Explore Hainan Province: Your Guide to China’s Tropical Paradise
An Overview of Hainan Province: China's Tropical Gem💎
Hainan Province, abbreviated as Qiong and also known as Qiongzhou, is located at the southernmost tip of China. It is the largest province in China by total area (including both land and sea), and its Hainan Special Economic Zone is the largest and only provincial-level economic zone in the country. Hainan Island is China’s second-largest island, after Taiwan. To the north, Hainan is separated from Guangdong Province by the Qiongzhou Strait. To the west, it faces the Gulf of Tonkin and is opposite Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Vietnam. To the east, it borders the South China Sea, facing Taiwan, while to the southeast and south, it shares maritime boundaries with the Philippines, Brunei, and Malaysia.
In April 1988, Hainan became a province and established its Special Economic Zone. The administrative region of Hainan includes Hainan Island, the Xisha Islands, Nansha Islands, Zhongsha Islands, and their surrounding waters. Located at the northern edge of the tropical zone, Hainan province has a tropical monsoon climate.
*Hainan provicne Lookout Tower.
*Super Mario Building in Hainan Province.
Historical Development of Administrative Divisions🏖️
From Ancient Times to the Tang Dynasty🏝️
According to the Ming Dynasty’s Zhèngdé Qióngtái Zhì (《正德琼台志》), Hainan Island was referred to as “Nanfu Huangjiao” (南服荒缴) during the Tang and Three Dynasties periods (Yu, Tang, and Xia), meaning a remote borderland. During the Qin Dynasty, it was known as “Yue Jun Waijing” (越郡外境), indicating that Hainan Island was at the farthest edge of the empire. Hainan province was one of the four main exile destinations, with the primary location being Yazhou, at the southernmost tip of China.
During the Tang and Yu periods, Hainan was considered a southern frontier region. The Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties recognized it as the southern offspring of the Yangyue people. In 214 BC, the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty, Qin Shi Huang, unified the vast region of Lingnan, setting up the Guilin, Nanhai, and Xiang commanderies, and relocating hundreds of thousands of people from the central plains to these areas. At that time, Hainan province was outside the territory of the Xiang Commandery.
During the transitional period between the Qin and Han dynasties, amidst central plains wars, Zhao Tuo, the governor of Longchuan, declared himself the King of Nanyue, and Nanyue’s influence extended to Hainan. In 111 BC, during Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty, General Lu Bo and Admiral Yang Pu led military campaigns to suppress the Nanyue rebellion. In 110 BC, Hainan Island was incorporated into the administrative structure, and the Zhūyá and Dàn’ěr commanderies were established, under the jurisdiction of the Jiāo state’s inspector.
This marked the earliest administrative divisions of Hainan Island, beginning its inclusion in China’s territory. In 46 BC, Emperor Yuan of the Western Han Dynasty abolished the Zhūyá Commandery and established Zhūlù County under the Jiāo state. From 110 BC to 46 BC, the central government directly governed Hainan for 65 years. In 43 AD, during the Eastern Han Dynasty, General Ma Yuan pacified Jiaozhi and returned to Hainan province, reinstating the Zhūyá County under the Hépǔ Commandery, while abolishing the Zhūlù County.
Sui and Tang Dynasties🚩
During the Sui Dynasty, the island was divided into two commanderies: Zhūyá and Línzhèn, and a total of ten counties. The two commanderies were under the jurisdiction of Yangzhou. The Tang Dynasty restructured the administrative divisions, turning commanderies into states and establishing Qīngzhōu, Dànzhōu, Zhènzhōu, Wàn’ānzhōu, and Qióngzhōu. The abbreviation “Qióng” for Hainan province comes from Qióngzhōu, which was part of the Lingnan circuit.
Song and Yuan Dynasties🪭
During the Song Dynasty, after the conquest of Nán Hàn (Southern Han), Hainan province remained under Qióngzhōu and other military administration, which governed the entire island. The Yuan Dynasty, founded by the Mongols, initially established the Qióngzhōu region, which was later transferred to the jurisdiction of Haibei Hainan Circuit in 1291. By the end of the Yuan Dynasty, Hainan was administratively part of Guangxi Province.
Ming and Qing Dynasties🔥
During the Ming Dynasty, Qióngzhōu was established as the provincial capital, leading to the administration of Dàn, Wàn, and Yà states, overseeing 10 counties. Hainan’s history of direct governance continued, with adjustments in regional control, such as incorporating the Nán Hái Islands into Qióngzhōu’s jurisdiction. In the Qing Dynasty, the governance of Hainan province was formalized into Qióngzhīdào and overseen by Qióngzhōu Prefecture, with adjustments to the system as Qing policies expanded.
*Sunset over the Sea in Hainan Province.
*Beachfront in Hainan Province.
Geography🌏
Location
Hainan Province is located at the southernmost tip of mainland China. To the north, it is separated from Guangdong Province by the Qiongzhou Strait; to the west, it faces the Beibu Gulf and Vietnam; to the east, it borders the South China Sea, opposite Taiwan; and to the southeast and south, it is adjacent to the Philippines, Brunei, and Malaysia across the South China Sea. The province’s jurisdiction includes Hainan Island, the Xisha (Paracel) Islands, the Nansha (Spratly) Islands, the Zhongsha (Macclesfield) Islands, and their surrounding seas. Hainan Province covers a total land area of 35,000 square kilometers, with a maritime area of approximately 2 million square kilometers. The area of Hainan Island itself is 33,900 square kilometers.
Climate🌦️
Hainan Island is located at the northern edge of the tropical zone and has a tropical monsoon climate. It is often referred to as a “natural greenhouse” due to its long summers and no winters. The average annual temperature ranges from 22°C to 27°C, with a growing degree-day of 8,200°C. The coldest month, January, still sees temperatures ranging from 17°C to 24°C. The island receives between 1,750 to 2,650 hours of sunshine annually, with sunlight coverage between 50% to 60%, providing ample light and high photosynthetic potential.
Spring arrives early on the island, temperatures rise quickly, and there is a significant diurnal temperature range. There is no frost during the year, and the winters are mild. Rice can be grown three times a year, and vegetables are available year-round, making it an ideal base for South China’s breeding programs. Hainan Province receives abundant rainfall, with annual precipitation ranging from 1,000 to 2,600 millimeters.
The average annual rainfall is 1,639 millimeters, with distinct wet and dry seasons. The rainy season, from May to October, accounts for 70% to 90% of the annual rainfall, totaling around 1,500 millimeters. Rainfall is mainly due to frontal rains, tropical thunderstorms, and typhoons. From November to April the following year, the island experiences a dry season with only 10% to 30% of the annual precipitation, often resulting in droughts during this period.
Topography
Hainan Island is generally flat around its coast, with central mountainous areas rising sharply. The central region, including the Wuzhi Mountain and Yingge Ridge, serves as the core uplift area, gradually descending towards the periphery. The island features a layered landscape, composed of mountains, hills, plateaus, and plains, with a distinct tiered structure.
Rivers💧
The island’s central mountainous terrain is higher, while the surrounding areas are lower. The larger rivers originate from the central mountain range and form a radiating water system. There are 154 rivers on the island that flow into the sea, with 38 rivers having a surface area of over 100 square kilometers. The three major rivers on Hainan Island are the Nandu River, Changhua River, and Wanquan River. These three rivers’ drainage basins cover 47% of the island’s area. The Nandu River originates in the southern peak of Baisha County and flows through the northern part of the island before reaching Haikou City, with a total length of 311 kilometers.
The Changhua River originates in the Kongshi Ridge in Qiongzhong County, crosses the western part of the island, and flows into the sea at Changhua Port, with a length of 230 kilometers. The Wanquan River has two branches, originating from Wuzhi Mountain and Fengmen Ridge in Qiongzhong County. The two branches meet at Longjian, Qionghai City, and flow into the sea at Boao Port. The main branch has a total length of 163 kilometers. There are few natural lakes on Hainan Island, with most water bodies being artificial reservoirs. Notable reservoirs include the Songtao Reservoir, Niululing Reservoir, Daguanba Reservoir, and Nanli Lake.
Mountains🏔️
The mountains on Hainan Island are mostly between 500 and 800 meters above sea level, forming a hilly lowland terrain. There are 81 peaks that rise above 1,000 meters, creating a continuous ridge above the low hills. The tallest peaks, over 1,500 meters, include Wuzhi Mountain, Yingge Ridge, Ezhong Ridge, Houmi Ridge, Yajada Ridge, and Diaoluo Mountain. These major mountains are generally divided into three main mountain ranges: the Wuzhi Mountain Range, located in the central part of the island, with the highest peak at 1,867.1 meters; the Yingge Ridge Mountain Range, located to the northwest of Wuzhi Mountain, with the highest peak at 1,811.6 meters.
*South Pillar of Heaven Landmark in Hainan Province.
*Evening Scene at a Hainan Beach.
Natural Resources🎍
Land Resources
Hainan Island is China’s largest “tropical treasure,” with a total land area of 3.442 million hectares, accounting for about 42.5% of the country’s tropical land area. The average amount of arable, forestry, pasture, and fishing land per person is approximately 0.48 hectares. Due to its favorable conditions of light, heat, and water, the growth and reproduction rates of biological species are superior to those in temperate and subtropical regions. Farmlands can be cultivated year-round, with many crops harvested 2 to 3 times annually.
Hainan’s land resources can be categorized into seven types based on suitability: agricultural land, rubber-producing land, tropical crop land, forest land, pasture land, water surface land, and other types of land. About 3.152 million hectares of land on Hainan Island have already been developed, while approximately 260,000 hectares remain undeveloped. Of the undeveloped land, around 90% is suitable for large-scale agricultural development. Hainan province has abundant land reserves and great potential for further development.
Crop Resources
Grain crops are the most widely planted, most common, and highest-value crops on Hainan province. The main crops include rice (both wet and dry varieties), mountain rice, wheat, as well as sweet potatoes, cassava, taro, corn, sorghum, millet, and beans. Economic crops are primarily sugarcane, hemp, peanuts, sesame, and tea. The island also boasts a wide variety of fruits, with 29 families and 53 genera of cultivated and wild fruits. The main commercial fruits cultivated on the island include pineapples, lychees, longans, bananas, plantains, citrus fruits, mangoes, watermelons, starfruits, and jackfruits.
Over 120 types of vegetables are grown on the island. Hainan’s tropical crop resources are abundant. Originally, over 3,000 tropical plants grew on the island, and after the founding of the People’s Republic of China, more than 1,000 species were introduced from abroad. Additionally, over 1,000 species of useful plants were discovered in the wild and tested for cultivation, with significant success. Major tropical crops with large cultivation areas and high economic value include rubber, coconuts, oil palms, betel nuts, pepper, sisal, lemongrass, cashews, and cocoa.
Plant Resources☘️
Hainan’s vegetation grows quickly and is abundant, as it is the native habitat for tropical rainforests and tropical seasonal rainforests. To date, more than 4,000 vascular plant species have been identified on Hainan Island, accounting for about one-seventh of China’s total. Over 600 species are endemic to Hainan province. Among these 4,000 species, more than 2,500 are medicinal plants; there are over 2,000 woody plants, of which more than 800 have high economic value. The island is home to over 20 species of national-level protected rare and valuable trees.
There are also 142 species of fruit trees (including wild species), over 70 species of aromatic plants, and more than 200 tropical ornamental flowers and trees for landscaping. The richest plant resources are found in the tropical forest communities, which exhibit distinct vertical zonation and characteristics such as mixed forests, multi-layered structures, uneven-aged forests, evergreen trees, tall trees, and wide canopies. Tropical forests are mainly found in Wuzhi Mountain, Jianfeng Ridge, Bawang Ridge, Diaoluo Mountain, and Limu Mountain, with Wuzhi Mountain being an undeveloped virgin forest.
Hainan’s tropical forests are famous for producing valuable tropical timber, with over 1,400 species of coniferous and broadleaf trees, of which 800 are tree species. Among these, 458 species are classified as commercial timber, with five species falling under “special wood” categories, including rosewood, slope-leafed wood, zizhou, lychee wood, and mother wood. There are 34 first-grade timber species, 48 second-grade species, and 119 third-grade species. The island also has 85 species of high-quality timber suitable for shipbuilding and luxury furniture production, along with 45 species of rare trees.
Animal Resources🦋
Hainan Island is home to over 500 species of terrestrial vertebrates, including 37 amphibians (11 species are endemic to Hainan, and 8 are classified as national specialty species), 104 reptiles, 344 bird species, and 82 mammals (21 of which are unique to Hainan). The island is also home to rare and precious animals, such as the black-crested gibbon, one of the world’s four great apes, as well as the Sambar deer, macaques, and clouded leopards.
Medicinal Plant Resources🌿
Hainan province is rich in medicinal plant and animal resources, earning the nickname “natural pharmacy.” Of the 4,000-plus plant species, around 2,000 are used for medicinal purposes, accounting for 40% of the national total. The island is home to 500 species included in the national pharmacopoeia, with 137 plants identified for their anti-cancer properties and over 30 traditional Southern medicinal plants. The four most famous “Southern medicines” are betel nut, Yizhi, sand ginger, and Ba Ji. Animal and marine medicinal resources include antler, macaque balm, ox gallstones, pangolins, tortoiseshell, seahorses, sea snakes, amber, pearls, sea cucumbers, coral, oyster shells, fish fins, and turtle shell, among nearly 50 types.
Marine Resources🦀
Hainan’s marine fishery resources are abundant, with expansive fishing grounds, diverse species, fast growth rates, and a long fishing season, making it an ideal location for the development of tropical marine fisheries in China. The province’s ocean fishing grounds cover nearly 300,000 square kilometers, and the area suitable for coastal aquaculture spans 25,700 hectares.
There are over 800 species of marine fish, with more than 40 major economic fish species. Several valuable marine species are now being farmed in shallow seas, with aquaculture in about 25,000 hectares of shallow coastal land. Over 20 species of high-value fish, shrimp, shellfish, and other aquatic species are farmed. In terms of freshwater fish (excluding migratory species), Hainan province has 15 families, 57 genera, and 72 species.
Sea Salt Resources
Hainan Island is an ideal natural salt-producing area. Many coastal bays and tidal flats can be used for salt production, with the most concentrated areas along the arc-shaped strip from Sanya to Dongfang. Large salt fields have been established, including those in Yinggehai, Dongfang, and Yunya. The Yinggehai Salt Field is one of the largest in southern China.
Mineral Resources🪵
Hainan has a relatively diverse range of mineral resources. By 1991, out of the 148 industrial mineral resources with proven reserves across the country, 57 types had been discovered on Hainan provicne with certain development potential (classified into 65 types based on industrial use). There are 126 mineral deposits on the island (including 6 large underground water sources), with 31 large deposits, 31 medium-sized deposits, and 64 small deposits.
Some of the significant minerals on the island include quartz sand for glassmaking, natural gas, ilmenite, zircon, sapphire, crystal, bauxite (three-water type), oil shale, limestone for fertilizers, and zeolite. Among them, the Shilu iron mine holds approximately 70% of China’s high-grade iron ore reserves, with the highest ore grade in the country. Titanium reserves account for 70% of the national total, while zircon reserves make up 60% of the country’s reserves.
*Crystal Clear Seawater by the Beach in Hainan Province.
*Coconut Trees by the Beach in Hainan Province.
Historical and Cultural Overview
By the end of 2014, there were 67 various art performance troupes (including private social groups), 21 cultural and art centers, 38 archives, and 21 public libraries across the province. The number of cable television subscribers reached 1.178 million, an increase of 7.1% over the previous year. The population coverage rates for radio and television reached 96.49% and 95.47%, respectively. The province had 17 newspapers, which published 250 million copies, a 1.4% decrease from the previous year. There were 44 magazine publishers, producing 7.9534 million copies, a 0.3% increase.
Efforts were made to establish cultural activity rooms in rural administrative villages, with 300 cultural rooms completed across the province. Public welfare film screenings were actively carried out in rural areas, with 34,700 screenings completed. Outstanding documentaries such as Meeting Hainan People and Looking at Hainan were broadcast widely on CCTV and across Europe. The newly composed historical Qiong opera Hai Rui was invited to participate in the Ministry of Culture’s 2014 National Outstanding Local Opera Performance Exhibition, and Fingertip Sun received a nomination for “Best Children’s Film” at the 15th Huabiao Film Awards.
Language☘️
Hainan province, a society formed by immigrants, is predominantly inhabited by the Han ethnic group. Originally, there were no human settlements on Hainan Island, but over 3,000 years ago, a branch of the ancient Baiyue people crossed the Qiongzhou Strait from Guangdong and Guangxi to settle on the island, becoming the ancestors of the Li people. In the late Southern Song Dynasty, due to the escape from war, Han Chinese continued to migrate southward.
Hundreds of thousands of people from Putian in Fujian moved to Hainan province, bringing with them the Putian dialect and Minnan culture, which contributed to the formation of the Hainan dialect. Later, other ethnic groups such as the Miao and Hui peoples migrated to Hainan, gradually forming the multi-ethnic society that exists today. Over time, certain characteristics of these ethnic groups have been assimilated, but the most fundamental feature, the dialect, has been preserved and passed down through generations. This has led to the formation of the many distinct dialects spoken in Hainan province today.
Environmental Protection🍃
In 2014, the proportion of days with excellent air quality in urban areas of the province reached 98.9%, with occasional mild or moderate pollution in some cities and counties, primarily caused by ozone and fine particulate matter. The annual average concentrations of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and inhalable particulate matter were in compliance with the national Grade I standards. The air quality in all monitored cities and towns met or exceeded the national Grade II standards for residential area air quality.
The annual average PM10 concentration in the provincial-level cities was 39 micrograms per cubic meter, maintaining the same level as the previous year, thus meeting the national air quality improvement targets. The province fully implemented the use of Euro IV standard gasoline and diesel, and eliminated 36,700 yellow-label and old vehicles, along with 47 coal-fired boilers during the year. Ninety-three percent of the monitored river sections and 83.3% of the monitored lakes and reservoirs met or exceeded the national Class III standard for surface water, which is suitable for use as a source for centralized drinking water.
The water quality of the three major rivers—Nanwan River, Changhua River, and Wanquan River—along with the main large and medium-sized lakes and most small rivers, remained excellent. However, water quality in some lakes and sections of smaller rivers experienced some pollution. The majority of the monitored cities and towns’ centralized drinking water sources met the national standards for drinking water source quality, although a small number of sources failed to meet these standards consistently.
Most nearshore sea areas were in a clean condition, with 94.6% of the sea water classified as Grade I or II. Ninety-seven percent of the monitoring points in functional zones met water environmental management targets. The nearshore waters of key industrial zones such as Yangpu Economic Development Zone, Dongfang Industrial Park, and Laocheng Economic Development Zone, as well as 20 major coastal tourist areas, maintained excellent water quality, with Grade I and II sea water. The nearshore waters of the Xisha Islands were rated as excellent, with all monitoring points classified as Grade I sea water.