• placement: fullWidthHero
  • path: destinations/hero
  • containerId: gpt-ad-766536937246
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "china/hainan",
  "destination": "Hainan",
  "title": "hainan",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "Hainan",
  "country": "China",
  "continent": "Asia",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Hainan

China’s largest tropical island boasts all the balmy weather, coconut palms and gold-sand beaches you could ask for. Down at Sanya it’s see-and-be-seen on the boardwalks or escape altogether at some of Asia’s top luxury resorts. Thatched huts and banana pancakes haven’t popped up anywhere yet, but there’s a hint of hipness coming from the east-coast beachside towns, and the budding surf scene is helping to spread the gospel of chill out.

Latest Stories
Book
App
Lonely Planet App on a phone
Brand New!

Get the Lonely Planet App

World Nomads travel insurance
Trusted Partner

Dreaming of Hainan? Protect your trip

Travel with confidence. Protect your trip and your wallet.

We don’t represent World Nomads, we receive a fee from quotes using this link. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Top places to visit in Hainan

Discover the best attractions in Hainan from must-see sights to unexpected hidden gems.

Explore all
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/top
  • containerId: gpt-ad-505204235213
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "china/hainan",
  "destination": "Hainan",
  "title": "hainan",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "Hainan",
  "country": "China",
  "continent": "Asia",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Travel Guides

Hainan travel tips from Lonely Planet experts

Find practical guidance from our team of contributors around the world who bring their decades of first-hand travel experience to your next trip.

Best Things to Do

When people imagine Hainan, they picture the stunning beaches at Sanya, but there's plenty more to see. Here are more top things to do on Hainan island.

Read full article
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/middle
  • containerId: gpt-ad-636517990198
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "china/hainan",
  "destination": "Hainan",
  "title": "hainan",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "Hainan",
  "country": "China",
  "continent": "Asia",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

Explore all books

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Hainan

Lonely Planet may earn a commission from affiliate links on our site. All recommendations and reviews reflect our own independent opinions.

Hainan and beyond

View all
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/bottom
  • containerId: gpt-ad-661512081975
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "china/hainan",
  "destination": "Hainan",
  "title": "hainan",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "Hainan",
  "country": "China",
  "continent": "Asia",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}