Hainan West Coast Mountain & Sea Road Trip

Drive north from Sanya to Haikou, visiting Jianfengling, Qizi Bay, Bawangling, and Dongpo Academy.

The west coast features fewer tourists and light traffic, offering a journey through rainforests, salt pans, Li ethnic villages, and sunset coasts, alongside the historical traces of Su Dongpo's exile in Danzhou. The route relies mainly on expressways, though some county roads are narrow and service areas are sparse, requiring advance preparation of supplies. It involves more driving time and fewer accommodation options than the east coast, making it ideal for those who have been to Sanya and want to see a different side of Hainan.

May to October is the rainy season in the rainforest, with better weather in the mornings and frequent thunderstorms in the afternoons.

Day by day

Day 1 · Yazhou to Longmu Bay Sunset

Sanya（Daxiaodongtian Scenic Area、Yazhou Ancient City） → Ledong & Jianfengling（Longmu Bay）

Drive from Phoenix Airport to Daxidongtian (about 1 hour), then to Yazhou Ancient Town (about 20 minutes), and on to Longmu Bay (about 1 hour).

Stay: Longmu Bay

Day 2 · Jianfengling Rainforest Day Trip

Ledong & Jianfengling（Mingfeng Valley、Jianfengling Rainforest Valley、Jianfengling Tianchi）

Drive from Longmu Bay to the Jianfengling Gate (about 40 minutes), then up the winding mountain road to Tianchi (Heavenly Lake) (about 30 minutes).

Trails can be slippery during the rainy season; bring non-slip shoes and mosquito repellent.

Stay: Tianchi Area, Jianfengling

Day 3 · Li Village to Yulinzhou

Dongfang（Baicha Boat-Shaped House Village、Yulinzhou Scenic Area、Dongfang Seafront & Beach Park）

Drive along mountain roads from Jianfengling to Baicha Village (about 2.5 hours), then to Basuo (about 1 hour), arriving at Yulinzhou by evening.

Stay: Basuo Urban Area

Day 4 · Changhua Ancient Town & Qizi Bay

Changjiang（Changhua Ancient City & Junlingwang Temple、Qizi Bay、Dajiao Cape (Junbi Cape)）

Drive from Basuo to Changhua (about 1 hour), then to Qizi Bay (about 15 minutes). Drive slowly on the sandy roads around the Dajiao area.

Public transportation around Qizi Bay is limited; make sure to leave enough time for the sunset in the evening.

Stay: Qizi Bay

Day 5 · Shilu Mine to Bawangling

Changjiang（Shilu Iron Mine National Mine Park、Bawangling National Forest Park）

Drive from Qizi Bay to Shilu (about 1 hour), then to Bawangling (about 40 minutes). The latter section consists of mountainous roads.

Stay on the open trails and do not enter the core zone of the nature reserve.

Stay: Bawangling

Day 6 · Salt Pans & Dongpo Academy

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

Drive from Bawangling to Yangpu (about 2 hours), then to Zhonghe Town (about 30 minutes), and on to Nada (about 1 hour).

Stay: Nada Town

Day 7 · Coffee Town to Volcanic Crater

Haikou（Fushan Coffee Town (Chengmai)、Haikou Shishan Volcanic Cluster Geopark）

Drive from Nada to Fushan (about 1.5 hours), then to the Volcanic Crater Park (about 40 minutes), and finally to Meilan Airport (about 1 hour).

The volcanic crater trails have steep slopes; wear sports shoes and leave plenty of time for your flight.