So far, Wanning has been my favorite small coastal city!

I just returned from a trip around Hainan Island, and what I miss most is Wanning—a place that combines the surfing excitement of Hawaii at the same latitude with Bali-like coconut groves and hidden paradises. Glass-clear waters, uninhabited islands, volcanic rock reefs, and Southeast Asian cuisine create a unique vacation atmosphere. I've put together this guide of lesser-known activities and a detailed itinerary to help you avoid the crowds. Just save this article and you're all set! --- 🌟 Top 5 Must-Visit Spots in Wanning 1️⃣ Taiyang River Scenic Bridge A pure white bridge surrounded by water on three sides, beneath which lies Wanning's clearest glass-like sea (with 8m+ visibility). At low tide, the beach reveals colorful seashells 🐚. Secret photo spot: The rocky beach on the north side of the bridge for silhouette portraits. The waves crashing against the bridge piers at high tide in the evening are spectacular! 2️⃣ Shanqin Bay Swallow Cave A giant sea-eroded cave formed by volcanic rock, the same secret spot featured in the movie "Lost Her"! Recommended at sunrise when light shines through the cave entrance onto the black reef rocks, perfect for apocalyptic-style photos. ⚠️ Note: Can only be entered during low tide, check the tide table in advance! 3️⃣ Riyue Bay Surfing Paradise Choose from 30+ surf clubs (recommended: Panguzang/Jielangbu). Beginners should take morning lessons (smaller waves and fewer people). In the afternoon, enjoy a cold coconut drink at Beach Bar 216 while watching skilled surfers show off. Don't miss the Coconut Tree Road in the evening—wild coconut trees on both sides form a natural archway, and as you cycle, the sea breeze carries the scent of salt and lime~ 4️⃣ Shimei Bay Double-Layer Experience - Ocean View Pavilion: Overlook the 6km crescent-shaped bay where green forests meet jelly-like sea - Phoenix Jiuli Book House: A glass library facing the sea, hosting monthly writer salons (check schedule in advance) - Jiajing Island Snorkeling: 10-minute speedboat ride, with coral reefs more pristine than those at Wuzhizhou Island 5️⃣ Xinglong Tropical Botanical Garden Night Tour Think daytime garden tours are too ordinary? Join the 6:00 PM rainforest night exploration! Guides will show you fireflies, let you touch glowing fungi, and end with chocolate-making under the stars (using cocoa beans grown in the garden) 🍫 --- 🗺️ 3-Day 2-Night In-Depth Itinerary Day 1: Southeast Asian Flavor Experience ▫️ Morning: Bridge Sea Ranch (feed black goats + rice field photography) → Xinglong Bali Village (Southeast Asian architecture photography) ▫️ Afternoon: Xinglong Coffee Valley (hand-brewing experience + treehouse afternoon tea) → Sunset at Taiyang River Scenic Bridge ▫️ Overnight: Westin Shimei Bay (watch movies under the stars on a private beach) Day 2: Mountain and Sea Wonders ▫️ Early Morning: Shenzhou Peninsula Lighthouse (arrive before 6 AM to avoid tour groups) ▫️ Morning: Shanqin Bay Swallow Cave → Zhengmenling Cliff Road (perfect for aerial photography) ▫️ Afternoon: Shimei Bay Book House → Jiajing Island Snorkeling ▫️ Evening: Corona Sunset Bar (beach DJ party every Friday) Day 3: Surfer's Life ▫️ All Day: Riyue Bay Surf Lessons (2-hour course) → GROM Café → Browse handmade items at the seaside market ▫️ Evening: Riyue Bay Hall (pure white triangular chapel for silhouette photos) → Return journey --- 🚗 Transportation TIPS ✔️ By Air: Haikou Meilan Airport is 50% cheaper than Sanya! Take a 1-hour high-speed train directly to Wanning Station ✔️ Self-Drive: Highly recommend renting a convertible! The Wanning coastal highway (Shimei Bay to Dahuajiao section) was rated by National Geographic as "China's Most Beautiful Coastal Driving Route" ✔️ Local: Rent electric scooters (60 yuan/day), as cars are prohibited in Riyue Bay --- 🏨 Stay in the Scenery ▪️ Luxury Nature Lovers → Riyue Bay Forest Inn: Individual wooden cabins surrounded by rainforest, with balconies connecting directly to streams ▪️ Family-Friendly → Le Méridien Shimei Bay: All-day activities at the kids' club, dreamy horseback riding on the beach ▪️ Value for Money → Four Points by Sheraton Shenzhou Peninsula: 300+ yuan per person for a 270° ocean-view pool --- 🍜 Wanning on the Tip of Your Tongue 🔥 Must-Eat List ✅ Hele Crab Porridge (Hou'an Town food stalls, more crab roe than meat) ✅ Southeast Asian Pastries (recommended: Huanan Bao's seven-layer cake + coffee cake in Xinglong) ✅ Sour Rice Noodles (sour bamboo shoots + dried small fish + homemade chili sauce, locals love Fang Jie's version) ✅ Dongshan Goat Hotpot (made with partridge tea broth, not gamey at all!) 🍹 Hidden Menu ▫️ No Door Coffee: Enjoy an "Xinglong Dirty" (coffee + condensed milk + cocoa powder) in a creek-side treehouse ▫️ Chunshan Rulu Rice Field Restaurant: French cuisine in the middle of rice fields, reservation required 1 week in advance --- 📍 Travel Checklist 🔸 Sun Protection: Extremely strong UV! Recommended: Anessa sunscreen + Bananain shell hat 🔸 Clothing: Bring plenty of quick-dry clothes! You'll change frequently after surfing 🔸 Emergency: Xinglong Overseas Chinese Hospital offers 24-hour service (many Southeast Asian returned overseas Chinese doctors) The beauty of Wanning lies in being half wild and half healing. It lacks Sanya's hustle and bustle, offering instead the free spirits riding surfboards and the slow-paced Southeast Asian nostalgia infused with coffee aroma. Before it becomes too popular, add it to your travel list!