowly on mountain roads.

The Hainan Museum of Nationalities is closed on Mondays and requires a reservation. Climbing the main peak is not recommended for standard itineraries.

Stay: Wuzhishan City Center

Day 12 · Mountain Crossing to Jianfengling

Ledong & Jianfengling（Mingfeng Valley、Jianfengling Tianchi）

Drive from Wuzhishan City through Ledong to the Jianfengling Gate (about 3 hours), then head up to Tianchi (Heavenly Lake) (about 30 minutes).

Avoid driving over the mountains at night. Depart in the morning and take plenty of breaks along the way.

Stay: Tianchi Area, Jianfengling

Day 13 · Yulinzhou to Qizi Bay

Dongfang（Yulinzhou Scenic Area） → Changjiang（Qizi Bay、Dajiao Cape (Junbi Cape)）

Drive from Jianfengling to Basuo (about 1.5 hours), then to Qizi Bay (about 1 hour) to watch the sunset in the evening.

Service areas are sparse on the west coast; fill up your gas tank or fully charge your EV before setting off.

Stay: Qizi Bay

Day 14 · Dongpo Academy to Haikou

Danzhou（Yangpu Ancient Salt Field、Dongpo Academy、Zhonghe Ancient Town）

Drive from Qizi Bay to Yangpu (about 1.5 hours), then to Zhonghe (about 30 minutes), and finally to Meilan Airport (about 2.5 hours).

Book a flight departing in the late evening, or stay an extra night in Haikou.