The Coconut Trees
Tianya Haijiao, Sanya
Hainan Island
Sanya Bay, Sanya
Hainan Province, called Qiong for short, is located in the southernmost part of China and separated from Guangdong Province on the mainland by the Qiongzhou Straits. The main island is Hainan Island, and consists of Xisha, Nansha, Zhongsha and their surrounding territorial waters. Zengmu Ansha of Nansha Archipelago is the southernmost part of Chinese territory. The province covers an area of 35,354 square kilometers (13,650 square miles) and has a population of 8.28 million (in 2005). It is also the largest Special Economic Zone and the capital is Haikou. The Island is home to a new strategic naval harbor that has been dug through the mountainside.
About 6,000 years ago, there were ancient people living in present Hainan area. It first entered written history in 110BC, when the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD) established a garrison there. In the Yuan Dynasty (1271 - 1368) it became an independent province, but was placed under Guangdong Province in 1370 during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). Established in 1988, Hainan Province is the largest special economic zone and the youngest province in China.
With Mt. Wuzhi (Fiver Fingers) and Mt. Yingge (Parrot) standing at its very heart, Hainan Island has a staircase-like topographic structure descending step by step from towering mountains to flat tablelands and plains at its periphery. The interior of the island rises to over 1,800 meters (5,906 feet). Tablelands, terraces and plains, with an elevation of less than 100 meters (328 feet) above sea level, occupy about 60 percent of its total area.
Located in the tropical region, the vast area of the island has rich resources of light and energy, plentiful rainfall, comfortable living conditions. Winterless Hainan Island has an annual sunshine time of 1,750 to 2,650 hours, a yearly average temperature of 23 to 25 degrees Celsius (73.4 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit). It is a good place for escaping cold, relieving summer heat, having holidays and traveling due to above-mentioned climate.
What particularly attracts tourists, both domestic and foreign, to Hainan is its characteristic beauty of south China. The island is covered with beautiful tropical plants and is definitely one of the well known international tourist spots. It is famous for its bright and beautiful sunshine, vast blue sea, enchanting beaches and fresh air. Sanya Tropical Beach Area is one of the national major famous scenic areas. The main historic sites and scenic spots include Wugong Shrine built in the Ming Dynasty, Hairui Tomb, Dongpo Academy, Luhuitou (Deer Turning its Head), Dadonghai (Great East Sea) Bathing Beach, Tianyahaijiao (the End of the Earth),Underwater Village and Underwater Forest.
The natural beauty of Hainan has gained a good reputation among the visitors and has been widely known around the world. People call it 'the Oriental Hawaii'.
