Qiongzhong

Qiongzhong Li and Miao Autonomous County is located in the center of Hainan Island and is known as the “Heart of Hainan.” It does not have the bustle of the coast, but it does have tropical rainforests with extremely high forest coverage, spectacular waterfalls, and pristine Li and Miao villages, making it an excellent summer retreat and a place to breathe in fresh oxygen.

• Baihualing Tropical Rainforest Cultural Tourism Area: Home to Baihua Waterfall, with a drop of more than 300 meters, making it one of the waterfalls with the greatest drop in Hainan. The scenic area offers treetop boardwalks, rainforest ziplining, and other activities, suitable for hiking and forest bathing.
• Shihan Village: Known as “Shihan in the Sky,” it is one of the highest-altitude administrative villages in Hainan. Li and Miao people live here together, and the village preserves original boat-shaped houses and intangible cultural heritage. Seas of clouds are especially easy to see in the early morning and at dusk.
• Limushan National Forest Park: The ancestral mountain of the Li people, with its main peak at an elevation of 1,411.7 meters. The park has primitive tropical rainforest and Limu Stone, and it is the source of Hainan’s three major rivers. It is ideal for travelers who enjoy in-depth hiking and exploring nature.
• Feishuiling: A natural eco-tourism area that combines tropical rainforest, waterfall scenery, and a distinctive coffee industry. It is suitable for a self-drive stop to take photos and enjoy the aroma of coffee in the mountains.
• Baisha Uprising Memorial Park: Located in Hongmao Town, this is an important red education base. Here you can learn about the history of Li and Miao people resisting oppression and experience its profound cultural heritage.

Recommended Qiongzhong Specialty Foods

Qiongzhong’s cuisine is full of mountain flavor and Li-Miao character. The following are authentic local tastes not to be missed:

• Wanling Rice Cooker Chicken: Qiongzhong’s signature dish. It uses locally raised free-range “walking chicken,” cooked in a traditional rice cooker until the skin is crisp, the meat tender, and the aroma rich.
• Qiongzhong Pork Rib Bun: A specialty snack found in streets and lanes. The bun wrapper encloses large pieces of pork rib meat and char siu, giving it a rich texture and generous amount of meat. It is a favorite local breakfast.
• Li-Miao Winnowing Basket Feast: Available in Li and Miao villages such as Shihan Village. Various local wild vegetables, native chicken, black pork, Shanlan rice wine, and more are arranged on a large winnowing basket, creating a colorful and authentic spread.
• Crispy Small Yellow Cattle: Small yellow cattle raised free-range in places such as Shang’an Township have firm meat. The local specialty, deep-fried small yellow cattle, is crisp outside and tender inside, becoming more fragrant the more you chew.
• Qiongzhong Green Orange: A Qiongzhong specialty. The peel is green, but the flesh is orange-red, juicy, sweet, and pleasantly tart. The best tasting season is from November to January of the following year.

Classic Three-Day Itinerary

A self-drive trip is recommended. Qiongzhong’s attractions are far apart, and driving allows you to better appreciate the mountain scenery along Hainan’s central route.

• Day 1: Arrive in Qiongzhong and Explore the Rainforest’s Premier Waterfall
  • Morning: Depart from Haikou or Sanya and drive to Qiongzhong, about 2-2.5 hours.
  • Afternoon: Visit Baihualing. It is recommended to take the sightseeing bus to Baihua Heavenly Pond, then transfer to the mountaintop to view the ancient sacred tree, and finally walk the boardwalk to experience the power of Baihua Waterfall up close.
  • Evening: Stay in Yinggen Town, the county seat, or at the Four Points by Sheraton Qiongzhong. Visit the nearby Shanlan Rice Farming Culture Market night market and try pork rib buns and local rice noodle soup.
• Day 2: Ancient Village in the Clouds and Li-Miao Culture
  • Morning: Drive to Shihan Village (note that the mountain road has many bends, so drive carefully). Stroll along the stone paths in the village, visit boat-shaped houses, and experience Li brocade and Miao crossbow skills.
  • Noon: Try an authentic Li-Miao winnowing basket feast and Shanlan rice wine in the village.
  • Afternoon: Wait for the sea of clouds at the village entrance or a higher vantage point and take scenic photos. Afterward, you can go to Xinwei Farm to experience tea picking and tea roasting, and enjoy the aroma of rainforest tea.
  • Evening: Continue staying at a cloud-view homestay in Shihan Village and enjoy the peace of the mountains.
• Day 3: Summit the Sacred Mountain or Go Canyon Rafting, Then Return Fully Rewarded
  • Morning: Go to Limushan National Forest Park, hike through primitive rainforest, visit Limu Temple and the stone mortar clusters, and feel the sacredness of the ancestral mountain and the wonders of nature.
  • Afternoon: If you have enough energy and enjoy excitement, you can try Qiongzhong Canyon Rafting; alternatively, head to Feishuiling for a cup of coffee, then drive back.

Accommodation and Transportation Tips

• Accommodation Recommendations:
  • For quality and service: The Four Points by Sheraton Qiongzhong in the county seat is recommended. Rooms are spacious, the green area is large, and management is standardized.
  • For mountain charm: Cloud-view homestays or Shanyou Homestay in Shihan Village are recommended. Open the window and you can see seas of clouds and terraced fields, but reservations should be made one week in advance.
• Transportation Guide:
  • Self-driving: Qiongzhong is located along Hainan’s central route and is an excellent stopover for a self-drive island circuit. However, some attractions, such as Shihan Village and Limushan, have rugged mountain roads with steep slopes and many bends, so be sure to drive cautiously.
  • Public transportation: Public transport within Qiongzhong County is underdeveloped, and taxis can be difficult to find. To reach scenic areas such as Baihualing, you can try taking a local “manba” (minibus) from the bus station, or hire a private car.

Practical Tips to Avoid Pitfalls

• Best season: October to April of the following year is the dry season, with pleasant weather, making it the best time for a cool-weather getaway. Summer, such as August, is cool but rainy, so bring rain gear.
• What to wear: Temperatures in the mountains and rainforest are 7-8 degrees lower than on the coast, and there are many mosquitoes and insects. Be sure to bring a long-sleeved jacket, comfortable non-slip athletic shoes, and strong mosquito repellent.
• Trip preparation: For rainforest hiking, it is recommended to bring a small amount of water and snacks, as some undeveloped sections may not have convenience stalls. Viewing the waterfall requires climbing steps, so seniors and young children should go according to their abilities.